2024-07-15 · City Council · Transcript · Special Called Meeting Public Hearing 1 Millage Rate

--- title: Special Called Meeting Public Hearing 1 Millage Rate date: 2024-07-15 source: 2024-07-15_Special_Called_Meeting_Public_Hearing_1_Millage_Rate.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:18]: Not the first time, you know. I think you disqualify. And we're gonna we'll try this again. Ladies and good. So I had to call a meeting to order. And the invocation simply stand will begin by American Berry. If you can stand. [0:00:20, 0:00:36]: Dear God, pray today that you would be with us and be with seedings that you will order our footsteps and lead them out of slow make the best decisions for citizens' storage. Lord God, you continue to guide us and give a loving grace and mercy in everything we do. In your son Jesus' name pray. Amen. Amen. All right. Pledge allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the [0:00:37, 0:00:39]: Yes, good evening everyone. [0:00:39, 0:00:59]: Mayor Ford? Present. Mayor Pro Timberry. Present. Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilmember Barber. Present. Councilmember Gantt. Present. Council Member Thomas. Present. Mayor Ford, you have a call. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Appreciate that. Council, I need a motion to uh adopt our agenda, please. So moved. For Mr. Alexander, is there a second? [0:00:59, 0:01:19]: Second. Mr. Berry, second that all in favor, please indicate. It's unanimous decision. Thank you very much. And what we're going to have tonight, ladies and gentlemen, is our first of three public hearings in reference to a miller's rate. Now that's going to be presented by Mr. Gardner, which is our city manager. But let me uh read our public hearing rules before he gives his presentation. And [0:01:19, 0:01:39]: And uh you citizens that are present, you'll get a chance obviously to uh have opportunity to uh give your opinion here uh during the meeting or later on. Please mute all cell phones and other electronic devices. If anyone wishes to speak tonight on public hearing item, please fill out a form available at the table and hand it in to the city clerk before approaching the podium. After he's case. [0:01:39, 0:01:59]: The council would hear from the city staff, followed by applicant or representative regarding the proposed plans for property along any other relevant information. The council will be free to ask questions at any time before the vote. Following the applicant, uh anyone who wishes to speak in favor or opposed to the case will have an opportunity to do so. East side would [0:01:59, 0:02:19]: be allotted 10 minutes total. Additional time may be extended or at the discretion of the council. Please keep comments and presentations professional, referring only to the facts that are pertinent to the case. We will not allow comments or personal attacks toward any individual or group. Please refrain from any applause or comments from the audience during the public hearing. After the presiding [0:02:19, 0:02:39]: Officer recognizes the speaker, he or she shall have direct all comments to the presiding officer, that is me, and never to the members of the council, staff, or audience. All comments will be made from the podium where you will be required to state your name and address for the record. Please note that these proceedings of these hearings are not a debate. [0:02:39, 0:02:59]: Will cause you to be removed from the chamber and the building by law enforcement if you deviate from these proceedings. Other than an applicant, no person may speak more than once. The applicant may reserve part of his or her speaking time as a rebuttal and may speak next and last, and you may use the entire ten minutes allowed for the process. [0:02:59, 0:03:19]: Side of the application. If questions are raised, the council may ask the applicant to address questions andor concerns. The presiding officer will call for a motion and second to the motion and will have any necessary discussion in a matter of it's not tabled. The presiding officer will call for a vote to recommend approval or denial for the request. This is our public [0:03:19, 0:03:26]: uh hearing rules. On that note, Mr. Gardner, our city manager, please come forward and uh and and give us your presentation, sir. [0:03:27, 0:03:47]: Mayor. Yes, sir. If I could just uh for for clarification, this is for the city of Stockbridge Millage. That's correct. You do not live in the city. This does not affect your tax rate. Is that correct? That is correct, sir. All right, thank you. Okay. But it is an open meeting regardless of the city. Yes, sir. Okay. All right. Good deal. [0:03:47, 0:03:55]: Yes, sir. Good evening again, Mayor, Council, uh residents. Um, tonight uh we have our first public hearing. [0:03:57, 0:04:05]: Our first public hearing regarding uh setting of the millers rate for uh twenty twenty four, twenty twenty five. [0:04:06, 0:04:13]: And so with that I'll get proceeded with um some information regarding the millage rate, regarding regarding the digest. [0:04:13, 0:04:33]: Um, talk about some of the growth that's happening in the city, the impacts, um, what we see from our proposed what we preliminary work on our budget, um, and then millish rate options and how that would affect um different homes of different prices within the city um based on different scenario different options. Uh and from that. [0:04:33, 0:04:40]: you'll be able to kinda glee exactly um where the mill is rate is headed based on on our preliminary budget. [0:04:43, 0:04:50]: So what precipitated the budget me the budget uh bubble public hearings is under Georgia law [0:04:51, 0:04:58]: Um a r uh increase in your m property digest, not your millage rate, precipitates uh [0:04:59, 0:05:05]: increase in property tax. So like the some state I worked in, like the state of Illinois. [0:05:05, 0:05:08]: It's not that way. What drives the [0:05:09, 0:05:13]: increase is the increase in millage. So your property could go up but your [0:05:14, 0:05:16]: Your military stays the same. [0:05:17, 0:05:18]: That's considered um [0:05:18, 0:05:23]: not a property tax increase. But in Georgia it's considered a property tax increase. So I digest [0:05:24, 0:05:34]: um for this year grew, unlike in previous years where we were having double digit growth. Um I think it was close to twelve, twelve or eleven percent last year. This year, uh [0:05:35, 0:05:45]: number is one point eight six billion is where we was last year compared to one point nine billion this year. So there was a slight four point four percent increase from twenty twenty three to twenty twenty four. [0:05:45, 0:05:53]: So under Georgia law, what that means is even if the city council votes to keep the millers rate at three point seven seven, which was adopted last year. [0:05:54, 0:05:57]: That still would precipitate the need for public hearings. [0:05:57, 0:06:00]: Because the digest went up even though the miller's rate did not. [0:06:01, 0:06:05]: Right. And so under that we're required to have three public hearings [0:06:05, 0:06:22]: And at that third public hearing, that's when the millage rate would be set at the Wisher Council. As we did last year, when we instituted a millage rate, we were advised by a financial advisor that it's best to advertise a number, even though you will come in under that number. [0:06:22, 0:06:28]: But you want to put a number that's not the number that you're currently at as advertising just because. And here's our scenario. [0:06:29, 0:06:34]: Unlike Henry County, whose budget begins June J July one and ends [0:06:34, 0:06:42]: January 30th of the previous year, the county had no idea what the digest would look like when they just adopted their budget, even though they might have numbers built in. [0:06:43, 0:06:45]: Um you they did not know. [0:06:45, 0:06:57]: Right. So for us our calendar our budget is calendar year, January one to December. So we have a very good idea of what our property tax and our loss revenues would be, unlike the county to some degree. [0:06:57, 0:06:58]: Right. So [0:06:59, 0:07:12]: We advertised a number just above what the number we have, but it wasn't what we did last year. So last year we presented six mills and the sun the city council adopted three point seven seven. So this year we advertised four point two five. [0:07:12, 0:07:19]: With the understanding that we know we could probably work our budget in under that number and would recommend a number smaller than that, lower than that. [0:07:20, 0:07:37]: Uh and so what does the