Politics & Government
Coronavirus Forces Douglasville To Live Lean With Next Budget
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, less revenue means fewer frills in Douglasville's next budget.
DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Reduced tax revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic will force Douglasville to eliminate travel, training, special events and some projects in its next budget, according to a statement Thursday from the mayor’s office. The city’s fiscal year begins on July 1.
“We expect that our 2021 fiscal year budget will only include the bare necessities,” said Mayor Rochelle Robinson “Travel and training for elected officials and employees have been put on hold for now, as well as our special events and gatherings. Until we have better clarity on what the financial outlook will be moving forward, it is in the City’s best interest to put these things on hold.”
Those conclusions were the result of a city budget workshop held Tuesday via teleconference. Robinson and members of the Douglasville City Council heard recommendations from each department on what was needed — and what wasn’t.
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“Our revenue, like other cities across the country, has been greatly affected,” Robinson said. “Our staff has done a wonderful job being fiscally responsible which has helped minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our budget.”
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According to the statement, revenues from sales and property taxes are “unknown at this point,” forcing the city to tighten its belt. At the same time, the city used SPLOST funds to keep up with capital needs. The statement said that all projects in progress will continue, but any project planned for the second half of the 2020 calendar year will be postponed.
Recommendations from the workshop will go into a proposed budget to be presented to the city council at a virtual hearing on May 7 at 6 p.m. The city council will then adopt the finished budget at virtual meeting on May 14. Both meetings will be available live at www.mycititv.com.
To watch a replay of the virtual budget workshop, visit Douglasville’s YouTube channel at www.mycititv.com. For further budget information, visit the City’s website at www.DouglasvilleGA.gov.
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