2023-07-27 · City Council · Transcript · Public Hearing 3 for Millage Rate

--- title: Public Hearing 3 for Millage Rate date: 2023-07-27 source: 2023-07-27_Public_Hearing_3_for_Millage_Rate.wav --- [0:06:58, 0:07:01]: All right, Council, uh we have nine oh three, so we need to get started with the meeting, please. [0:07:24, 0:07:24]: Yeah. [0:07:30, 0:07:31]: More than more than [0:07:33, 0:07:47]: All right, good morning everybody. I have uh nine oh four and I'd like to call this special call meeting dealing with the millage rate increase uh to order. Invocation this uh morning be given by Councilman Alexander. Please stand. [0:07:49, 0:08:09]: If everyone would bow their heads, please. I call on you, Lord, to watch over this City of Stockbridge meeting and our community on a daily basis, making sure that this council is exercising wisdom, judgment, and using your guidance and covering to make sure that we're always acting in the best interest. [0:08:09, 0:08:29]: of our citizens. You have been so good to us, Lord. You have been so kind. You have guided us and navigated us through some troubled waters. All we see is prosperity in our future. And we ask that you bless this city and every action that we take that will lead us in the way that you would have us go. All the glory to God. Amen. [0:08:29, 0:08:31]: Amen. [0:08:31, 0:08:45]: Pledge allegiance here. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic of which stands on a nation, under God, invisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:08:46, 0:08:47]: Madam Clerk, roll call, please. [0:08:53, 0:09:00]: Mayor Ford. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Barber. Present. Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilman Blount. [0:09:02, 0:09:06]: Let the record reflect Councilman Blount is not in attendance. Councilwoman Gantt. [0:09:06, 0:09:08]: Present. Councilman Thomas. [0:09:09, 0:09:18]: Mayor Ford, do you have a corner? Thank you, Madam Clerk. Appreciate that. Council, I need a uh motion to adopt the agenda, please. So moved. I'll say it. Okay from Ms. Gantt to Mr. Alzheimer's. All in favor, please indicate. [0:09:18, 0:09:31]: Unanimous decision. Thank you very much. All right. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public council, this is a public meeting. Proposed millage rate property tax increase. And we have a presentation once again uh by Mr. Gardner, our city manager. Sir, please. [0:09:34, 0:09:35]: Morning to you. [0:10:34, 0:10:44]: Just um uh made this known that uh our financial advisor, uh Mr. Walls in the audience as well, and of course our tax commissioner, Mr. Michael Harris, has joined us once again. [0:11:07, 0:11:24]: Ms. Garner, is your mic on, sir? Sorry. There you go. Of a public meeting, sorry. Of a public meeting, uh public hearing and then vote um to set a millet rate um for FY twenty four um for the city of Stockbridge. Uh so today we're gonna talk a little bit about the growth of the city. [0:11:24, 0:11:44]: um some of the impacts of that growth um as relates to public works police, um, which are two key departments in the city. Um the impacts that we see on our proposed um FY twenty four budget and then talk a little bit about the millet rate and how that millet rate applies to different homes at different values throughout the city. [0:11:47, 0:11:57]: So when we talk about the growth of the city of of Stockbridge, um in nineteen ninety the city was just a little under four thousand people. [0:11:57, 0:12:01]: By the twenty ten cent twenty two thousand census we were at eleven thousand people. [0:12:02, 0:12:05]: By twenty ten census we were twenty five thousand six hundred [0:12:06, 0:12:06]: People. [0:12:07, 0:12:09]: And by twenty twenty, twenty nine thousand. [0:12:10, 0:12:16]: Um and it was estimated at us being twenty nine thousand one hundred and sixty three in two thousand twenty one. [0:12:16, 0:12:19]: But as we know, in November there was a referendum on the ballot. [0:12:20, 0:12:26]: for annexation of a lot of the um unincorporated islands and in other areas around the city of Stockbridge. [0:12:26, 0:12:28]: that was approved by the voters in November. [0:12:29, 0:12:35]: took effect January one and the city looked at seeing another sixty seven hundred plus people. [0:12:35, 0:12:39]: added to the city, which would have put our population just under thirty six thousand people. [0:12:44, 0:12:53]: Right. And so when we talk about the impacts you and how that how you can rationalize the size of sixty seven hundred new residents coming into your city. [0:12:53, 0:12:57]: You're looking at almost two thirds the size of the city of of Hampton. [0:12:58, 0:13:01]: coming into the city of Stockbridge uh in January one. [0:13:02, 0:13:13]: Also taking to consideration that we have about nineteen hundred units at that time that were approved and going through some process, a development review process or under construction in the city. [0:13:13, 0:13:30]: And if you roughly do the math with the household size per the census, that would equal up to about fifty five hundred people, additional on top of the sixty seven hundred people we added. That'll come over time obviously, but that would bring our population somewhere around forty one, forty two thousand people. [0:13:30, 0:13:33]: Somewhere between now and the next census period, which will be in twenty thirty. [0:13:39, 0:13:47]: So with the annexation came some realities for us. We annex in about ninety-one miles of road and about forty-three miles of new sidewalks. [0:13:48, 0:13:55]: Right, with deannexation. And as we know, some of those roads were part of our older communities, and so those roads are in need of different peer. [0:13:56, 0:14:02]: And we've been getting the calls obviously, um, since those properties, those new areas have come into the city. [0:14:02, 0:14:10]: So what that includes us having to now take management of our storm water, culverage, drains pipes, storm pipes, uh street sweeping, litter pickup. [0:14:11, 0:14:13]: as it relates to public work services. [0:14:14, 0:14:18]: Also included in that is resurfacing and repaving of certain roads. [0:14:18, 0:14:19]: Right away maintenance. [0:14:20, 0:14:22]: And obviously the restriping of those new roles is the [0:14:23, 0:14:24]: Become repaved. [0:14:26, 0:14:30]: We're also gonna have to look at making traffic improvements with new signalization. [0:14:31, 0:14:35]: And obviously improving sidewalks, installing sidewalks and sidewalk maintenance. [0:14:35, 0:14:36]: In some of these areas as well. [0:14:39, 0:14:41]: Talk a little bit about the police department. [0:14:43, 0:14:46]: So when our police department was formed July one [0:14:46, 0:14:56]: twenty twenty two, we brought on fifty two offices to serve the city, um, at the current population at that time, but twenty nine thousand people. [0:14:56, 0:15:09]: Um we've since received a federal grant that gave us uh an additional ten offices, but obviously as part of that grant over the next three years we will have to take on the majority of those salaries and benefits. Um [0:15:10, 0:15:11]: As part of that program. [0:15:11, 0:15:13]: But that gave us an initial shot in the hall. [0:15:14, 0:15:20]: But during that time, our police chief has calculated out that we've seen an increase in our call. [0:15:20, 0:15:36]: Um, that would project us doing somewhere around thirty eight hundred calls. And we kinda know why. Um as people see more police, they tend to call more. And as we get out there and they get into the community, we advise folks if you see something, say something. Uh and so they get we get the calls. [0:15:38, 0:15:44]: So our police chief did a comparison, um, some of our jurisdictions around and in the chart you see the population. [0:15:45, 0:15:56]: And then you see number of officers, um, their call for service, um citizen to police ratio, uh their current millage rate, and their police annual budget. [0:16:00, 0:16:05]: And our budget, as you can tell, is present for the police is presented at right around eight point two. [0:16:06, 0:16:07]: Uh million. [0:16:07, 0:16:17]: which is considerably less than the other communities, um that are adjacent to us. Not that we would want to get to that size. A lot of them run a lot of different operations than we do at this time. [0:16:18, 0:16:18]: Um [0:16:19, 0:16:21]: And so that's hence the reason why. [0:16:25, 0:16:26]: Roger at a glance. [0:16:27, 0:16:38]: So what we did was we got started a little earlier this year, um, with the understanding that, you know, we we're gonna be having to look at um a billing list rate. And so working with the staff [0:16:38, 0:16:58]: Uh we were able to go through and we're still evaluating the budget as I mentioned. Um going through making sure we can, you know, get it as low as possible. Um and then when we meet with you guys in um in two weeks, we'll go through it again, um more in depth again with with the council. But we had projected uh uh expenses in [0:16:58, 0:17:00]: [1020.9, 1026.6]: with a revenue of nineteen point five that give us a shortfall of right around six mi six point eight million. [0:17:07, 0:17:07]: Right. [0:17:08, 0:17:10]: And we know that number's gonna adjust a little bit as we go through. [0:17:10, 0:17:12]: the budget process. [0:17:13, 0:17:21]: So, with that, we look at the options of what we can do in terms of a military. Currently, everyone that's in the city. [0:17:22, 0:17:28]: Um and the folks to be brought in unincorporated pay a one point nine oh four millage [0:17:28, 0:17:29]: For [0:17:29, 0:17:31]: police district under Henry County. [0:17:32, 0:17:33]: All right. [0:17:33, 0:17:35]: If we go to that number. [0:17:35, 0:17:38]: And just keep it the same you're looking at. [0:17:39, 0:17:45]: Uh a revenue a shortfall of about three point three, three point four million. [0:17:45, 0:17:48]: As compared to the numbers we just explained to you. [0:17:48, 0:17:52]: uh two mils uh three point seven seven mils. [0:17:53, 0:17:57]: That gives us a shortfall of just under fifty four thousand for seven hundred. [0:17:58, 0:17:58]: Right. [0:17:59, 0:18:01]: at four mils. [0:18:02, 0:18:08]: You have um revenue exceeds expenses by about forty f just under four thousand five hundred. [0:18:09, 0:18:10]: At four point [0:18:11, 0:18:12]: two one five mils. [0:18:13, 0:18:18]: You're looking at eight hundred and thirty eight dollars, hundred thousand eight hundred and thirty eight thousand dollars. [0:18:18, 0:18:20]: uh revenue to expenses. [0:18:21, 0:18:25]: And at six meals, which was advertised, but is not being recommended. [0:18:25, 0:18:26]: You would see [0:18:27, 0:18:28]: A four million. [0:18:29, 0:18:30]: Revenue to expense. [0:18:34, 0:18:44]: And I'm gonna let Ed come and talk a little bit about um where we've been going with our fund balance as we we've gone over the years in the last year and a half with our police department and other departments. All right, great. [0:18:45, 0:18:51]: Welcome, Mr. Walls. Thank you. Hello, Mayor. Thank you very much, boss. I'm um getting to the right page here. [0:18:56, 0:18:57]: Yeah we go. [0:18:58, 0:19:06]: So um if you look at the beginning fund balance in two thousand nineteen, you can see it was eighteen point seven million. [0:19:06, 0:19:11]: We added a little bit to fund balance in twenty nineteen and we wound up at nineteen million two forty. [0:19:11, 0:19:13]: That was twenty six months of reserves. [0:19:14, 0:19:15]: And um [0:19:15, 0:19:16]: Like uh [0:19:16, 0:19:35]: Uh, Mr. Gardner talked about this be our third time telling y'all, so I might not go all down into the weeds as much as I have been. So nineteen million, we spent a little bit of fund balance in twenty twenty and we dropped it to seventeen million. In twenty-one, it dropped to sixteen million, and in twenty two it dropped to twelve million. [0:19:35, 0:19:37]: Now it's eight months of reserves. So y'all [0:19:38, 0:19:45]: get the theme that we're trying to get across here is we can't keep spending fund balance. And so that's why we're now talking about a property tax. [0:19:46, 0:19:47]: Next page. [0:19:51, 0:19:57]: What I have to run the machine too. So here's the property tax analysis that we'd done. [0:19:58, 0:20:02]: And y'all see across the page are the various options that we as staff have submitted to y'all. [0:20:03, 0:20:23]: One point nine oh four mills is what uh Henry County levies for their police force. You are providing police. So if you don't levy that one point nine oh four mills, your citizens are getting that much of a break. So in other words, to say it you can levy one point nine oh four mills and your citizens won't know any different. [0:20:23, 0:20:43]: It's a even up, uh break even. Um you can see that um we had done uh various numbers for options three point seven seven mils. You can see there the total taxes on your tax digest is six point seven million. Your tax digest is one point eight billion dollars. That's the [0:20:43, 0:20:50]: The 40% value of all the property inside the city limits. So every one mil raises about$1.8 million. [0:20:51, 0:20:55]: You can see four point two one five mils is seven million six fifty four. [0:20:56, 0:20:59]: We advertised at six mils, and the reason we did that [0:20:59, 0:21:08]: You can approve anything less than what you advertise, but you can't go above that. So we advertise six so we can give you room to choose all these options. [0:21:09, 0:21:15]: Uh down at the bottom you can see the various millage rates of the cities in Henry County and Henry County. [0:21:15, 0:21:35]: McDonald's at three mills. Remember they have very profitable uh enterprise funds that they make transfers to their general fund, which you don't you don't have that. Hampton has four point five mils. Like you, Hampton had not had a property tax since nineteen seventy seven. Last year was their first property tax since seventy seven. [0:21:35, 0:21:53]: This will be your first one since 1977. The reason that you all didn't have a property tax, the Georgia voters approved a local option sales tax in nineteen seventy-eight, a constitutional amendment, and you all have been operating the city on revenues mainly from local option sales tax since then. [0:21:53, 0:21:56]: And you can see Henry County's at ten point five, one one MLs. [0:21:57, 0:22:06]: The school board in Henry County is twenty mils for maintenance and operations and three point seven mils for a bond. So b so the school is about twenty three point seven. [0:22:07, 0:22:08]: Next page. [0:22:12, 0:22:13]: Hit that button right there. [0:22:15, 0:22:27]: So um you wanna do that, boss? Okay. So this is a typical house. Um you can see is a hundred thousand dollars. Uh that is the hundred percent fair market value. [0:22:27, 0:22:33]: So each citizen gets a tax bill from the tax assessors, they get a notice each each year. [0:22:33, 0:22:38]: And um that that hundred per hundred thousand is the hundred percent fair market value. [0:22:39, 0:22:46]: Then for tax purposes you multiply it times forty percent to get an assessed value and then you levy your millage rate against that forty percent value. [0:22:47, 0:22:52]: So one point nine oh four mils is seventy six dollars a year or six dollars a month. [0:22:53, 0:22:58]: Um increase of two point three oh nine mils would be ninety two dollars a month. [0:22:58, 0:23:02]: So at four point two one five it would be a hundred and sixty eight. [0:23:02, 0:23:05]: dollars a year and fourteen dollars a month. [0:23:06, 0:23:07]: This is the difference. [0:23:08, 0:23:17]: Right. And so the four point two five minus the one point nine oh four is two point three oh nine mils. That's the actual increase of just approved. [0:23:17, 0:23:21]: So that's the increase over what they've already been paying to the county. [0:23:23, 0:23:23]: Um [0:23:25, 0:23:26]: I'll go to the next slide. [0:23:27, 0:23:28]: Um [0:23:29, 0:23:43]: Here is um$275,000 house and then a$375,000 house. Just so you can see the distribution um by government entities here, the uh water authority is at two mils. [0:23:44, 0:23:45]: You can see that's um [0:23:46, 0:23:59]: five percent. You can see uh the city at four point two mils would be eleven point five percent of the total tax burden. The counties at twenty six percent and the and the schools is fifty nine percent. [0:24:01, 0:24:15]: Uh funding distribution for your budget. You can see public safety is thirty two percent, general government is thirty-one percent, public works is twenty one percent and debt services sixteen percent. [0:24:17, 0:24:21]: Mayor, that's it for the okay for our presentation for the public hearing. [0:24:22, 0:24:36]: I appreciate that. Um it is a public we've got Mr. Harris here just to give a um overview of the actual process um as it relates to the setting of the millet rate and how that process works. All right, fine. Mr. Harris, welcome once again. [0:24:41, 0:25:01]: Morning, Mayor. Good morning, Council. Mike's right there, sir. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning, Council. Good morning to you, sir. Good to be back again. Um, just real brief. I'm just kind of gonna go through a little bit of the process, make sure everybody has a clear understanding of what happens following this meeting. Today actually represents the third of three required public hearings. Um either way, whatever happens at this point. [0:25:01, 0:25:21]: the city, whether they choose to adopt the millage or not adopt the millage, the next step in our process would be we're waiting for the board of commissioners to finalize their millage and that happens next week, Tuesday, after which time we'll begin the process of taking that on to the to the state for review and moving forward in that in that process. [0:25:21, 0:25:41]: Um a couple things I did want to touch on real quick, and actually Mr. Wall and Mr. Gardner already touched on a few of those things. Just quickly, what a millage rate represents. That's 1,000, represents the amount of homeowner pays, has to pay for every 1,000 of a property's assessed value. Assessed value includes both the structure, the house itself, as well as land. [0:25:42, 0:25:58]: Um property values are made up of fair market value. That's what the assessor's office goes through and they do their annual assessments every year, make determination what the fair market value is. The assessed value is quite simply 40% of that number. [0:25:58, 0:26:17]: Um people often ask um what happens, you know, how is that calculated? It's uh again a simple equation, it's simply your assessed value minus any exemptions that you may want to con consider times your tax rate, in this case your millage rate, what yield your tax amount. Um [0:26:18, 0:26:38]: In the case of what's been happening right now, typically, you know, all citizens that have a homestead would be subject to the uh minimum an L1 exemption, which is a automatic$15,000 off their assessed value. So that helps to reduce their amount somewhat. Uh that can increase over time, certainly. [0:26:38, 0:26:58]: Because Henry County is a county that adopted a frozen provision on their exemptions, which simply stated the year in which you apply for your homestead, that previous year's value becomes your base year. Any value beyond that county taxes is frozen. [0:26:58, 0:27:11]: slide there earlier indicating that the county tax portion is by 10.7, 10.25. So that portion would be frozen for as long as you continue to own the home, just on the county portion. [0:27:12, 0:27:32]: Um that I can tell you the impact of that number for countywide is upwards of thirty-two million dollars. I mean that's the type that that's the amount of the savings that county residents have been able to um utilize over the course because of that one simple provision. Also on the school board side, there are exemptions that [0:27:32, 0:27:52]: Apply beginning at age 62. You have a$20,000 reduction on your assessed value. At age 65, that goes to$80,000. At age 68, that's$120,000 deducted from your assessed value. And then at age 70, you no longer pay any school taxes. After going through that equation, again, once you subtract your exam. [0:27:52, 0:28:06]: exemptions from your assessed value, what you're given is a taxable value. And again, that's what number I always tell people that that's what you want to look at, principally as it applies to frozen,'cause you want to make sure that taxable value number is staying consistent and the same throughout the course of um every year. [0:28:10, 0:28:30]: The digest process itself, it involves a number of a numerous different entities. It starts with the assessor's office. They go through the process annually of going through and assessing all the property within the county. Again, that's real, personal, motor vehicles, utilities, heavy equipment, and the like. They compile that information and then they turn it over to our office and then Lynn Carter. [0:28:30, 0:28:41]: Cardi and her team are here in the back today as well. Um, they compile that information, they begin the process of perfecting the digest, going back through running the numbers, running the um calculations that are required. [0:28:42, 0:29:02]: Um and then from there we work with all the other different tax and entities. The Board of Education, obviously they have their 12 mills for maintenance and operations and 3.628 for their bond. The Board of Commissioners were considering um considering right now. Right now they've had two public hearings. Right now they're considering to keep their millage on over. [0:29:02, 0:29:22]: Overall countywide, unincorporated at twelve point seven three three, and then all the cities. Um the cities of Hampton, McDonough have finalized and adopted the millage this year. City of Locust Grove is not once again adopting the millers this year. So right now, um all eyes are on stock breaks or the finalization of your [0:29:22, 0:29:23]: Of your Miller's decision. [0:29:24, 0:29:38]: Once all that information is gathered and compiled, um again, then the additional work begins of going back through and reviewing the information and preparing to submit it to the state. All that information has to be provided to the State Department of Revenue. [0:29:38, 0:29:46]: Um upon their review, they'll issue an issue uh statement saying that the jurisdiction is not authorized to collect taxes. [0:29:47, 0:30:07]: As I stated previously, we were kind of backwards from a deadline perspective. By state law, we have to have bills out, have to be received in hand prior, at least 60 days prior to the actual due date. Our due date is November 16th. So therefore, bills have to be in hand by September, September 16th. So every year we strive to make sure bills are go out. [0:30:06, 0:30:11]: I know later than September first and we've always met that deadline. [0:30:12, 0:30:32]: So right now we're in the process of, you know, even though we're