military does? It it drives your general fund revenue, your general operations of government, police. In some cases if you had a fire department, fire department. Um, your parks, your recs, your public works, the folks that do your roads, your side that cleans your do your sidewalks. [0:07:37, 0:07:55]: That funds general government operations, right? Unlike your enterprise funds, or what we call our business type funds, which are water and silver that act and sanitation that act in a competitive business environment, they act differently. So that's what sets what funds your property tax and sales tax fund your general fund. [0:07:57, 0:08:00]: And I don't know how clear this is, I'm gonna try to see if I could blow it up. [0:08:01, 0:08:14]: It's the only way I could get it in here, but I'll I'll do another one and show you guys a different scenario. But in essence, what this slide shows is the increase in our digest um over the last five years, and that digest shows 1.862 billion. [0:08:15, 0:08:18]: The new digest is one point nine four billion. [0:08:18, 0:08:18]: Right. [0:08:19, 0:08:21]: Motor vehicles uh three point four [0:08:21, 0:08:22]: Million. [0:08:23, 0:08:29]: Uh we still have mobile homes in the city of Stockbridge and their values are right at two million dollars all combined. [0:08:30, 0:08:32]: Um we don't have timber in the city, so that doesn't count. [0:08:33, 0:08:37]: Um heavy equipment, we're right at about seven hundred se uh seventy five hundred. [0:08:38, 0:08:58]: And so our gross digest with all those things added adds up to one point nine five billion dollars. So because most of us as homeowners in the county, we could apply for relief from our county taxes, and that's called homestead exemption. So all of us have exemptions. Those exemptions are right at forty four point seven. [0:08:58, 0:08:59]: Seven million. [0:08:59, 0:09:17]: So that comes off of the one point five billion and it leaves you a net digest value of one point nine oh six billion dollars. When you apply, and for everybody to remember, the value of your home is not predicated on what your pr that your [0:09:18, 0:09:26]: Your 100% value is you're not taxed on one hundred percent, you're taxed on forty percent of the value of your house. So if your house is a hundred thousand dollars. [0:09:26, 0:09:31]: Forty percent of that is sixty and that forty and that's what you're tax on. [0:09:32, 0:09:40]: Um your tax on your the millage rate is applied to that. So when you apply the the three point seven seven millage rate that was adopted to that one point nine [0:09:40, 0:09:41]: It would genera. [0:09:41, 0:09:56]: generate a revenue of seven point one million dollars. Um, unlike last year when you applied that same millage rate to the one point eight billion, it gave you a six point eight billion. So that's just over three hundred thousand dollar difference between last year and this year. [0:09:58, 0:10:03]: So that was the four point four growth um increase in the digest. [0:10:05, 0:10:07]: So how does that look on a home? [0:10:08, 0:10:20]: That's not clear either. Um for so for a house that's valued at a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, um forty percent assessed value makes it sixty. [0:10:21, 0:10:30]: Um and because we had an increase also there's a rollback mechanism applied to it. That rollback mechanism we calculated out is right around three point six one. [0:10:31, 0:10:34]: Right. So they would pay two hundred and sixteen. [0:10:34, 0:10:39]: At the two at the present millage rate, they would pay two hundred and twenty six. [0:10:39, 0:10:47]: And if you adopted the advertised millist rate, which we would are not gonna recommend, they would pay two fifty six, two hundred and fifty six a year. [0:10:48, 0:10:50]: Is what they would pay for a house. [0:10:51, 0:10:54]: And the median houses in inside the city stubbridges right between [0:10:55, 0:11:02]: In the number between two hundred and seventy-five to three hundred. So that house assessed value would be at a hundred and ten. [0:11:03, 0:11:04]: All right. [0:11:04, 0:11:08]: Once you apply the millage rate to that, rollback would be [0:11:10, 0:11:17]: Uh three hundred and ninety-seven dollars a year in city property tax. At the three point seven, which is the current, it'll be four hundred and fourteen. [0:11:18, 0:11:22]: For house valued at four hundred thousand, cess value on that would be one hundred sixty. [0:11:23, 0:11:28]: Annual property tax rate of the rollback would be five seventy seven dollars a year. [0:11:28, 0:11:29]: At the current miller's rate. [0:11:31, 0:11:32]: First. [0:11:32, 0:11:52]: It would be six oh three um for a house of that that value a year. And so that and as we compare to some of our neighboring sisters, when we look at their tax rates, obviously everybody's looking at or has advertised an increase. Um so McDonough's at three point zero three three, Hampton is at four point five, uh Henry County I think it's at twelve. [0:11:52, 0:11:55]: twelve and they're talking about increasing theirs. [0:11:58, 0:12:02]: And this just gives you an example of typical house, those values. [0:12:02, 0:12:12]: And for the most part those values, when I look at them from last year to this year, roughly gone up about six thousand in some cases. In some cases it's gone up a little bit more. [0:12:12, 0:12:20]: Um but overall our digest is on up only four percent. So that house under the current and current rate, remember two hundred and twenty-six a year. [0:12:21, 0:12:22]: Eighteen dollars a month. [0:12:22, 0:12:27]: Um if you just apply one of the millis rate examples options we give, which is four point one five. [0:12:28, 0:12:37]: They would go to four hundred and two hundred and forty nine dollars versus two hundred and twenty-six dollars. A house valued at two hundred and thirty-four, and these are exact numbers for those houses. [0:12:38, 0:12:40]: Um their current would be three fifty seven a year. [0:12:41, 0:12:42]: Or twenty nine dollars a month. [0:12:42, 0:12:44]: At one of the options. [0:12:44, 0:12:48]: The middle option of four point one five, it would be three hundred and eighty eight. [0:12:48, 0:12:50]: per year or thirty two a month. [0:12:52, 0:12:55]: Another house valued at two hundred and eighty one six. [0:12:55, 0:13:00]: Would see uh Miller's rate at three point seven seven of two hundred nine dollars. [0:13:00, 0:13:03]: Um seventeen forty four a month. [0:13:03, 0:13:23]: And at the one point one five four point one five, four hundred and sixty-one. And the caveat, that's my old house. Um so the other house at three hundred and eighty one um would be five hundred and seventy-four seven fifty-five per year at three point seven seven or forty seven um [0:13:23, 0:13:25]: Yeah. [0:13:25, 0:13:26]: Um [0:13:26, 0:13:32]: And it the four point one five would be six hundred and thirty two a year or fifty two dollars a month. [0:13:32, 0:13:34]: Yes, sir. Mayor that that [0:13:35, 0:13:55]: Look at that figure for two eighty one. That seems uh dramatic difference between the two oh nine and four sixty seven. You only going up um to uh four fifteen. Looks like that might that figure might be incorrect. Yeah, hold on. I'll make sure. I might have done some [0:13:55, 0:13:56]: Crazy mass. [0:13:58, 0:14:02]: A higher price home you only went up three eighty one. [0:14:04, 0:14:18]: Time set by forty. Okay. Time set by point zero zero three seven. Yeah, that's five hundred and forty-seven and uh two hundred and eighty one. [0:14:19, 0:14:22]: Six, two eighty one, six. [0:14:23, 0:14:24]: Times forty percent. [0:14:26, 0:14:29]: Times point zero zero three seven seven. [0:14:30, 0:14:45]: Yep, oh I'm sorry, that number's incorrect. So that number would be four twenty four hundred and twenty four dollars. I'm sorry. So that'd be four hundred and twenty four dollars um for the house that I lead at two hundred and eighty one. What's what's the current rate at three point seven seven dollars? So one of those guys. [0:14:45, 0:15:02]: So that's what that's what the current rate is. So if you apply the miller's rate now at that at that house, that's what they will pay. It'd be four hundred and twenty four dollars and sixty five cents a year. Right. So the two oh nine was wrong. Okay. Yep. The the one for two for two eighty one is cor incorrect. The two oh nine is wrong. Yes. Okay. [0:15:02, 0:15:04]: My apologies. [0:15:06, 0:15:06]: Continue, please. [0:15:08, 0:15:22]: And this is not clear. Um so working with our staff over the last um month or