Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry will be holding a budget meeting today at 10 AM for public comment on the proposed 2023 budget.

Unlike counties that have a board of commissioners, where there is more deliberation before a budget is presented to the public, the budget for the coming year is set by the sole commissioner.  Over the years, different commissioners have used different methods to develop the budget, but in the end it is the job of the commissioner to set the budget for his office and all the other constitutional offices in the county.

Elsberry’s proposed budget reflects an increase in what the county will spend next year.  Part of the reason for the increase is a state mandated pay raise for all of the county’s constitutional offices, such a probate and magistrate judge, tax commissioner and the sheriff.  The 2022 budget was $15.1 million and the proposed budget for 2023 is $16.6 million.

A final public meeting about the budget will be held on December 30th at the commissioner’s office.  The commissioner is expected to adopt the budget following that meeting.

Today’s budget meeting will take place at the commissioner’s office at 10102 Commerce Street in Summerville.  The public is welcome to attend.

You can see a copy of the proposed budget here: ProposedBudget