still in the month of July, we still have some very strict strict guidelines and deadlines that we have to make sure we maintain. Principally we have to have, you know, typically we have ever all our adoptions completed by the end of July, first of August, and we anticipate that happening with the August 1st adoption. [0:30:32, 0:30:44]: adoption from the county. From there we go through and we have to prepare our information to submit to the state. That takes a few days. Once it's once we receive approval from them, which anticipate that first week of August, then we have to submit it to our [0:30:44, 0:31:04]: um printers and they have to go through the process of starting to do draft bills and we have to send, take those bills and start reviewing them. Again, that's something that Lynn and her staff they have to uh diligently go through and spend days going through and making sure that everything has calculated accurately. That takes about a week, week and a half. So right now we're looking at a August [0:31:04, 0:31:14]: twenty second, twenty-third time frame to have bills go out and again gives a little about a week buffer to make sure we go up prior to that September September first date. [0:31:16, 0:31:36]: Um people have asked, you know, if there is a millage adopted by the city of Stockbridge, what would it look like? How would I find it? Where would it be re reflected on my tax bill? It would be very similar to the current tax bill that um City of Stockbridge residents currently see. Right now they have a line item that includes their sanitation charge as well. [0:31:36, 0:31:42]: Well as your storm water fee, there'd be a third line item that simply says city tax and it'll be reflected in that line item. [0:31:43, 0:32:03]: Um one thing I did want to bring up, you know, like to try and you know, we we talk about the g doom and gloom so often. It's nice to be able to bring some decent good news every now and then. This year the governor and the legislature adopted they had a uh a windfall of total of about nine hundred and thirty million dollars. So together the governor and the legislature [0:32:03, 0:32:04]: [1925.0, 1932.6]: feed that money, fuel feel that money back into the economy by um offering a homestead tax relief grant program. [0:32:13, 0:32:33]: Um and so what that what that looks like is it's eighteen thousand dollar assessment reduction on everyone's eighteen thousand dollar reduction on everyone's assessment. Um so running the numbers it equates to a ballpark around um five hundred dollars for every um every citizen at least. It's gonna vary a little bit differently depending on it. [0:32:33, 0:32:53]: to again if the city opts to um adopt a millage rate then that would also be eligible for that reduction amount as well. So that's something we're excited about. So um in the midst of everything else, it's just letting people know that they should anticipate seeing a it'll be reflected as an HTRG with simply stands for homestead. [0:32:53, 0:33:05]: tax relief grant on the on the line item on their tax bill. And again, we anticipate that being on the lines of about$500. It will not be a separate check mailed out. It will simply be reflected as a credit on their tax bill. [0:33:06, 0:33:07]: Um [0:33:10, 0:33:30]: And there are some provisions with that. I just want to make sure people understand that it's not for it is only for those who already currently have an eligible homestead. So if you do not yet have a homestead, and again all the advantages that come with having a homestead um you know bear out onto himself, but this year it's a little bit extra, um, an additional um advantage. [0:33:30, 0:33:42]: advantage in that you'll be eligible for the homestead process uh for this homestead grant. Rental properties, commercial properties, those do not apply either, but it has to be a um an approved homestead in place already. So [0:33:43, 0:34:03]: Mayor, with that, that concludes my information. I'd be happy to address any questions that you or the council may have. Well, thank you, Ms. Harris, for being here and for a presentation once again. This is a public hearing. Uh so I'm it's only my simple assumption that uh since we've been this is the third time we've done this, there's probably a very limited amount of questions, if any, from the council uh in this aspect. But uh [0:34:03, 0:34:23]: Uh mayor. All right. Yeah, yes, Ms. Walt. They need to approve a millagerate today in order to for you to prepare the tax bill. That's correct. If if uh millagerate, if you if you opt to not or want to defer making a decision, what that happens is we'll have to go back to the process. You'd have to go back through the process. [0:34:23, 0:34:25]: [2065.4, 2085.4]: For a hearing and that takes a minimum of eight days, which would put us up against our deadline. So I don't know there'd be enough time for us to be able to to actually get you on this year's bill absent making a decision today. So Mr. Alexander, go ahead, please. Yes, thank you so much, Mr. Harris. You are a top tier professional, let me tell you that. Okay. [0:34:45, 0:35:05]: I I I say that with all honesty. I don't give out plastic strokes. When people do a good job, they do a great job. I was at your county presentation uh yeah or Tuesday and you did they you did something uh with a graphic that really indicated how effective [0:35:05, 0:35:24]: That frozen exemption was. Because when you look at your tax bill each year, the homeowner, such as myself, I bought my house in 2004. The taxes are frozen at the 2004 level. Right. And every time the housing value goes up. [0:35:24, 0:35:26]: You adjust the exemption up. [0:35:27, 0:35:33]: in order to reduce the taxes so the taxes the county portion of the taxes don't go up. [0:35:34, 0:35:54]: So that was something that I thought was very key. Talk about that for a second because again, folks don't understand that the school board is 60% of what we have going on here. But that one exemption, it it does actually help the taxpayer by every year. You adjust their, you give them more of an exemption. [0:35:54, 0:35:57]: Exemption to offset the property, county property tax. [0:35:58, 0:36:01]: And and and I'll go through the ex I'll go through the example, but again [0:36:01, 0:36:03]: As I noted earlier, that [0:36:03, 0:36:06]: That's that's savings to the residents. [0:36:07, 0:36:10]: Іквас баб три мільйон долар і тот. [0:36:11, 0:36:22]: that amount of just from the frozen provision. Um so what we're saying quite simply is again, as I said earlier, what you always want to look at on your tax bill is the taxable value. That's the rate, that's the number that you're being taxed on. [0:36:23, 0:36:26]: That's the value you're being taxed on. It's not the fair market value. [0:36:26, 0:36:27]: Um [0:36:27, 0:36:34]: And and also not necessarily the assessed value, because assessed value is simply forty percent of your fair market value, but after you begin [0:36:34, 0:36:38]: deducting all of your exemptions, that gives you your taxable value. [0:36:39, 0:36:41]: In the case of if you have homestead [0:36:42, 0:37:02]: Um, whatever your base year is frozen at again, the example I always give is um typically if you purchase your home in the year 2010 and it was valued at$200,000, and now fast forward to 2023 and your home is now valued at$300,000, you are still being taxed on your county taxes. [0:37:02, 0:37:08]: Again, unincorporated county, that'd be twelve point seven three three three three three three three mils. Here in Stockbridge, it'd be ten point two five mils. [0:37:09, 0:37:14]: that ten point two five mils would only be uh multiplied times the [0:37:14, 0:37:21]: back to the two hundred thousand dollar value or that assessed value, um eighty thousand dollars of that assessed value. [0:37:21, 0:37:40]: And the way that's accomplished is simply in order to retain that same taxable value, you have to increase your your exemption amount in order to offset the increase in the in the fair market value. So you're right. I mean, I and that's what I tell people all the time, look at your taxable value year over year. If you have homestead in place. [0:37:40, 0:37:56]: That taxable value for county taxes, again only for county taxes, should should be consistent. Um and to to your point, you're right, with the school board, the taxable value will increase incrementally in proportion to whatever the fair market value increase was. [0:37:57, 0:38:17]: Absolutely. I I thought that was very key because in in in that aspect, the county, let me give them a kudos because they really do give you an additional exemption every year to offset your property state. Now they are incr asking for an increase too uh as well, but really the big increase is coming from the school board. [0:38:17, 0:38:37]: At$44 million tax increase this particular year. So now, and I want to kind of keep this short. On the tax bill that they the assessment that they received earlier this year, if everything is static, okay, they would be looking at a$500 reduction based on. [0:38:37, 0:38:57]: On the credit that they're going to receive. If everything remains static, in debt, whatever they receive. Of course, we're looking at a military, but if everything remains static, they would be looking at about a five hundred dollar decrease in the assessment that they sought that they received earlier this year, plus uh any [0:38:57, 0:39:17]: Additional, let's say on the example that you gave on the house, maybe an additional hundred dollar tax for the city. So basically, it would be like a a four hundred dollar deduction of the city. If they were paying a hundred dollar city tax, they got five hundred off of that assessment. Basically, they would be looking at a four hundred dollar reduction off of their [0:39:16, 0:39:21]: bill on average uh that they r that the assessment that they received earlier this year. [0:39:22, 0:39:42]: That's correct. The homestead tax relief grant that I spoke about a moment ago, that was not reflected on the assessment. Um because when they again they put their assessments together back in when the notices went out in April and May, the state, quite frankly, was still trying to figure out the the the details behind the grant how it's going to be administered and governed. Um they only adopted [0:39:41, 0:40:01]: Adopted it in March of this year. So again, they spent a lot of the spring trying to figure out the details behind it. So at the time the assessment notices went out, it was not included on the assessment notices. So you will see that number should differ. The number of the estimate that was given by the assessor's office during your assessment should differ by, again, an additional negative$500. [0:40:01, 0:40:05]: dollars um to make up for the homestead tech relief grant. [0:40:05, 0:40:25]: And my final question is, because I know the seniors often watch and they might not somebody may not have gotten the message off the last two hearings. When a senior turn age seventy, then they're fully exempted based on uh the school board tax. For example, my school board tax is twenty eight hundred dollars this year. [0:40:25, 0:40:32]: They would not have to pay that at age seventy and at age sixty two it starts to go down in levels, right? [0:40:32, 0:40:52]: That's correct. Again, it's based on your age on January first. So if you turn seventy on December twenty eighth, you're good for that next tax year. You turn seventy on January