so, including our last meeting today with the police department, we came up with our general fund um preliminary numbers at right around twenty nine point [0:15:23, 0:15:26]: five uh million to run the general fund. [0:15:27, 0:15:33]: Um, with our revenues, if you go to the rollback, that revenue would be two hundred and two twenty two million. [0:15:34, 0:15:46]: twenty two point one million, which is roughly about a three hundred excuse me, uh three hundred thousand dollar difference between where we would be, um at option number [0:15:46, 0:15:47]: Two [0:15:47, 0:16:07]: Um when you apply the millage rate at 3.77, that gives us roughly a break-even with a little bit overage, a little bit of break in break-even. Everything above that, obviously at the four four mils would give us an excess of four hundred thousand and a uh average uh [0:16:07, 0:16:27]: Miller's rate of 3.15 would be 724,000 above, and a millage rate at 4.25 would give us give us 915,000 above revenues to expenses. So with that, obviously the clear picture of breaking is break-even would be option number two, would be the remillage rate, which is key. [0:16:27, 0:16:44]: keeping the millage rate what it is right now. And that would be the staff recommendation based on what we've got to date. We don't anticipate anything going up. We do anticipate doing a little bit more of a cutting if we can. Um but for the most part, that's what it's gonna look like for us in running the budget. And so with that [0:16:44, 0:16:51]: We'll move forward, but that's gonna be our recommendation uh probably at our third meeting would be to keep the millers right while that what it is. [0:16:52, 0:16:53]: Okay. [0:16:53, 0:16:57]: So when you talk about who takes your dollar, so if you take a tax dollar [0:16:58, 0:17:03]: a dollar of your taxes and you had to divide it up against all the taxing entities that that are out there in the county. [0:17:04, 0:17:05]: Your school board. [0:17:05, 0:17:18]: Uh, their current twenty three point six mills, three of that being bonds that they float um for schools. So their millage rate is twenty plus the three for the bonds. They're right at fifty nine cents of your dollar goes to the school board. [0:17:19, 0:17:21]: Fifty nine cents out of every dollar you pay. [0:17:22, 0:17:22]: About [0:17:23, 0:17:28]: Twenty six cents out of every dollar you pay goes to Henry County. [0:17:29, 0:17:33]: Um at three point seven seven, you're looking at eleven cents. [0:17:33, 0:17:34]: On a dollar. [0:17:34, 0:17:38]: And right now most of us, whether we on city water. [0:17:38, 0:17:39]: Or on [0:17:40, 0:17:41]: Henry County Water Authority Water. [0:17:42, 0:17:45]: And less for those folks who live in certain parts of the county that's on Clayton County. [0:17:45, 0:17:49]: They won't see this, but I think this mill they do see it. This mill is raid. [0:17:50, 0:17:55]: is applied for Henry County Water Authority at two Mills, and it's been there for a number of years. [0:17:55, 0:18:04]: And my understanding that it's slated to go away in a few years, but it's still there. You pay that to the Water Authority, regardless of whether or not you live, utilize [0:18:04, 0:18:06]: If you utilize their water or not. [0:18:06, 0:18:10]: Every resident and if you're on Clayton County water and you live on [0:18:10, 0:18:14]: Valley Hill Road and you're in Cleeton County, you're still paying that two mils to Henry County. [0:18:15, 0:18:15]: Right. [0:18:16, 0:18:28]: Um, so that's pretty much who gets your money. Um when you talk about from a dollar standpoint in cents, who gets it? City around eleven cents, Water Authority about five cents off of that, Henry County about twenty six cents, and the school board fifty nine. [0:18:30, 0:18:32]: Uh moving forward. [0:18:32, 0:18:52]: Obviously, next step in the process is we will have two more millage rate meetings as required by law. Um council is expected to adopt the millage rate at our third meeting, regardless of what I mean what that millage rate may be. They're required to adopt it. Um and that could be anywhere from the rollback all the way up to 4.2, but the staff. [0:18:52, 0:19:00]: As obviously, as you can see from the slides. And we will make this slide available online after tonight's meeting, so you guys can go through it if you want to. [0:19:00, 0:19:03]: Um be available, so we're required to. [0:19:03, 0:19:16]: There's also um this will apply once adopted, the millage rate, the new millage rate, whether it stays the same or not, well you'll start to see that in your tax when you get your tax bill if you're on escrow. I mean b tax bill goes out in October or November. [0:19:17, 0:19:29]: August. So yeah. So some of us get ours in October, November, December. Some folks are who own their homes outright tend to pay a little payoff. Um but you'll see that process between October and December of this year. [0:19:29, 0:19:32]: There will be a b an initiative on the ballot. [0:19:32, 0:19:35]: Um for all Stockbridge residents. [0:19:35, 0:19:55]: And they will be whether or not you want to accept homestead exemption for your city taxes. As a homeowner, you already have exemptions. If you haven't applied, please do. Um, but you're allowed to exempt have exemptions from your um county taxes. It's a separate process um because we're accept a sep a separate taxing entity. [0:19:55, 0:20:05]: So you have to apply with us to get that exemption. So that exemption will be on the ballot. And as far as I know, in the state of Georgia, no homestead exemption ballot initiative has failed. [0:20:06, 0:20:26]: That's not to date. Um, and so that'll go and take into effect um starting 2025, you will get those that re exemption off your city property tax if you apply. And it's weighted for regular homeowners as well as for those homeowners that are 62 and above, as well as those homeowners who are on septic. [0:20:26, 0:20:27]: То [0:20:28, 0:20:29]: You will be able to get an exemption. [0:20:30, 0:20:31]: Um [0:20:31, 0:20:33]: So that application, um [0:20:35, 0:20:40]: Like I said, will be separate from when you apply for Henry County. You will have to apply for your homestead exemption here at City Hall. [0:20:41, 0:20:45]: Um we will be ready and available at the end of the year. [0:20:45, 0:20:54]: Once it's passed to go live with the application. So you can come to City Hall or staff will be able to email it. You can send it back to us and we will get those exemptions processed. [0:20:56, 0:21:16]: Okay, Ms. Garner, I appreciate the presentation. Um obviously uh last year was the first time uh that uh we had to set a millage like this to set a millage rate. So obviously this is a reoccurrent. Now that we're in this this is a reoccurrent effect that has ha has to happen every each and every year. We'll have to go through this whole process. It depends. Excuse me? It depends. [0:21:16, 0:21:25]: So if if if there is a significant increase in your digest, um, and kind of give you an example, so [0:21:25, 0:21:28]: We grew by four point four, Hampton grew by twelve. [0:21:29, 0:21:49]: Right, which is kind of crazy. Right. I don't know what's going on in Hampton, but that twelve percent increase in their digress. Um, if that meets if you know, as you work your budget, like I said, and you fac factor in those numbers, you might be able to go to the rollback. And if you go to the rollback, then there is no advertisement because you keep everything technically with [0:21:49, 0:21:54]: What you bring in is what you're gonna bring in the next year, it's considered even, so you don't have to go through this process at all. [0:21:55, 0:21:59]: All right. But for most communities if you have an increase in your digest or the miller's rate. [0:21:59, 0:22:04]: you're required to advertise for an increase if you're gonna hold on to the same elevator go above it. [0:22:04, 0:22:15]: Okay, you have we have a Henry County Task Commissioner represented here this evening. So I did not wanna know if you wanted to introduce her if she needed to come to the podium and make any comments at all, if it's necessary. [0:22:16, 0:22:28]: Mayor. Yeah, well stand by. If they have any questions, she's here to answer. All right, good deal. All right. Yes, yes, sir. If I may. Yes sir, go write it, please. Mrs. Alexander, you'll be next. [0:22:30, 0:22:34]: I want to read a statement into the record. [0:22:35, 0:22:38]: Based on a a notice. [0:22:39, 0:22:40]: To the Henry Harrell. [0:22:42, 0:22:45]: To the citizens of Stockbridge. [0:22:46, 0:22:49]: I councilman Alfonso Thomas [0:22:50, 