Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer and Gordon County Commission Chairman Alvin Long were guardedly optimistic as they reported on the state of the city and the county during the February Chamber of Commerce Booster Breakfast.

The February Booster Breakfast, which is sponsored by the Development Authority of Gordon County, traditionally features the reports on the status of Calhoun and Gordon County.

Palmer and Long reported that while the city and the county have been hit hard by the continuing economic downturn, both governments have taken steps to ensure that they can work through the tough economy.

Long said the Board of Commissioners has taken unprecedented steps, including recently announced employee benefit cuts, to weather the downturn.

So far, however, he said the county has not had to cut personnel.

“There is progress to report and a bright future to look forward to, but there is no doubt that these are trying times,” Long said. “We have made some tough choices, but the steps we have taken will make Gordon County’s future more stable.”

Palmer said the city has reduced its budget by $5.4 million, reduced the number of city employees by 40 through a hiring freeze and postponed all capital expenditures.

He said the city completed a number of major infrastructure improvements, including the Belmont Road sewer line and the purchase of additional electrical capacity, in 2009. The Big Springs water project is 95 percent complete.

“Our goal will remain to provide the best possible services for the least possible cost,” he said.