Conserving government dollars wins out

The new conservative majority on Oconee County Council brought out the paring knife and cut the size of the next budget to a $60 million level.  After last night’s budget hearing, Chairman Durham succeeded in a package of individual department cuts and received support from Hart and Mize – enough to win a 3-2 vote on final reading.  The vote created outrage and exasperation on the part of Elliott and Davis.  And the evening featured back-and-forth jabs between Elliott, council’s previous chairman, and Durham, the newest.  Chopping county expenditures in 2023-24 to current year numbers played well with several in the audience, some of whom vocalized against increasing budgets year after year.  One of the speakers, Mickey Haney, blamed what he called “career politicians” and “career government employees.”  But a section of the meeting room was lined with county employees who looked on with concern.  As amended by Durham, the new budget is to contain 3% pay raises for county employees.