third, you gotta wait one more full year for it to be able to utilize that that particular um exemption. But you're right. I mean it s when you're seventy on at uh on January first. [0:40:52, 0:40:55]: Then you're no longer paying school taxes. [0:40:55, 0:40:57]: Thank you. Ms. Barber, go ahead, please. [0:40:59, 0:40:59]: Ahí ya está. [0:41:01, 0:41:06]: Thank you, Mr Commissioner Harris. I have a couple of questions actually for you. [0:41:06, 0:41:07]: Um [0:41:07, 0:41:09]: For homestead exemption. [0:41:09, 0:41:11]: Yeah. [0:41:11, 0:41:12]: The county. [0:41:12, 0:41:14]: Are we able to also have [0:41:14, 0:41:17]: Homestead exemption for city as well. [0:41:18, 0:41:30]: It's certainly an option that the city can consider. Um I think you're looking at it let's do it certainly something that could be a bit appropriate. I will consider if I approve a new tax, we will need a homestead exemption. [0:41:31, 0:41:31]: For CD. [0:41:32, 0:41:34]: Thank you for confirming that. [0:41:34, 0:41:34]: Okay. [0:41:34, 0:41:48]: Councilwoman, um City of Hampton voters have on their November ballot six different homestead exemptions for them to approve. And so right now the school board has some, the county has some. [0:41:48, 0:41:57]: The process for you to give it to your residents is staff will bring you various homestead exemptions, uh like a cafeteria choice for you to pick. [0:41:57, 0:41:59]: How much you each would cost you. [0:41:59, 0:42:06]: And then you would go to the legislature next year, Senator Emmanuel Jones most likely would carry the le legislation. [0:42:06, 0:42:12]: And the governor would sign it and it'd be on the ballot November of twenty four for your citizens to approve it. [0:42:14, 0:42:34]: And uh that is something to do. Thank you, sir. Yes, and to you, Councilman Alexander Hampton's asking for that frozen exemption like the county has in November. They're doing that. And then one easy thing if you do the math, every resident pretty much pays about thirty mills in Henry County, you know, the school board, the county, sch uh, water authority. [0:42:34, 0:42:38]: So eighteen thousand times that millage rate is the five hundred dollars. [0:42:39, 0:42:40]: That's what they're saving. [0:42:42, 0:42:43]: Thank you, sir. [0:42:43, 0:42:47]: Thank you for confirming that as well. Um I'd like to see [0:42:48, 0:42:48]: Um [0:42:49, 0:42:51]: options for a homestead exemption. [0:42:51, 0:42:55]: One specifically for those homeowners who are on septic. [0:42:57, 0:42:58]: Um I know that [0:42:59, 0:43:00]: If we have any. [0:43:00, 0:43:06]: I know the tax commissioner's office would be able to identify those homeowners. [0:43:07, 0:43:11]: That's one. The other one is um to consider those [0:43:11, 0:43:14]: Homeowners who are sixty two years and older. [0:43:16, 0:43:19]: For homestead exemption for our city tax. [0:43:20, 0:43:20]: Yes, ma'am. [0:43:23, 0:43:25]: Um so if [0:43:25, 0:43:27]: The council so inclines to adopt is [0:43:27, 0:43:29]: A millage today. [0:43:30, 0:43:33]: Those are conditions that I will [0:43:34, 0:43:36]: approve and support. Um [0:43:36, 0:43:40]: My following questions are for Mr. Gardner. [0:43:43, 0:43:47]: According to the slide with the proposed funding distribution. [0:43:48, 0:43:49]: By city functions. [0:43:50, 0:43:51]: I know that [0:43:51, 0:43:52]: Thirty [0:43:52, 0:43:55]: Two percent is for public safety. [0:43:55, 0:43:57]: А і полі сервиси. [0:43:57, 0:44:00]: But the next is thirty one percent. [0:44:00, 0:44:02]: At general government services. [0:44:03, 0:44:05]: We haven't talked about that. We've emphasized. [0:44:06, 0:44:09]: Police services and they provided. [0:44:09, 0:44:09]: Um [0:44:10, 0:44:14]: A good description of what these tax dollars will be used for. [0:44:14, 0:44:15]: I don't have [0:44:15, 0:44:18]: details um in regards to [0:44:19, 0:44:21]: What these tax dollars will be used for. [0:44:22, 0:44:23]: for general government. [0:44:24, 0:44:26]: I know we mentioned about infrastructure improvements. [0:44:27, 0:44:28]: Which that is twenty one percent. [0:44:29, 0:44:32]: Can you provide me more information? [0:44:32, 0:44:34]: So your general government is your [0:44:35, 0:44:43]: Administrative um city clerk, city manager, finance, code business of code enforcement, um [0:44:43, 0:44:45]: Community development. [0:44:45, 0:44:46]: Uh [0:44:47, 0:45:00]: Economic development. Um, that's the administrative arm of the city. And that's that's typically does portion and some of the portions of of your cost is covered through your lost. [0:45:01, 0:45:05]: Right. And in term industry local option sales tax. Um [0:45:05, 0:45:12]: When you look at your budget for a clarity, Mr. Gardner, what I want to know is with this new tax. [0:45:13, 0:45:13]: Mm-hmm. [0:45:14, 0:45:34]: What would it be covering for the general the the when we it'll cover it'll be general fund related because it only could go towards general funds. So your water sewer, those those are separate. So when you think of your budget back in twenty eighteen, um [0:45:34, 0:45:47]: When you add your police costs and the increase that you've seen over this period of time between then and now, the majority of your costs has come through your public works department, increases in your public works department because in twenty twenty. [0:45:48, 0:46:07]: The city signed a new SDS agreement, service delivery strategy, and we took over a bunch of roads that you can only fund at that time through either your your LMEG, through your SPLOS, T Splus, with most of your T Splus. And then what happened on top of that was when we annexed in. [0:46:08, 0:46:10]: We brought in an additional ninety one miles of road. [0:46:11, 0:46:19]: Uh those are infrastructure. Those correct under public works. Sorry. I'm speaking specifically in regards to [0:46:19, 0:46:39]: The operations. Right. Yeah. The departments that cover under your general government are the administrative costs, your economic development, your finance, your code enforcement. Um technically your police is covered. Well, we took their percentage out, but the rest of that is [0:46:39, 0:46:51]: is pretty much your economic development, your code enforcement, community development. Judicial. Um yes, your courts. Sorry about that. Your court course. [0:46:51, 0:46:55]: What in addition, what other services? [0:46:55, 0:47:05]: With this new tax cover. We're covering all of that right now. We foresee this cost covering mostly what we're seeing your growth in your police department recognized prior to twenty twenty one. [0:47:06, 0:47:08]: Your you had no police cars. [0:47:09, 0:47:17]: So most of your cost was covered by a true loss and your permit fees and those type of things. Your police department is now projected at$8.2 million. [0:47:18, 0:47:38]: Right. So if you take where you was in twenty twenty one and add that money to it, that's what you're seeing. We've seen some growth in our lost. So we project that in there as well. So that's why you see the deficit that we put that we see is at six point seven rather than the actual eight point twos, because some of that eight point two is [0:47:38, 0:47:58]: Is actually being covered through your increase in your loss, but you still have that 6.7, right? The majority of that is a police department that you that that the city added in 2021, in 2022. But you it also incorporates costs that that the public works department is seeing to now upkeep the roads because this [0:47:58, 0:48:00]: one key thing we have to remember. [0:48:01, 0:48:06]: When you adopted T Splos and to some degree SPLOS, especially as it relates to Rhodes, [0:48:07, 0:48:14]: None of those roads that came in to through the annexation were on any of those lists, whether it were county or city. [0:48:14, 0:48:18]: For whatever reason, the county didn't cover some of those roads. [0:48:18, 0:48:38]: But now we're car covering some of those roads. And you've mentioned to us and we're gonna be evaluating Valley Hill Road. I drove the road the other day and took pictures. And that road, yes, if we leave that road for another two, three, another year or two, it'll be just as bad as Walt Stevens or Mount Zion. So there are cracks in the pavements. That's not the only road, but that's just keen in. [0:48:38, 0:48:43]: So part of what we're doing is doing an assessment so we know that that cost is gonna come to us. [0:48:44, 0:48:50]: Right. So part of this is not just about the f but the past, it's also about how do we cover these costs in the future. [0:48:50, 0:48:56]: Moving forward because we know these things are gonna come to us. Sidewalk repairs, they're gonna come to us. [0:48:57, 0:48:58]: Right. We know that's happening. [0:48:58, 0:49:04]: So part of what we're trying to do is look not just look today, but we're also trying to look ahead in light of the fact that [0:49:04, 0:49:08]: You've got ninety one new miles of road, about forty three miles sidewalks. [0:49:09, 0:49:15]: We've already been getting the calls, as you've been getting the calls too, and the council have been getting the calls. How do we start to make [0:49:15, 0:49:19]: prepare to do those works in the future and have a revenue source to be able to do that. [0:49:20, 0:49:23]: Can and Council Woman Barber, if I could just add to that answer. [0:49:24, 0:49:25]: In twenty one [0:49:25, 0:49:30]: The general fund budget, all those line items he was talking about was about [0:49:30, 0:49:31]: ten point five million. [0:49:32, 0:49:35]: In two thousand twenty two it was eighteen million. [0:49:37, 0:49:42]: The biggest increase in that was four million dollars, four point five million dollars for public safety. [0:49:43, 0:49:48]: So we spent four million dollars of fund balance in twenty twenty two. [0:49:48, 0:49:51]: And so we're wanting to replace that loss [0:49:52, 0:49:59]: Yeah, the one point five million in debt service for the um bonds that we sold. And we're wanting to replace [0:50:00, 0:50:06]: funding that budget, all of'em, not just one particular thing. And I think if I pick can get your question, you're saying [0:50:06, 0:50:10]: This property tax so much will go to this, so much will go to that. [0:50:11, 0:50:31]: All of it goes into one bucket, local options sales tax, property tax, business license fees, all of it goes in that bucket. Well last year in T December thirty one, twenty twenty two, we had to take four million dollars out of savings in order to pay all of those expenses. And what we're asking you as staff is to levy a property tax because we can't keep [0:50:30, 0:50:33]: Does that make sense? [0:50:34, 0:50:40]: No, it would make sense if we would have had a mid year budget review. So I can see actually [0:50:40, 0:50:41]: Where we are. [0:50:42, 0:50:45]: Um but thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Yes, ma'am. Um [0:50:45, 0:50:48]: Mr. Gartner, you mentioned during this presentation [0:50:49, 0:50:50]: The amount of units that are shown [0:50:51, 0:50:55]: approved by the council of nineteen hundred units. Yes. [0:50:55, 0:50:59]: Is that based does that include all of the new developments that were [0:51:00, 0:51:00]: Approved. [0:51:01, 0:51:02]: Including this year. [0:51:03, 0:51:11]: That includes some that was approved this year. It does not include the new development that was approved at thirteen hundred homes on Flippin' Road. [0:51:12, 0:51:13]: That was not included. [0:51:13, 0:51:15]: So that number's actually higher. [0:51:15, 0:51:21]: Um I think it includes, if I remember correctly in speaking the bracket, as of June [0:51:22, 0:51:25]: May, June of this year, that's the number they factored in. [0:51:26, 0:51:40]: Um, in terms of the number of development that's been approved, some of that's under under review. Some of it is still just sitting out there, but at some point you know it's gonna come to us. The developers are gonna start pulling permits at some point. So [0:51:41, 0:51:58]: I foresee this coming to us steady. Um if you think about um and and we've got a couple of annexations that are coming in, I will tell you that those will probably start construction as soon as they come in, um, based on the developer's conversation with us. So those are not included as well. [0:51:58, 0:51:59]: Um [0:52:00, 0:52:10]: So if you think over the next three to five years, by the time we get to the next to the twenty thirty census, you'll start you'll probably see somewhere [0:52:11, 0:52:13]: On average, probably about [0:52:13, 0:52:18]: Forty to fifty five percent of those developments either done built or under construction. [0:52:18, 0:52:21]: Or it might be higher than that because [0:52:21, 0:52:32]: Um, if you see what's going on in the county right now, as soon as the county approved a development, these guys are out there cutting trees, moving dirt. Um, so that's pretty much what you gonna see here in the city. [0:52:32, 0:52:41]: Yeah. So it you know, yeah. It's important for us to have an infrastructure improvement plan. Yes, ma'am. Don't come into the council like [0:52:41, 0:52:47]: So and and the new and the newer developments, um, Councilmember Barber, they tend to have less stress on you. [0:52:47, 0:52:48]: Because they knew. [0:52:49, 0:52:56]: So the problem we have is that the existing roadways that they're gonna tie onto, additional traffic, right? [0:52:56, 0:52:58]: Um for us it's been [0:52:59, 0:53:02]: When we annex some of the older communities in. [0:53:02, 0:53:15]: Those communities were built around the same time like Brentwood Park was built, Monarch Village was built,'cause the growth rate remember when you go back to that chart, you saw we went from two thousand, eleven thousand to twenty-five thousand people in ten years. [0:53:15, 0:53:21]: So during that time is when a lot of these development happened. So fast forward, those developments are now twenty years old. [0:53:21, 0:53:21]: Oh. [0:53:22, 0:53:22]: Right. [0:53:22, 0:53:27]: Um on top of that what hasn't helped us, especially in some certain corridors around. [0:53:27, 0:53:28]: Um, is that [0:53:29, 0:53:31]: GPS was invented. [0:53:32, 0:53:36]: So when people got stuck on the interstate fifteen years ago, they stayed on the interstate. [0:53:36, 0:53:38]: Right,'cause they didn't know where to go. [0:53:38, 0:53:47]: Now what you have is you have GPS, you get off and it tells you turn left here, turn right here, and so you see the traffic coming down. [0:53:48, 0:54:03]: in as it relates to portion of your district, you will see that traffic folks either dripping coming off of six seventy five at box up, they'll come across and hits hit Eastern Ladder Road and come down. That's why Eastern Ladder Road has some issues, right? And they're coming down and trying to get around the traffic. [0:54:04, 0:54:12]: on on this side, on the east on the east side, on the west side, a lot of them are jumping off either Mount Zion or one thirty eight and going spare road. [0:54:12, 0:54:24]: Walt Stevens Road, Flippin Road, to get down further south beyond the traffic. Um, so that's had a huge impact on a lot of these um what we call arterial not arterial roads. [0:54:25, 0:54:36]: Which is e you topia eastern land of roads, those arterial roads, major arterial arterial roads, that's where the a lot of damage is happening. But over time, even within our subdivisions, we're starting to see wear and tear. [0:54:37, 0:54:41]: Right, because of the age of the pavements, um sidewalks. [0:54:41, 0:54:44]: Um I will tell you um [0:54:44, 0:54:58]: Back when I was in the county planning department, I used to have a huge argument with developers about street trees, the strees the trees between the curb and the sidewalk, the type of trees they were putting. And I'll tell you one example, Monarch Village. [0:54:58, 0:55:01]: Рай специфіклі до врон тайпа тріс. [0:55:01, 0:55:06]: Right. There are other developments around the same thing because what it does is it's that tree got older. [0:55:07, 0:55:08]: It lift the sidewalk. [0:55:08, 0:55:08]: Mm. [0:55:09, 0:55:15]: Because they used the wrong trees. And we would they would try to tell'em. But at the time county commissioners weren't hearing it. [0:55:15, 0:55:28]: The developers was, you know, like they say, uh customers always right. Um, so that's had a huge impact in some of the communities that have come into the city that's coming into the cities, sidewalk issues, um, pavement issues on that side. [0:55:29, 0:55:30]: Um [0:55:30, 0:55:36]: But the newer developments will the only the impact on those will obviously be police. [0:55:36, 0:55:38]: The infrastructure lag behind them. [0:55:39, 0:55:50]: depending on where they are and how much traffic they get, just the roadway in that area is what you'll start to see impacting those collector roads and those m arterial roads that start to decline. It's we'll have to keep up with those. [0:55:50, 0:56:03]: Thank you, sir. Um so just my last comment. So I know with this new tax, proposed tax, most of it is to cover police services. [0:56:03, 0:56:07]: Um the more developments that this council approves. [0:56:07, 0:56:10]: The more officers that are needed. [0:56:10, 0:56:12]: Венви інічалі [0:56:12, 0:56:15]: Um approved funding to start up the police department. [0:56:15, 0:56:17]: І вас бестоліч. [0:56:18, 0:56:18]: At that time. [0:56:19, 0:56:20]: In twenty twenty one. [0:56:20, 0:56:23]: Since then we've had annexations. [0:56:23, 0:56:24]: New developments. [0:56:26, 0:56:26]: However. [0:56:27, 0:56:29]: With this new proposed development [0:56:29, 0:56:32]: I know that it's gonna cover police. [0:56:32, 0:56:33]: Um services. [0:56:34, 0:56:35]: But we also need [0:56:35, 0:56:37]: A priority list. [0:56:37, 0:56:38]: So that [0:56:38, 0:56:41]: These fundings can help improve the infrastructure. Yes, sir. [0:56:42, 0:56:51]: Um aside from the impact fees that we get from the developments. Yes, ma'am. But we need a priority list. I just don't want to see these tax dollars. [0:56:51, 0:56:52]: being used for [0:56:53, 0:56:55]: Other things. Yes, sir. The amphitheater. [0:56:56, 0:57:02]: No oh no. That kind of thing. Yes move. We need a priority list so that I'm assured. [0:57:02, 0:57:03]: Um [0:57:03, 0:57:23]: That is being used appropriately. Yes, ma'am. And and part of part of what's gonna be presented to you guys, um, you know, we're working we're working on the capital improvements plan. You you you should have gotten one last year. It's a five year plan, projected plan, you know, but we tweak it year by year based on what we see happening. But that five year capital plan, if you go back [0:57:23, 0:57:43]: to your old budget lays out over five years some of the projects, key projects. We're adding to that because remember the last time you got it, we had we had an annex in. So as we assess those roadways, you'll start to see those those changes where we're actually plugging those into the into the capital improvement program to keep [0:57:43, 0:57:44]: Keep us moving forward. [0:57:46, 0:57:48]: You're welcome. Ms. Gamp, please. [0:57:48, 0:58:08]: I just wanted um m for the record we've discussed homestead tax exemption and I think the m all of the council agree that that's something that we're gonna go forward towards. We've already discussed that in the past and we plan on doing so. Um I know I've had several discussions, so um that's [0:58:08, 0:58:11]: That's it for that. I'm ready. Mr. Thomas, please. [0:58:11, 0:58:31]: Thank you, Mayor. Um my question is for Mr. Harris, but as he is coming, uh Mr. Walls, thank you for for being here. Um but my question is for for Mr. Harris, but anyone can answer this. Um the tax relief grant. [0:58:31, 0:58:41]: Does the municipalities have to apply for those grants or just automatic? [0:58:41, 0:59:01]: Automatic and so what we'll do is once Miss Cardi and her team they'll they'll calculate the numbers once the millage is determined by the by the city. The state will cut us a check. Um and we anticipate somewhere between a week or two after once we've submit that information and then we'll similarly turn around [0:59:01, 0:59:13]: amount and submit and forward that amount back to the city. So whatever that deduction, whatever that savings was to the to the for the city residents, that same amount will come back to the city. So it'll be no loss. [0:59:14, 0:59:34]: on behalf of the city. All those funds and uh you know, depending on what that on what millage rate you decide, that could be anywhere from zero to again, two or three hundred thousand dollars. But that check will come right back to the city. So it'll be no loss in revenues from the city's perspective. All right. Thank you. Uh that's the only question I have for you. Uh I I do have a cut [0:59:33, 0:59:38]: And I'm going to [0:59:38, 0:59:43]: uh comment alluding to something that Mayor Pro Tem mentioned. Um [0:59:45, 0:59:47]: It seems that [0:59:49, 0:59:50]: The budget. [0:59:51, 0:59:53]: discussion or conversation. [0:59:53, 1:00:13]: should have sort of already taken place before we adopt this millet. But since that didn't happen, I'd like to request, and I know m uh Mr. Gardner, you and your staff have met. I know department head has has already presented. Uh I'm requesting as soon as [1:00:13, 1:00:33]: we can because I know the council will be um discussing at a retreat. But I I'm requesting to get uh your budget if that's feasible as soon as possible. So when we do get to the council's retreat, you know, we will have been able to [1:00:33, 1:00:37]: [3638.3, 3654.3]: Thank you for that for that for that question, sir. We're actually working on getting that. We hopefully we'll get everything we've been working on to the printers tomorrow. So you will get the the proposed budget as we s we put together to this point so we could discuss fully. [1:00:54, 1:01:12]: you'll get that um sometime next week. So it'll be at least a week or two ahead of the ahead of the meeting so you can generate questions. So we've been working on getting that. We're still we had budget meetings um this week going through, trying to refine some of it so when we get it there, we'll have it in a format where you guys will be able to go through it. [1:01:13, 1:01:17]: But also highlight some key areas um to show what's under the numbers. [1:01:18, 1:01:30]: Um so you'll get that. So you'll be able to ask some really good questions. So you'll have some good interactions um as it relates to the budget. But yes, we're already on top of that. You'll get that next week, sir. Okay. Ne next week that that's what I want to hear. [1:01:30, 1:01:31]: Um [1:01:32, 1:01:34]: Another comment is [1:01:37, 1:01:40]: In order for me to [1:01:43, 1:01:50]: trying to balance this out as far as the budget. And I know we have to have to have to make it fit. Um [1:01:50, 1:01:54]: And I think with the city exemption, with the county exemption [1:01:54, 1:01:56]: Uh I think all that is good. [1:01:57, 