Pooler optimistic about continued growth in 2014 | savannahnow.com

If more sales tax money, tax digest growth and business ribbon-cuttings aren’t convincing indications of Pooler’s growth, then the hiring of full-time staff at the local chamber of commerce and visitors bureau may be a good sign.

The Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Inc. board began consideration last week of hiring a full-time executive director due to a growing workload for the two-person part-time staff. It’s also exploring the hiring of an outside company to perform social media work.

“It’s a lot of business going on in this little chamber,” Karen Robertson, acting director, said of the organization that boasts nearly 300 members since re-organizing in 2008.

Pooler city officials also began budget discussions for fiscal year 2014 last week.

An $18.2 million preliminary general fund budget has been proposed, roughly $2 million more than the current fiscal year. More revenue from the local option sales tax, which was renegotiated with other governments earlier this year, is credited for the increase.

In July, council members adopted a lower millage rate with the expectation that LOST will make up the difference in lower property tax collections that account for roughly 23 percent of revenue sources. The city’s finance office projects $4.4 million to be collected from LOST by year’s end.

Among other budget considerations is a proposed 3.2 percent merit-based increase for employees. Council members will also decide whether to grant retired elected officials retirement pay of $20 a month for each year of service.

A handful of department vacancies are proposed to be filled, while the police department hopes to hire three officers and six people for the fire department, which has expanded. Pooler employs about 158 full-time workers.

via Pooler optimistic about continued growth in 2014 | savannahnow.com.