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Union County – Government Finance

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Government finances play a pivotal role in shaping the local economy, influencing economic growth, stability, and the overall well-being of communities. The impact of government finances on the local economy can be analyzed through several key mechanisms, including public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. These elements collectively determine the flow of resources, the level of economic activity, and the quality of life for residents.

  1. Public Spending and Investment One of the most direct ways government finances affect the local economy is through public spending. Governments allocate funds to infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, public safety, and social services. These investments create jobs, stimulate demand for goods and services, and enhance the productivity of the local workforce. For instance, building roads, bridges, and public transportation systems not only provides immediate employment opportunities but also improves connectivity, reducing transportation costs for businesses and facilitating trade. Similarly, investments in education and healthcare contribute to a skilled and healthy workforce, which is essential for long-term economic growth.

  2. Taxation Policies Taxation is another critical component of government finances that impacts the local economy. Taxes fund public services and infrastructure, but they also influence the behavior of individuals and businesses. High tax rates can discourage investment and consumption, potentially stifling economic growth. Conversely, low tax rates may attract businesses and stimulate spending but can lead to budget deficits if not managed properly. Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals pay a larger share, can reduce income inequality and increase disposable income for lower-income households, boosting local demand for goods and services.

  3. Debt Management Government borrowing and debt management also have significant implications for the local economy. When governments borrow to finance deficits or invest in long-term projects, they can stimulate economic activity in the short term. However, excessive debt can lead to higher interest rates, crowding out private investment, and increasing the risk of financial instability. Effective debt management ensures that borrowing is sustainable and that funds are used efficiently to generate economic returns.

  4. Fiscal Policies Fiscal policies, including government spending and taxation, are tools used to manage economic cycles. During economic downturns, expansionary fiscal policies, such as increased spending and tax cuts, can stimulate demand and help the economy recover. Conversely, during periods of high inflation, contractionary fiscal policies, such as reduced spending and higher taxes, can help cool down the economy. The timing and effectiveness of these policies are crucial in stabilizing the local economy and maintaining public confidence.

  5. Social and Economic Equity Government finances also play a role in promoting social and economic equity. Redistributive policies, such as social welfare programs and subsidies, can reduce poverty and inequality, leading to a more inclusive economy. By providing a safety net for vulnerable populations, governments can ensure that all residents have access to basic needs, which in turn supports overall economic stability and growth.

  6. Conclusion In summary, government finances have a profound impact on the local economy through public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. Effective management of these financial tools can stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Conversely, poor financial management can lead to economic instability, reduced investment, and social unrest. Therefore, it is essential for governments to adopt prudent fiscal policies and ensure that financial resources are allocated efficiently and equitably to support sustainable economic development.

A key indicator for comparison is how much government collects, spends and and establishes debt for each resident under its perview.

The revenue per resident at the local level is:

3,785.83

The expenses per resident at the local level is:

3,269.66

The outstanding debt per resident at the local level is:

473.12

 
UnionGeorgiaNational



LocalLocalLocalLocalStateState
PerContri-PerContri-PerContri-
LocalPer CentStatePer CentCapitabutionNationalPer CentCapitabutionCapitabution
Description(,000's)Per Capitato Total(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndex(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndexIndexIndex

Revenue100,7753,785.83100.002,723,3464,702.61100.000.811.0063,974,2805,803.10100.000.651.000.811.00

  General revenue94,6413,555.3993.912,567,2304,433.0394.270.801.0059,081,1025,359.2492.350.661.020.831.02

    Intergovernmental revenue33,6331,263.5033.371,169,0172,018.6342.930.630.7819,525,1571,771.1230.520.711.091.141.41
      From Federal government60922.880.6064,226110.902.360.210.262,761,441250.494.320.090.140.440.55
      From State government33,0241,240.6232.771,104,7911,907.7340.570.650.8116,763,7161,520.6326.200.821.251.251.55
      From local government00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

    General revenue from own sources61,0082,291.9060.541,398,2132,414.4051.340.951.1839,555,9453,588.1161.830.640.980.670.83
      Taxes52,0681,956.0551.67954,2971,647.8635.041.191.4723,225,3132,106.7636.300.931.420.780.97
        Property28,2321,060.6028.01766,2421,323.1328.140.801.0015,157,4351,374.9323.690.771.180.961.19
        Sales & gross receipts23,099867.7622.9211,72720.250.4342.8553.237,362,197667.8211.511.301.990.030.04
          General sales20,188758.4120.0300.000.00439,203.33545,560.995,663,677513.758.851.482.260.000.00
          Selective sales2,911109.362.8911,72720.250.435.406.711,698,520154.072.660.711.090.130.16
            Motor fuel sales00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            Alcoholic beverage sales39714.910.3900.000.008,637.0010,728.54182,27616.530.280.901.380.000.00
            Tobacco product sales00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            Public utilities271.010.031,2652.180.050.460.58416,12337.750.650.030.040.060.07
            Other selective sales2,48793.432.4710,46218.070.385.176.421,100,12199.791.720.941.440.180.22
        Individual income tax00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
        Corporate income tax00.000.008,58814.830.320.000.0000.000.000.000.00163,483.35201,741.21
        Motor vehicle license00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
        Other taxes73727.690.73167,740289.656.160.100.12705,68164.011.100.430.664.525.58

