The Butts County Commissioners Office, located at 625 West Third Street, Jackson Georgia 30233 is the seat of local governance for unincorporated Butts County Georgia. The purpose of this informational blog is provide information to the public in an easily accessible format. The form of government specified in the County Charter is known as Commission-Administrator form of government, which provides for an elected body of Commissioners, one from each of five geographic districts, who are elected in staggered cycles for four-year terms and a County Administrator who is appointed by the full body of the Commissioners to oversee the day to day affairs of the County. Although each County Commissioner is elected as a representative from their respective districts, they represent the interests of the entire county and all its citizens. The main duties of the Board of Commissioners is to pass local laws, known as ordinances, that regulate a variety of things that promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens covered by them; to pass a balanced budget each year that funds its own operations as well as to allocate funds to the four Constitutional Officers, other elected officials, the courts and a variety of programs put in place by the State but funded locally; to ensure that necessary services are funded and provided; to set the millage rate for the County government and many other secondary duties.

The Board of Commissioners has direct responsibility, through the County Administrator, for about 46% of the employees of the County but funds 100% of all employee costs. The remaining 54% is under the direct responsibility of Constitutional Officers/Elected Officials and those working for other Boards or Agencies. The Constitutional Officers for Butts County are the Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Clerk of Court and the Probate Judge. Other elected officials include the Superior Court judges, Magistrate Judge, District Attorney and the Coroner. Each of these individuals operate with complete autonomy and answer directly to the citizens. The Boards who employee staff are the Board of Elections, Board of Assessors and the Library Board.

The Board of Commissioners sets the County millage rate each year to match the County budget. They also receive the millage rate that is set by the Board of Education and an assessment by the State which is submitted to the Georgia Department of Revenue each year.

The Board receives, deliberates and passes local ordinances each year and ammends many others to reflect the changing times. Both require that a public hearing be held and these are normally held during the regular Commission meetings. They also pass several resolutions and proclamations throughout the year. Generally, with some exceptions, the Board can pass any local law any ordinance they feel is needed for the County so long as it does not violate the laws of the State or Federal government or the Constitutional rights of any individual. These are researched thoroughly by legal staff before ever being brought to a hearing.

The Board of Commissioners provide many services that citizens expect through the revenues that are raised annually. These include Fire and Ambulance protection; E-911 dispatch services; Zoning and Planning; Inspections; Code Enforcement; Animal Control; Public Library; Parks and Recreation; Public Works; Waste Management Collection Centers; and agencies that service all of these such as Building Maintenance and Vehicle Maintenance. The budget also funds state mandated services such as Law Enforcement and Detention; Superior, Probate, Magistrate and Juvenile courts; Tax Assessment and Tax Collection services; Elections management; District Attorney (shared with other counties) and some smaller funding for local agencies under the State of Georgia.

The Board of Commissioners meets the second Monday of each month at the Administration Facility. Executive Session is conducted at 6pm, followed by the public portion of the meeting at 7pm. Agendas for meetings are approved on Thursday morning before a Commission meeting, by no later than 10am; after that only the Board can add items to the agenda at the meeting itself.

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