0:23:00]: have not been involved in any meetings, discussions, or a city council consensus. [0:23:01, 0:23:07]: to tentatively adopt or approve a millage increase. [0:23:09, 0:23:17]: I only read this notice for the first time for an increase online at the Henry Hare a week or so ago. [0:23:19, 0:23:22]: I am not in favor of an increase. [0:23:23, 0:23:27]: I personally need a thorough review. [0:23:28, 0:23:29]: Of the city's budget. [0:23:30, 0:23:34]: complete with regards to every detail [0:23:34, 0:23:38]: and department concerns. Therefore, [0:23:39, 0:23:41]: I will not support [0:23:41, 0:23:51]: I'll vote for a millage increase until this budget review and process is completed. Thank you. [0:23:51, 0:24:02]: All right. Mrs. Alexander, go ahead, please. Yes, uh, thank you so much. Um, Mr. Gardner, you had indicated that the recommendation is going to be uh to leave the military unchanged. [0:24:04, 0:24:24]: Yes, sir. And that uh legally, um, so everybody understands last year uh the rate that we advertised was four point one two five, and we actually chose to set it at three point seven seven. And this uh in this year the rate advertised was four. [0:24:24, 0:24:32]: But again, we the recommendation is to opt for 3.77. Is that correct? [0:24:32, 0:24:33]: Yes, sir. [0:24:33, 0:24:53]: Now in the discussion and I think I made this in my motion when I made the motion for 3.77 was we knew at that time we were not gonna have uh any exemptions available during the first year or two. Is that correct? Yes, sir. So what I think I I did say during that time was [0:24:53, 0:25:13]: We're gonna set the rate at the lowest rate possible to finance the budget so that we could turn, in turn, basically give everybody the exemptions up front. Those that setting it at 3.77 instead of 4.125 finance the budget, but basically it it was the equivalent. [0:25:13, 0:25:33]: Of giving everybody the exemptions up front because we knew legally we were not going to be able to have those exemptions in the first two years. But as you indicated, we had legislation passed, and the homeowners that are here today will be able to vote yay or nay on a homestead exemption. [0:25:33, 0:25:45]: exemption going forward, is that correct? Yes, sir. Okay. Um and certainly uh we have a representative from the Henry County uh tax commissioner's office here, correct? [0:25:45, 0:25:47]: Yes, sir. Uh ma'am, would you come to the podium, please? [0:25:57, 0:26:17]: Thank you so much. Sure. And your name? Lynn Cardi, Deputy Tax Commissioner. Deputy Tax Commissioner, thank you for coming to here tonight. I think one of the things that's always very helpful to this total discussion is to go into an explanation of Henry County is one of the only counties, uh one of the [0:26:17, 0:26:37]: few counties in the state of Georgia that actually has a frozen exemption, which basically, if you bought your house in 2004 or 2007, whatever it is, your tax rate is based on if you have an exemption, will be at the year and frozen at that rate on a yearly basis. That has saved taxpayers [0:26:37, 0:26:57]: thousands of dollars here in Henry County, even though the rate has increased. Could you kind of explain that to uh the cons the the the public so they understand that there are some significant savings that have already been achieved through the fact that this frozen exemption, which I really didn't understand until previously, [0:26:57, 0:27:12]: that I'm paying the same rate as when I purchased my home in 2004 now. But a new homeowner that came in and they purchased my home would then be retro to the price that they purchased it at this year. [0:27:12, 0:27:26]: Correct. The frozen exemption uh went through legislation back in two thousand and four and it took place in two thousand and five. Um, if you at that point in time, if you owned your home at that point, you were frozen at the two thousand and four, like you had said. [0:27:26, 0:27:28]: Um anyone coming forward? [0:27:28, 0:27:34]: Um, it is frozen from the year prior. So if I was to purchase a new home in two thousand and twenty. [0:27:34, 0:27:38]: It's frozen at the r and pl applied for exemption for two thousand and twenty. [0:27:39, 0:27:42]: then the exemption is frozen based off the two thousand nineteen tax year. [0:27:44, 0:28:04]: Absolutely. That is something that some most folks don't know that the r millage rate hasn't been um has been at twelve point seven three three now for uh maybe seven or eight years I think on the county level and we just recently uh implemented the the city tax that we uh have here uh as the city. So there's been [0:28:04, 0:28:24]: Some significance in where we were. And as the city manager has indicated, some 60% of the overall tax digest goes to the school board. Is that correct? Or somewhere around there? And then Mr. Gardner indicated what 26% or so goes toward the county's tax. [0:28:23, 0:28:33]: Digest. It should be noted here today. I love seeing public participation. Thank you all for coming out. [0:28:33, 0:28:41]: But the school board represents 60% of your tax revenue. You know how many people showed up to their meeting last year? Three. I was one of them. [0:28:42, 0:28:45]: You know how many people showed up to the counties? [0:28:45, 0:28:46]: Very few. [0:28:46, 0:28:48]: This room is packed. [0:28:48, 0:28:49]: Right. [0:28:49, 0:29:09]: You should do the same thing for those meetings where 60% of your money is coming, and also where 26% of your money is coming, as opposed to where 11% is coming, and the recommendation is to leave the rate unchanged. But see what happens is through what we see on social media, through next door. [0:29:09, 0:29:20]: in these various channels, a lot of misinformation has been placed out there that this is where you ought to be when no one is talking about where 60% of your money is going. [0:29:22, 0:29:26]: Also, you should understand that the county budget was already passed. [0:29:28, 0:29:48]: The budget that was passed on their side is going to require a millage rate increase in order to pay for it. It's already been passed. So, in order to pay for the budget that they passed, requires a mileage rate increase. Now, what you should understand is that instead of you should be in this room, but you should also be in [0:29:48, 0:30:02]: those rooms where the majority of your money is coming to. And somebody needs to tell you that because we get the same result every year where everybody comes to this meeting and then the meeting where my school board text and I'm going to close this. [0:30:03, 0:30:04]: My total tax is [0:30:05, 0:30:07]: Fifty two hundred dollars this year. [0:30:07, 0:30:13]: I'm paying thirty four hundred dollars to the school board and I'm paying about six hundred to the city. [0:30:14, 0:30:34]: I went to that meeting where my thirty four hundred dollars was at and my twelve hundred dollars was at because I knew I was gonna be at this meeting and I voted for the lowest rate possible at 3.77 so that I could set this rate. Because I have to write a check too in order to pay this. But understand the facts. And when you're getting the facts, [0:30:34, 0:30:36]: I need this representation. [0:30:37, 0:30:45]: The county's having their meetings this month. Do you know when the county meetings are, ma'am, or d do you know? The county is having their meeting on the thirtieth at one o'clock. [0:30:45, 0:30:57]: Okay. So certainly we need to make sure that we have this type of representation and that room needs to be packed because there's literally and the school board is having theirs too right now, correct? This j in July? [0:30:58, 0:31:12]: Yes, sir. They they will actually vote for their millage rate on next Monday at four thirty. Next Monday at four thirty, where sixty percent of your money is going. You should be in that room also. So I'm gonna conclude my remarks. Thank you. [0:31:12, 0:31:14]: Anybody else in the council any comments at this point? [0:31:17, 0:31:18]: Anybody else to council? [0:31:18, 0:31:38]: All right. So this is a public uh public hearing. So ladies and gentlemen, you'll have an opportunity to to uh voice your opinion. And so uh right now the recommendation is three point seven seven to keep it as as it has been for the last year. Obviously we will not uh vote on that until the third uh hearing and that actually is set for the twenty [0:31:38, 0:31:41]: twenty second of July. But uh [0:31:41, 0:31:55]: It's a public hearing, so you get an opportunity to speak. So anybody that's that's that's say four, four to for us to keep the um