      Charges & misc general revenue8,940335.858.87443,916766.5416.300.440.5416,330,6321,481.3525.530.230.350.520.64
        Current charges5,050189.715.01402,518695.0614.780.270.3413,763,5311,248.4921.510.150.230.560.69
          Education72927.390.723,5586.140.134.465.54492,44644.670.770.610.940.140.17
            Institution of higher education00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            School lunch sales (gross)1395.220.141,5292.640.061.982.4636,1353.280.061.592.440.810.99
          Hospitals00.000.0000.000.000.000.007,446,794675.5011.640.000.000.000.00
          Highways00.000.00150,395259.705.520.000.0044,3724.020.070.000.0064.5279.62
          Air transportation (airports)41715.670.417,35812.710.271.231.53490,71144.510.770.350.540.290.35
          Parking facilities00.000.009,54316.480.350.000.0022,1482.010.030.000.008.2010.12
          Sea and inland port facilities00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
          Natural resources00.000.0000.000.000.000.001,2530.110.000.000.000.000.00
          Parks and recreation93134.980.921,6102.780.0612.5815.63156,57514.200.242.463.770.200.24
          Housing and comm development00.000.007,41912.810.270.000.00110,98810.070.170.000.001.271.57
          Sewerage1,74065.371.73128,685222.214.730.290.372,498,384226.633.910.290.440.981.21
          Solid waste management712.670.072,4394.210.090.630.79758,29568.781.190.040.060.060.08
          Other charges1,16243.651.1591,511158.023.360.280.341,741,565157.982.720.280.421.001.23

        Miscellaneous general revenue3,890146.143.8641,39871.491.522.042.542,567,101232.864.010.630.960.310.38
          Interest earnings2127.960.218,54814.760.310.540.67404,22336.670.630.220.330.400.50
          Special assessments712.670.07440.080.0035.1143.61134,13512.170.210.220.340.010.01
          Sale of property1,30348.951.291,6362.830.0617.3321.52161,47714.650.253.345.120.190.24
          Other general revenue2,30486.552.2931,17053.821.141.612.001,867,266169.382.920.510.780.320.39

  Utility revenue6,134230.446.09156,116269.585.730.851.064,893,178443.867.650.520.800.610.75
    Water supply6,113229.656.0770,959122.532.611.872.331,919,611174.133.001.322.020.700.87
    Electric power00.000.0085,157147.053.130.000.001,928,737174.963.010.000.000.841.04
    Gas supply00.000.0000.000.000.000.00958,09386.911.500.000.000.000.00
    Transit210.790.0200.000.00456.87567.5086,7377.870.140.100.150.000.00

  Liquor store revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

  Insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Other insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Expenditure87,0353,269.66100.002,439,6064,212.65100.000.781.0059,877,2995,431.46100.000.601.000.781.00

  Intergovernmental expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
  Direct expenditure87,0353,269.66100.002,439,6064,212.65100.000.781.0059,877,2995,431.46100.000.601.000.781.00
    Current operation73,8412,774.0084.842,138,2813,692.3387.650.750.9751,610,0144,681.5486.190.590.980.791.02
    Capital outlay12,541471.1314.41248,207428.6010.171.101.426,455,130585.5410.780.801.340.730.94
      Construction12,541471.1314.41248,207428.6010.171.101.426,455,130585.5410.780.801.340.730.94
    Assistance and subsidies00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Interest on debt65324.530.7553,11891.722.180.270.341,812,155164.383.030.150.250.560.72
    Insurance benefits and repayments00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Exhibit: salaries & wages25,992976.4529.86903,3841,559.9437.030.630.8115,271,8021,385.3025.510.701.171.131.45

  Direct expenditure by function87,0353,269.66100.002,439,6064,212.65100.000.781.0059,877,2995,431.46100.000.601.000.781.00
    Direct general expenditure81,7253,070.1893.902,301,2243,973.7094.330.771.0053,108,2594,817.4488.700.641.060.821.06
      Capital outlay12,362464.4114.20235,946407.439.671.141.475,284,523479.368.830.971.610.851.10


Education services:
      Other direct general expenditure69,3632,605.7779.702,065,2783,566.2784.660.730.9447,823,7364,338.0879.870.601.000.821.06
      Education48,7201,830.2755.981,452,4302,508.0259.540.730.9425,391,7702,303.2842.410.791.321.091.40
          Capital outlay6,720252.457.7281,957141.523.361.782.302,232,978202.553.731.252.070.700.90
        Higher education00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
          Capital outlay00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
        Elementary & Secondary education48,7201,830.2755.981,452,4302,508.0259.540.730.9425,391,7702,303.2842.410.791.321.091.40
          Capital outlay6,720252.457.7281,957141.523.361.782.302,232,978202.553.731.252.070.700.90
        Other education00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Libraries521.950.0616,36828.260.670.070.09187,30316.990.310.110.191.662.14