1:02:06]: Uh but when we get into budget and you know ms uh mr garner that I pay very close attention and I go through line for line. [1:02:06, 1:02:08]: Um but I I think [1:02:09, 1:02:22]: Um and I'm sorry speaking to the council as well. I I think we're gonna have to dedicate more due diligence in uh the city of Stockbridge's budget. [1:02:22, 1:02:25]: I I don't think we can be so cavalier. [1:02:25, 1:02:29]: um going through the budget and I think [1:02:29, 1:02:49]: For me, I I think there will be some um cuts and I I haven't even seen the budget, uh, Mr. Gardner, but I can already feel that um we need to do some trimming because uh with this millage and for its operation. [1:02:49, 1:02:55]: of the city. I don't because for me, once we pass this one today [1:02:56, 1:03:08]: Uh personally, I would not entertain another one. I know a citizen asked uh at one of the hearings, uh, will we be looking at another uh a millage in another year or two? [1:03:09, 1:03:29]: Uh I I'm not I'm not there. So and I'm saying this to the council when it comes to the the city's budget, let's do our due diligence because I would not be on board with another uh increase in the millage no time soon. So that's sort of just my comment, Mr Walls. Mr Thomas, I d [1:03:29, 1:03:32]: That's a great segue in your comment. [1:03:32, 1:03:37]: And so on the screen are the various options for y'all to consider. [1:03:37, 1:03:38]: And so um [1:03:39, 1:03:48]: Three point seven seven mils is a slight loss, fifty-four thousand dollars. So you'd have to dip into your general fund reserves by fifty-four thousand. [1:03:49, 1:04:09]: Four mils is four hundred and forty-eight thousand dollar surplus, and four point two one five mils is eight hundred and thirty-eight thousand doll surplus. And to get back to Councilwoman Barber, you got your local option sales tax going in the bucket. You got this new property tax going into the budget. The goal about this property tax is to quit spending our fund balance if we can. [1:04:09, 1:04:25]: And so in your comment about you only want to do the millage rate once and I have to come back a few years, when we bring you the homestead exemptions and next year's property tax, you're going to collect less from whatever millage rate you levy today. [1:04:25, 1:04:27]: Because the homestead exemption is gonna reduce it. [1:04:27, 1:04:32]: Right. And so if you're wanting to make sure you don't have to raise the millage rate next year. [1:04:33, 1:04:43]: you you don't want to pick a number on these options that's so let so low that when you then reduce it further by homestead exemption you might have to raise it back up again. [1:04:43, 1:04:55]: Speak to you mentioned loss, I think when you said the three point seven um at a loss. Elap elaborate on that a little. So um our loc [1:04:56, 1:05:03]: Our local option sales tax, you know we had the renegotiation with all the cities and the county recently on the local option sales tax. And um [1:05:04, 1:05:14]: Um our sales taxes uh in twenty two were six million five hundred and forty thousand. And so um [1:05:16, 1:05:20]: Our sales taxes have grown in twenty nineteen it was four point four million. [1:05:21, 1:05:23]: In twenty twenty it was five point five million. [1:05:24, 1:05:29]: In twenty one it was six point two million. Last year it was six point five million. [1:05:29, 1:05:30]: And so [1:05:30, 1:05:31]: Um [1:05:31, 1:05:37]: We've benefited greatly from the increase in the economy. When covet hit, everybody started shopping at Amazon. [1:05:38, 1:05:42]: Sales taxes have just really grown phenomenally and it's been great and [1:05:43, 1:05:45]: You I represented y'all for a while. [1:05:46, 1:05:47]: Y'all [1:05:47, 1:05:56]: uh work real hard to try to balance how much money you take from your citizens and how much money you spend on quality of life issues. [1:05:57, 1:05:59]: And I know y'all [1:05:59, 1:06:05]: Y'all work hard to try to balance that and take as little as possible from your citizens. And you all. [1:06:06, 1:06:13]: made a decision to draw your fund balance down. I recommended a property tax to you two years ago. I recommended it last year. [1:06:13, 1:06:17]: And you all felt like I can make it, I don't need to leave a property tax. [1:06:17, 1:06:22]: Your citizens have benefited for two years by you not living a property tax. [1:06:23, 1:06:28]: But uh this is the third year that I'm coming to you asking you for a property tax. [1:06:28, 1:06:31]: You spent your fund balance down as I talked about earlier. [1:06:32, 1:06:35]: And so you've relied greatly on sales tax. Um [1:06:36, 1:06:43]: Hampton was the same way they relied on sales tax. They levied four point five mils last year because the sales tax just wasn't enough to carry'em. [1:06:44, 1:06:54]: There are five there are five hundred and thirty five cities in Georgia. Nearly all of'em have a property tax. Your citizens have benefited from y'all's leadership that y'all ain't had one since seventy seven. [1:06:54, 1:07:05]: Right. Well I'm I'm gonna tell you Mr. Wall but this is this is pretty much directed to uh the the city manager. Um [1:07:05, 1:07:07]: I pretty much advocate for [1:07:08, 1:07:10]: cuts in the budget every year. [1:07:11, 1:07:13]: So for me, um [1:07:14, 1:07:18]: And and that's and I I'm still in that lane as far as cutting. [1:07:19, 1:07:21]: So for me, I would rather cut. [1:07:22, 1:07:23]: Some things in the budget. [1:07:24, 1:07:44]: than to come back in another year to to increase humility. And that's just where I am because I just know for me, and I've always recommended this to my council, but uh my council has not supported that. But um I I'm and I'm just saying for me, uh I I think there's a lot of [1:07:44, 1:07:58]: wastefulness in our budget. But for me, this is where I will be, and I'm sorry to letting this council know, this is where I will be uh upcoming to look at what we can cut to make sure. [1:07:58, 1:08:08]: that we don't have to go back and do another millage. So this is totally just where I am'cause I just know that there's some room for for cutting. [1:08:08, 1:08:12]: trimming some of the fat and not being so wasteful. [1:08:12, 1:08:15]: When we come to operations. [1:08:15, 1:08:28]: Uh Mayor, thank you and I yield back. You're welcome, sir. Um Miss Gann, you had another question? Just one and I I meant to say this. Councilman Councilman Thomas, you're absolutely correct. And I agree one hundred percent with you. [1:08:28, 1:08:48]: And have stated the same thing. I don't want to be in the hole. I can't agree to do the three point seven and still be in the hole. That's not gonna that's gonna defeat the purpose. I don't wanna come back next year and increase taxes. I don't wanna come back the year after that. I don't plan on increasing taxes in the next two years. I don't wanna be in the hole. [1:08:48, 1:08:55]: And I don't want to put that on our constituents. So I rather [1:08:56, 1:09:13]: Rip the band aid off now. It is clear that that dollar example that was shown was for our budget in whole in general. It wasn't what was spent on taxes. We're implementing this tax because we have to. We now have a public safety and that's not a bad thing. [1:09:14, 1:09:30]: It's not it's not a bad thing. Um, but I'm ready I know we have to have a plea hearing. I'm gonna agree with Councilman Thomas and I'm gonna go off the recommendation of Mr. Wall with the four point two. That's me, because I'm not going to vote [1:09:31, 1:09:38]: For taxes in the next two years, I'm not doing it. I'm not increasing. And I agree that we look at the budget. [1:09:38, 1:09:42]: And do what we have to do to trim the fat in the future. [1:09:43, 1:09:54]: If if we're closing it in the next few years, I don't I don't care. I'm not voting for anything increasing after this because this needs to carry us through. And that's where I am. [1:09:55, 1:10:09]: Mayor. Uh yes, sir. Go ahead, please. Let me say this right now. I'm not voting for anything over three point seven seven and I'm not okay with the staff advocating for higher taxes or, you know, putting [1:10:10, 1:10:30]: uh you know extra spin on the higher percentage. I'm not okay with that. Okay, because what that does, it is allows you not to have to sharpen your pencil. It allows you to be able to, you know, get the extra money. Now the 3.77, what that does, it makes you have to go back to the table to look at [1:10:29, 1:10:49]: the entire budget to slice some items. If I give you the 4.12, you just you don't have to do nothing. You can leave this meeting today and the you don't have to you don't have to slice anything. Because if I give you the 4.12 as recommended by you, your budget is already meet four point one two. There's no cuts necessary. [1:10:49, 1:10:57]: But if I give you the 3.77, you're gonna have to leave this meeting and then you're gonna have to come back and see me. [1:10:58, 1:11:18]: With the cuts that you have made so that I can approve it in the budget. So no, I don't advocate for that. And Mr. Wall, I'm not okay with you coming advocating and saying that you've been advocating for a city tax the last two years. It's not the position to advocate, it's your position to put the facts on the table for us so that we can make the decision. [1:11:17, 1:11:37]: For the citizens. I was out there knocking on doors for annexation. I'm not about to hit these citizens with anything but the minimum because that's what they deserve. I've been through three millage hearings already, and every one of those citizens said, break it down to me. Do not give it to me all at one time. [1:11:37, 1:11:55]: I'm and let me say this again. I'm not voting for an increase in the millers next year anyway. Why why I'm not gonna have to because every single year in your presentation, you just gave us the facts. The sales tax are increasing every single year. [1:11:55, 1:12:12]: Right? Yes. What's going to happen is I've been out on the front line since twenty fourteen trying to drive economic development. I'm disappointed in all of us, county, school, everybody overall, because we drove economic development to drive down the taxes. [1:12:13, 1:12:20]: But nobody everybody's taking the easy route. Let's just keep raising the taxes up and not have to do the hard work, which is [1:12:21, 1:12:32]: Taking a pencil and paper and saying, listen, do we really need this? Do we really need that? If everybody wanna control the budget and you want the budget to be down, give them less. [1:12:33, 1:12:53]: Give them less today, and that way that they gotta go back to the table, come back to see us by ebbing the budget now in order to do that. Now, again, I was out there knocking on doors to these citizens. I said, you know, when we dealt with the police department, and I'll stand on that decision today and ever. [1:12:52, 1:13:07]: every day. I wouldn't change it because it impacts our quality of life. I had the officers in my neighborhood yesterday dealing with a situation where there was uh uh let me be careful with what I say where there was someone who had mental challenges. [1:13:08, 1:13:28]: They were dealt, they dealt with it with compassion. They dealt with it with professionalism and lessons learned from George Floyd, Eric Garner, and all of the cases that we've actually had. So in order for me to in order to do that, we have to do what we have to do. But I'm only gonna do what's necessary. [1:13:28, 1:13:48]: But I understand Costco's gonna