DALTON, Ga. — Whitfield County general fund spending would rise about 1.8 percent under a proposed 2019 budget being considered by the Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Monday at 5 p.m. in Administrative Building 2, 214 W. King St. The proposed budget does not include an increase in the millage (property tax) rate.

The budget calls for general fund spending of $46.9 million, up from $46.8 million in the amended 2018 budget. Projected actual spending in 2018 is $46.1 million.

“We’ve tried to keep it as flat as possible,” said Commissioner Roger Crossen of the proposed budget.

Commissioner Barry Robbins said commissioners went over every line item.

“We’ve cut quite a few, and I think there are some more that could be cut,” he said.

Commissioner Harold Brooker said commissioners were determined to keep spending growth down.

“We want to spend only what we have to spend and to keep Whitfield County prosperous,” he said.

The line item with the largest increase in dollar terms is sheriff’s office enforcement and support services, which would rise to $7.78 million from $7.422 million. That’s a 4.84 percent increase.

The line item with the largest increase in percentage terms is the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which would see its budget rise to $307,216 from $103,239, a 197 percent increase. The Metropolitan Planning Organization does transportation planning for the county.

The budget would end funding for the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp., which helps local residents acquire and maintain safe housing. That would save the county $82,500. During budget discussions earlier this year, some commissioners including Robbins questioned whether the county should continue to fund the agency.

It would cut funding from the Board of Elections to $333,040 from $372,700. 2019 is not an election year for the county, so there should be fewer costs.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection on the county’s website at www.whitfieldcountyga.com and in the commissioners’ office, 301 W. Crawford St.