THOMASVILLE — Addressing Thomas County commissioners Tuesday morning, a Thomasville certified public accountant pleaded with the board to take budget measures now.

Bernie Lanigan told commissioners he was pleading with them to go through their budget line by line.

“We don’t need to wait. Do it now,” Lanigan said.

Lanigan’s remarks came at a public hearing about the tentative millage rate being considered by commissioners.

“ ... We can’t have this. We can’t continue this. We’ll go out of business,” Lanigan said.

The CPA told commissioners the current economic upheaval is the nation’s worst financial crisis since World War II. Property values are going down, and banks are tightening up and calling in loans, he added.

Lanigan told commissioners he is shocked at the tax increase.

“Property is worth what you sell it for,” Bobby Blalock told the board, adding that his property value increased 22 percent during recent revaluations.

The economy this year is no better than in 2007, said Blalock, who does not think the U.S. economy will improve for at least 18 months.

When a shortfall occurs in a budget, expenses are cut, Blalock explained.

John Doane, a retiree, told commissioners he moved here from Gatlinburg, Tenn., where he still has a home, and wants to continue living here.

“We all need to cut our expenses at home and everywhere else,” Doane said. “ ... If we can’t make it here, we’ll have to move somewhere else.”

The United States was founded on basics, and the country should return to basics, or it will fail, Doane said.

Commission Chairman Josh Herring said the 2008 millage rate is based on this year’s budget approved in December 2007.

The chairman said that when the 2009 budget is being put together in November, commissioners might have to mimic state government and call for overall cuts.