'We might have a problem making payroll': Long County
Share this @internewscast.com

LONG COUNTY, Ga. () — Long County is in some serious financial trouble, according to their new County Manager.

Tuesday night, the Long County Board of Commissioners held their first meeting since the new County Manager Chuck Scragg was hired, and he revealed some pretty troubling findings about the state of the county’s finances.

Scragg’s announcement comes after a Long County Commissioner was arrested earlier this year as part of an investigation that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said revealed several people stole money from Long County through a variety of schemes for personal gain.

“I’m predicting we might have a problem making payroll at the end of this month,” Scragg said. “Our fees and taxes and income in this case are probably only about $525,000…Our base bills come to approximately $600,000-$700,000.”

Scragg said the county also has several outstanding debts for projects like the Long County Jail.

The jail is not operational at the moment, meaning the county can’t leverage it as an asset.

“On April 15 we are supposed to pay four notes that are bonds to the tune of $815,000 for the bond indebtedness for the jail. That would come out of the general fund. That money is not there,” he said.

Scragg’s findings come in the wake of a large-scale investigation into theft of government money from Long County.

The GBI investigation led to the arrest of County Commissioner Robert Parker and local businessman Tony Fowler.

“In looking at the six to seven months we really don’t have any money missing…You can see where the money came in and out. There is no missing money. There is no 22 million dollars,” he said.

The new county manager said the county is looking at ways to get the jail open so they can start making money from it, but that would require several hundred thousand dollars.

In the meantime, he recommended putting a freeze on hiring any new county employees and cutting some existing positions so that they can make payroll and continue to provide essential services.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Motorcycle Theft and Drug Possession Lead to Homeless Man’s Arrest Following Archer Road Pursuit

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mitchell Lee Jones, 35, was arrested yesterday…

Minot Road Closure Due to Increased Construction on Mouse River Project

MINOT, ND (KXNET) — Central Avenue will soon be closed at one…

‘Breaking Bad’ Actor RJ Mitte to Host Charity Gala in Orlando for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – The actor behind Walter White Jr. from Breaking Bad,…

Helene and two other hurricane names have been retired

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially…

Teens Accused of Starting Major Wildfire in South Carolina Mountains

PICKENS, S.C. (AP) — Two wildfires that started lose to each other…

Help Celebrate a Piatt Co. Girl with Rare Gene Mutation on Her 4th Birthday: Gift Donation Guide

PIERSON STATION, Ill. (WCIA) — Amelia, a girl from Pierson Station born…

The South and Midwest Confront Severe Rain and Flood Threats Amid Tornado Aftermath

LAKE CITY, Ark. – Parts of the Midwest and South faced the…

Britain and France Accuse Russia of Stalling Ceasefire Talks, Urge Putin to Respond to US

BRUSSELS – Britain and France on Friday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin…

“Pasco County Error Floods Home with Sewage, Owners Devastated”

PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) — It’s a “sewage nightmare.” So says a…

Wrestling with Belief: England’s Unique Church Combines Faith and Wrestling

SHIPLEY – Sitting around a wrestling ring, churchgoers roared as local hero…

Exploring the Tumultuous Journey of the South Korean Leader Removed Due to Martial Law

SEOUL – Yoon Suk Yeol’s political rise was fast: the former star…

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Seeks Help Locating Missing/Endangered Man from Wesley Chapel

WESELY CHAPEL, Fla. – The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching…