I am writing this letter in support of the Health levy on the ballot for May 7th. It is important that this levy pass for the Fulton County Health Department to continue to provide the services that so many Fulton County citizens depend on.
The Health Department does not receive any county funds for operations. The tax levy is its sole source of local funding. Additional funding that was received from the state has dropped nearly 35% since the last levy. Federal grants have been cut dramatically as well in the last few years and some have been eliminated. The Board of Health, Health Commissioner and Management Team have done an excellent job of meeting these tough economic challenges. No services have ever been cut even though they now work with fewer personnel due to retirements and attrition.
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This is not a new tax. It is a renewal of tax funds that we are already paying.
As a former employee, I have the utmost respect for the professionalism of the staff and Board of Health members. I know just how hard they work to keep abreast of new regulations and requirements. Workloads increase yet funding does not.
The Health Department Annual Report will soon be in your mailboxes. Read it carefully. The services that your Health Department provides ensure basic health and safety for all and cannot be considered to be extravagant or unnecessary. Please consider voting “Yes” for Health on May 7th.
Sincerely,
Dee Jackson
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