be open next year. Hopefully Sprouts will be open next year. Hopefully, the development, several other businesses, downtown is flourishing. So I already know that whatever this little shortfall is that's projected by staff, it will be overcome in that 3.77 because sales tax. [1:13:48, 1:13:51]: Texas win up uh go back to the podium again, Mr. Map. [1:13:51, 1:13:56]: How much does sales tax increase between twenty twenty two twenty twenty one and twenty twenty two? [1:13:56, 1:14:00]: Twenty one was six point two million and twenty two was six point five million. [1:14:01, 1:14:09]: Right. So it increased three hundred plus thousand dollars in that singular year, right? Yes, sir. And this year, Mr. Gardner, we're gonna have [1:14:10, 1:14:18]: numerous additional businesses with a till that's forward facing to the customer that's gonna be taking in additional sales tax, right? [1:14:19, 1:14:24]: Yes, sir. That's our hope that if if you know, we'll be bringing in hopefully some additional retail. [1:14:25, 1:14:27]: retail stores and hopefully some more [1:14:27, 1:14:33]: Some you need some more Costco's. We uh right, we understand Costco itself is probably gonna generate [1:14:34, 1:14:54]: Uh on sales tax, geez. Um remember it's a county tax, you're not sure. You only get we get a percentage of that. It's split. But but you know, they they can do a hundred million in sales. So that that one percent that you know you you could buck our way into some numbers and figure [1:14:54, 1:15:08]: figure out what it would be for us as a city. So yeah. We do need hotel growth. As you guys know, that hotel motel money is [1:15:08, 1:15:12]: can go towards a lot of things that I think the council want to see happen so [1:15:12, 1:15:22]: You know, we're trying to encourage more hotels to come here as well and working on a on a big name hotel, um, hopefully we could learn them as well, that'll help as well. [1:15:22, 1:15:42]: Right. So we got two hotels, the True by Hilton Hotel opening up, right? On Patrick Henry Parkway. Hopefully it'll be open. They just they're they're doing their they finally reached the fourth floor again. So they're they're rebuilding after after uh a f unfortunate incident of the fire. Yeah. We expect the Holiday and Express to be open. [1:15:42, 1:15:49]: The home very soon. The home two is about to um as you know, the other one is still under construction over on Spear Road. [1:15:50, 1:16:10]: That's still under construction. It's, you know, I think the weather is delaying them a lot because of that site. Now that site is kind of in a bowl. Um, and then uh the Best Western is up for sale. Hopefully somebody'll buy it. Um and there's another, like I said, there's another two to three hotels. [1:16:10, 1:16:17]: hotel sites that we're marketing um with hotel developers. Um and one of those is downtown here in downtown Starbucks. [1:16:17, 1:16:37]: And that's exactly why this council should not have to raise millage going forward. Growth is exponential and sales tax are increasing three hundred thousand dollars. Just that's why I say this figure here with that negative number is misleading because it does not include the increase in sales taxes. We're gonna get that three hundred dollars, [1:16:37, 1:16:51]: Dollar hit maybe four hundred thousand dollars going forward each year as we add on new businesses. That's what I'm trying to hear. But I I just wanted to make that point because citizens have told us at hearing after hearing. [1:16:52, 1:17:12]: Take it slow. That's what I plan on doing. And I will assure you, if we have any speakers here today, they're gonna say the same thing. Don't raise my taxes and raise them to the minimum amount if possible. The statement that was made, and I'm gonna close by saying this: if we started a police department, there would be a tax and [1:17:12, 1:17:20]: And it will be minimal. I'm going to stick to that. I'm going to vote for the minimal. The minimal at 3.77. Thank you. [1:17:21, 1:17:22]: Mr Thomas, go ahead please. [1:17:23, 1:17:31]: Councilman, I'm I'm encouraged by that and and and and I see that as well. But this is what I wanted to ask Mr. Walls if he would do this for me. [1:17:32, 1:17:35]: If you could calculate in dollars and cents. [1:17:35, 1:17:37]: The difference [1:17:37, 1:17:39]: In uh option [1:17:40, 1:17:40]: To re [1:17:41, 1:17:47]: and option four. I know s it's a one point something. If you can calculate [1:17:47, 1:17:50]: Um the difference in there because again [1:17:51, 1:18:00]: My thing is about the budget and that's encouraging. Um about, you know, uh uh the growth, the sales, hotel, motel and and [1:18:00, 1:18:03]: and and those kind of sales tax, that's very encouraging. [1:18:04, 1:18:06]: But I still come back to say that [1:18:06, 1:18:26]: We have to be better stewards in this city budget. So, Councilman, with that, I agree with that. And our due diligence on the operation of this budget. I I think that's what a difference is. But I just wanna understand in dollars and cents, um that difference in [1:18:26, 1:18:32]: in option three and in option four. Because I think once we s understand that [1:18:33, 1:18:53]: We will be able to see and agree, Councilman, with what you just said and being better stewards of uh of the uh operation budget. I don't know, Mr. Walter, I don't know if I put you on the spot, I don't know if you can calculate that just No sir, I can. Yes, sir. So three point seven seven versus four mils, the difference. [1:18:52, 1:18:55]: [4736.1, 4739.6]: Three point seven seven plus point two three is four. [1:19:00, 1:19:03]: Every one meal on your digest raises a hundred and eighty thousand dollars. [1:19:05, 1:19:07]: So um [1:19:07, 1:19:15]: point two three mils um is is the increase and um um [1:19:16, 1:19:25]: So in dollars and cents that the difference in those two options? So it was six point seven million for the three point seven seven mils. [1:19:25, 1:19:37]: And seven point two million, so it's four hundred and four hundred and four hundred and eighteen thousand dollars. Four hundred and eighteen thousand. So that's the difference in [1:19:37, 1:19:40]: In in those two planes. And that's money to you. [1:19:40, 1:19:42]: Give me a value of a home. [1:19:42, 1:19:48]: And let me see what the difference is in taxes on the value of a home. Well w where I'm trying to go with this [1:19:48, 1:19:49]: Um [1:19:49, 1:19:55]: I'm going to agree with the with the councilman's comments about the growth and the potential. [1:19:55, 1:20:02]: and even looking at our budget to see where we can trim. So I'm just saying, for me, [1:20:02, 1:20:04]: Та диференс [1:20:04, 1:20:06]: Can be made up. [1:20:07, 1:20:08]: You know, if we look at [1:20:09, 1:20:20]: the councilman's projection and and we doing our due diligence here with city operations. And so that's what I needed to see and be able to understand. [1:20:20, 1:20:25]: Councilman Alexander, I you didn't whoop me once and I know you're gonna whoop me again, but um [1:20:25, 1:20:36]: Before y'all did annexation you had sixteen thousand sixteen thousand houses. So I don't know how many extra houses went in for annexation, um three thousand, four thousand, six. [1:20:37, 1:20:50]: Four thousand, five thousand houses. So let's say there's twenty thousand homes in the city of Living Stockbridge. Nineteen hundred or something. Night and so I don't know how so that okay, then that'd be about seventeen thousand homes. I don't know how many of those apply for homestead exemption. [1:20:51, 1:20:57]: But in Hampton, Hampton every one mil was three hundred and uh sixty thousand dollars. [1:20:58, 1:21:03]: Your every one mil is is a million eight hundred thousand dollars. So you're like way bigger than Hampton. [1:21:03, 1:21:07]: Hampton's homestead exemptions, the the cafeteria six that they picked [1:21:08, 1:21:13]: based on the homes in Hampton that applied for the county and the school board [1:21:13, 1:21:14]: Homestead exemption. [1:21:15, 1:21:24]: If those folks applied for the exemptions that the mayor and council of Hampton gave them, they would reduce how much they collect by two hundred thousand dollars. [1:21:25, 1:21:35]: So it's uh you know, a little bit less than one mil. And so my only thought was when you set a millage rate, when we come with a homestead exemption next year. [1:21:36, 1:21:48]: the amount of money we're projecting to collect's gonna go down by whatever we do it. So when we staff bring you homestead exemptions, y'all tell us, I want the freeze, I want sixty-two and older, I'd like uh this one and that one. [1:21:48, 1:21:55]: We will work with John Selfie and Commissioner Harris and c and say here's how many folks can apply for this. [1:21:55, 1:22:01]: Here's what it'll cost you and then you'll pick among a whole bunch of stuff and come up with how much it costs. [1:22:01, 1:22:02]: And so [1:22:03, 1:22:04]: You're right. [1:22:05, 1:22:12]: If you do three point seven seven, you're gonna force us to come back to you with various cuts. Yes. And so just know that's what's gonna happen. [1:22:14, 1:22:34]: Absolutely. So Mayor Ford, uh that's out of um all of the questions, comments, and concerns I have. I know this is a public hearing, um, but I'm satisfied with um with the presentation. I want to thank Mr. Harris for a thorough uh presentation. [1:22:34, 1:22:42]: For me, I really don't have any other questions, Mr. Walls. That was the main question I wanted to ask you. [1:22:43, 1:22:55]: Mr. Gardner, I wanted to request the copies of um your budget as soon as possible. So for me, um I'm I'm ready to hear what the citizen has to say. [1:22:56, 1:23:14]: All right, good deal. On that oops all right. Oh you're done. Okay, good. Just public hearing in this aspect. So we'll I'm gonna start on my very far but on my left, open up the public hearing for any comments for or approve or a positive comments in reference to this millage uh increase on my far left. [1:23:16, 1:23:18]: Any comments in the middle? [1:23:19, 1:23:22]: My right. Any comments whatsoever. [1:23:22, 1:23:23]: All right. [1:23:23, 1:23:35]: Start on my left side and comments against or against the miller's rate or comments about not wanting to do this on my far left. Any comments in the middle. [1:23:35, 1:23:38]: And it comes on the far right. [1:23:38, 1:23:43]: And um Madam Clerk, did you have something that you needed to add? Yeah. [1:23:43, 1:23:46]: Oh I'm sorry. I didn't I didn't see her. [1:23:46, 1:23:48]: Oh okay, so ma'am, come to the podium. [1:23:48, 1:23:50]: And uh give your name and address, please. [1:24:03, 1:24:23]: Good morning. Morning to you. I came back so I could understand, get more of an understanding about the millage rate and the increase in property taxes. And our taxes have already could you give me your name and address please? Lisa Green. And my Mike's on the side. Oh sorry. Lisa Green and we live off Flippin' Road. The subdivision off Flippin' Road. And so [1:24:23, 1:24:31]: So I was just trying to understand get an estimate about how much more will our taxes increase because our mortgage has gone up. Um [1:24:32, 1:24:52]: quite quite a lot since we moved to Stockbridge and purchased that home. And so I'm just trying to get a under understanding with passing this new millage rate. And I am for what you said the least amount possible and making cuts and those things that are not necessary. But I was just trying to get an idea of how much more that would be um [1:24:52, 1:25:02]: Um maybe an out increase of taxes. So that's what I just that's my question. All right. Earlier okay, thank you, ma'am. Because I'm I wasn't here f at the beginning of the meeting. Okay, go ahead. Mr. Gardner. [1:25:03, 1:25:03]: Mm. [1:25:04, 1:25:05]: Mm-hmm. [1:25:05, 1:25:24]: Ms. Gardner, could you come back to the podium?'Cause you gave it an example, you gave a different in your presentation you gave some examples of uh what the would be uh increase would be, certain millage rates, certain home home sizes. I don't know what kind of what where the size of the home is, but she missed that part. So if you might want to go back through that process. [1:25:24, 1:25:24]: Okay. [1:25:25, 1:25:26]: Yeah. [1:25:26, 1:25:31]: Um, I don't think she can hear you right now, so I know mister m okay, now. Okay. [1:25:35, 1:25:36]: May I almost go away? [1:25:37, 1:25:38]: What's up there isn't you? [1:25:42, 1:25:47]: Sh m mister Garner, if I may, Mayor. Yes, sir. She Mr Garner. [1:25:47, 1:25:49]: She she wanted to know [1:25:49, 1:26:09]: How much of an increase uh on her property tax? And I know we don't know the value of a home value of a home, but it But if you can give her a ballpark. I I was requesting where she lived because that'll give me a idea of what her what range her house is gonna be in and I could better answer her question. Avian forest. Okay. So [1:26:09, 1:26:17]: So Avian Forest is gonna be between 275 and 325 in that range. [1:26:17, 1:26:25]: So so let's say for instance uh your house was was um valued at the [1:26:27, 1:26:32]: At three hundred and twenty five, let's see if I got that example over here. [1:26:36, 1:26:41]: All right. Let's even put it at yeah. So let's say for instance it's valued at three seventy five. [1:26:41, 1:27:01]: So you're currently paying on on the you're currently paying right around twelve, I think Michael. She's well, she's in the city. So she's paying, you're paying um the 1.904 for your for police district. All right. Um, and avian forest has always been in the [1:27:01, 1:27:06]: city so that's the only thing you were paying. Um so at that point [1:27:07, 1:27:08]: Um [1:27:08, 1:27:10]: You're paying [1:27:10, 1:27:24]: About two hundred and eighty five dollars and sixty cents, which equates to about twenty three dollars and eighty cents a month. That's what you've been paying to the county for police services. Um overall, um [1:27:26, 1:27:28]: Yeah. [1:27:31, 1:27:32]: Give me a second. [1:27:40, 1:27:43]: Yeah, you said it was thirty three, thirty three percent overall. [1:27:47, 1:27:48]: Four thousand two ninety. [1:27:51, 1:28:00]: Okay. So you're paying for what four thousand. Um, depending on which millage rate the city council adopts. [1:28:07, 1:28:09]: Um at three point [1:28:16, 1:28:26]: For a nine four ninety, yeah. For you'd be paying an additional four ninety um in uh a year in property tax. [1:28:28, 1:28:30]: So that'll equate to about [1:28:30, 1:28:34]: An additional forty dollars a month that you would if any. [1:28:38, 1:28:38]: Shake in. [1:28:39, 1:28:54]: Well, and that number would be deb based on also gonna be impacted by your homestead exemption claims, your age. Um I'm not factoring any of that in, obviously'cause I don't have that demographic information. Um, so that'll also factor in and lower that. [1:28:54, 1:28:55]: That amount. [1:28:56, 1:28:57]: You're welcome now. [1:28:57, 1:29:00]: All right, so otherwise that we continue on. There's no [1:29:00, 1:29:03]: Oh you have a question, ma'am? I would come on, please. Name and address. [1:29:07, 1:29:09]: Good morning. Thank you for having me. [1:29:10, 1:29:13]: Uh I am recently Your name and address Pamela Pamela Burrell. [1:29:13, 1:29:21]: I'm uh in Manderley, so I'm one of the homes that were recently an annexed in. Okay. Um I'm concerned. [1:29:21, 1:29:25]: А за хомонер і Сток на Ситі Стокбридж. [1:29:25, 1:29:32]: Because of what for the presentation that showed the funds being used over so many years decreasing. [1:29:32, 1:29:40]: Why had not b why hasn't this been addressed as far as looking at expenses and making cuts along the way as opposed to right now? [1:29:41, 1:29:49]: So now we have to look at a millage increase to cover or replenish these funds when this is something that should have been done. [1:29:49, 1:29:50]: Years ago. [1:29:52, 1:30:03]: And for us to go forward and I to the points of some of the council members as far as looking at these budgets, where are these funds being spent? Are they being spent appropriately? [1:30:04, 1:30:07]: I am concerned as being a as I said a new to Stockbridge. [1:30:08, 1:30:10]: And when I got my tax bill I about flipped. [1:30:11, 1:30:17]: And then I think I assume that when these bills were done, they were based on that six percent millage. [1:30:18, 1:30:21]: No. They were not. Oh. That's before the millage. [1:30:22, 1:30:23]: When he sent out the [1:30:24, 1:30:25]: The uh appraisals. [1:30:26, 1:30:32]: Did that include a millage rate of six percent at that time? It couldn't have no [1:30:33, 1:30:34]: Nothing at that time. [1:30:35, 1:30:38]: Okay, so that means if you whatever you do, it's gonna go up even higher. [1:30:40, 1:30:44]: Whatever if you do if you don't make if you do it like three point seven percent. [1:30:45, 1:30:45]: That [1:30:45, 1:31:02]: appraisal that I got, which of course I had to appeal because our home was just way over appraised. But anyway, um that means the property tax appraisal or the uh estimated tax is gonna go up even with that five hundred dollar [1:31:03, 1:31:11]: uh grant that might help. So I am concerned, and I'm sure other Manderley residents, there's not many of us in that small subdivision, but [1:31:12, 1:31:15]: You talking people that are probably on very fixed incomes. [1:31:15, 1:31:20]: And uh I think to your point, uh, Councilman Barber, uh about the um [1:31:21, 1:31:33]: Homestead exemption, especially for septic septic tank folks. We're all on septics, even though man uh monarch is not. So we're all on septics. So um I am I have some serious concerns. [1:31:34, 1:31:53]: Okay. Thank you, ma'am. We uh we we we do actually review the budget every every year. We go through a thorough uh concept of the budget and we go through the that whole aspect and and what and and through try to f manage our funds appropriately. Okay. So when when you have to go into the funds, is there an evaluation done? Yes, we do that all the time. Okay. We do that. Okay. [1:31:53, 1:31:57]: Just wanted to state that I have some concerns. Okay, thank you very much. Yep. All right now. [1:31:59, 1:32:18]: So otherwise I don't think I went to the right side, so there's no other comments on the right side. So I don't think any other comments uh across the room. So I will close the uh public hearing at this point. Um and what I'm looking for is that obviously we need a motion here, but uh I would I I wanna go online and you have something, ma'am? Okay, go ahead. [1:32:22, 1:32:41]: There was a comment um submitted that you uh have agreed to allow to be reading. Yes, go go ahead please. And the qu there are questions. How do we apply for senior and homestead exemptions for the new city of Stock Ridge tax? When will the exemptions go into effect? [1:32:41, 1:32:55]: For the new city tax, is the deadline the same as the county tax deadline? And will when the new city tax be due this year? Will there be a new city tax due this year? [1:32:56, 1:33:05]: Well I thought we I thought we covered that already in the presentation with uh Mr. Harris and who gave the process and all that. Miss Wall, you you wanna attempt that, sir? [1:33:07, 1:33:15]: So just quickly uh the answers. Um there is a process for a homestead exemption. You go to the tax commissioner's office and apply for it. [1:33:15, 1:33:16]: And um [1:33:16, 1:33:24]: The um process f to get it done is the mayor and council need to determine what homestead exemptions they want to offer. [1:33:24, 1:33:26]: Then they'll have the Georgia legislature. [1:33:26, 1:33:30]: Consider it January, February, March of next year. [1:33:30, 1:33:34]: The governor has until june thirtieth to sign the bill. [1:33:34, 1:33:38]: And then it'll be on the ballot in November of two thousand and twenty four. [1:33:38, 1:33:58]: And so a citizen would apply for that homestead exemption in the twenty in some t between January and and May of twenty twenty-five. The um um I forget there was one other question she had there to end. What's your point over, sir? [1:33:58, 1:34:04]: Oh okay. Could you finish the question, please? [1:34:10, 1:34:19]: Certainly. So Mr. Harris will send out the tax notices. They're due sixty days by law from the day he mails them. I expect it to be November. [1:34:19, 1:34:39]: November sixteenth. Thank you. Thank you very much. On that note, uh Council, we will need a motion, but I want to go on lump record and say that I've I I personally recommend the uh actual uh staff's recommendation of four point two one five. But obviously that is just my personal opinion, thinking that'd be the best way for the overall for the city and for our future. On that note, uh what is the [1:34:39, 1:34:40]: the motion. [1:34:40, 1:35:00]: Sir, I do want to make a motion and I started disagree. I think we're gonna tighten our belt and make this happen uh at 3.77. So I want to make a motion for 3.77 uh with the described uh exemption, frozen exemption. Uh the ex uh the exemption the staff will bring back to [1:35:00, 1:35:11]: to us information on the frozen exemption. They will bring back information to us on the senior exemption and the septic exemption at the budget hearings that we will have in the next two weeks. [1:35:12, 1:35:13]: Is there a second motion? [1:35:14, 1:35:17]: I will second that Mayor Ford, but I do have a comment. Um [1:35:18, 1:35:21]: That was the reason why I'd been asking for a mid year [1:35:21, 1:35:22]: Budget review. [1:35:23, 1:35:24]: For the council. [1:35:24, 1:35:27]: So that we can see where we are. [1:35:27, 1:35:28]: in our current year's spending. [1:35:30, 1:35:32]: We didn't get that, but we will be reviewing. [1:35:32, 1:35:34]: Twenty twenty four is budgeted. [1:35:34, 1:35:37]: next year, um next month. [1:35:38, 1:35:43]: So I second that. Thank you. The motion be made second. So any further conversation? All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [1:35:44, 1:36:03]: All right, three all f of four. You you agree with this now for the four. Okay. Whatever we're gonna w it's gonna pass. I'm gonna vote for it. But I'm even four to four point two. But let's just move forward. Okay, so if so if I pass it before, uh I'm passed before confirm votes. All right, there we have it. On that note May I ask a question. Yes, ma'am. [1:36:04, 1:36:15]: Uh Councilman Alexander, you've included the frozen exemption, the senior exemption, but is does the regular homestead exemption need to be included in that? And I'm at I guess. [1:36:15, 1:36:21]: Yes, staff will bring back all appropriate exemptions, including the one for septic as described by the MARPROTIM. [1:36:23, 1:36:38]: Oh so that's all in a motion. And motion passed, all four votes. All right on that note, then um so be it. And so that ends uh I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. So moved. Is there a second? This okay from Madison to uh Miss Barber, all in favor, please indicate. [1:36:38, 1:36:40]: All right, the meetings now adjourned. Double shoulders.