Budget Scrutiny Top 2011 Gwinnett County Priority

The road for Gwinnett County Commissioners has been extremely rocky this past year, but Vice Chairman Shirley Lasseter foresees opportunities in 2011 along with challenges.

 "My priorities for this coming year are to work as a team and congeal personalities and the desires of citizens," said Lasseter, who was elected to represent District 1, which includes Duluth, in November  2008. 

It's this approach that will help the commissioner contend with issues like budget constraints, the future of Briscoe Field, and the service delivery dispute between the county and cities.

As for Duluth, managing traffic and funding construction of a new library come to mind. A library location has yet to be decided by city officials, she said. Because she served as Duluth mayor for 14 years, she knows the issues facing the community well. 

In the first 90 days of its passing, Commissioner Lasseter will focus on balancing the county budget.  Currently, there is an $18 million shortfall, an improvement over an initial $38 million deficit.  In 2007 and 2008, Gwinnett County began trimming the budget, and the process has continued.

According to Lasseter,  the scrutinizing has just begun.  "As a county, we've got to function with a lot less, and that's going to be the approach for the next three years.  But, it's not gloom and doom."

"It's simply a positive way of looking at pulling ourselves out of a frightful economy, so the county and our business partners can survive,"  she said.

Early in 2011, Gwinnett residents can also anticipate activity related to the proposed privatization and expansion of Briscoe Field. Public hearings will probably begin in April, and citizens should anticipate the process will last about six to nine months, according to Lasseter.

She emphasized that airport expansion could be positive as it relates to economic development and budget shortfalls because businesses look to identify geographical areas that provide ease in accessibility.  "But, all the aspects of development will be reviewed," she said.

Lasseter has been acting chairman of the commission since Charles Bannister resigned in October. Although Lasseter didn't pursue the chairman position, it might be part of her future plans.

"I'm only two years into my first term and thought it was only wise to complete the four years," she said.  "Another election wouldn't been good  for the county economy or stability.  We've got to get in a new chairman and have more stability within county government." 

Lasseter said that county commissioners are working as a team, and morale is good.  "As quickly as morale went down, it was up again.  It was liked we jumped into gear," she said.

Teamwork is also an essential element to resolving service delivery issues.  "We hope to have a resolution that we can all live with very soon,"  said Lasseter

As for her daily philosophy, Lasseter looks to take one day at a time while surrounding herself with good, intelligent people.

The county commissioners will vote on the budget Jan. 4 and elect a 2011 vice chairman. An election for a new chairman is scheduled in March.