let's l for to keep the three point seven seven, right? If your comments if you wanna make comments on that, you line up on this side. Anybody up from my far left? [0:31:55, 0:32:06]: If you want to make any comments for to keep it to keep it as is. If you it's on this far left side and leave free line up. Anybody in the middle, if you have any comments, I'm gonna we can line up on the left side of on my left side over here as well. [0:32:07, 0:32:08]: Anybody on the right? [0:32:09, 0:32:10]: In comments four. If you want [0:32:11, 0:32:26]: Yeah, yeah, for keeping the same. That's right. For keep it the same. I mean I just w just want to hear you out. I just uh first before you come, I just wanna make sure anybody wants to speak, they'll line up so we know how many people are coming and you speak. So you're right now I have only one gentleman who wants to speak for. [0:32:26, 0:32:26]: All right. [0:32:27, 0:32:38]: Uh do you want to speak come stand up please, ma'am. If you want uh don't come not just yet, sir. One second. I just wanna make sure'cause sometimes uh folks change their mind and halfway through this, uh I just wanna make sure I got folks up [0:32:38, 0:32:39]: That wanna speak. [0:32:39, 0:32:40]: All right. [0:32:40, 0:32:54]: So right now I have three folks. Okay. Now, what's gonna happen is you I want you to come to the podium, give your name and address, and you get your time. Well, we got a clock going, but um the ten minutes total, but we we'll see how long it takes and make your comments and we'll go from there. All right, sir, please. To the mic? [0:32:55, 0:32:57]: Ms. Four. Give your name and address, please. [0:32:58, 0:33:08]: Good evening everyone. Even my name is Juan Martin. Address is six two four Armitage Way. I'm in the North Bridge Crossing Subdivision. [0:33:08, 0:33:10]: Um as we know [0:33:11, 0:33:13]: Most of us if you look around the room [0:33:13, 0:33:15]: Many of us are [0:33:15, 0:33:19]: Сенірсин, мені в вас on fixed incomes. [0:33:20, 0:33:21]: Um [0:33:21, 0:33:24]: I do have a video that I wanted to play, but I won't [0:33:25, 0:33:36]: uh suffer you that unless you allow it. But it's just uh something about the tax increases are rampant over the country. There's one particular case of a guy in Chicago [0:33:37, 0:33:40]: Геда хом на фіфті сквар фіт. [0:33:42, 0:33:54]: His tax rate uh um um his evaluation of his home went from 180,000 to 1 million dollars. [0:33:55, 0:34:05]: I have the video right here. His tax rate would go from eighteen hundred dollars a year to over thirty thousand dollars a year. [0:34:05, 0:34:07]: Of course this was a mistake. [0:34:08, 0:34:08]: And [0:34:08, 0:34:11]: They are still aпіel, a pier, appeal. [0:34:11, 0:34:18]: But the appeal has gone on so long he's had to go and live with relatives. He can't make the payments. [0:34:19, 0:34:19]: Um [0:34:20, 0:34:33]: This is just ridiculous. Well appreciate appreciate the explanation, sir. But obviously you said this isn't Chicago and you had a test. But one thing I have noticed and one thing I do believe a lot of times when [0:34:34, 0:34:36]: uh governments see [0:34:37, 0:34:40]: Certain practices successful in one part of the country. [0:34:41, 0:34:44]: Somehow it gravitates to other parts of the country. [0:34:44, 0:34:48]: They could see, you know, that's just been my observation. [0:34:49, 0:34:52]: But I just want to say that uh it's just it [0:34:53, 0:34:55]: We people cannot afford it. [0:34:55, 0:34:59]: Okay, appreciate you. Appreciate your comments. Thank you. Next person please. [0:35:00, 0:35:06]: All right folks, calm please calm down. Name and address, please. [0:35:06, 0:35:11]: Uh good evening and thank you for this opportunity to speak. My name is Eugenia Brown. [0:35:11, 0:35:16]: One six eight Addy Lane, North Bridge Crossing Subdivision. Okay. [0:35:16, 0:35:36]: Um, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts and concerns regarding not just the millage rate, but also the appraisals of the properties. Um, as everyone knows, a lot of these um home values are um overinflated, and that's [0:35:36, 0:35:37]: Resulting from [0:35:37, 0:35:53]: post-pandemic where we had people moving, relocating because they could work remote, East Coast folks, West Coast Coast folks coming in and just buying up properties, offering up to 40 grand over asking. [0:35:54, 0:35:59]: So between that happening with everyone wanting to spread out as a result of covet. [0:36:00, 0:36:06]: Um then we have these hedge fund backed investment companies, which as everyone knows. [0:36:07, 0:36:08]: They've gotten [0:36:08, 0:36:10]: Твозенс о проперті з не метро. [0:36:11, 0:36:12]: Atlanta area. [0:36:13, 0:36:18]: They've purchased these properties from people wanting to get out, seeing an opportunity to make some good money. [0:36:19, 0:36:23]: Де пайда ладома нефорідовірні пропадіс анден ескалати. [0:36:23, 0:36:25]: the value and the price. [0:36:26, 0:36:32]: As a result, in my opinion, in my thoughts, is the appraisals appraisals. [0:36:33, 0:36:34]: Or [0:36:34, 0:36:37]: based on some very inflated home values. [0:36:38, 0:36:44]: Now I think that has to be taken into consideration as well with the millage rates. [0:36:44, 0:36:46]: As the gentleman stated [0:36:47, 0:36:51]: There's lots of retirees. I'm not there yet, hopefully in the next year and a half. [0:36:52, 0:36:53]: on fixed incomes. [0:36:54, 0:36:58]: Ви в ган летс фронтом а моргич холдers. [0:36:58, 0:37:01]: Your t twenty two hundred thousand dollars. [0:37:01, 0:37:05]: Тwеті2 шорни. [0:37:06, 0:37:07]: taxes and insurances. [0:37:08, 0:37:08]: Yeah. [0:37:09, 0:37:12]: Моргes are not going to be tenable at this rate. [0:37:12, 0:37:14]: Folks on fixed incomes, [0:37:14, 0:37:15]: You can't go to [0:37:16, 0:37:19]: Соціаль секерісай, а не мормані. Ми такси в гонку. [0:37:20, 0:37:26]: Those of us still working can't go to our employers say, Hey, hey, I got a big tax increase coming. I need some more money. [0:37:27, 0:37:30]: So we're gonna run into a potential [0:37:30, 0:37:30]: Bubble. [0:37:31, 0:37:31]: Where [0:37:32, 0:37:35]: Folks are just gonna have to sell because they can't afford to stay in their homes. [0:37:36, 0:37:37]: And then when that happens [0:37:38, 0:37:39]: We already know. [0:37:39, 0:37:41]: We have the investors will come in. [0:37:41, 0:37:42]: Snatch up the properties. [0:37:43, 0:37:44]: And turn them into [0:37:45, 0:37:48]: Very expensive rentals, which is happening. [0:37:49, 0:37:52]: And then those that they do sell again overpriced. [0:37:53, 0:37:56]: The benefit to the county in that respect is. [0:37:56, 0:38:04]: They can't file homestead exemption, and you get more tax dollars from the investors. So I would just like to say. [0:38:05, 0:38:18]: There's more to it than just the millage rate, there's actually the home values and the comps that have been used with these values that we're now having to pay the escalated taxes on. [0:38:18, 0:38:23]: Uh thank you for your comment. Thank you for your time. No, no problem. Thank you. Okay. [0:38:27, 0:38:47]: Uh all right folks. You're I read the I read the reading about the public hearing, but you're not supposed to be clapping in this nature, but go ahead. Please, your name and address, please. Uh good afternoon. My name is Laretha Martin. My husband just spoke, so he said some things that already that would that that uh that I feel and uh and and I'll and [0:38:47, 0:38:53]: Mm, the lady that just got up to speak, she says some of the things, but I'm speaking as a senior citizen. [0:38:54, 0:39:01]: I am a senior citizen and everything is going up. When I moved here [0:39:01, 0:39:11]: My water bill was lower. My double water bill has almost tripled since I moved since since 2019. [0:39:12, 0:39:32]: Everything is going up. And I noticed that the next meeting is at ten o'clock in the morning. Most people that working people they can't attend the meet this this meeting to oppose or agree. And social security, so she just spoke about social security. Social security [0:39:32, 0:39:48]: they raise your social security just to get some of the money back. So as senior citizens, we give and we have given as seem like it's taken back. And that's what I w all that's all I have to say. I just do not agree with the increase. [0:39:49, 0:40:06]: At all. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. And uh just one let me make you note that we're recommendation is the three point seven seven, which is just the same. There's no increase thus far. Um and we haven't agreed to that, but uh uh we'll make a final decision on july twenty second. Yes ma'am, please. You next name and address, please. [0:40:09, 0:40:16]: My name is Karen Charmain. I live at 110 Creek Circle, Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:40:17, 0:40:23]: I am a citizen of Stockbridge, have lived in this community. You could throw a rock and hit my house from here. [0:40:24, 0:40:30]: I have lived here. I have voted probably for every one of you at one time or another. [0:40:31, 0:40:38]: I want to thank you, Mayor, Council members, and citizens of Stockbridge that are here tonight. [0:40:39, 0:40:47]: I disagree with the millage rate. You can say that it's not anything to do with taxes, but it definitely equates to a tax increase. [0:40:48, 0:40:49]: Now. [0:40:50, 0:40:55]: Further, I think you all should tighten your belt and sharpen your pencils. [0:40:57, 0:41:06]: Senior citizens are a big concern. I'm not gonna say I'm old, but I'm older. And at least two people on this council. [0:41:06, 0:41:08]: Or senior citizens. [0:41:08, 0:41:10]: And those of us that work [0:41:11, 0:41:12]: Or don't work. [0:41:12, 0:41:32]: Ten o'clock in the morning is not a great time for the meetings. And I just have understood from Miss Holliday that those are set by the county. And yes, ma'am, the county needs to change their time too. Because one o'clock in the afternoon. Excuse me, ma'am. She can hear you. Dress me. One one o'clock in the afternoon is two [0:41:32, 0:41:41]: Is is too is is too inconvenient for most people. So I'm asking to strongly consider changing those times. [0:41:43, 0:41:53]: This is not good. We have never had taxes in Stockbridge until last year, and there is frivolous spending in this city. [0:41:54, 0:42:06]: It needs to be checked and put in check. And I remind you respectfully right now, the City of Stockbridge organizational chart says that the city citizens [0:42:06, 0:42:13]: are at the top of that. We voted you in to represent our concerns. [0:42:14, 0:42:20]: We did. So what that really means is you work for us, not the other way around. [0:42:21, 0:42:22]: Thank you for your comments. [0:42:24, 0:42:28]: All right, folks. Next next individual, please. Name and address. [0:42:36, 0:42:38]: In an address, please. [0:42:40, 0:42:42]: Hello everybody. [0:42:42, 0:42:45]: How you doing? My name is Claire Kellum. [0:42:46, 0:42:50]: I live at two hundred forty two Hunting Court in Jonesboro. [0:42:50, 0:42:52]: Spiver Ridge Sub Division. [0:42:53, 0:42:54]: Aye. [0:42:55, 0:42:58]: Like the most of the people, I am a citizen. [0:42:59, 0:43:06]: Can we a senior citizen. Council we're gonna stand this time, is that correct? [0:43:07, 0:43:08]: Okay. All right. Please stand the time. [0:43:09, 0:43:12]: I don't work. I'm almost eighty years old. [0:43:13, 0:43:23]: I'm a single woman. My taxes went up last year, four hundred and some dollars. It went up. And now I'm talking about going up again this year. [0:43:25, 0:43:32]: I'm against that because where are we supposed to get money from when we only get a little money every month? [0:43:34, 0:43:37]: Where are we supposed to get money to pay all of this taxes that? [0:43:38, 0:43:38]: You know. [0:43:39, 0:43:45]: Keep the property tax from I mean the houses from going up. We're not selling, we just living there. [0:43:45, 0:43:47]: We're not getting anything out of it. [0:43:48, 0:43:49]: We just live there. [0:43:50, 0:43:53]: So stop raising the house values up. [0:43:54, 0:43:58]: Talk my house is worth this much and that much. It ain't worth nothing'cause we ain't getting nothing. [0:43:59, 0:44:04]: So I'm not for this hier increase because I'm a single woman. [0:44:04, 0:44:11]: And I have a fixed income and I'm almost eighty years old in case anybody [0:44:12, 0:44:13]: Won't and no. [0:44:15, 0:44:16]: By myself. [0:44:18, 0:44:20]: You understand with a fixed income. [0:44:22, 0:44:23]: And that's the truth. [0:44:24, 0:44:26]: Okay, thank you for your comments. [0:44:28, 0:44:48]: All right, all right, all right, ladies and gentlemen. Now let me let originally want to open this up, I said the four comments for. I didn't say comments against, I said comments for. That's what we're supposed to do. Comments for. But the real I will open it up for comments against if there's still someone that wants to uh have any uh negative comments against this uh of the recommendation three point seven seven, which is the current rate that [0:44:48, 0:45:03]: at this point. And once this if there's no one up for besides this lady here, then I'm gonna go through a list of things. I'm gonna get a couple folks up here and we'll see what we can do to answer some questions and then I'll open it up once again for comments that are that are actually uh against this, if there are any. Ma'am, please. [0:45:05, 0:45:06]: Name and address, please. [0:45:08, 0:45:11]: Yes, Sharon Nelson, one seven six, Spivey Ridge Circle. [0:45:13, 0:45:14]: Wait, please. [0:45:14, 0:45:27]: And uh I am skeptical of the tax increase uh because of how the hold annexation worked. When we were annexed into um Stockbridge, um [0:45:27, 0:45:42]: We received that city's tax, that extra city stockbridge tax, and there was no way to get an exemption for that tax. Um and I as it was explained for the t first two years, there's no way that you could um [0:45:43, 0:45:49]: apply for any kind of exemption, which was unfair and I don't think it was really explained in that manner. [0:45:50, 0:46:10]: Um I think that I know this was uh something that was passed, that annexation was passed, and uh but I don't think that these um intricate details and these nuances were explained because my understanding is that the city of Stockbridge already has a process for exemption. [0:46:09, 0:46:29]: Then immediately you would be able to apply for those exemptions. Okay, I'll go ahead and vote for this annexation, but like I applied for exemption through Henry County, at the same time I should be able to apply for exemption through Stockbridge County. But that was not the case. And as I understand [0:46:29, 0:46:45]: this evening that there is an initiative to whether you even want to accept exemption. Well, like most people say we're senior citizens, of course we want the exemption. So why should that be an initiative in a boat and something else that [0:46:46, 0:47:06]: People may not really fully understand, and it doesn't pass, and that small that portion for the city of Stockbridge that you may not even be able to apply for exemption. So these things that occurred as of this annexation and not being explained, senior citizens. [0:47:06, 0:47:15]: live on these exemptions. And when you get a tax bill that says City of Stockbridge and there's an extra charge there, you haven't put that in your budget. [0:47:15, 0:47:21]: for this extra charge. You didn't even really understand that you couldn't even file for exemption for that. [0:47:21, 0:47:30]: And that was an increase, and so to me that was that was misleading or not really explained in a way where everybody understood. [0:47:30, 0:47:50]: So that's why I'm a little skeptical of the tax increase of how this whole annexation worked and how it wasn't explained. And for two years people had to try to come up with money for this city of Stockbridge tax that was added on top of the county um tax. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Uh Mr. Gardner. [0:47:50, 0:48:10]: I need you back to the podium and come back to the podium, Mr. Gardner. Okay, and so and uh I f I'm sorry, I forgot her name. Yep, yeah, I need you to come back to the podium, please. And f I will tell you folks for transparency sake, uh is already done at least the two of us are senior citizens. I'm one of those. I'm a senior citizen, I can get my social security now. [0:48:10, 0:48:30]: So I'm happy about that as well. And uh I put him on Front Street, but the senior individual council is Mr. Thomas. He's a little older than I am. So you're right. There's two of us that are senior citizens. So I understand that point in this aspect, but I also happen to have been blessed enough to have a retirement and from the military. So yeah, anyway. [0:48:30, 0:48:50]: took a couple notes of some things. I need for you some clarification on this part. Uh first of all, uh appraisals. I don't think we have much to do with appraisals all at the city level. Any type of appraisals are all. We don't control that. No sir. Can you expand on that at all? Yes, sir. So all properties in Henry County and most counties are conducted by the county appraiser. [0:48:50, 0:48:59]: Um that individual is charged with appraising all real property in the county, whether you're city or unincorporated county, and based on [0:49:00, 0:49:05]: Uh a number of factors to include sale prices and some other things that happen within the area. [0:49:05, 0:49:07]: They are able to determine [0:49:07, 0:49:14]: um property values based on that and b and then from that they create the digest that covers all properties. [0:49:14, 0:49:24]: and you apply the millage rate the forty percent rule and in the millage rate to that. But no the cities have no control over the tax appraiser. That is a separate individual of the county. [0:49:24, 0:49:30]: Um that does that job on behalf of all of the cities in Henry County as well as unincorporated Henry County government. [0:49:31, 0:49:51]: Okay. These uh hedge c companies that buy out these homes to rental, I mean we we like we're not f we don't we particularly care for them to to do that at all. But it's not a whole lot we can do with that. Let's do legislators through our our through our state reps or state senators maybe to get some legislation at the at the Capitol in reference to that and even dealing with mortgage rates. Uh we the city's [0:49:50, 0:50:08]: don't have much to do with the mortgage rates that I recall. No. Uh at all. I don't know if if you can expound on that at all. I just don't think we have any we have no says over that. Those are those are banks and uh banks are the controlling all that, I would imagine. So no. So companies, investment groups, whether it be [0:50:08, 0:50:13]: You know, Stockbridge City Council as an investment group decide to pool their money and buy property. [0:50:13, 0:50:17]: Obviously that's the American way and unfortunate some of it does have [0:50:17, 0:50:19]: negative consequences when companies [0:50:20, 0:50:40]: Major companies, major hedge funds with long dollars in the billions are able to buy real estate and then turn those real estate into an investment vehicle rather than a vehicle for folks like us to want to buy a home and become a homeowner. And in actual fact, they actually work to compete against homeowners. [0:50:40, 0:50:55]: is in the market when butchers and homes, which is a bad scenario because it does drive up prices. And if those prices in that area in a specific area continue to grow, that affects to some degree the values in that area, which precipitates the increase in the digest to some degree. [0:50:55, 0:50:56]: Um [0:50:56, 0:51:03]: Thank you so much. So far, you know, we haven't been hit greatly by that in the city of Stockbridge, however. [0:51:03, 0:51:07]: I will tell you that, you know, that ship has sailed it just hadn't reached it yet. [0:51:08, 0:51:14]: Um, in a major way. I mean, we do have one community that's just outside the city that's one hundred percent rental. [0:51:14, 0:51:16]: Um single family detached homes. [0:51:17, 0:51:19]: Uh that are all rental units. [0:51:19, 0:51:20]: Um [0:51:20, 0:51:24]: But it's it's hard for us to control that. That's something that obviously [0:51:24, 0:51:25]: Um [0:51:25, 0:51:45]: We have to work with our state legislators and recognize too that our state legislators did pass law. So under Georgia, we are a political subdivision of the state. So we derive all our powers to operate government from the state legislature. And some of you guys have lived in other states know this. [0:51:45, 0:51:46]: Some states have home rule. [0:51:47, 0:51:53]: Well, we could create our own laws to govern how we operate, but we're not we're not one of those states. Um [0:51:54, 0:52:14]: As it relates to the initiative, the only way to get relief in property tax is for the state to grant us the right to have a ballot initiative for the voters to vote on. Um, we are very much driven by those that type of procedure, but it is governed by state law. We have no control over that. The city just can't arbitrarily say we want own city. [0:52:14, 0:52:15]: And do it. [0:52:16, 0:52:17]: That would be in violation of the law. [0:52:18, 0:52:34]: Um, so we're required to follow those laws, which means we the the citiz the res the elected officials um sent a resolution to our state representatives. Those state representatives put a bill on the floor, that bill passes to allow for residents in the city [0:52:34, 0:52:36]: To have a homestead exemption. [0:52:36, 0:52:38]: If then you go and vote. [0:52:38, 0:52:42]: Um and vote yes, which I said it hasn't been one that's been denied. [0:52:43, 0:53:00]: So you vote yes and then that homestead exemption kicks in um in that following year. And so that's what we did. So we've had one year without and then from hopefully this year we'll have um well last year and this year, um two years, and then next year folks if approved, we'll be able to get homestead exemption relief. [0:53:01, 0:53:21]: Uh I think I answered all your questions. All right. Um so you explained the homestead exemption, so otherwise it's up to the vote. It's a powerful thing. And they must vote for that homestead exemption come uh November 5th. Uh Mayor Ford. Yes uh stem yes, sir. Um Mr. Garner is standing, uh in one of the statements [0:53:21, 0:53:27]: Um one of the citizens mentioned since the annexation [0:53:27, 0:53:30]: Ісса Дубок, а ми но. [0:53:30, 0:53:33]: The tax that you were paying to the county and then come to the city. [0:53:33, 0:53:53]: Can you can you dispel that notion that it's not a double tax? Yes, sir. So whether you were in at the time, twenty let's say it's twenty twenty-two flat number, whether you were in the city or the county, you paid um a property tax millage to Henry County for police service. [0:53:53, 0:53:56]: That was one point zero nine. [0:53:56, 0:54:04]: uh mills in the police district. So they have a police district, they have a fire district, there's a code enforcement millage. Um [0:54:04, 0:54:09]: when you came into the city, the city d pretty much took that millage that was going to the county. [0:54:10, 0:54:30]: into the city um and adjusted by another one point I think it's one point one point eight six six is what got us to one point to the three point seven seven so originally every resident was paying that one point one point nine oh four mils to Henry County for police that [0:54:29, 0:54:40]: That came into the city and so the only addition you paid was to one point eight six six that covered everything else. So it's not a little bit of a double taxation. [0:54:41, 0:55:01]: All right. Um and the w I think this clarification in reference to our next two uh hearings on this during the morning hours and these were uh obviously what I was understand is you were set by the county on these particular time frames, is is is I mean the task commissioner, obviously you all set those times, is that correct? Yes, I [0:55:01, 0:55:21]: Okay, because Mayor. Yes, yes, Mayor. It was a collaboration. What it is is the county has to be present at each one of these village rates for all of the cities in the county. And we had to coordinate schedules where they could be here and our council could be here. And um that's kind of how it was. They had already set [0:55:21, 0:55:29]: that means for the other cities and we had to fit fill in and get in basically where we could. [0:55:29, 0:55:49]: Okay. Thank you. Thank you for that. And of course once again the recommendation from the staff right now is three point seven seven, which is the same as it was last year. Not to change it, not to rise it or slower it. It stays stay steady. And that will be voted on on the m uh January excuse me, July twenty second. So it's not a it's not an increase. The recommendation is not an increase. [0:55:49, 0:56:09]: Increase is a stay hold stay hold, stay on that pace uh uh percentage. Uh-da-da-da-da. Let's see here. Obviously, uh senior citizens, yes. Uh a lot of us are seniors. I've already acknowledged myself along with Mr. Thomas, are seniors ourselves in this aspect. Uh so and home prices and [0:56:08, 0:56:23]: I guess the sense of the rise of home prices. I guess uh y you can consider that good or bad, I can depend on who you are, I suppose. But Yes, sir. It it is good and bad. So for all of us as homeowners, that's our typically that's our number one asset. [0:56:23, 0:56:32]: Right, that if push come to shove, even though it's not liquid, but it's our it's our number one asset, our most expensive asset. Um [0:56:32, 0:56:35]: So I will use myself as an example. [0:56:35, 0:56:37]: Uh I bought my house in two thousand. [0:56:38, 0:56:40]: I paid a hundred