BUTTS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The level of services offered by Butts County is greater than the majority of rural counties in the North Georgia area and, in scale, comparable to many of the urban counties surrounding Atlanta and Gainesville. While this has resulted in a higher tax rate than many of these counties, the savings to citizens in areas such as fire insurance, healthcare costs and being able to take advantage of a full range of recreation programs within Butts County more than offsets the higher tax rate. For example, before Butts County obtained a Class 6 ISO Fire Insurance rating, it cost nearly $1000.00 per year more to insure a $200k home but the tax costs only increased marginally. This resulted in savings to homeowners and also dramatically increased the "save rate" of properties that burned. Volunteers compliment the fire department and add to the available manpower on fire scenes. Many county services may be accessed in one convenient location in the new County Administration Facility. Located away from the congestion of downtown Jackson with ample parking, ease of access and fully paid for by sales tax dollars, the new facility will be expanding in 2007 to allow more departments under the "one-stop shopping" umbrella for county services.

Butts County provides the following services: County Administration-Finance, Human Resources, County Clerk Ambulance Service-4 Advanced Life Support Units, On Duty 24 hrs a day, equipped with modern cardiac equipment, one Paramedic & one EMT per unit. Animal Control Services-3 units patrolling with kennel & adoption service on site. Community Development-4 inspectors, 1 planner, code enforcement, permitting Coroner Services Courts (Probate, Magistrate, Superior) E-911 Communications-State of the Art, 59th county in Georgia to offer 911 Elections Department Services-Open five days per week Extension Service-Full time, agricultural support, 4-H, numerous programs Fire Department-4 stations, staffed full time with medically trained firefighters, modern fire engines, extrication equipment, quick response squads and Fire Marshall Homeland Security & Emergency Management Parks & Recreation-Base/Soft/Football, Soccer, Tennis, Track, Playground for children, programs offered year round, summer day camp, two basketball gymnasiums. Public Library Services-Internet, modern, expanding with new children's wing in 2007 Public Works-Full time, full service Sheriff's Office & Jail-4 deputies patrol per shift, interstate team, trained investigators Solid Waste Recycling Stations-7, staffed and extended days Other Services: County Water (Water Authority) (90% of County served) DFACS Office (State) Health Department (County & State) Hospital (Tenet Healthcare) Visitors Center (Chamber of Commerce)

Animals may be adopted from the Butts County Animal Shelter located on Bibb Station road between Highway 16 and Highway 42. Building Permits and Business Licenses are obtainable from the Community Development Department located in the County Administration Facility at 625 West Third Street. County Traffic Tickets are paid at the Probate Court in the Courthouse. Deeds and Plats are available for researching in the Clerk of Court Offices across the street from the Courthouse at 26 Third Street. Magistrate Court is held in the Law Enforcement Complex located on Ernest Biles Drive at the intersection of Highway 16 East. Juvenile, Probate and Superior Court cases are generally held in the County Courthouse.