LUDOWICI, Ga. () – Long County officials invited the public to learn more about recent budget cuts as they navigate millions in debt and fallout form a large-scale theft investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The Long County Manager and Commissioners held an informal workshop Tuesday to discuss their efforts to keep the county afloat, and they invited the public to attend.

“We’re just trying to find out some more answers because we’re not getting any answers about what happened to all the money,” Rodney Roberts, a Long County resident who attended the workshop, said.

The official tally for Long County’s outstanding debt is now at $1.8 million.

Some of the efforts to reduce that debt is already in action.

“We had to reduce positions, and we have to do other cost cutting measures,” newly appointed Long County Manager Chuck Scragg, said.

When asked about whether the county would have to cut more positions, he said, “The fact is we don’t know. We’re going to reassess at probably our next May 6 monthly meeting to see whether or not we have to recommend that. It’s terrible.”

After concerns about making payroll for remaining county employees, Scragg said they have enough for this cycle. However, to make sure the county will be able to keep up with the next few cycles, he said they’ll have to make some tough decisions.

“We’re doing as much as we can to look forward and say will we be able to cut taxes or will they have to stay the same,” Scragg said.

Residents told they were concerned that taxes could also go up.
“Some of these people, they live only on social security. They can’t afford to just keep paying the higher taxes,” Debora Roberts, another attendee said.

Tuesday’s meeting comes just weeks after the arrest of Long County Commissioner Robert Parker, who was investigated by the GBI for theft of government money. Parker has since been released on bond along with Tony “Pee Wee” Edward Fowler owner of Fowler Services.

Fowler is also a former deputy with the Long County Sheriff’s Office and is the son of Long County Tax Commissioner Becky Fowler.

“What we’re trying to do is re-establish some of that trust that has been lost,” Scragg said.

The Board of Commissioners will have a formal meeting on May 6.
“Hopefully within the next couple of months into the end of the year, we’ll be in a better position for the citizens of Long County, but, most importantly, for the employees that have lost their jobs,” Teresa Johnson, a long county resident, said.

One of the proposed items for the May 6 agenda involves petitioning Governor Brian Kemp to remove Parker from his position officially, who despite missing several Commissioner meetings, has yet to step down.