Social services and income maintenance:
      Public welfare00.000.002860.490.010.000.00136,54912.390.230.000.000.040.05
        Other public welfare00.000.002860.490.010.000.00136,54912.390.230.000.000.040.05
      Hospitals00.000.0000.000.000.000.006,588,810597.6711.000.000.000.000.00
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.000.000.000.00237,98921.590.400.000.000.000.00
      Health49118.450.5619,01832.840.780.560.721,232,964111.842.060.160.270.290.38
      Social insurance administration00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Veterans' services00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Transportaion:
      Highways3,593134.984.1399,828172.384.090.781.012,011,913182.503.360.741.230.941.22
        Capital outlay1,91972.092.2033,94958.621.391.231.58866,72678.621.450.921.520.750.96
      Air transportation (airports)70526.480.816,32610.920.262.423.12488,65044.330.820.600.990.250.32
      Parking facilities00.000.009,90717.110.410.000.007,6460.690.010.000.0024.6731.80
      Sea and inland port facilities00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Public safety:
      Police protection5,545208.316.37169,272292.296.940.710.922,827,188256.454.720.811.351.141.47
      Fire protection1,37351.581.5835,51261.321.460.841.081,491,841135.322.490.380.630.450.58
      Correction1,97274.082.2700.000.0042,902.1755,275.50956,80486.791.600.851.420.000.00
        Capital outlay30.110.0000.000.0065.2784.0935,8413.250.060.030.060.000.00
      Protective inspection & regulation38514.460.4417,48330.190.720.480.62100,8699.150.171.582.633.304.25

Environment and housing:
      Natural resources863.230.107,05512.180.290.270.3436,2503.290.060.981.633.704.78
        Capital outlay00.000.005,2669.090.220.000.005730.050.000.000.00174.95225.56
      Parks and recreation3,747140.764.3133,75258.281.382.423.11872,68679.161.461.782.950.740.95
        Capital outlay36713.790.429,39316.220.390.851.10266,01724.130.440.570.950.670.87
      Housing and comm development00.000.0066,800115.352.740.000.00921,58983.601.540.000.001.381.78
      Sewerage1,14142.861.31109,500189.084.490.230.291,514,098137.342.530.310.521.381.78
        Capital outlay00.000.0021,62437.340.890.000.00230,02020.870.380.000.001.792.31
      Solid waste management45617.130.5223,44740.490.960.420.55859,44377.961.440.220.370.520.67
        Capital outlay2298.600.262,7214.700.111.832.3611,2411.020.028.4414.024.615.94

Governmental administration:
      Financial administration1,38552.031.5926,07545.031.071.161.49952,16086.371.590.601.000.520.67
      Judicial and legal2,25284.602.597,63813.190.316.418.261,250,552113.442.090.751.240.120.15
      General public buildings39614.880.4533,51657.871.370.260.33704,78963.931.180.230.390.911.17
      Other governmental administration86832.611.0045,47278.521.860.420.54918,69483.331.530.390.650.941.21
      Interest on general debt32012.020.3747,00981.171.930.150.191,032,22293.631.720.130.210.871.12

General expenditures, n.e.c.:
      Misc commercial activities00.000.0000.000.000.000.00108,2839.820.180.000.000.000.00
      Other and unallocable8,238309.489.4774,530128.703.062.403.102,515,186228.154.201.362.250.560.73

Utility expenditures:
    Utility expenditure5,310199.486.10138,382238.955.670.831.086,769,040614.0211.300.320.540.390.50
        Capital outlay1796.720.2112,26121.170.500.320.411,170,607106.191.960.060.110.200.26
      Water supply5,310199.486.1078,039134.763.201.481.912,297,736208.433.840.961.590.650.83
      Electric power00.000.0060,089103.762.460.000.002,673,060242.474.460.000.000.430.55
      Gas supply00.000.0000.000.000.000.00920,07983.461.540.000.000.000.00
      Transit00.000.002540.440.010.000.00878,16579.661.470.000.000.010.01

Liquor store expenditures:
    Liquor store expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Insurance trust expenditures:
    Insurance trust expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Other insurance trust00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Debt outstanding12,594473.12100.002,103,8653,632.90100.000.131.0046,847,2834,249.51100.000.111.000.851.00

  Short-term debt outstanding00.000.0016,35928.250.780.000.00956,96386.812.040.000.000.330.38
  Long-term debt outstanding12,594473.12100.002,087,5063,604.6599.220.131.0145,890,3204,162.7097.960.111.020.871.01

Long-term debt issued7NANA445,479NANANANA7,728,049NANANANANANA
Long-term debt retired2,148NANA282,895NANANANA5,086,145NANANANANANA


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus