AMERICUS — After much discussion and hearing from people in the audience, the Sumter County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to furlough all County employees for four days each month through June 30. This will represent a savings for the County of almost $500,000.

The move was necessary, according to County officials, to counteract a budget shortfall caused by a lack revenues coming due to tough economic times. Because people are generally struggling, they said, property taxes are not being paid on time, or fines imposed by judges. Also there’s been a decrease in real estate transfer fees, construction fees and other revenues, according to Chairman Brent Williams’ comments in a previous interview.

Lynn Taylor, County CAO, said at Thursday’s meeting, “As the revenues are diminishing as the year progresses, in order to bring the budget more in line, we need to amend the budget revenues and expenditures.” She further explained that since payroll is a major portion of the County’s $18 million budget, that after careful study, the recommendation is to furlough the employees rather than lay off people.

The furloughs will begin Feb. 18 and end June 30, subject to change with revenue collections. Taylor explained that one day of furlough saves the County $27,777 and that the 18 days required with the amendment will equal a savings of $499,986.

The furlough will include every County employee: elected officials, constitutional officers, department heads, full-time and part-time employees. Part-time employees’ furloughed time will be prorated. There are currently approximately 230 full-time employees of the County.

The Commissioners had first voted unanimously to amend the budget to reduce it by $218,321. These savings were contributed to changes in interest expense, E911 costs, fleet maintenance costs, defined benefit costs and health insurance costs to date.

After that vote, Lynn Taylor asked that the furlough be added to the agenda. She said there had been a communication problem between herself and the County clerk regarding the agenda, and that’s why the item was not on the agenda. The board voiced no objections.

Prior to the furlough vote, it was stressed and restressed by the commissioners and staff that this was very difficult decision to arrive at, but that it was a better alternative that lay offs. The furloughs will not affect health benefits, seniority or tenure.

A sheet of “Furlough Facts” which each commissioner had, states that “All benefits will remain in place unless the employee elects to make changes. Health insurance changes will be allowed due to change of status. Other optional coverages that are 100 percent funded by employees may be changed.

“County contribution to deferred compensation will be on the same formula based on up to 3 percent matching of gross payroll to eligible employees. Employees may elect to change their contribution to this program at any time.”

Regarding payroll taxes, the same fact sheet states, “All current exemption information will be used in the calculations of ... new gross payroll less deferred compensation; however employees may want to review their current exemption status and make changes that are appropriate based on IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue Codes.”

The furlough will convert all salaried County employees to hourly employees scheduled to work 32 hours.

Vacation and sick leave accruals will not be affected by the furlough, according to County officials. However, vacation, sick, comp time and holiday time accrued many not be used on a scheduled furloughed day.

When Chairman Williams finally asked if the Board was ready to make a decision, Rick Davis asked, “Is there any other choice?” and Al Hurley asked, “ Is there anymore time?”

Lynn Taylor said, “In defense of the employees, they need every minute of advance notice ... it gives us a chance to meet with them and to meet with department heads ... I don’t know that time will change any facts ... but it’s at the board’s discretion.”

After more discussion, Williams asked again, “Are we ready to take action?”

Silence around the board table was deafening. Eyes were diverted toward the table.

Williams suggested a 10-minute break which actually stretched to about 15.

After coming back into session, Commissioner Howard suggested that the board stay in touch with the Association of County Commissioners in Georgia to seek out other ways to cut expenses.

After more discussion, Williams again asked, “Act on it or table it?”

Davis made the motion to amend the budget for the furlough until June 30 with the option to re-amend it should revenues pick up. His motion was seconded by Hurley “with regret” and approved unanimously.

Davis said he was willing to take a cut in the small stipend he receives as a commissioner. Taylor said a document would be prepared for all elected offials.

In other business, the issue of whether to form a consolidation study commission with the City of Americus and City of Andersonville died on the table due to a lack of a motion.

Questions from commissioners were whether it was possible to form a study committee without creating legislation.

Commissioner Randy Howard said municipalities in his district (Leslie, DeSoto and Cobb) are not amenable to the idea of the study commission. New Commissioner Rick Davis, whose district includes Plains, said his conversations with the people in Plains reveal they feel the same way.

“I have read that a study without legislation has nothing backing it up,” Davis said. “Those without legislation generally fell apart because there was no sense of urgency. I’m not for or against consolidation because I don’t know what it means. But I won’t know unless we have a study ... I’m for the study. Given what we’ve been discussing for the past hour and half (the furlough), we’ve got to change the way we’re doing business or we’ll have alot more problems ... I personally recommend doing the consolidation study.”

Commissioner Andrea Brooks said she’s received phone calls from her constituents who “feel that a vote for a charter at this time is not feasible.”

When Chairman Williams asked if their was a motion, there was silence at the board table. He said it will be another year before the matter can be brought up again due the Legislature’s session.