and thirty six thousand for it. [0:56:40, 0:56:43]: And in twenty ten it was worth thirty two thousand dollars. [0:56:44, 0:56:50]: I couldn't get a refinance on my house because my house I was upside down under water. [0:56:50, 0:56:56]: With the recession. So my number one asset was now my number one liability, and I couldn't get rid of it. [0:56:56, 0:57:04]: If I wanted to, I would still be held to that mortgage. Even though I would have sold my house to an investor for thirty-four thousand dollars, I still had to make up the difference. [0:57:05, 0:57:11]: Um, so your house is your number one asset and obviously any asset you have, you want to see it grow. [0:57:11, 0:57:15]: But the other side of that is as your value as that value grow, [0:57:15, 0:57:18]: Obviously you pay taxes in this country and [0:57:18, 0:57:22]: that has a negative impact because it increases that that um [0:57:23, 0:57:25]: That the amount that you pay on that asset. [0:57:25, 0:57:30]: But no, I think for most of us we want to be able hopefully to retire from our three bedroom house and [0:57:31, 0:57:32]: Walk out with [0:57:32, 0:57:34]: A million dollars from a house we paid. [0:57:34, 0:57:37]: A hundred thousand foil twenty, fifty years ago. [0:57:37, 0:57:40]: Right, and that's what you typically see from the folks who move here from New York. [0:57:41, 0:57:45]: They bought their homes in the seventy and now able to sell those homes that they purchased for under a hundred. [0:57:45, 0:57:48]: For over a million, and they move down here and buy a house outright. [0:57:49, 0:57:58]: Right? Because they sat in their homes for thirty years and allowed for their value to increase over that time, that asset paid off for them. And that's what most of us would hope that it would do. [0:57:59, 0:58:19]: Um but once again it has a negative impact because as that house value, obviously the taxes applied to it makes you have to pay more. So it's kind of a dumb. I took another note here. Water bills, water bills rising, I guess and uh some of us have Henry County water, others have so i if can you further explain? So yeah, so Henry County sent a notice I think to every [0:58:19, 0:58:23]: Everybody letting them know that they were going up on their rates late last week. Um [0:58:25, 0:58:33]: I'm sorry, ma'am. Please. So Henry Henry County and No Center noticed that they were increasing their water rates and obviously [0:58:34, 0:58:54]: I hate to speak for them and uh and I probably won't, but obviously to process water is not where you just grab the water from the from a lake or stream and just put it there. There's a process to treat it, that process costs to treat. And as I think the resident said, everything is going up. And so to buy chemicals to treat, the process [0:58:54, 0:59:14]: To treat, we are seeing it across the board. And I assume that's what's particular precipitating that increase on the water rate side. It's because the cost of chemicals and the cost of to keep that process going is also everyone's bearing that that cost, regardless. [0:59:14, 0:59:21]: I I paid 89 cents for a cotton of eggs. That same cotton of eggs is almost$3. [0:59:22, 0:59:25]: All right. What changed? Chicken's still the same. [0:59:26, 0:59:30]: But that ain't that's not where the cost came in. They're factoring in transportation. [0:59:30, 0:59:38]: Right. Um they're factoring in some other things and that's what they're basing that cost to go from the eighty nine cents to three dollars and ten cents for the same twelve eggs. [0:59:38, 0:59:58]: That's not a discussion I guess uh folks the citizens need to have with the water authority themselves. Is that uh is that right? Say again? To have have some discussion with the water authority or or or call and rep on the bill, uh just call and talk to them further about to get explanation about that. Yeah. You you can call and question your bill, um just to make sure and they know [0:59:58, 1:00:18]: So that Henry County, if you're on Henry County water, and for us, you're on what they call AMI meters. So they're able to read your meter from where they are on Highway 20. They don't have to come to your house to read your meter. Okay. And in some cases, they can see anomalies in your usage. And I don't know for everyone who set it up, but you can ask their [1:00:18, 1:00:32]: call you or they'll send you a note or notice letting you know that your water usage is above or above normal and that precipitates you to go and look. So I've had the same issue. Um my son toilet broke when he was here for Christmas. He left. [1:00:33, 1:00:34]: And all of a sudden [1:00:34, 1:00:41]: I got a notification from Henry County saying my water use had gone above normal. Walked around, went up there, and sure enough, it was just [1:00:42, 1:00:43]: Turnin'. [1:00:43, 1:00:49]: Um so I had to go fix it. They will give you relief if you do have a leak. Make sure that you keep your receipt. [1:00:50, 1:00:52]: Keep your receipt and give it back to them and they will [1:00:53, 1:01:13]: credit you back um what you paid what you paid to get that leak fixed. So that's something that they can do. And they could also come out and check your meter. If you think it might be off, they will check your meters for you as well. All right. Just want to make sure here I I opened it up for four. You all can have your seat for right now if you don't mind. I went for so I actually I want to open up for anybody that gets the recommendation. [1:01:13, 1:01:25]: 3.77. Anybody's against that? All right. Anybody on my left side? Anybody on my left side is against that. They will still want to speak against the 3.77, which is a recommendation. Anybody in the middle? [1:01:26, 1:01:27]: Anybody far right? [1:01:28, 1:01:30]: That's against it. Do you want to speak, ma'am? [1:01:31, 1:01:34]: Come on up, please. Anybody else? All right, please, your name and address please. [1:01:39, 1:01:59]: Uh my name is uh Jocelyn Williams, live at 190 Banks Drive, Strutbridge, Georgia. Wanted to uh thank the council. My um comment for against is just um to thank the council, understand this is the annexation for me, and I was always in Henry County as a senior citizen trying to gather every [1:01:59, 1:02:19]: Every year my November um payments for my home. I'll just need the name of representatives that can work with me and help me on um when now that I'm in Henry County and Stockbridge, there is a requirement that I have to have um trash sanitation. So [1:02:18, 1:02:38]: So I already had a person I was using, so I'll have to cut him off on the 31st because I have to put inside of my um property tax mixed with Henry County, and that's what's making everything grow up go up. So I'm so grateful that it's staying at 377. I just want it [1:02:38, 1:02:58]: To put an opposition on record that when things go up, I just once again for me, so that I can explain to my family and the people in my community that we have to know that things are going to increase, but there are ways that we can work together. There are services, there are programs. [1:02:58, 1:03:18]: Programs that we can use as a teacher. I can teach people how to do that. But once again, my opposition is to everything is now jumbled together. Henry County from the annexation. I now have to get ready for Stockbridge. The police get ready that things have changed. [1:03:18, 1:03:38]: Over. So I would just like to get the name. I'm going to write it down and someone can work with me with my property tax. Ms. Williams, this is what it'll be from Henry County. Now Stockbridge will add this and they will add that. [1:03:38, 1:03:48]: follow the law and I thank you so much. [1:03:49, 1:03:50]: Mr. Gardner? [1:03:50, 1:04:10]: Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Okay. On that note then I see no other comments. So I will close the uh public hearing. All right. And we'll go through this process again with the council. You're more than welcome. This open meeting, uh, public hearing on the uh n twenty the nineteenth, which is this Friday and the twenty-second, both at ten o'clock [1:04:10, 1:04:15]: in the morning morning welcome come back if you like. On that note, I'll close the public hearing. [1:04:15, 1:04:19]: And also, um, on that note, I will ask for a motion to adjourn. [1:04:20, 1:04:21]: Is there a second? [1:04:22, 1:04:26]: Mr Mr. Berry second there. All uh all in favor, please indicate. [1:04:27, 1:04:27]: All right. [1:04:27, 1:04:29]: Okay, fantastic. We have now adjourned. [1:04:30, 1:04:31]: Thank you, ladies and God bless you all.