GDA Proposed Budget Changes
By: Georgia Agribusiness Council
Posted: January 27, 2020
Commissioner Gary Black presented his department's budget on Tuesday morning and spoke about the areas that will be affected by a reduction of $1,807,495 from the mandated budget cuts.
The Proposed 2020 budget cuts will be seen mainly in programs such as Marketing and Promotion, Consumer Protection, Poultry Veterinary Diagnostic Labs, Athens and Tifton Veterinary Labs, and others.
The Marketing and Promotion program has a proposed reduction of $972,081 which will be comprised of the funds for contractual services like marketing, auditing, call center services, and website development. The second largest proposed cut within the Marketing and Promotion program is a $472,093 reduction in funds for five positions and part-time assistance.
The Consumer Protection program includes health and safety monitoring, inspecting and regulating food processors and producers, companion animal industries, plant and apiary industries, pesticide and wood treatment industries, animal feed and grains, and weights and measures and fuel sales. The majority of the cuts within this program will come from the reduction in funds for thirteen vacant positions and part-time assistance and the realized savings from vehicle purchases to reduce high mileage travel reimbursements. Included within the Consumer Protection Program proposed $320,624 budget reduction is a $1,000 pay raise to full-time, regular employees with current salaries of $40,000 or less.
$144,596 from the Athens and Tifton Labs
$128,456 from the Poultry Veterinary Diagnostic Labs
$101,802 from Departmental Administration
$99,934 from the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
$40,002 from the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority.