2023-07-18 · City Council · Transcript · Public Hearing 2 for Millage Rate

--- title: Public Hearing 2 for Millage Rate date: 2023-07-18 source: 2023-07-18_Public_Hearing_2_for_Millage_Rate.wav --- [0:00:26, 0:00:31]: Hey Council, uh need you back at the dies please, so we can get started. [0:00:53, 0:00:57]: That's that's that's ours. Put it that's ours. He's he's he'll be right back. [0:01:05, 0:01:07]: Mr. Addison, it's time for us to get started at the meeting, please. [0:01:17, 0:01:18]: Oh my god [0:01:19, 0:01:20]: I don't know. [0:01:35, 0:01:40]: No, no, he's out he's right outside the door. Turn to Alpha's. [0:01:41, 0:01:52]: No um no, Mr. Blount already has it. Mr Blood has every time. Well I I just every time. But in but in essence, let's try to move back to rotating. All right, I appreciate it. [0:01:53, 0:01:54]: Go with [0:01:54, 0:02:01]: You have the rules of I I'm gonna do that this time. I I got it right here. I'm gonna do it. No problem, thank you. [0:02:22, 0:02:23]: Oh. [0:02:27, 0:02:30]: I don't know what the song said. Ready to be? [0:02:37, 0:02:47]: All right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm gonna start this particular special call meeting. This is Tuesday, July eighteenth, twenty twenty three, and I have six oh four PM. [0:02:49, 0:02:55]: And call to order are in this aspect as well. And Mr. Blount, invocation, please. Please stand if you can. [0:03:01, 0:03:07]: Dear Heavenly Gracious Father, we come to you on this night. Thanking you, Lord, for your grace, and we thank you for your mercy. [0:03:08, 0:03:18]: We ask Heavenly Father that you would come into this meeting today. Heavenly Father, clear all minds and hearts. Let your will be done in all the decisions that are made today. We ask that you would continue to bless this community. [0:03:18, 0:03:38]: Bless the people. Bless the leaders. Bless those that are coming in and those that would be leaving out. So we thank you, Heavenly Father, for what you're doing, and we trust you in all things. Because Heavenly Father, in all things, all is well. We thank you for all that are here. And it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. We pledge allegiance. [0:03:38, 0:03:50]: allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans, one nation, one God, individual, liberty, justice for all. [0:03:51, 0:03:52]: Madam Clerk, Roll Call, please. [0:03:54, 0:03:58]: Mayor Ford. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Barber. Present. [0:03:59, 0:04:05]: Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilman Blount. Present. Councilwoman Gantt [0:04:07, 0:04:21]: Let the record reflect Councilwoman Gantt is not in attendance. Councilman Thomas. Present. Mayor Ford, you have a call. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Appreciate that. Uh Council, I need a motion to adopt the agenda so we can talk about a proposed millage rate. So moved. [0:04:22, 0:04:42]: Mr. Blount, so moved. Mr. Okay, Mr. Alexander, second. All in favor, please indicate. Unanimous decision. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, of course, this is a public hearing this evening. We have a couple of presentations that'll be given before we open it up for public hearing. Um and of course, Council, if there are any questions for presentations, please have direct questions uh that are relevant to the individual giving. [0:04:42, 0:05:02]: Given the presentation itself. As citizens, I'll reiterate this a little later on as well. But when you have when you call up, uh when you're up to the mic, I need your name and and uh address and you address if you have any issues or concerns, you address me as the presiding officer and I'm speaking to the mic so we can make sure we cover down on all the all the comments and make note of that. [0:05:02, 0:05:22]: And then because of the microphones are hot and it's just being streamed live on Facebook as well as it'll be online. So anytime anybody can go back and watch these uh comments, this meeting. All right. And uh you'll get advocate time to go ahead and speak uh when it comes to that point for the public hearing. All right, Mr. [0:05:22, 0:05:25]: Gardner, sir, it is on you, please. [0:05:25, 0:05:45]: Good evening, Mayor and Council, residents. So tonight uh we discussed the um proposal for potential millet rate for the city of Stockbridge. Um with that, uh we're gonna talk a little bit about the growth in the city, the impacts on city services, uh specifically public works and police, the impact of [0:05:45, 0:05:54]: of on the uh FY twenty four proposed budget and then talk about the millers rate and how the millers rate applies to um specific homes at home prices. [0:05:56, 0:06:07]: So as we talk about city of Stockbridge, um over the last thirty years, Stockbridge back in nineteen ninety had a population of just under four thousand people. [0:06:07, 0:06:09]: As you can tell from the chart. [0:06:09, 0:06:10]: In twenty [0:06:10, 0:06:15]: Two thousand we were eleven thousand people. By twenty ten we were twenty five thousand six hundred people. [0:06:15, 0:06:17]: By twenty twenty, twenty nine thousand. [0:06:18, 0:06:24]: It's estimated we're now twenty nine twenty what should be at twenty nine thousand in twenty twenty one. But as of January [0:06:25, 0:06:28]: of January of twenty twenty three. [0:06:28, 0:06:40]: We got an approval through a referendum to annex in roughly six hundred six thousand seven hundred plus people into the city, but drove our population over thirty-five thousand people here. [0:06:42, 0:06:47]: With that annexation to give you a comparison, that's about two thirds the size of the city of Hampton. [0:06:48, 0:06:53]: In in terms of the size of the area that we brought in and the number of people we brought in by population. [0:06:53, 0:06:56]: Um with that also we have roughly [0:06:56, 0:06:59]: Nine hundred units that have been approved for development under the c [0:07:00, 0:07:01]: under the city's development programme. [0:07:02, 0:07:07]: Which if you add that, once those folks those developments are built, you're looking at an additional fifty five hundred people. [0:07:08, 0:07:15]: Which drives our population right around forty-one to forty-two thousand people and having to provide services for those folks. [0:07:15, 0:07:16]: Right. [0:07:16, 0:07:36]: Some of the areas that we see, obviously from a public work standpoint, that are challenging as to relates to the annexation is we brought in 91 miles of new roads, right? About 43 miles of new sidewalks. Um those are estimated numbers, but pretty rough. Um and with that, obviously, we have the storm drains, the covetes, the [0:07:36, 0:07:51]: the pipes, the streets, the can and the right-of-way that we have to maintain on those roadways. Some of those roads, as we know, are older roads that were in Henry County and are now and along with our current city and roads. [0:07:52, 0:08:11]: But those roads are in need of resurfacing and repaving. Um some of them require maintenance along with uh restriping as well as with sidewalk improvements. Um signalization as well, uh as well as I said, sidewalk installation and maintenance within some of those older communities. Um [0:08:13, 0:08:26]: When we talk about the police department, the police department started in July one of twenty twenty-two. And as we know from our latest statistics from our chief of police, crime is actually down in the city of Stockbridge by about twenty-four percent. [0:08:26, 0:08:29]: But the police department is challenged as well. [0:08:29, 0:08:32]: With that growth in population as well. [0:08:32, 0:08:52]: As the future growth in population, we understand that there's going to be a need to address uh a need for additional police officers as well as the equipment that actually they we use to to provide their services on a day to day basis. Right now we're projected to have right around thirty eight hundred, thirty eight thousand calls for services by the end of this year is what we're doing. [0:08:52, 0:09:01]: we're tracking on. And obviously some of those calls weren't typical calls that Henry County was getting, but as our police have become more visible, so they become more called upon. [0:09:03, 0:09:08]: And so when we talk about comparison we looked at adjacent communities in the Metro area. [0:09:09, 0:09:29]: Right around roughly around our population and the number of police officers and the ratio towards population to police officers. And so we looked at the city of Griffin, uh the city of Duluth, uh Dalton, Douglasville, and Chi Ambley, which are roughly around the same size as us. We're looking at the number of officers. [0:09:29, 0:09:32]: Did they have to provide services within their community? [0:09:32, 0:09:44]: Um and I will say that of these communities, um, Shamblee's probably the only one that's close to us in terms of growth and uh for my potential growth to surpass these communities that will tell you where we're going. [0:09:45, 0:10:05]: So City of Griffin has 78 offices, and some of this is driven by demographics too. Let me make sure we clear that too. Um Duluth, 70 offices. They're roughly around 33,000 people. Dalton is 34,000. They have 78 offices. Douglasville is 35,000, 98 offices. We have 35,000, 36,000. [0:10:05, 0:10:25]: And remember that those 62 offices, 10 of those, were funded through our federal grant, which after three years we're fully required to pay for. Shambly, roughly 36, has 81 offices. When you look at our call for services, we're just above or above Shambly and estimated calls for [0:10:25, 0:10:45]: services for for this year at 34,000, 38,000 respectfully. But when you look at the ratio to officers, we're at five five hundred and seventy-seven persons per officer. And then when we look at as the financial advisor illustrated, obviously those communities are operating with some form of a mill to offset some of their [0:10:45, 0:10:57]: costs and as we displayed this morning, some of those communities also transfer funds from their major utilities into their general fund to offset their um public overall public safety costs and budget. [0:10:59, 0:11:06]: Okay, sir. Sir. Yes, sir, what's what's going on, sir? Yeah. Certainly I wanna just point out something. Go back to the previous graphic. [0:11:08, 0:11:20]: And I want everybody to take a deep breath, okay?'Cause everybody focused in on that one line that says millage. And let me tell you, nobody up here is trying to vote for a six mil tax. Zero. Not none of us. So continue, Mr. Gardner. [0:11:24, 0:11:44]: Yes, sir. So our budget at a glance, uh this year as I mentioned, we started our budget process a little earlier to get ahead. Um and with with working with our staff, our general fund budget, our expenditures, we came up after going through uh budget process, right around twenty six point seven million dollars for the general fund. [0:11:45, 0:11:51]: Um and our general fund estimated revenues was right around nineteen point five. That left us with a six point eight [0:11:51, 0:11:54]: million deficit um between revenues to expenses. [0:11:54, 0:12:04]: And so at the bottom of the chart you can see where it says no military. So with that we would have to pull those funds. Um, Baron obviously we still can do some minuses down. [0:12:05, 0:12:10]: But roughly around there because we've gone through the budget substantially with our department heads. Um [0:12:10, 0:12:30]: With no mills, you're looking at a six point eight. We don't move you don't do address it with a millage rate of some type, you're gonna be looking at that coming out of our fund balance. And as Ed spoke this morning, um the goal is to at least have somewhere around three to six months of reserve um in your coffers. Um option two applies that if we are [0:12:30, 0:12:40]: are actually able to do to keep the existing millage rate. So right now every resident of the city of Stockbridge is paying a one point nine oh four millage rate. [0:12:41, 0:12:45]: For those folks who are annexed in, they're actually paying right around two mils. [0:12:45, 0:12:50]: Uh the one point nine was p for public safety for police district. [0:12:50, 0:12:51]: Please ovi [0:12:51, 0:12:55]: And there's about a three point w point three one four [0:12:55, 0:13:04]: Mills that everybody's paying was paying for code enforcement. So for those unincorporated residents, they're actually paying a little bit more because the city has its own code enforcement. [0:13:04, 0:13:24]: Sir. Yeah, what you need to say. Yeah, I appreciate that. And I want to stop so we can make sure that everybody absorbed that information. On that line that says one point oh nine mils, everybody in city of Stockbridge has been paying that for decades. You've already been paying it. So it's not new that one point nine [0:13:24, 0:13:44]: So option number two, you've been already been paying that for over a decade now. So that's kind of where we are in that. Many people were confused about the fact that the city didn't have a city tax. As a matter of fact, we did. The county was collecting that 1.09 and you paid it through your city tax uh through your property tax. [0:13:44, 0:13:50]: Tax. The reason the county was collecting it was specifically because we had Henry County Police Service. Thank you. [0:13:52, 0:14:00]: Go ahead, Mr. Garner, continue please. So option three, um Rita Miller's rate obviously uh would give us [0:14:01, 0:14:03]: Would give us uh property values right around [0:14:06, 0:14:13]: Would give us a deficit once you apply the military two, it would give us a deficit of other than the three million at one point oh nine. [0:14:13, 0:14:15]: One point nine oh four would be fifty four. [0:14:16, 0:14:21]: fifty four thousand seven hundred and seventy four dollars at three point seven seven mils. [0:14:21, 0:14:23]: Um option for [0:14:23, 0:14:24]: will reflect [0:14:25, 0:14:37]: a millage rate with a revenue of seven point two, which reduce which would now give you a surplus of f uh four hundred and forty eight thousand. And then um option five will obviously it it [0:14:38, 0:14:57]: Excuse me, at four four point two one five mills would give you revenue of s uh seven point six million and give you just uh plus revenue to expense right around eight hundred and thirty eight and six mils, which was advertised obviously, would give you ten million ten million, ten point eight million, with a roughly four million dollar surplus. [0:15:00, 0:15:20]: Uh as we talked about our fund balance and recognizing that the utilization of the fund balance this morning, some of that obviously was to cover some of the costs and some of the um public improvements that were done throughout the city. Um and right now we're estimated our fund balance at twelve million dollars. Um that's unaudited. We should be getting our audit report fairly soon, but as you can see, we've gone [0:15:20, 0:15:23]: gone from nineteen to twelve over the last um [0:15:25, 0:15:28]: Last five years. Four, five years. [0:15:31, 0:15:36]: So when we talk about applying the military, so in blue, the first blue you see is what everyone's currently paying. [0:15:36, 0:15:39]: Is that one point nine oh four mil? [0:15:39, 0:15:40]: Of tax. [0:15:40, 0:15:42]: Ah, that currently applies to a home in the city. [0:15:43, 0:15:48]: How that currently applies to a home in the city is a home valued at a hundred, recognizing that [0:15:48, 0:16:08]: You don't pay on a hundred percent of your assessed appraised value, it's forty percent of your appraised value in the state of Georgia. As um Miss our financial advisor was talking this morning, if you're in the state of Alabama, it's on one percent. So you do forty percent here. Um so that forty percent obviously at a hundred leaves you forty forty thousand is actually applied towards [0:16:08, 0:16:17]: The mil the military is applied to. So when you apply that 1.904, that person pays$76 in property tax on an annualized basis. [0:16:18, 0:16:22]: For a home in the middle at two hundred and seventy five at one point nine they pay [0:16:23, 0:16:28]: two hundred and nine dollars and forty four cents on an annual basis for taxes and at the high end [0:16:29, 0:16:34]: And the mid the median home in the city of Starbage right now is around around two hundred and seventy, two hundred and seventy five thousand. [0:16:36, 0:16:45]: So that 375 is typically on the high end. Right now they're paying about$285 in in property taxes. Um and this is for the police service. [0:16:46, 0:16:52]: And as you can tell, the police service with that on tail brings right around three point four, three point five million rounded off. [0:16:52, 0:17:00]: is what you collect. Um and when you look when we look at our police service, our police service is at um eight point two million. [0:17:02, 0:17:10]: Um two mils a tax. Once is applied, that'll be an increase. That increase on top of what you're paying now is a.096 mil increase. [0:17:11, 0:17:23]: But at two mills, you'll be paying on a hundred thousand on an annualized basis eighty dollars, on a home at two hundred and seventy-five at two hundred and twenty, and on a home at two hundred three hundred and seventy-five, three hundred dollars. [0:17:25, 0:17:30]: At three point seven seven, which is a one point eight six increase above what you're currently paying now. [0:17:31, 0:17:47]: That home is now that home at one hundred is paying a hundred and fifty dollars on an annualized basis. The home at two seventy is paying four fourteen. And home valued appraised valued appraised valued at three hundred and seventy-five is paying five hundred and sixty-five. Mr. Gardner. Yes, sir. [0:17:48, 0:17:53]: What's going on, sir? Go ahead. These numbers seem inconsistent with the numbers that we saw this morning. [0:17:53, 0:17:53]: No, sir. [0:17:54, 0:17:59]: Because uh that two hundred that four fourteen right there was um [0:18:00, 0:18:02]: Minus the one point nine four. [0:18:03, 0:18:23]: No sure. The the all we did was added the difference, the top line here to add to show you the difference, but the two mils, those numbers are still should be consistent. At two seventy-five this morning, when I asked Mr. Wall about the four fourteen, he said that we needed to take the one eighty six from it in order to get the actual bottom line. [0:18:23, 0:18:43]: Okay, so that's what the number up there where you see the increase arrow right under the three point seven seven mils. It's the difference between what the difference you're paying between what you currently paid 1.904 minus that from the 3.7, that gives you a 1.86 increase. If you add those two back to each other, it'll get you back to the three. [0:18:43, 0:19:03]: So it's just illustrating that you're currently paying this, but if you even if you go to the higher number, that's the difference. That doesn't change the underlying value because you're the uh the overlying value is based on the three point seven seven mils, not the eight point six five. It's on the overall. So it's it's it's taking into account the seventy-six. [0:19:03, 0:19:07]: That 76 is included in the 150 if you just look at the$100,000 value. [0:19:08, 0:19:28]: That's already in. This is based off the conversation earlier this morning that made it to make it a little easier to to digest. I'm just trying to understand, so I want to make sure everybody understand because this morning at 414 at 377, we said we needed to take 200, we need to take the 1.4 away from that to give us the actual total for. [0:19:28, 0:19:41]: for two seventy five. So so if you're looking at the point nine oh four, right, that's n the nine oh four is not plus the three point seven seven. If that was the case then you'd have a higher number. [0:19:41, 0:19:57]: The three point seven seven incorporates the the one point nine oh four already is in that. It's embedded in that number. The difference is the one point eight six to get you to that three point seven seven is what gives you the difference in the millage rate going down the line. And um am I correct, Mr. [0:19:58, 0:20:03]: Tax assessor, I think you're you're here to in terms of the questioning that we are going through right now. [0:20:04, 0:20:24]: I just want to make sure that we get the number right'cause this morning what was said was that four fourteen number, like for two hundred and seventy five thousand at three seventy seven, that four fourteen number was to take away the uh one point nine four. That's not a plus because we uh this plus this you still get that that's what supplies [0:20:24, 0:20:28]: Right. And that's what I was trying to explain to it. Right. [0:20:29, 0:20:40]: Yeah, it looks like the three point seven seven includes the one point nine oh four. I think that your question contributed. But I'm saying right, we needed to take that out because they've already been paying that so they can understand that's the difference. [0:20:40, 0:20:47]: Okay. Then yeah, then understood. But overall, once you apply the overall even if you take it out, you still [0:20:48, 0:21:05]: Th what what I'm trying to do is to make make sure that they understand they've already been paying two hundred dollars of that already. The difference is between what we're doing now if we did three point seven seven is they would be adding two hundred dollars to what they're already paying to get to four fourteen. [0:21:06, 0:21:26]: Uh hold hold on hold on hold on man. You'll get your opportunity to speak. Not right now. You'll get your opportunity to speak. So understood. So what I what I was told uh this morning what I did was make the change based on the percentage to show the difference in the millers rate. So what you want to see is the difference of what that one point eight is d once applied, what it would do. Right. I w I want everybody to leave here, understand. [0:21:26, 0:21:46]: That they've been paying the one point nine four. So if they had a two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollar house, they're not paying an additional four fourteen. They're only paying an additional around two hundred dollars because they've already been paying half of that uh through the one point nine four. But your token. Right. But you yes, sir. [0:21:48, 0:21:49]: No. Stand my one second. [0:21:52, 0:21:54]: Uh okay. You got the yes sir, Miss Blount. [0:21:55, 0:22:11]: Uh Mr. Gardner, um well two things. When we look at these numbers, I think it's been stated that one point nine zero four is already a millage rate that's already been paid to the county. [0:22:12, 0:22:23]: So uh I'm gonna believe that everybody believe that the ending number that we have is gonna be inclusive of that. Or you can you can you can take it out and get your number, you can add it in and get the tot total number. [0:22:23, 0:22:26]: Also, my second question is that [0:22:27, 0:22:47]: This um will this be on our website for the citizens to download? I'm gonna make sure this gets posted this evening. So everyone here that's here, remember this this uh whole uh presentation is gonna be on our website. So if you see something that you want to question or whatever, ask your uh your um [0:22:47, 0:22:51]: representative for your districts or whatever, uh, it will be on the website. [0:22:54, 0:22:57]: Okay, Mr. Gardner, uh continue please. All right. [0:23:00, 0:23:20]: So what we did here was show exactly what if you applied um the proposed mills rate at the at a home, this typical home based on the appraised value under the tax assessors, um what those homes look like and obviously hope I didn't offend anybody by putting their homes on here, but um what that would mean. [0:23:20, 0:23:21]: So what you're currently paying. [0:23:21, 0:23:36]: Um annualized at the one point nine oh four and what that means monthly. So at one nine oh four you've been paying s six dollars and thirty three cents a month at seventy six dollars a year. For home valued at two seventy five, you were doing [0:23:36, 0:23:39]: Um a hundred and seventy four dollars, which is fourteen dollars a month. [0:23:40, 0:23:47]: Um at the proposed two point four nine, you're looking at fourteen dollars a month or hundred and sixty-four. At a home value to two twenty. [0:23:48, 0:23:50]: Yeah, three hundred and seventy nine or thirty one dollars a month. [0:23:53, 0:24:08]: Same here for home at 275, which was my old house. Um at uh one point nine oh four, two hundred nine dollars, fourteen dollars a month, or four hundred and thirty-six at two point four two point four point two one five at thirty-six dollars a month. [0:24:08, 0:24:15]: And for homes three hundred and seventy five at one point nine oh four they were paying two hundred and eighty five or twenty three dollars a month. [0:24:15, 0:24:20]: At the four point two it'd be six hundred and thirty two or fifty two dollars a month. [0:24:23, 0:24:24]: I'm sorry, ma'am. [0:24:26, 0:24:38]: All right. So when we talk about um taxing and where did your tax dollar go, so if you took a dollar and you paid it to the tax assessor's office, who gets that dollar and what percentage of? So that one dollar [0:24:39, 0:24:59]: About fifty-nine fifty-nine cents of that dollar goes to the Board of Education. About twenty-six cents goes to uh Henry County. And if the city approves a millage rate um at four point two, about eleven and a half cents goes to the city. And right now there's a [0:24:59, 0:25:07]: Two mil tax, which is about five percent, goes to the water authority. So you're paying that, but that's scheduled to go away, I think, at the end of 2025. [0:25:10, 0:25:30]: So how is it distributed as it relates to city operations? Um and in most municipalities, public safety is their at most expensive costs, um, police or police on fire, and you add in the courts. So at thirty-two percent is uh would be our highest, which is public safety, general government at thirty-one, public works at twenty-one. [0:25:30, 0:25:33]: percent and uh debt services sixteen percent. [0:25:36, 0:25:55]: And that's the end of our presentation. Thank you, Mr. Gardner. Um if Mr. M stand by Mr. Gardner. I'm sorry. All right, so counsel, obviously you know this is a public hearing. So there are any specific we had a few questions, so any specific questions pre relevant to his presentation, we'll take them now. If that's okay, specific questions or concerns you may have on him before we bring up Mr. Harris. [0:25:55, 0:26:08]: Yes sir, Mr. Yeah, yeah, Mr. Harris will come. He's here. He's he'll be he'll be next. Just wanna make sure about the council here. Are we good? On the council. Okay. So okay, I'm sorry, Miss Barber, go ahead, please. Okay. Uh Mr. Gardner. Yes, ma'am. [0:26:09, 0:26:11]: Some of these questions I asked this morning. [0:26:11, 0:26:13]: But I want to ask them again just [0:26:13, 0:26:15]: For a public knowledge. [0:26:15, 0:26:16]: So [0:26:16, 0:26:17]: Follow along with me. [0:26:17, 0:26:20]: Including some of the questions that I sent to you via email. [0:26:21, 0:26:21]: Um [0:26:22, 0:26:28]: You mentioned during your presentation that there are nine hundred plus units that have been approved for development. [0:26:28, 0:26:29]: Up until this point. [0:26:30, 0:26:31]: Um [0:26:31, 0:26:34]: Think it was nineteen hundred. [0:26:35, 0:26:37]: I'm sorry. Nineteen hundred. Nineteen hundred. Thank you, sir. [0:26:39, 0:26:41]: Okay, as of today. [0:26:41, 0:26:52]: The city has brought in ninety one miles of roadway. Ninety one that we are Yes, ma'am, ninety one miles of roadway and about forty something miles of sidewalks estimated from what came in through the annexation. Thank you, sir. [0:26:53, 0:26:54]: Um [0:26:55, 0:26:56]: The slide that you have [0:26:57, 0:27:00]: That shows the police staffing comparison by city. [0:27:01, 0:27:02]: Can you show that again? [0:27:03, 0:27:06]: Okay. So the same question I asked this morning. [0:27:07, 0:27:11]: Which of these and I know you mentioned it, but which of these cities um [0:27:11, 0:27:13]: have their own fire department. [0:27:14, 0:27:19]: Uh I think all except for remember correctly, City of Chambelly, I think it is. [0:27:20, 0:27:23]: So Douglasville, Dalton, Duluth, Griffin has a fire department. [0:27:24, 0:27:29]: Thank you, sir. Yes, ma'am. Can you tell me which of these cities have their own utilities? [0:27:29, 0:27:49]: So they they all have water and sewer. Uh Griffin and Dalton have electric utilities. Um as I mentioned before, having worked in the city of Griffin for eight years. The city of Griffin has a structural deficit between revenues and expenses. So they offset the the difference between the revenues and expenses. [0:27:49, 0:27:51]: and spirit funds from the electric utility. [0:27:52, 0:27:56]: Okay. And why that is important is because when you look at the millage rate [0:27:57, 0:28:00]: Although the population of each of these cities [0:28:00, 0:28:01]: А симле. [0:28:02, 0:28:02]: Close him. [0:28:03, 0:28:05]: population of the city of Stockbridge. [0:28:05, 0:28:06]: Um [0:28:06, 0:28:07]: Their military [0:28:08, 0:28:12]: Actually is determined by whether or not it includes [0:28:12, 0:28:13]: A fire department. [0:28:14, 0:28:16]: Or if they have their own utilities. [0:28:16, 0:28:18]: So you see their milge rates. [0:28:19, 0:28:20]: Several of them are at [0:28:20, 0:28:21]: Six. [0:28:21, 0:28:21]: Point. [0:28:22, 0:28:25]: two five eight and six point five five one and [0:28:25, 0:28:26]: Six point two five. [0:28:26, 0:28:27]: That's because they [0:28:28, 0:28:31]: have either utilities or fire department. [0:28:31, 0:28:34]: We don't have a fire department. [0:28:34, 0:28:46]: No ma'am, and so we won't be No, we're not going in the fire business, as far as I know. That's that's not something I would recommend. Okay. Obviously having been into no. I was just trying to explain the point that we won't need a six meal. [0:28:47, 0:28:50]: In fact, staff is recommending a four point [0:28:50, 0:28:51]: Two mil. [0:28:51, 0:28:52]: Yes, ma'am. Okay. [0:28:54, 0:28:56]: Okay, thank you for that. Um [0:28:57, 0:29:05]: The other question, the slide that you show as a preliminary general fund FY twenty four budget at a glance. [0:29:05, 0:29:06]: Yes, ma'am. Yeah. [0:29:06, 0:29:08]: This is staff's recommendation. [0:29:09, 0:29:11]: Today is the first time that the governing body [0:29:11, 0:29:13]: has had an opportunity to see this. [0:29:13, 0:29:15]: We haven't had a budget retreat just yet. [0:29:16, 0:29:16]: So [0:29:16, 0:29:19]: as the public is asking questions. [0:29:19, 0:29:21]: We're asking questions about this as well. [0:29:21, 0:29:22]: Um [0:29:24, 0:29:28]: And if you don't mind, Mr. Gardner, um several of the questions that I email to you. [0:29:28, 0:29:33]: After our nine AM meeting, I'd like for us to just go over them. [0:29:33, 0:29:35]: Um just for public knowledge. [0:29:46, 0:29:50]: Okay. My question was at the millage rate will the gov [0:29:50, 0:29:53]: А what military will the governing body adopt? [0:29:54, 0:29:59]: Your response was staff is proposing a four point two one five. [0:29:59, 0:30:01]: meal that would cover the public safety. [0:30:01, 0:30:02]: And infrastructure. [0:30:05, 0:30:08]: My next question was other than funding the police department. [0:30:08, 0:30:11]: At the staff le level recommendation. [0:30:11, 0:30:13]: What other expenditures? [0:30:13, 0:30:17]: Does the city plan to use these specific municipal tax dollars for? [0:30:18, 0:30:21]: А і інфраструктус адишла поліціос. [0:30:23, 0:30:25]: You want me to read your response and you want to respond? Okay. [0:30:26, 0:30:29]: You answered it is estimated that the new millage would cover [0:30:29, 0:30:32]: The police needs that includes additional officers. [0:30:33, 0:30:34]: And assist with public works. [0:30:34, 0:30:35]: And road maintenance. [0:30:36, 0:30:41]: My next question was, what are the specific projects and the estimated costs? [0:30:42, 0:30:51]: Your answer was the roadway and sidewalkwalk projects outside of SPLOST and T SPLOST will be dependent upon the assessment. [0:30:52, 0:30:54]: equals the one million estimated. [0:30:55, 0:30:56]: And the Lamig match. [0:30:57, 0:30:58]: We have eighty six thousand. [0:30:59, 0:31:04]: will include once g dot finalized population difference due to the annexation. [0:31:06, 0:31:12]: You'll need to kinda explain that a little further. So with the FADA we ran from uh twenty twenty census number. [0:31:19, 0:31:34]: So s the sent the way we the way G Rot works on our on LMEGs is we go by our decennial census numbers. So at twenty twenty we were right around twenty nine thousand. So our match is based on our population LMEG, which is our [0:31:35, 0:31:49]: transportation match for transportation improvements, either sidewalks or street improvements, um, is based on your population share as relates to all the communities in the state of Georgia. So the fact that the we had an organization of sixty seven hundred people. [0:31:49, 0:32:02]: That race our number right over thirty five, thirty-six thousand people. So they have to recalculate what our overall total would be and based on that total, what our match would be. So it'll be above and beyond what we currently have because it's based on the previous number. [0:32:02, 0:32:07]: So that number we haven't gotten from them yet, so we don't know what our total would be and we don't know what our match requirement would be. [0:32:08, 0:32:14]: Um and the same um if you can provide an explanation with the police equipment. [0:32:14, 0:32:34]: The cars, the flat trails. So yeah, so so Chief is proposing obviously to add additional offices and with those additional offices come the need for the equipment for them to obviously be able to do provide the services that they're um sworn to do. That also includes us upgrading and going utilizing technology as a relationship. [0:32:34, 0:32:54]: To C C TV and flock cameras around the community. As you know, we've had some issues, but the key areas where we've had the cameras, we've had good success. So being able to have that camera there available. We also have to have an area where we bring folks into the building. It's a covered area, so that facility kind of like a sally port that you typically see around your court buildings. [0:32:54, 0:33:04]: is what they're wanting to look at as well. And um other equipment, pol you know, guns and those four things to go with those officers as well. You have an estimated cost for all of that? [0:33:05, 0:33:21]: Uh, Ms. Blount uh uh Mr. Carnegie, please speak up sir. The email has an estimated cost. I think of one point two I think it's estimated one point two million above for their capital employment. I'm sorry. It's I think it's one point two million, I think it's for their capital needs to to cover those costs. Yes, ma'am. [0:33:22, 0:33:30]: Okay. Um the next question was: we've surpassed the mid-year budget cycle. Um, when should the council expect a mid-year budget review? [0:33:30, 0:33:31]: As I've requested. [0:33:32, 0:33:34]: You said it is the goal of the treasurer. [0:33:34, 0:33:35]: To provide a half. [0:33:35, 0:33:37]: Report to council at the budget retreat. [0:33:38, 0:33:38]: In August. [0:33:39, 0:33:40]: August tenth through the eleventh. [0:33:41, 0:33:44]: My last question there are budgeted items. [0:33:44, 0:33:46]: That should be reconsidered. [0:33:46, 0:33:52]: By reducing the amounts, specific budgeted items, or perhaps canceling. [0:33:52, 0:33:54]: specific budgeted items. [0:33:55, 0:33:59]: You answered accounting and finance staff will review areas of the budget. [0:34:00, 0:34:01]: That are either short or long. [0:34:01, 0:34:02]: On funds. [0:34:02, 0:34:05]: And adjust as needed to balance the overall budget. [0:34:05, 0:34:06]: As required by law. [0:34:07, 0:34:10]: This work is subsequently reviewed by our auditors. [0:34:10, 0:34:11]: In accordance [0:34:11, 0:34:13]: We're generally accepting accounting principles. [0:34:16, 0:34:18]: Thank you for your responses, sir. Um I kinda [0:34:19, 0:34:22]: Really was hoping that we would have a mid year budget review. [0:34:22, 0:34:24]: prior to the council adopting. [0:34:25, 0:34:25]: A military. [0:34:26, 0:34:28]: I wanna know what those expenses. [0:34:29, 0:34:29]: Um [0:34:29, 0:34:30]: are projected. [0:34:31, 0:34:32]: I don't have that in front of me. [0:34:33, 0:34:35]: I know there is a need for us to [0:34:35, 0:34:38]: Have more funding for infrastructure improvements. [0:34:39, 0:34:40]: That is necessary. [0:34:40, 0:34:42]: А ноти асо несери. [0:34:42, 0:34:44]: For us to have additional officers. [0:34:45, 0:34:46]: That is necessary. [0:34:47, 0:34:48]: But the cost. [0:34:48, 0:34:49]: Associated with those. [0:34:50, 0:34:51]: I don't have those. [0:34:51, 0:34:52]: Other than [0:34:53, 0:34:55]: Ді фінаншол, до фулфенчу. [0:34:55, 0:34:58]: That Mr. Wiggins sent to us after the meeting. [0:34:58, 0:34:59]: Um none of it. [0:35:00, 0:35:01]: Has been [0:35:01, 0:35:02]: Analyzed. [0:35:02, 0:35:03]: So [0:35:04, 0:35:06]: I was hoping that we'd be able to [0:35:06, 0:35:07]: Um [0:35:08, 0:35:09]: Have the budget re [0:35:09, 0:35:11]: Budget retreat sooner. [0:35:11, 0:35:14]: Then August, since the council has to make a [0:35:15, 0:35:20]: recommendation or approve or adopt a millet rate before August. Is that possible? [0:35:21, 0:35:23]: Is that a question for you, Mr. Gardner, or Mr. Wiggins? [0:35:25, 0:35:26]: Um [0:35:27, 0:35:47]: In consulting with Mr. Wiggins, ma'am, I I think the treasurer goal was to present that the half-year review of the budget at the budget retreat. Um, as it relates to the data that you currently get, that is predicated on the current year's budget. Whatever we do is gonna help us in the future. [0:35:46, 0:35:53]: future years budget and the future needs. So those requirements for additional offices are not addressed in the current year, obviously. [0:35:53, 0:36:00]: Um and that's where Mr. Wall was speaking from the fact that we were having to pull money from reserves to cover those costs. [0:36:00, 0:36:08]: Um so that obviously in the way our budget is driven, our budget is driven on not on a fiscal year which is June [0:36:08, 0:36:23]: June July one to June thirtieth, our budget is December one to January to December thirty first. So at the budget retreat is unfortunate the way this process is done doesn't predicate us actually adopting a budget before that time. [0:36:23, 0:36:29]: Um it puts it in the middle, which is not a bad thing, not a bad space to be, but at the same time [0:36:29, 0:36:31]: You you you know [0:36:32, 0:36:52]: The way the budget is done is the budget is supposed to be the council no later than sixty days from the end of the year, which usually puts it in the month of October. Um our goal was obviously get you a budget as quickly as possible. We worked on the overall budget, which we presented to you guys um over a month ago, I think, when we came and we showed exactly where we were. [0:36:52, 0:37:04]: as it relates to the estimated budget and that we would continue to refine and tweak the budget as we go forward. And then when we meet with you guys in August, um that was on the calendar that we presented back in May. [0:37:04, 0:37:24]: Um to show exactly where we would, you know, what we can do to either refine the budget even more so. So that way you guys would have to budget at least seven months ahead of the sixty day requirements that required by the Well, one of my concerns is um there may be some items that the council [0:37:24, 0:37:26]: Yes, ma'am. [0:37:27, 0:37:30]: We may want to take a second look at all of those items. [0:37:31, 0:37:41]: I understand that the budget amounts are all set and were approved by the council, so any amendments to the budget. [0:37:41, 0:37:43]: Whether to decrease them. [0:37:43, 0:37:45]: Whether to increase them [0:37:45, 0:37:47]: Та із до респонсаби. [0:37:47, 0:37:48]: Of the council. [0:37:50, 0:37:50]: Not staff. [0:37:51, 0:37:54]: May I I'm respectfully [0:37:54, 0:37:55]: For [0:37:55, 0:37:57]: Financial information. [0:37:57, 0:37:59]: Whenever any expenditure [0:37:59, 0:38:01]: has been brought to the council. [0:38:01, 0:38:03]: It is our responsibility to be fiscally [0:38:03, 0:38:04]: Responsible. [0:38:04, 0:38:06]: We can't do that. [0:38:06, 0:38:08]: unless we're provided with the information. [0:38:08, 0:38:11]: And I think it's crucial at this point. [0:38:11, 0:38:14]: While we're making a decision such as imposing [0:38:15, 0:38:16]: A tax. [0:38:16, 0:38:19]: Да ви аби а прийзд о фінанс. [0:38:19, 0:38:23]: Full financials, not just what's in our [0:38:23, 0:38:26]: general fund and what may be in our savings account. [0:38:27, 0:38:30]: I want to see what's in our splosed accounts, our lost accounts. [0:38:30, 0:38:33]: А вона си алтанська. [0:38:34, 0:38:36]: На час what you want to show me. [0:38:36, 0:38:39]: That is what's making it difficult for me. [0:38:39, 0:38:41]: Your presentation um [0:38:41, 0:38:42]: is high level. [0:38:43, 0:38:45]: And it's detailed, it gives enough information. [0:38:45, 0:38:48]: for residents to kinda understand where we're going. [0:38:48, 0:38:49]: But the specifics. [0:38:50, 0:38:52]: The estimated cost for these roads. [0:38:53, 0:38:56]: Форм the police that we need to hire. [0:38:57, 0:38:58]: I don't have an answer for that. [0:39:00, 0:39:05]: Yes, ma'am. Uh as it relates to to budget adjustments as we go through. [0:39:05, 0:39:11]: In my thirty years in government that's usually done by your professional staff in accounting and finance and your manager. [0:39:11, 0:39:11]: Um [0:39:12, 0:39:16]: That's that's what you hire us for. We have a fiduciary responsibility as well to make sure that we [0:39:16, 0:39:17]: Keep and [0:39:18, 0:39:19]: within our budget, within means. [0:39:19, 0:39:36]: So and as it relates to the details as as you specify, ma'am, we give you guys and have been giving you guys this year the monthly statements to reflect exactly where we are. So what you've given us statements to reflect what? [0:39:37, 0:39:41]: We have given council monthly statements that's not true, Mr. Gardner. [0:39:41, 0:39:44]: Okay. Monthly statements have not come to this council. [0:39:45, 0:39:47]: They have not. [0:39:47, 0:39:48]: А рекласти [0:39:49, 0:39:53]: that they be sent to this council. In fact I said every meeting [0:39:53, 0:40:02]: Okay. Okay. Every meeting this council needs to have financial statements regarding whatever account [0:40:02, 0:40:03]: And expenditure. [0:40:04, 0:40:05]: Is being requested from this council. [0:40:06, 0:40:07]: I've asked that. [0:40:07, 0:40:09]: I stopped asking. [0:40:09, 0:40:11]: I stopped asking up until this morning. [0:40:12, 0:40:14]: We are in a crucial time. [0:40:14, 0:40:15]: Here in our city. [0:40:16, 0:40:17]: Mr Wiggins. [0:40:18, 0:40:20]: Are you a resident of the city of Stockbridge? [0:40:20, 0:40:22]: I am not a resident Okay, thank you, sir. [0:40:23, 0:40:43]: It is incumbent upon every single one of us. Point of order. Let's be transparent about what we're doing. Point of order. I want to be able to explain to the point of order. What this is. Point of order. This is a public hearing on behalf of tax on our on behalf about the taxes. Right. And we are supposed to talk in general. We're supposed to let the public talk. [0:40:43, 0:41:00]: right now about their opinion of a taxes. Correct. Mr. Gartner or whomever is going to do the presentation on taxes is supposed to give that presentation and then the public is to provide us whether they're for or against or ask the questions that they need answered. And then [0:41:00, 0:41:07]: Mr. Gardner or whomever is gonna come back up can re can come back up and answer those questions. This is not the time. [0:41:08, 0:41:27]: for mayor and council to try to grandstand or try to make it appear that we are not receiving the information that we received. Now listen, no, I can't speak for everyone. I can speak for me. Right. But we're not speaking for her. We're not saying I'm talking [0:41:27, 0:41:33]: It's my turn. I have the floor. When I ask for an update on financials [0:41:34, 0:41:35]: They are readily available. [0:41:35, 0:41:36]: Anyone? [0:41:37, 0:41:41]: Anyone can receive those financials at any time. [0:41:42, 0:41:45]: including our constituents [0:41:45, 0:42:05]: You can do open records requests, you can ask for that. In fact, we've began the process of buying software in regards to being able to see live transactions of spending from day to day operations. It's true, you can look it up. It's in black and white. It's also on camera, it's on the tapes. [0:42:05, 0:42:13]: It's on videos. We are not here. I don't want anyone to think that we are painting a picture of lack of transparency. [0:42:13, 0:42:15]: The city of Start Bridge. [0:42:15, 0:42:30]: has been transparent before some of the county entities, before some of the other city entities. We are on Facebook Live. We're on our web pages. You can click on a budget. You can do anything you want. There's a difference between transparency and competence. [0:42:32, 0:42:52]: I and what I'm saying here is what I'm saying that's disrespectful in regards to So since she wants to disrespect you I will respond. I'm not being disrespectful. I'm not being disrespectful. I'm letting me Yeah, you are being disrespectful. What in fact what I consider what both voters are counterpeople [0:42:52, 0:43:02]: Come on folks contract awards but not even seeing the contracts. That's what I consider incompetent. So that's what I consider incompetent. Stop stop. [0:43:02, 0:43:03]: Thank God it. [0:43:03, 0:43:23]: Well you don't sit here and allow her to try to disrespect the fact that I gotta respond. No, you talk to her. Mayor Ford. Calm down. Calm forget this. Calm down, folks. Please have respect. Calm down. Mayor Ford. [0:43:23, 0:43:43]: And and to the constituents, my apologies. I am not trying to argue. What I'm trying to make a point is to say that this is a public hearing and it's to hear from you all and to also hear from Mr. Gardner. If we go and veer off from and talk about the budget retreat and budget hearings. [0:43:43, 0:43:54]: and other things, it makes it appear as if we aren't re uh like like there's something going on wrong or that we're trying to hide something and we're not. [0:43:55, 0:44:15]: We're not. It's available, it's readily available, and you can ask any of the questions you want to ask, and that's why we have the public hearings that we have. Out of respect for my colleagues, Mrs. Barber, I'm not taking a shot at you. I what I'm telling you is that this is not the place and you tell [0:44:14, 0:44:20]: Tell me that right now out of respect the mayor and council. [0:44:20, 0:44:36]: What I'm trying to say has made her point. Come on, folks. Point of order. Point of order. Mr. Gardner, back to the podium, please. Thank you, thank you. Mr. Gardner back to the podium. Mr. Blount, what's your question? [0:44:37, 0:44:41]: Yeah, let me um just make something clear. I wanna thank uh it it blesses me. [0:44:42, 0:44:43]: When I see people here. [0:44:43, 0:44:46]: to come and know what's going on in their communities. [0:44:46, 0:44:48]: Uh one of the things I wanna talk about [0:44:49, 0:44:54]: that got us to this point and what we're doing and why we need to implement this millage rate. [0:44:54, 0:45:05]: We've had budgets retreat prior to many decisions being made. And those budget retreats doesn't dictate what action you're gonna take up here on his diets. Those are individual decisions. [0:45:06, 0:45:10]: Budgets retreat that we had prior to that got us to this point. [0:45:11, 0:45:15]: Із давом виситр ви банде тварифа мільйон долар. [0:45:16, 0:45:19]: Твенти фай мільйон долар. [0:45:19, 0:45:29]: Seven million toward the amphitheater, 14 million toward a cultural arts center that has not been built yet, and we paid$750,000 worth of interest so far. [0:45:29, 0:45:49]: $3 million toward the startup of a police department that I didn't find out about or Councilwoman Gantt until we came to a and set on the diets for a meeting. And a million dollars trails. Those that's known facts. This is not a beaten down. So known facts:$25 million. When we started a police department, police departments become your highest. [0:45:49, 0:45:53]: highest paid entity of any city. [0:45:53, 0:46:10]: I had a wage analysis done from 2019 to 2024, and it showed that our budget would double by 2024. Guess what's gonna happen next year? Our budget's gonna double. This wasn't closed information. This was information given to us before decisions was made by the cities. [0:46:11, 0:46:25]: When you had three colleagues that have been boasting about starting the police department, did they tell you that our budget was gonna double by 2024? No, they didn't. When they tell you they didn't know this and know that, they voted and we was told by our financial advisor. [0:46:26, 0:46:33]: That if we make the decisions that it was made, that our budget would double by twenty twenty four and we'd be sitting here right now and that's what we're doing. [0:46:34, 0:46:54]: So when when when when you sit here and we s we and we say we don't know, we don't know, decisions were made prior project and being made, our financial advisor told us, along with the city manager at the time, and as long and as and as well as our uh uh treasurer that our budget would double by twenty twenty-four. [0:46:54, 0:47:06]: Our fund balance was 100%. Our fund balance is down to six months right now. And we took$4.5 million last year to balance our budget the first time since I've been on this council. [0:47:06, 0:47:11]: So shame on anybody to say they don't know what's going on when you voted for it. [0:47:12, 0:47:32]: All right. Sir. But stand by please. Mr. Gardner, back to the podium, please. I will say that our financial advisor, Mr. Wall, was with us this morning here at nine o'clock. And he's at another activity right now, another city, so hopefully he'll be able to join us before we get to the public comments. And that might help some clarification on some of the things that are being said and clarifications for the public. [0:47:32, 0:47:39]: here on that aspect. All right, Ms. Alexander. I'm going to defer to Councilman Thomas. Okay, I'm sorry, Mr. Thomas. I understand. [0:47:40, 0:47:42]: Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, Mayor. [0:47:44, 0:47:49]: What what I just wanna say here and I and I heard this from the gentleman over here. [0:47:53, 0:47:54]: We are [0:47:54, 0:48:00]: put in these positions to make decisions for the city. [0:48:03, 0:48:06]: We just received an award for civility. [0:48:08, 0:48:13]: Yes. It's right. So so and and I'm saying this to say [0:48:14, 0:48:22]: We and Mayor, I'm I'm gonna I'm gonna ask you, Mayor, when we get off track, if you had to beat the gavel a million times. [0:48:24, 0:48:26]: Reel us back in. [0:48:27, 0:48:34]: We are here to do the city's business like grown folks. And we cannot. [0:48:35, 0:48:41]: Legislate properly when we have all these personal attacks. [0:48:42, 0:48:44]: And let me just say this as well. [0:48:46, 0:48:52]: All decisions that are legislated, are legislated right here. [0:48:53, 0:49:00]: Any conversations in the back room, at home, in the street, it doesn't matter. [0:49:00, 0:49:03]: All legislations are done right here. [0:49:04, 0:49:12]: And and any council person that claims that they don't know, well, evidently they was not here. But but but this is my main point. [0:49:12, 0:49:14]: We're here tonight specifically. [0:49:16, 0:49:33]: to discuss the million with our citizens. We invite citizens to come in and have grown folks conversations about how we move this city forward and make sure that we have the quality of life that we all deserve in our great city. [0:49:33, 0:49:37]: But we can't do that if we got personal. [0:49:38, 0:49:41]: fights and graf about issues. [0:49:42, 0:49:46]: If anyone belongs to an organization, there's always a vote. [0:49:47, 0:49:50]: And the vote is not always unanimous. [0:49:51, 0:49:53]: Бо вирн а то респект. [0:49:54, 0:50:05]: the decisions that are made. I'm not saying you have to agree with them, but you should respect the decisions that are made. But to get up here and to try to [0:50:06, 0:50:09]: You know, browbead and make your point. [0:50:09, 0:50:10]: It is wrong. [0:50:11, 0:50:27]: It is wrong to air out those kind of issues here. We're here specifically to talk about a millage and try to work with our citizens and try to get them to understand where we're trying to go. So Mayor, if you would please, please, sir. [0:50:29, 0:50:49]: Just keep us on track and make sure we're here to do the business specifically while we're here. But all of these other issues, it is not the place, it is not the time. All of those things have been already discussed. So we should not try to come back of a discussion that we had a year ago. [0:50:49, 0:50:53]: Decision that we made a year ago. We're here today. [0:50:53, 0:50:58]: To try to make a decision on how we go forward and please. [0:50:59, 0:51:08]: Let us try to stay focused on how we are going to move this city forward and provide the quality of life that all of you deserve. [0:51:09, 0:51:19]: Thank you, Mayor. No problem. As I said earlier, uh that the specific questions directed to the presentation itself, we need to stay on track on on on that as well. Mr. Alexander. [0:51:19, 0:51:21]: So is the chief in here? [0:51:21, 0:51:24]: Yeah, Chief Chief Tremor is here. Chief, come up front. [0:51:27, 0:51:32]: Mr Gardner, stay there, stay well. With the team, this is a team. Mr Wiggins, come up. [0:51:43, 0:51:55]: Let me just say I have full faith and confidence in everybody standing here at this podium. These people are top notch professionals. They're doing an amazing job and they deserve our respect. [0:51:56, 0:52:16]: They deserve our respect. And they should always get that. I'm sorry that you didn't get it today. Um apologize to the public for the outburst that we've had in here today. It's totally unacceptable. We don't do business like that. And we're better than that. We're gonna be better than that. We're gonna deal with these situations. Let me explain [0:52:16, 0:52:36]: One thing, you know, I will stand and I will go to my grave voting for the Stockbridge Police Department because it was the right thing to do. Because each and every last one of you see a shooting in Atlanta today, a shooting in Cobb tomorrow, or Lawrence Ferrell or Decatur. And we understand the crime was ticking up here. I want [0:52:36, 0:52:40]: to applaud the chief for cutting crime by twenty four percent. [0:52:41, 0:52:42]: Yes. [0:52:42, 0:53:02]: My behavior is not gonna change. I don't care if there's one person sitting in this room or a thunder or a hundred. I've been consistent. Some of you all didn't like some of the decisions that I made, but I'm gonna stand on those decisions because I sleep at night because I made those decisions with what I thought was the best interest of the city. [0:53:02, 0:53:22]: And we made that decision collectively. Uh the three members up here that voted for it, we went out on faith because we thought it was the right thing to do. We had genuine disagreement in uh in the vote, but the members that voted for it wholeheartedly believe it. And I believe it to this day. And every time I see a stock break, [0:53:22, 0:53:42]: Bridge police car, drive through my neighborhood. I feel reassured that things are going in the right direction. I feel reassured that we hired Chief Tramer to do the job. And just like you did this morning, we received$11 million from the American Rescue Plan. I said, look at God, because we stepped out on fear. [0:53:42, 0:53:51]: Faith and we bonded$3 million to start this police department. But then all of a sudden a windfall of$11 million showed up. [0:53:51, 0:54:11]: out of Washington. Our budget did not go down at all during that time. Matter of fact, it went up because more people were staying here. Tell us, Chief, how we invested six million dollars in public safety. No matter whatever we did, we prioritized your safety at top notch as the top position spending six million dollars. [0:54:11, 0:54:15]: to start our police department. Chief, talk about that like you did this morning. [0:54:16, 0:54:26]: I I I will but if you first would allow me to say something because you mentioned earlier about the reduction in crime. Um we did see a twenty four percent reduction in violent crime in the city last year with the Stockbridge Police Department. [0:54:27, 0:54:40]: We saw about a ten percent reduction in property crime and you mentioned that it was because of me, but I wanna take a moment here and just acknowledge the staff of people that we have here because really and truly it's the men and women that are out there on the front lines in each and every day protecting this community that [0:54:40, 0:54:46]: are responsible for those um uh reductions that we have seen. [0:54:48, 0:54:59]: And um as you had mentioned, as as it relates to the operational cost of the police department, um we were able to offset that with the over eleven million dollars, close to twelve million dollars in ARPA funds that we received. [0:55:00, 0:55:18]: um through uh federal stimulus money. So that was an expense that we did not have to incur because obviously the startup cost of the police department would have been more than the three million dollars that was uh originally bonded. So it truly was uh providential in that we had uh the ability to do that. [0:55:18, 0:55:22]: And I wanna say um a as a as a department, we [0:55:22, 0:55:41]: are fiscally conservative with what we are allowed to do. As you can see here, uh every community that is similar in nature to our size has more police officers in the community to be able to do the job that we've been able to do with the staff that we have. And because of the team members that we have here, we've been able to do considerably more [0:55:41, 0:56:01]: With less. And uh I'll say too that we've been able to offset. We've got three and a half million dollars in grant funding to pay for various different programs and equipment and things in the city. And so as it relates to that, I just want to make sure that everybody here understands that we as a police department are good financial stewards with what's being entrusted to us. And um I just wanted to make that uh known to each and every person that we have [0:56:01, 0:56:05]: have a commitment here to keep this community safe and to do that in a fiscally responsible way. [0:56:07, 0:56:08]: Thank you, Chief. Appreciate that. [0:56:09, 0:56:09]: All right. [0:56:11, 0:56:18]: about the money that we invested in the headquarters and uh some of the things that we did, like purchase all the squad cars and everything. [0:56:19, 0:56:31]: Right. We we have over seventy uh police vehicles and we were able to purchase those vehicles with funds uh through ARPA at no expense to uh the city. We have state of the art equipment that um [0:56:31, 0:56:51]: We're able to leverage to keep this community safe. Uh we have been able to purchase all the equipment to outfit our officers with those funds and with the three million dollars that was bonded for the police department. Um we were able to use that to renovate our police headquarters, uh which was much needed. And I know many of you on council had an opportunity. [0:56:51, 0:57:11]: And we have a home that our officers can be proud of, but also we have a home that the community can come to. We host a number of events there, and as a matter of fact, we will be assembling our Citizens Police Advisory Council here in short order. We'll be meeting monthly over there, and that meeting will be open to all members of the community for them to be involved. [0:57:11, 0:57:16]: involved in helping us uh co produce uh safety and enhance the quality of life in this community. [0:57:17, 0:57:35]: Uh and I'm just gonna let you go there there, Chief, and I wanna thank you again for forming a twenty first century post social justice police department that's gonna be a model for America and the lessons learned from George Floyd and others because you are setting that role model. That's what we're doing here. So thank you. Thank you, Councilman. [0:57:36, 0:57:42]: All right. Let's make this the last comment and we'll move on to a next briefing here. Miss Barber. [0:57:43, 0:57:46]: Thank you, Mayor, and I'll make it brief. Um [0:57:47, 0:57:48]: So [0:57:52, 0:57:55]: All I want is for our city to be transparent. [0:57:55, 0:57:57]: About the way we govern. [0:57:58, 0:57:59]: And the way we do business. [0:58:01, 0:58:03]: I understand my perspective. [0:58:03, 0:58:04]: Maybe a bit different. [0:58:05, 0:58:06]: Than my council mates. [0:58:07, 0:58:10]: Most of the plans that the city had [0:58:10, 0:58:12]: prior to me being sworn in. [0:58:13, 0:58:15]: were already approved by them. [0:58:16, 0:58:18]: I was sworn in in 2020. [0:58:20, 0:58:23]: Відезін то авард контракта. [0:58:23, 0:58:25]: Це конструктні афітер. [0:58:25, 0:58:27]: Where to construct it? [0:58:28, 0:58:29]: The ground breaking of it. [0:58:30, 0:58:30]: All of that. [0:58:31, 0:58:32]: Was done. [0:58:32, 0:58:33]: Prior. [0:58:33, 0:58:35]: To me being sworn in. [0:58:36, 0:58:38]: So there were decisions already made. [0:58:39, 0:58:41]: When I came on board a feasibility study. [0:58:42, 0:58:44]: For the police department had already been done. [0:58:46, 0:58:50]: Де вас а ревіз фезибільний стадія канцел? [0:58:51, 0:59:06]: So I was merely moving forward the plans that this council already had approved. It was important because in twenty eighteen our city faced a very devastating piece of legislation. [0:59:07, 0:59:10]: All of those plans that the city approved back then [0:59:11, 0:59:14]: Are what I and everybody who was out there with me. [0:59:14, 0:59:16]: was excited about. [0:59:16, 0:59:18]: We were excited about the amphitheater. [0:59:19, 0:59:21]: Excited about the culture artists center? [0:59:21, 0:59:30]: Excited about establishing our own police department. So all of those things. No, I think it is important. Mayor Ford. [0:59:30, 0:59:33]: Every time I open my mouth. [0:59:34, 0:59:36]: Someone in his council interrupts me. [0:59:37, 0:59:41]: Finish the comment. Please allow me the opportunity. Go ahead and finish your comment. I will. Thank you, sir. [0:59:42, 0:59:45]: I just wanted to explain. So when you hear the council [0:59:45, 0:59:46]: Mentioned [0:59:46, 0:59:50]: Да тердес да дискан мейд аз ал. [0:59:50, 0:59:51]: They're not including me. [0:59:52, 0:59:53]: Because those were plans that were [0:59:54, 0:59:54]: Approved. [0:59:55, 0:59:56]: Prior to me. [0:59:57, 1:00:01]: I don't believe in just talking about a vision of the city. [1:00:01, 1:00:03]: I want to move them forward. [1:00:03, 1:00:04]: That's what I did. [1:00:04, 1:00:09]: We can't keep approving developments and not think about public safety. [1:00:10, 1:00:12]: That should be priority. [1:00:12, 1:00:17]: Absolutely, I agreed to approve a three million dollar bond to start up the police department. [1:00:18, 1:00:20]: I also was the one. [1:00:20, 1:00:23]: Who even alerted Чів Tramer when we brought him on board? [1:00:23, 1:00:30]: That the city wouldn't have to use any of its funds for the start-up costs, ARPA funds covered. [1:00:31, 1:00:40]: All of the startup calls except for the salaries. I just want us to be transparent about what has happened, where we are financially. [1:00:41, 1:00:42]: So that [1:00:42, 1:00:44]: Folks can't leave this meeting. [1:00:45, 1:00:49]: Trying to create a narrative other than what has been discussed here. [1:00:50, 1:00:52]: If the public doesn't have the information [1:00:54, 1:00:55]: They can't ask. [1:00:56, 1:01:00]: questions. I mean they can ask questions, but they can't really ask [1:01:00, 1:01:03]: logical questions about the financials. [1:01:03, 1:01:04]: They don't have it. [1:01:04, 1:01:11]: In fact, we're not going into details about the infrastructure improvements that staff is planning. [1:01:11, 1:01:13]: For this tax. [1:01:13, 1:01:17]: The estimated cost for those projects, those are questions [1:01:18, 1:01:20]: that the public should know [1:01:20, 1:01:24]: They should know the answers to them. I can't even give them the answers. [1:01:24, 1:01:30]: Because I don't even know. But thank you, Mayor Ford. I won't ramble any longer. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Mr. Blount. [1:01:30, 1:01:34]: Quick please. Let me say this. And this um is it's not even gonna take me long to say it. [1:01:35, 1:01:38]: In February twenty in February eighth, twenty twenty one. [1:01:39, 1:01:41]: This is a whole year. [1:01:42, 1:01:44]: A whole year after I got reelected. [1:01:45, 1:01:45]: And now through [1:01:46, 1:01:49]: Someone said that they'll new was here a whole year. [1:01:50, 1:01:55]: February the eighth, twenty twenty one, and March eighth, twenty twenty one, we had two council meetings. [1:01:56, 1:01:58]: One in February, one in March. [1:01:58, 1:02:01]: And we was told go look at the minutes. [1:02:02, 1:02:05]: We were told by a financial двадвайзер. [1:02:07, 1:02:22]: One of the things about the amphitheater is a beautiful place. You if you haven't been there, go visit it. That amphitheater was a collaborative effort. The funding was identified and it'll be paid for by twenty uh August 1st, 2025. That would not be a burden on the taxpayers. [1:02:23, 1:02:34]: But the decisions that were made for the twenty five million dollars that was bundled up that I voted against and they're raising their they're they're saying, Hey, we voted for that decision was made in twenty twenty one. [1:02:34, 1:02:48]: And that information was given to us by a financial advisor. So we can say we were new, we can say we didn't know, but then you all can also need to say you wasn't listening to the people we hired to give us advice. [1:02:48, 1:02:50]: In twenty twenty one [1:02:50, 1:02:59]: February the eighth, March eighth, twenty twenty one. Go and look at the minutes on that. We was told the decisions that was made by this council. [1:02:59, 1:03:01]: That a tax will have to be levied. [1:03:02, 1:03:03]: And that was fully understood. [1:03:04, 1:03:24]: Thank you, John. Mr. Blount, appreciate that. Um Chief, I think you're good for right now, sir. All right. And um, Mr. Harris, our tax commissioner, could you come forward, sir, for your presentation? And then, of course, uh the council may have some specific questions in reference to uh how this is all done. Mr. Gardner, I think you see standby. And uh [1:03:24, 1:03:44]: Ladies and gentlemen, this is our tax commissioner for Henry County, Mr. Michael Harris. And once again, welcome back home, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Welcome again, Council, citizens, and staff. Um, I'm gonna obviously I've got a lot of work to still to do this evening, so I'm gonna keep my comments relatively succinct. Just kind of go through kind of some of the process and how it involves my office and our home. [1:03:44, 1:04:04]: How we interact and engage back with the city throughout this process. So there's a lot of conversation about the millage rate itself. People often ask, what does that mean? What does it represent? I think Mr. Wall spoke about this a little bit earlier today. It is quite simply a rate of taxation. The millage rate represents the amount of homeowner has to pay. [1:04:04, 1:04:16]: pay for every one thousand dollar of property assessed. Um and I always tell people the equation is really, really simple. It's simply the value of your property times your millage rate equals your taxes to be paid. Um [1:04:17, 1:04:25]: the value goes up and the millage rate begins stays the same, your values go up s um accordingly. [1:04:27, 1:04:47]: The millage rate and the setting of the millage rate is all part of the digest process. What we're charged with do to do is my office and the tax session's office is to perfect the digest. Um the digest consists of um a listing of assessments and exemptions consisting of real and personal properties, timber, mobile [1:04:47, 1:04:55]: Homes, motor vehicles, heavy duty equipment, and public utilities. I think it was last week we sent over the digest specific for the for the city. [1:04:55, 1:04:59]: Um, what those numbers came out after the assessments from the tax assessor's office was completed. [1:05:00, 1:05:02]: Um once we take that information [1:05:03, 1:05:23]: We use that to begin the digest, the perfecting the digest process. And that is a collaborative effort involving a number of entities. The tax assessors, they begin the process in essence by going through the process of assessing all these different valuations on real personal properties, timber list I just gave. From there, it turns to my office where we start working with the different [1:05:23, 1:05:30]: different entities on the setting of the millage rates because that helps to dictate what your tax bills and what the tax burns are gonna gonna be. Um [1:05:30, 1:05:33]: We work in conjunction with the Bord of Education. [1:05:33, 1:05:47]: The Board of Commissioners, they set their respective budgets and they tie their millage rates back to those respective budgets. Likewise, we work with cities. Um we've worked with the city of um McDonough's had a millage rate in place for several years now. [1:05:47, 1:05:54]: been working with them. Last year we've gone through this exact same process with City of Hampton as they adopted their first millenni [1:05:54, 1:06:00]: in well over twenty years. They went back and inst instituted a millage based on their budgetary needs. [1:06:01, 1:06:21]: Um and that's the same conversation we're having today here in Stockbridge. We've been working closely with your staff, with Mr. Gardner, Mr. Wiggins, um your financial advisors and your legal legal legal profession professionals. Um great to work with because you know our again, our responsibility is we have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that we get our bills out on time. We are constrained. [1:06:21, 1:06:24]: Train, I think Councilwoman Barber asked a question earlier this morning about [1:06:24, 1:06:29]: Deadlines and timelines as far as um the процес itself is concerned. [1:06:29, 1:06:30]: We work kind of backwards. [1:06:31, 1:06:33]: Our bills are due on November sixth every year. [1:06:34, 1:06:36]: I'm sorry, November sixteenth. [1:06:36, 1:06:41]: And by state law we're required to have the bills in people's hands within s pri sixty days prior to that due date. [1:06:42, 1:06:55]: So we again we begin at the November sixteenth. We go back to sixty days prior to that to September sixteenth. So our goal is always to make sure we have an ample cushion. So to make sure we have bills out by no later than September first. In order to achieve that, we have to make sure all of the millage rates are set. [1:06:56, 1:07:00]: Велинцев да, со арголис то, алмилийтра сет байт-вин до Жилай. [1:07:00, 1:07:20]: That allows us time to go through once millage rates are set. We have to go through working with our printer to go through and run our run our drafts of the all the tax bills, review all of those, make sure they're perfected, make sure they're they they all work and they're accurate. From there, we go ahead and send that information to the printers. They have a couple ways to go back through and review their process. [1:07:20, 1:07:27]: And ideally the um texts are being set. We're anticipating this year August twenty second of the days where the bills are gonna be dropping. So [1:07:28, 1:07:40]: That's those are some of the steps that have to take place. This being the second public hearing is part of that process. Um so everything that you're going through is again the same steps that've gone through every other municipality has gone through. [1:07:40, 1:08:00]: I'm simply here to make sure to let you know that we're here to assist and and guide and provide information um as needed for the for the um for the city and council. And again, once the determination is made in reference to the millage, if the decision is made, um then we'll be the ones that will take over from there and start implementing um generating the tax bills and again and we have [1:08:00, 1:08:05]: Help guide people and guide citizens on the information on understanding the text bill. We have a number of [1:08:05, 1:08:07]: of um documents on our website. [1:08:08, 1:08:28]: today and we'll continue to add them as information becomes more available on exactly how to break down every year we've updated the breakdown of our tax bill. In fact at the next at the next I'm hearing I'll bring you um provide a copy to show people exactly where can they can uh locate and and identify different aspects of their tax bills they can see clearly how it's broken down, where it's broken. [1:08:28, 1:08:43]: down and and and how they're being taxed in every area. So again that's basically it. I'm happy to take any s any questions that the council may have. All right thank you Mr. Harris. Appreciate it. Council Pacific direct questions for Mr. Harris if you have any at this time. Mr uh Mr. Alzheimer's go ahead please. [1:08:43, 1:09:03]: Yes, Mr. Harris, thank you so much. And I and as I thank you this morning. Mr. Harris started this journey with us in twenty uh four fifteen, I think it was. He was a city manager of Stockbridge at that time. And uh now he's our tax commissioner doing a fine job. And uh he won't uh it shouldn't be known that Mr. Harris has no bearing demand. [1:09:03, 1:09:23]: Make the decision on what the millage is, but like the tax commissioner does not have play a role in that. He's just uh the facilitator who collects it. But you were offered some very helpful hints this morning uh for our seniors. Uh there's a couple of exemptions uh starting at age 62. [1:09:23, 1:09:43]: And then edging out to age 70, where the school board tax, which is the largest percentage at 60% of their taxes, is actually uh froze is uh exempt uh out post 70. So I think uh for my personal tax bill, my personal tax bill, last night I was at the Henry [1:09:43, 1:09:46]: County School Board uh military meeting. [1:09:46, 1:09:48]: There was exactly about [1:09:48, 1:09:56]: Four people that spoke, four. And their mileage, their birth, their increase in taxes, forty-four million dollars. [1:09:57, 1:10:17]: The city is in t it might a couple of million dollars might be what we're increasing taxes. But last night, four people were there for the school board who charges you 60% of the taxes, and they're increasing taxes by 44 million dollars in one year, and three people were there. Um the tax here for again is twenty eight hundred dollars. [1:10:16, 1:10:36]: For here. Uh, the county tax was sixteen hundred and seventy-six. I'm telling you about my own personal taxes. And if a tech, if I got a city tax, it'd probably be about two hundred dollars. That's that's what we're looking at. And my house about three six three seventy-five, four hundred thousand. But you offered some exemplar examples of what needed to be done. [1:10:36, 1:10:55]: in order to get these seniors some relief from the the sixty percent of the taxes. Talk about that process for from that for that exemption. Sure. The homestead process um it it exists. There are there are some deadlines associated with the homestead process, but you're right. I mean it can be um it can make a [1:10:56, 1:10:57]: Critical difference in [1:10:58, 1:11:18]: The amount of tax anyone's paying. So if you are the primary owner of the home, it's your primary dwelling, you are on the deed, then you have the opportunity to file for homestead here in Henry County. Your standard homestead of L1, it's a$15,000 reduction in your assessed value, which on an average$275,$300 home correlates. [1:11:18, 1:11:25]: relates to about a two hundred dollar, two hundred and a little over two hundred dollar savings, which again is still it's still a a savings. [1:11:26, 1:11:33]: Um, once you get into age sixty-two and some of your age reductions, begin at age sixty-two, you s begin to see a reduction in your [1:11:33, 1:11:39]: Um school taxes. The taxes that apply, you know, the first one is this a county exemption. [1:11:39, 1:11:43]: The taxes beginning at age sixty two apply solely to the [1:11:43, 1:11:44]: Um [1:11:44, 1:11:48]: Board of Education taxes, which again as stated it's plus sixty percent of your tax bill. [1:11:49, 1:12:05]: It begins at age sixty two, it and then steps up at age sixty five and next again at age sixty eight and then at age seventy, um residents with homestead no longer have to pay their um any school taxes. So it's again as you can see it can be a considerable um windfall. One other [1:12:06, 1:12:09]: note I wanted to make there is a [1:12:09, 1:12:10]: Спешо Вентай [1:12:11, 1:12:31]: Exemption being offered by the um the governor and the state legislature this year's past session, they authorize the homestead tax relief grant program, and that'll be applied to this year's tax bills. Um they've been making some changes over the course of the last couple weeks, but I'm trying to get the information out to people as quickly as possible. In essence, what it will be will be an additional eighteen [1:12:31, 1:12:42]: eighteen thousand dollar assessment reduction um or eighteen thousand dollar assessment we received a reduction on that additional eighteen thousand dollar assessment. We anticipate the the credit that um [1:12:43, 1:12:47]: that individual received to be somewhere between three to five hundred dollars. [1:12:48, 1:12:52]: And that'll vary depending on the pro the the fair market value of the homes. [1:12:53, 1:13:12]: But it's only for eligible um eligible residents. And to be eligible, you must have your homestead in place. Does not apply to rental properties. So again, one of those additional advantages of making sure you have your homestead in place. Another advantage of having homestead here in Henry County, which is fairly unique throughout the um within the state. [1:13:12, 1:13:13]: Is a frozen provision. [1:13:14, 1:13:16]: Вс<unk> да if you [1:13:16, 1:13:18]: What it does is it freezes your county tax. [1:13:18, 1:13:27]: At at the value in the first year that you file for your homestead. So if you bought your home in the year 2000 and it was valued at$200,000. [1:13:27, 1:13:32]: Um fast forward to the year twenty twenty three and your home is now valued at four hundred thousand dollars. [1:13:32, 1:13:35]: Because of this frozen provision [1:13:35, 1:13:37]: Your county taxes will only be [1:13:37, 1:13:41]: you'll only be taxed on that two hundred thousand dollar value. So you can see [1:13:42, 1:13:44]: how much considerable in um impact that can have. [1:13:44, 1:13:47]: on the tax bill. It does not apply to [1:13:48, 1:13:49]: Your school taxes. [1:13:49, 1:13:52]: But again, it is a considerable um decrease in your [1:13:53, 1:13:57]: County taxes, which again represent ballpark on thirty seven, thirty eight percent of your taxes. [1:13:58, 1:14:07]: So so what you're telling me is that in my case, uh uh the twenty eight hundred dollars that I'm paying when I'm turn age seventy, I won't have to pay that anymore. That goes to the school board. [1:14:08, 1:14:28]: Right. If all that is school board, you you're paying still paying something, whatever your taxes, whatever your value is. Right. My overall tax is about almost five thousand dollars, but twenty-eight, which is sixty percent of that. So the that twenty eight hundred dollars would go away when I get age seventy. That's correct. And at starting at age sixty two, it would start to go down. That's right. The school board portion. [1:14:28, 1:14:36]: Which is the largest portion of our tax. So thank you so much. Yep. Mayor for me. Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. Thank you, Mayor. [1:14:37, 1:14:43]: Just for information, uh, Mr. Harris, and and I know I I just want the citizens to understand that [1:14:44, 1:14:49]: This topic and this conversation is not a new one. [1:14:49, 1:14:52]: Uh just speak to the fact I guess [1:14:52, 1:15:07]: It was somewhat during the pandemic'cause I know it was a Zoom meeting. We invited you in and you shared some of this same information. Now I know uh additional information probably have changed the narrative, but just speak to [1:15:08, 1:15:11]: Then and now, but the point I'm trying to make is that [1:15:11, 1:15:25]: This is not a new conversation. No. You know, you have been here before at a council meeting and you shared this information. So my point is we have been talking and sharing information. [1:15:26, 1:15:40]: before and I just want you to just to recognize that fact that this is not a new conversation. You know, we have been discussing this and just speak to that. Yeah, and you really have. I mean we've I've council has invited me back in in previous years. [1:15:40, 1:15:51]: Um kind of took a lag during the the pandemic years obviously, but um to go back through and share our numbers, what it is we do and what we provide, and principally to talk about things like exemptions to make sure people are [1:15:52, 1:15:55]: tapping into and and and realizing and utilizing [1:15:55, 1:15:57]: all the possible exemptions they could that they have. [1:15:57, 1:15:59]: You know, me and my office would like to go out to [1:15:59, 1:16:19]: Um visit we've we've visited um senior centers. Um we go to HOAs and speak to them whenever whenever invited them whenever we can to make sure we're letting people know about the exemptions that exist. It's it's it's um while it is a necessary function having to collect the taxes, you know, I have a personal belief that you know I don't want anyone paying more than their [1:16:19, 1:16:20]: [4581.0, 4584.5]: Іносо тан форс то микшор да ви америки. [1:16:24, 1:16:28]: That all of our residents are clearly understand exactly what exemptions exist. [1:16:28, 1:16:48]: Um and they're tapping into those. So the majority of my conversation throughout the course of the day is speaking with our seniors and and others on how to reduce their tax burden if at all possible. So that's again I guess a public service functionality of our office that we try to make sure we maintain. And again, speaking with cities and speaking with um elected officials as well, making sure that [1:16:48, 1:16:49]: [4610.0, 4613.8]: Thank you, sir. I I just want to make sure and citizens understand that [1:16:54, 1:17:14]: We have been providing this conversation because we knew we were going to be here at this point in time. And I just want sisters to understand that this is not a new conversation. We have been sharing and talking about this process. And I just wanted you to mention that. Short time. Mayor, I yield back. Thank you. [1:17:14, 1:17:16]: One additional comment if I could. [1:17:16, 1:17:36]: One standby. One standby. Mr. Blount? Yes. Okay. Mr. Calzan. Yeah, and and just to co-sign what Councilman Thomas said, certainly we had he reminded me earlier when we talked that we had town halls. Um certainly did. Uh I will reported to the fact that um I know Tom Jones from Channel Two came down [1:17:36, 1:17:56]: To talk to us about what we were gonna do. And uh he indicated his exact words were there was a possibility of a city tax and it would be minimal. So, in those words, in every single meeting that we had, everybody up here on the council, and especially Mr. Blount, had reminded the public that there was a possibility. [1:17:56, 1:18:16]: possibility that would be a millage that was be entered into the city. So in other words, there are tough decisions in what we have to do and in order to move in the direction that we do. If you're gonna vote for me against me for voting for the police department, I encourage you to go ahead and do that. Because again, I'm going to make sure that you are safe no matter [1:18:16, 1:18:18]: No matter what we do. So thank you. [1:18:19, 1:18:23]: All right, seems though that's okay, you do. Okay, go ahead, Miss Blount. [1:18:24, 1:18:44]: Um I just wanna say that um and I appreciate your presentation, Mr. Actually couple of things. On the on the uh freeze, is that something that the citizens gonna have to apply for every year or is it a one time? Great question. One time to do it. One time at the you know, if you haven't applied for your home state yet, just come in and apply to the deadline of April. [1:18:44, 1:18:57]: first to get into the next so for in order to be eligible for the twenty twenty four attack season, you have to apply by April first of twenty twenty four. So that's the cutoff date. Um but you once you apply for that you're fine. Now when you reach age sixty two [1:18:58, 1:19:15]: as of January first of that year, you do have to come back in and reapply for your age exemption one time. Once you reach age sixty two, apply for then, come back, show your ID, show your driver's license, and it's automatically and then from that, every year at sixty five and sixty eight and seventy, it'll automatically be deducted. [1:19:15, 1:19:35]: So and that's I I've never heard of that product with taxes because with the fluctuation it didn't matter because it stays on that one, and that's a really, really good product to us in. Um but one of the things uh I just wanna say to the citizens uh um is that when I speak a lot of times [1:19:35, 1:19:55]: times you you you may hear my preacher voice. So I'm uh you so it may sound a little aggrav uh uh aggravated voice but uh but I'm just speaking the truth. Uh when we when this city voted on um for the police department uh [1:19:55, 1:19:58]: It was connected to too much for me to vote for. [1:19:58, 1:20:14]: Everyone up here wants a police department. But when you connect voting for the police department three million, it was connected to seven million for the amphitheater, it was connected to fourteen million for the Cultural Arts Center and the one million for trails. [1:20:14, 1:20:21]: We're paying seven hundred fifty thousand dollars right now for a cultural arts center. Four fourteen million dollars in bonds that are just sitting there. [1:20:22, 1:20:27]: So when you had so much connected to your vote for something here. [1:20:28, 1:20:30]: We should have separated it out. [1:20:30, 1:20:38]: But when you have a consensus to put it all together and make it one vote for twenty five million dollars, I could not vote for that. [1:20:38, 1:20:52]: Do I uh do I uh um do I support the police department? She trained lets you know I call him all the time. The officers will let you know I talk to them all the time. I support a police department. I don't support the process. [1:20:53, 1:21:11]: of what we had what we did to bring on the police department. I don't support the process that I didn't feel this like Mr. Alexander uh Councilman Alexander just said. I was out there s telling you all, telling everyone I could see and me about a millage rate that we will find ourselves in this position. [1:21:12, 1:21:13]: I did that. [1:21:14, 1:21:17]: But I can't talk to everybody and say anything to everybody. [1:21:17, 1:21:19]: Only can do what I can do. [1:21:19, 1:21:27]: And so that's why we're here now today on what we was told was going to happen. This isn't new for anyone up here. [1:21:27, 1:21:29]: Because the discussions have been had. [1:21:30, 1:21:36]: All right, uh thank you, sir. I missed again. Go ahead, please. Thank you. Mayor, I just want us to um [1:21:39, 1:21:51]: I think we've heard the facts from Mr. Harris. I too at that time and I've always stated the only reason I did not vote for the police department is because I thought the process was wrong. And I've been very adamant about that. [1:21:52, 1:22:12]: Again, everything I do is in black and white and on video. It it is there. But I do support the cause and that's spill milk at this point. We have a police department and we have to support the vote. We may not agree on this council, but at the point where [1:22:12, 1:22:25]: Where it spilled milk, we now have a police department. That was done because the county wanted us to have one. That was done because some constituents wanted us to have one, and people fell into that. [1:22:25, 1:22:45]: The buy-in that we needed one. And I'm not here to say we didn't. I love our police department. I've always said I didn't agree, the process was done backwards. I'm not here to convince us of that. Tonight, we're here to talk about the millage. The reason why we are focused so on the police department, everyone, is because we are doing this tonight. [1:22:45, 1:23:05]: Tax because we have a police department. Our budget has doubled because we have a police department. That is not a negative thing. That is a choice, as Councilman Thomas would say, quality of life. That's the choice that we decided to make. The amphitheater has nothing to do with. [1:23:05, 1:23:13]: This tax that amphitheater was paid for, is being paid for by SPLOST. I want you to understand that. [1:23:13, 1:23:24]: I know what what I want w the other things that we have discussed and all the other things that are going on right now, the back and forth. [1:23:25, 1:23:31]: That's not necessary. I do want to hear from the public. This is the public hearing. I respect that. [1:23:32, 1:23:34]: Just no that we knew. [1:23:35, 1:23:46]: From our financial advisor years ago that if we were to receive a police department, if we were to go ahead and start one, we would have to have a tax and we have to have one. [1:23:46, 1:23:47]: We have to. [1:23:48, 1:23:49]: If we don't [1:23:50, 1:23:55]: We won't have the proper funding. We have to. That's real that's reality. [1:23:56, 1:24:08]: It's not something I like. It's something I fought fought for and fought against because of it. But it's here. The vote passed. It was three two. [1:24:10, 1:24:12]: You respect the boat and you move on. [1:24:15, 1:24:25]: We all have to come into support and we have to all have to come to grips to what is going on. I would prefer if you have any time, any questions, feel free to let me know. [1:24:26, 1:24:27]: I mean [1:24:27, 1:24:31]: I the information is out there. Nothing is being hidden. [1:24:33, 1:24:51]: So in regards to in regards to um the tax, our financial advisors, I listen to our professionals that we've hired. Our financial advisor has advised us at a four point two five mil tax. [1:24:53, 1:25:03]: That's what his advice is, based off of the numbers that have been crunched. He advised us that we were gonna have to have a tax and he advised us of the what our budget would look like. [1:25:03, 1:25:07]: Now in 2024, and he was absolutely correct. [1:25:08, 1:25:26]: He d we didn't bear from it's not like he came up with some numbers and they were wrong. He's been accurate every single time. So I just want us to move along with that. We do have a final hearing on a final vote on what that looks like. No one wants to pay a tax. I feel we get taxed to death. [1:25:27, 1:25:47]: I definitely don't as a small business owner, as a as a mu single mom and and everything else, don't want to see another tax. But reality is you can't have the nice roads and all the nice things you want and all the extravaGantt things of why we don't have what the north side of town [1:25:47, 1:25:53]: doesn't have if we don't have a tax. You have to make a decision. You can't have it both ways. [1:25:54, 1:26:14]: And that is my biggest concern. Um I don't want us to beat around the bush and go back and forth with who voted for what and what we did. I think we should really listen, hear, hear everyone out, and then move forward to our next hearing. And thank you, Mr. Harris, for providing us with uh uh some great detailed information. [1:26:14, 1:26:15]: Yeah. [1:26:16, 1:26:30]: All right. No, uh Yes sir. If I may. Stand by. Stand by please. Mr. Harrison, if you be patient just a little bit longer here. And we're gonna I got two other comments, uh two other individuals speak, and then we'll finalize this. All right. Ms. Barber, go ahead, please. [1:26:32, 1:26:36]: I'll yield to Councilman Thomas. Mr. Thomas Guerrera, please. Thank you. Um [1:26:36, 1:26:55]: Ms. Harris, again, thank you. Uh I'm going to concur with some of some of the comments that Councilwoman Gantt made. Um many of you know that um I grew up here in the city of Stockbridge and I remember when we had a police department. [1:26:55, 1:26:57]: And we had a city tax. [1:26:58, 1:27:00]: But but the point I want to make is [1:27:02, 1:27:07]: We are charged this municipality is charged with providing [1:27:08, 1:27:15]: services to our citizens and we want to provide the best. [1:27:16, 1:27:18]: And if we're going to provide the best. [1:27:19, 1:27:31]: And to give citizens the quality of life that you all deserve, then it costs. And as councilwoman said, we we can't have it both ways. [1:27:31, 1:27:36]: You know, maybe you could go into the middle, but if you're going to demand [1:27:37, 1:27:38]: The kind of services [1:27:39, 1:27:45]: that I know that I demand and hey, none of us like taxes, but the old saying [1:27:45, 1:27:46]: Taxes and what? [1:27:47, 1:27:48]: So I'm just saying. [1:27:49, 1:27:52]: We're charged with and and you all elected us [1:27:52, 1:28:12]: Here in this position, and we have to make tough decisions. These decisions are not easy, but we have to make those decisions. But the overall arch and reach is that we have to provide you all with that quality of life, and we have to move the city of Stockbridge forward because when you become stagnant in [1:28:12, 1:28:14]: and you don't move, then you die. [1:28:15, 1:28:35]: We do not want to see this city decline in any kind of way. So when I get the calls about code enforcement and this, I welcome all of that. Cause that means what? We're pushing that ball forward. We're trying to provide the quality of life that you deserve. And I just wanna reemphasize when we had a police department [1:28:35, 1:28:38]: before it was a tax. [1:28:38, 1:28:40]: Public safety is the [1:28:41, 1:28:47]: overarching reaching expense that any municipality is going to have. [1:28:48, 1:29:08]: So public safety, this is a quality of life that we're trying to provide. So in in that mayor, and I know we have another comment, but I just want to move that we go into the public hearing because you all are here to speak. We want to hear from you, and I think the sooner we can get to that point, I second. [1:29:08, 1:29:28]: Appreciate uh appreciate uh appreciate that, Mr Thomas. And back what was mentioned earlier this morning, I think back in the nineteen seventies when we had a previous police department for us disbanded, I think the ta mill tax was about about eight eight eight plus something, eight plus see and right now obviously uh we're not even near that. We're almost half that we're looking at. So anyway, on that note. [1:29:28, 1:29:30]: Last comment, then we'll go to public here. Miss Barber. [1:29:33, 1:29:37]: That was actually my thoughts when I came on council. Um [1:29:37, 1:29:42]: I support all of the capital improvement projects that the Council had approved. [1:29:43, 1:29:45]: The amphitheater, the culture art center. [1:29:45, 1:29:46]: The police department. [1:29:47, 1:29:50]: All of that I support it, but I know it doesn't come without a cost. [1:29:51, 1:29:52]: I know that. [1:29:52, 1:29:53]: Um [1:29:53, 1:29:56]: with all of the new developments that are [1:29:56, 1:29:58]: coming online with the city. [1:29:58, 1:30:00]: We have to plan for the growth. [1:30:00, 1:30:01]: Is the planning? [1:30:02, 1:30:03]: The стратегіч plans. [1:30:04, 1:30:20]: Those are the things that I'm looking for in order to help me make a decision on um imposing what level of the tax to impose. That's the questions that I've been asking. But I am certainly um looking forward to the comments from the public. Thank you, Mayor. [1:30:20, 1:30:34]: You're welcome. All right, on that note, Mr. Harris, I think you you're dismissed for now, sir. Appreciate appreciate you being here. And uh on that note, ladies and gentlemen, we'll start the public hearing. Now, uh what we'll do is that um I'm gonna start on my left side. My left side [1:30:34, 1:30:35]: Left side over here. [1:30:36, 1:30:52]: And p any comments, positive comments, comments for uh of the middleest rate or c positive comments, period, on my left side. Anybody that's on the left side, I want you to stand up on the corner on on lineup on on my left side and then we'll we'll go down and we'll give everybody a proper amount of time to speak. All right. Anybody in the middle? [1:30:54, 1:31:03]: Positive I'm talking about positive positive comments in reference to uh the the millage itself, pa uh and potential tax increase. Positive comments. [1:31:03, 1:31:04]: Yeah. [1:31:04, 1:31:17]: In favor, in favor, in in favor, in favor positive or in favor. That's right. In favor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. In favor. In favor comments. If you're in the middle, I'll let you line up okay. On on the far right my far right side, in favor. [1:31:17, 1:31:20]: in favor of of a of the milish rate in favor. [1:31:22, 1:31:42]: Uh okay, well in in in f comments in favor. All right. Now on that note, uh it seemed like you're the only one thus far in favor. So come to Mike and when you come to Mike, I need your name and address. And and you need to address me as a presiding officer. And don't need to address anybody else in the council. Address me as a presiding officer, and we'll go down that road. Speak directly into the mic so everybody can hear and we'll take [1:31:42, 1:31:47]: Obviously this is being taped'cause we wanna make sure we get the everything proper and what the things that you have to say. All right. [1:31:48, 1:31:50]: Okay, I'm Kim Harville. [1:31:51, 1:31:51]: Mm-hmm. [1:31:51, 1:31:56]: Go ahead, please. Fifty three Summerlee Drive. Okay. Stockbridge. All right. [1:31:56, 1:32:11]: I like the wonderful things that have happened in our city, the growth and everything that's that's going on. I understand that we need to have a millager, but hitting us with a six or even a four is a very big jump. [1:32:12, 1:32:20]: The number three plan that was what three four uh three points or three seven seven is still a bit of a stretch. [1:32:20, 1:32:27]: And it's hard. I just retired last year. So this is my first year 100% retired. And it's gonna kick my tail. [1:32:27, 1:32:32]: Um looking forward and I'm going, Mm-hmm, three months of uh oh. [1:32:33, 1:32:35]: I love the police force. [1:32:36, 1:32:38]: I have always been about police. [1:32:38, 1:32:39]: Um [1:32:40, 1:32:42]: I like it done right. I like what you guys have done. [1:32:43, 1:32:44]: Not so much the chatter tonight, but [1:32:45, 1:32:45]: Um [1:32:47, 1:32:50]: You guys are moving us forward in a good way and I appreciate that. [1:32:51, 1:32:57]: Um take in mind that there's a lot of new bodies coming into the county next year. [1:32:58, 1:33:02]: That it doesn't all have to come out of our hides at a one time. [1:33:03, 1:33:10]: And you know, be kind because it can increase a little bit as you go, but you've got more bodies coming in. [1:33:11, 1:33:16]: And that's gonna be happening real soon with all the growth that I've seen and is in process right now. [1:33:16, 1:33:19]: And I'd rather it not all happen at once. [1:33:19, 1:33:39]: That's all I have to say. Thank you very much. The six meals has been advertised. It was really at the top, very top level, uh very top level in this aspect as well. Now the the final decision, uh I doubt very seriously it'd be six, but the it's it's it's it's at top. Now the final decision will be made after the public hearing on our next public hearing, which is uh july twenty seventh uh [1:33:39, 1:33:59]: And that'd be in the morning at nine o'clock. Now obviously since there's only seems to be only one comment in favor, that means the majority of obviously is is uh is against per se. So the same thing that would be and we'll end up lining up and probably have to circle around the room. But if you're on the very my very uh left side, if you had any uh disapproval, just any other comments [1:33:59, 1:34:19]: About uh not having a millage rate. I need for you to line up on this side. If you're in the but in this section, very far my far on my far left side, in this section, just line up, okay? If you're in the middle, do the same thing. If you have any comments against this, just line up on my left side, all right? And same thing with folks on the right. If you have any uh negative comments or disapproval. [1:34:19, 1:34:39]: of this line up over here on my left side. Now, granted, typically when we have this, uh, we allow uh 10 minutes for and 10 minutes against. All right, but here but I'm imagining there'll be several of you. So what what we'll do if you council, if you don't mind, how about we give everybody three minutes? All right, if that'll work with you all. If you accept three minutes uh for everyone to [1:34:39, 1:34:43]: The the state their comments and then we'll uh move that way. Is that acceptable for the council? [1:34:43, 1:34:45]: Is that acceptable, Council? [1:34:47, 1:34:50]: Yeah I know I know you got I know you got changed. I just want to make sure the council's good with that. [1:34:51, 1:34:51]: You get everybody [1:34:52, 1:34:54]: Mayor for the correction. Three minutes per person. [1:34:55, 1:34:56]: Three minutes per person. [1:34:56, 1:34:57]: Okay. [1:34:58, 1:35:18]: I'm sorry? Oh okay. Three hard minutes. All right. You good with that, sir? Well I I I wanted just clarification. Is it three minutes per person or is it the total No three minutes per person. Three minutes. No, three minutes per person. We'll take away the ten minutes altogether. Okay, uh you're asking. Yeah, I'm asking you. Oh, okay. I support that, Mayor Ferrari. [1:35:18, 1:35:18]: All right. [1:35:19, 1:35:21]: You good you good, Ms. Miller? [1:35:21, 1:35:37]: Okay. So yes, m Ms. Holiday gotta change it. Change that to three. All right. So when we get it all set, folks, yeah. Name and address, speak into the mic, dress me as a press idea and officer, you get three minutes. All right, and then I'm going to the next individual as well. All right. [1:35:39, 1:35:40]: I'm sorry? [1:35:42, 1:36:02]: Yeah, well, that's a good point. Yeah, you once again you address me. No need to address the crowd, no need to the holler and scream and clap and all this kind of creat. Just just make your comments known. Well, we got the audio video going, so address me on that process and the clerk will be able to track this and once again it's all recorded. All right. Um she's got to make adjustments on'cause typically [1:36:02, 1:36:07]: what happens once again it's set it was ten minutes for and ten minutes against. Um [1:36:07, 1:36:17]: uh in this aspect. And sir, if you don't mind, I want to start from this end, could if you're gonna if could you could you line up on this side? Everybody line up on this side, please. Line up and l get a line on this side, please. [1:36:17, 1:36:19]: Can I switch this? [1:36:42, 1:36:43]: Listen up, folks. [1:36:48, 1:36:50]: If you didn't sign up earlier, once you [1:36:50, 1:37:03]: Yeah, if you if you didn't fill out, once you once you have to speak, go to see the clerk so she'll write it down. So keep track of this, all right? Okay. Are we set, Ms. uh Madam Clerk? We're ready. We're ready. Okay. First individual, please. Name and address. [1:37:05, 1:37:25]: Yep. Oh, you're here together all three of you together? Okay, fine. If you want to do it that way, all three of you need to give your name and address then. But you also w once again, now it's three minutes per person. Now if you're all together, it's three minutes for each all of you together. Now it seems like you're all right. I can't claim their time. I'm sorry? I'm claiming their time. No no no no no no. Why can't I claim all time? [1:37:25, 1:37:43]: It's three minutes per person. All right. So if you get three minutes, they get three minutes. That's the total nine minutes. Each of you get three minutes. But if you're all together, then they you don't they listen, you don't get nine minutes. You get three minutes as an individual. All right. Matter of fact, why don't you go? Late ladies, why don't you go back over here? You get to three minutes later. You get you'll get three minutes. You'll get three minutes to talk. [1:37:43, 1:37:47]: But we've already told her what to say. [1:37:49, 1:38:05]: She's basically this is our first amendment right and we're claiming our time. We're claiming our time. You can cut me off, but we're claiming our stop, stop, stop. What were you telling me, sir? [1:38:06, 1:38:07]: Right. [1:38:10, 1:38:30]: We have three people. No. That's nine minutes. I I listen, I told you, I told you everybody gets three minutes. We adjusted the clock. If you want three minutes, ma'am, you have three minutes. That's it. She wants three minutes, she gets three minutes. That's it. This lady gets three minutes as well. You got three minutes. You're not getting nine minutes, you're getting three minutes. [1:38:30, 1:38:48]: You don't want me to have nine minutes. I got it. Three minutes is what you can do. Can we get on with this? Okay. Stand by. Name and address. Name and address. Go ahead and start the clock, please. Your comments. My name is Mary Indie Calhoun and I live at six oh eight Creekstone Court in Jonesboro. [1:38:49, 1:38:58]: I am here alone with all these concerned citizens in this building, and we are very unhappy with the leadership of each of you all. [1:38:59, 1:39:08]: You have someone on this board that the taxes have been paid for three million dollars for that person to settle. We're having to pay that with our taxes. [1:39:08, 1:39:20]: Having said that, these taxes that you all are proposing are based on bad decisions that this council made by building an amphitheater and reenacting a police department of which neither [1:39:20, 1:39:22]: Had documented feasibility studies. [1:39:23, 1:39:35]: or the votes of the citizen living in Stockbridge, but both were voted on by council, most likely based on power and greed, and not for the betterment of Stockbridge. [1:39:36, 1:39:49]: And please don't come out, don't come back with with it that neither was not voted on by you all because it was. The newly annexed area of Stockbridge, which I'm in, we relied to. [1:39:49, 1:39:54]: by members of this council that said that we would not have any new taxes. [1:39:54, 1:40:14]: Now, I'm sure all of you all know about RICO statutes. And all of you all are violating the state RICO and the federal RICO. And I guarantee you, I'm gonna send you a certified letter, and I'm gonna send this letter to the RICO statute people because I need for them to investigate everything. [1:40:14, 1:40:34]: That you all have done because you all have lied to us. Now you're gonna put on a show and say that this is why you're brazen our millage. I got news for you. The county handles half of the police report. The police report for this for Stockbridge is still being handled by the county. [1:40:34, 1:40:54]: So when he praises this Stockbridge police department, it's a lie. You all cannot handle what's going on with that police department because they're not qualified yet. I'm not saying they're not qualified police officers. I'm saying we were better off when we just had the county police paying a county. [1:40:54, 1:40:57]: Money tax and having to pay more. [1:40:58, 1:41:00]: Because you guys screwed up. [1:41:00, 1:41:20]: It's not gonna be on us. I will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to. But we're not paying these taxes. You can vote it in, but I guarantee you, you're gonna have to prove to me that my house is worth$300,000,$400,000. You're gonna come out there and you're gonna see that it needs a fence, it need a it needs a whole bunch of stuff. You're not gonna [1:41:20, 1:41:21]: take zilo [1:41:22, 1:41:34]: and tell me that my house is worth what Zillows say it's appraised at. You're gonna come out there and you're gonna appraise it for what it's really worth. And you're not gonna take me through the ringers. I'm sixty two years old. [1:41:34, 1:41:35]: I'm retired. [1:41:35, 1:41:37]: And I be damn. [1:41:37, 1:41:57]: If I let the city, the county, or the state take away what I work hard for all my life. Thank you very much. Three minutes. Yes, thank you very much. Ma'am, you got three minutes here. Yes. Go ahead. Start the clock. Name and address. Name and address. Cynthia Strong. Go ahead. 317 Eagle Way, Stockbridge, Georgia. And my [1:41:57, 1:42:17]: Mother, Evelyn Strong, 504 Creekview overlooks Stockbridge, Georgia. My mother's retired. So you all are wanting to raise this millet rate to six, six percent, whatever that number is at the highest. My mother's retired. How is not just speaking of her being retired to be able to afford [1:42:17, 1:42:28]: Increased taxes. You looking at wages now, people don't make that kind of money to afford the increased taxes, which can put them out of their homes. [1:42:29, 1:42:35]: They can't afford the mortgage and can't not afford rent, being at 2000 minimum. [1:42:36, 1:42:42]: So it pushes us us homeowners out of our homes because we can't afford the taxes. [1:42:46, 1:42:58]: In the beginning, you were standing up here saying doing a prayer and then doing the pledge of legions, talking about it liberty for all. It's not liberty for us. It's liberty for you. [1:42:59, 1:43:00]: All right. [1:43:01, 1:43:08]: Um ma ma'am, did you did you want to speak as well? Yeah. My name is Evelyn Strong and 504 Creek View. [1:43:08, 1:43:13]: Uh Creek View overlooked the Stockbridge, Georgia. Like she said, I'm retired. [1:43:14, 1:43:21]: And I'm on a fixed income, it's impossible for me to pay the high taxes on the property. [1:43:22, 1:43:25]: All right. Thank you. All right, thank you. Appreciate it. [1:43:28, 1:43:30]: Okay, stand by a second. You're [1:43:45, 1:43:47]: Is it set? [1:44:02, 1:44:05]: All right. Okay. Name and name an address, please. [1:44:05, 1:44:13]: Armenta Jones, six twelve Tahoe Trail, Stockwritch, Georgia, another retired. [1:44:13, 1:44:16]: Too old to go back to work, and I [1:44:16, 1:44:30]: I'm opposed to the millage rate because it puts a hardship on me. My husband is deceased and I'm by myself. Um the other thing I have a question about the millage rate. [1:44:30, 1:44:33]: Um is that going to be [1:44:33, 1:44:37]: another tax bill or will that [1:44:37, 1:44:53]: come under the Henry County taxes? Are we gonna get another separate bill? That's what I'm asking. Or will it be incorporated with the Henry County taxes? Um the other thing I wanted to say [1:44:54, 1:44:55]: Um [1:44:55, 1:45:03]: Does it have anything to do with the water bill? Because you just gave us a twenty dollar. I was here a few months ago. [1:45:03, 1:45:11]: And you just increased our water bill by twenty dollars. Does that have anything to do with our water bill? [1:45:11, 1:45:12]: And um [1:45:13, 1:45:15]: The electricity now [1:45:16, 1:45:20]: Uh, where I live right here off of one thirty eight is constantly going out. [1:45:21, 1:45:22]: Um [1:45:22, 1:45:30]: Are you doing anything about the infrastructure, you're doing all this stuff, and now all these new buildings, these new houses. [1:45:30, 1:45:50]: And every time I turn around, the electric's going off, yet Georgia Power is still charging us an increase along. Um, the another thing with the roads, the guy's leaking tire all on the city streets, even though he's paving it, you go up the street and it's all messed up. [1:45:50, 1:45:52]: Meditation department in my neighborhood. [1:45:53, 1:46:04]: which I spoke to Miss Gann about, uh is is leaking their s whatever they g out of their trucks every week. I go out there and put kitty litter. [1:46:04, 1:46:09]: Our streets used to be nice and now the sanitation department is messing them up. [1:46:10, 1:46:12]: That's another complaint I had. [1:46:12, 1:46:16]: Oh tasty Tuesday. Why do you close the park? [1:46:17, 1:46:19]: On that side during the day. [1:46:20, 1:46:23]: When kids want to go into the park to play. [1:46:23, 1:46:37]: You can't go in on that entrance. Um, Tasty Tuesday doesn't start until the afternoon, I believe. So those were some of my concerns. Thank you very much. Thank you. No problem. Mr. Gardner, come to the podium, please. [1:46:42, 1:47:02]: You heard a couple of concerns and wanna be able to make sure to see if you answer those those concerns before you move on to the next individual. And uh in reference to the the the tax bill, obviously, and I know the tax commission is here as well. Um, um it's my simple assumption that everything comes in one bill. You see without a doubt. It is my understanding. [1:47:02, 1:47:08]: So yes, um Miss Jones, uh all I think you get one unified tax bill, it isn't separate. [1:47:08, 1:47:09]: I'm sorry. Yes, ma'am. [1:47:11, 1:47:22]: I'm correct, correct. Yeah, it's a good thing. Yeah, it's it's one unified bill, yes, and it's just your s the county, city, and then the school board and the United States and all of that, yes ma'am. [1:47:23, 1:47:43]: Then she mentioned about the the w uh water, I believe it is, and that aspect. So that if if you're on city water, that would be a separate bill, is my assumption. I'm I know I'm not on I'm on count I'm a person on county water. So city bill is separate and yes. Um part of the city is on on Henry County water um authority. So if you live outside of No, I'm in the city. [1:47:43, 1:47:45]: The core even within the city limits. [1:47:46, 1:47:48]: Some of us are served by Henry County Water Authority. [1:47:48, 1:47:53]: depending on where you live. If you live in the core of Stockbridge, you're pretty much on Starkbridge water. [1:47:54, 1:47:58]: But if you're like on um East Lake Parkway, Brentwo uh [1:47:58, 1:48:02]: Walt Stevens, those areas around there, they're all on water. [1:48:03, 1:48:11]: No, ma'am, that's not. That's a separate yes, ma'am. That's a separate, separate bill. Obviously we don't have a electric utility that is Georgia Powell. [1:48:11, 1:48:23]: Um, even though when we've had some outages we've tried to call and work help citizens work with a p a point of contact to make sure that they get back on. So that's not um that's not under our purview. Um [1:48:24, 1:48:24]: Yeah. [1:48:25, 1:48:45]: Just time come ma'am, ma'am, let let him answer the ladies' questions here. Yes, ma'am. And um as it relates to uh the leakage and and the truck, that's something that obviously we gotta have a conversation with um GFL to make sure that they make their trucks are in in good order. I didn't know that we were closing the park during Thirsty Tuesdays. That was the first for me, but I'll look into that. [1:48:45, 1:49:05]: As well, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. You ma'am for clarification. Yes, sir. Uh Mr. Garner. Mr. Garner. Would you speak to the the water? It went from 17 to 20, not an additional. No twenty went. That's correct. Could you clarify that? Yes. And so every so often Henry County Water Authority goes up on our residents that are on their assistant. [1:49:05, 1:49:13]: system and we we we balance that with everybody so that everyone's paying equally in terms of the water um with the water system. [1:49:13, 1:49:16]: And that helps obviously pay for the upgrade of the water system as well. [1:49:17, 1:49:20]: You are next next lady, please. [1:49:21, 1:49:39]: Mayor Ford. Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. Can I ask that the tax commissioner address the um homestead exemption for the property? Okay, sir. Come on, Mr. Harrison. You can re-emphasize it again, please. For those who are retired. Well let him go ahead. Homestead exemption. [1:49:40, 1:49:47]: [6589.0, 6591.2]: Someone asked a question. Um [1:49:51, 1:49:56]: about um homestead exemption. I know you mentioned this morning [1:49:56, 1:50:00]: That all property values will be based upon. [1:50:00, 1:50:20]: um the year that they file for homestead exemption. Can you speak on that a little further? And it should be clarified that that only applies to the county portion of the tax bill. So again, as Mr. Gardner has delineated earlier, tax bill consists of a number of different pieces. The m the the largest is the Board of Education represents about sixty percent. [1:50:20, 1:50:35]: That 37% of the county tax is that's the portion that could be frozen. So again, if you if you purchased your home in the year 2000 and you filed for your homestead in that year and it was valued at 200,000. [1:50:35, 1:50:41]: and that value has now gone to three hundred thousand, you will still only be getting taxed at that two hundred thousand dollar value. [1:50:42, 1:50:43]: And again for some of our seniors. [1:50:44, 1:51:04]: Um that have homestead in place already. They also start being a begin seeing a reduction in their school tax beginning at age 62 when they are 62 as of January 1st of that tax year. Um and for that for that exemption, they need to come back in, and that's a separate application to come back and apply to begin the age. [1:51:04, 1:51:24]: Age exemption. Once they apply at age sixty-two, it'll automatically um increase at age sixty-five, at sixty eight, and at age seventy, they'll no longer have to pay any school taxes. But you have to make sure to have that um that initial homestead in place. All right. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. On that note, we'll move on. Ma'am, could you come to the podium and you know [1:51:23, 1:51:25]: Name and address, please. [1:51:26, 1:51:28]: Madam Clerk, are you good? Yes. Thank you. [1:51:29, 1:51:49]: Uh good evening. Thank you uh so much, Mayor and Council, for letting me speak. My name is Jocelyn Williams. My address is one nine zero Bank Strive. I too am a retired teacher. I uh thank all of you for your information. I just need some assistance. I'm confused about I've been mostly in the county. I didn't vote to be in [1:51:49, 1:52:09]: Stockbridge, but uh as one of the council members said, we have to um respect the council if that's what they voted for. My question is: I've seen the tax bill, so I went from eleven hundred now I'm at eighteen hundred. Um that that's what I owe the county. My question is when the tax bill comes in, is it eighteen hundred? [1:52:09, 1:52:28]: plus sanitation 300 that will be 2100 plus my millage for stockbridge so I just need clarification I'm trying before I think it's November first to make sure my taxes are paid even though my insurance company [1:52:28, 1:52:32]: will pay it for me, I eventually will have to pay it on my own. [1:52:32, 1:52:33]: Um [1:52:33, 1:52:34]: Um [1:52:34, 1:52:54]: Another question I have is for the infrastructure that we are trying to build. I live on Flippin Road, been here since nineteen ninety two, and the road has not been repaved. Uh if it is, I'll try to see when it was and it has not been widened. It's on slate, but there's no splash money for it. Um they did [1:52:54, 1:53:14]: Did it for Walt Stevens, and then they went over and did it for Jodico, and then they went over and did some beautifications. But I've been asking for about 13 years for some type of trees to be cut back, uh, grass and the right-of-way cut, just so flippin' road, which is one of the major arteries. [1:53:14, 1:53:34]: Here in Henry County where a lot of traffic goes through. Just some consideration for us as you vote. Uh excellent that it's at four, hoping it doesn't go to six, just for uh me being a senior citizen and want to follow everything that um Stockbridge requires me. I'm excited about being annexed in. And thank you. [1:53:35, 1:53:39]: Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it. Mr. Gardner, back to the podium, please. [1:53:43, 1:53:45]: You were taking note of some of the questions he had that you can answer those, sir? [1:53:46, 1:53:47]: Yes, sir, I'm trying to get'em off. [1:53:47, 1:53:51]: All right. Um so m Miss Weeks? [1:53:51, 1:54:11]: Yeah, she's she's over here. She's quite quite just speak to speak to me, she'll hear you. So I know she had a question um regarding Flippin' Road and the widening uh repaving of Flipping Road. I know Flippin' Road portions came into the city as part of the annexation, but uh if I'm not mistaken, that was already a county project, slated as a county project, and I think it's partially [1:54:11, 1:54:31]: funded between the county splots as well as um Georgia Department of Transportation funds to improve flipping road. What we could do is I can try to get, once I get your address, I'll be able to try to send you information as to the timing as to when the county will get started on that project. The biggest portion of that is gonna be going under 75. [1:54:31, 1:54:42]: That's gonna be a huge, huge issue um as it relates to to widening that road because as you know, it only right now accommodates two lane two lanes of traffic. Um but that's something I'll get that information for you from the county. [1:54:44, 1:55:04]: And then one other question I think dealt with the sanitation and the in the the uh the I you talked one we sanitation went from seventeen to twenty. Right. So I I think the the I guess a little concerned in reference to and how the bill would look on the sanitation is my understanding. I think that's what the question was dealt with. Was it the unified bill? She was asking you asking about the unified the unified bill. Right, right. [1:55:04, 1:55:24]: So sanit sanitation sanitation in the city of Stockbridge does come on your tax bill versus you paying it every month. And that was done back in two thousand and six or seven, somewhere around there. I was a city resident at the time. And the reasoning for that was there were there was an issue where [1:55:24, 1:55:44]: Someone had not paid their sanitation bill and an altercation occurred, and I think that person got arrested, and the city at that point decided rather than having folks come into city hall, just put it on the tax bill, and it's been on the tax bill ever since. So you it's just one bit one bill that covers you for the entire year. Okay. Yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you, sir. [1:55:44, 1:55:48]: Next individual, please, sir. Name and address. Madam Clerk's ready? Okay. [1:55:50, 1:56:10]: Nikki Ford, 205 Reeves Creek Way. Um we were still calling it Lakes Spivy or Jonesboro. Is that still correct? Well it's still still still the Lakes Spive and Jonesboro area, but you're inside the city limits in this case. But go ahead, sir. Okay, I'm the uh president of the HO. [1:56:10, 1:56:14]: at Spivy Dand and also the president of Lake Spivey Community Inc. [1:56:15, 1:56:16]: And [1:56:17, 1:56:29]: What I know is everybody was dazzled by the free trash and I don't think anybody knew you guys might have known since twenty twenty one, but nobody there knew anything about the millage rate going up or the taxes getting [1:56:30, 1:56:33]: Jacked up as high as they're intending to be. [1:56:33, 1:56:53]: So that's my biggest grievance about it because I know most C people didn't know and you probably wouldn't have got as many votes for that annexation. So so that that's my biggest complaint right there. I thank you, sir. Yeah. Appreciate it. Thank you. Sir, next gentleman, name and address. Madam Clerk. [1:56:57, 1:57:08]: Maestro Evans, thirty-three, twenty-two, Clemens Road. And so as someone who's newly annexed into the city, I stood here in January and we asked about new taxes. [1:57:09, 1:57:29]: There was said there would be no new taxes. A point was made to show us that the city was operating on a surplus. So trying to figure out what happened to that surplus in these the seven-month time frame. The budget that is posted on the city's website shows proposed budgets and actual budgets for 2020. [1:57:29, 1:57:49]: And 21. Shows no shows a proposed budget for 22, but no actuals for 22, and we only see a proposed budget for 23. That is what is online. That's all we can see. So it's hard to see what happened to this surplus in seven months when we can have seen. [1:57:48, 1:58:08]: That it was that. So for those of us who were annexed into the city, we were not paying this 1.9 millage rate for the city of Stockbridge and our Henry County bills. So therefore, what you are proposing as four-point or either at six-point is additional to us. Also, I saw in the proposal of [1:58:08, 1:58:28]: About the proposed public works and some of that money going to the Water Authority. So for those of us who are now in the city and we don't receive our water from the city, we don't receive our water from Henry County. We receive our water from Clayton County. So therefore, that millage rate that's going toward the Water Authority, how does that [1:58:28, 1:58:48]: Impact us and what are we paying for if our water is coming from Clayton County? We were already privately paying for GFL transportation. So therefore we s receive no benefit. And now since it's been part of the city, in the section that we live in Stockbridge, whenever there's a holiday, we have no trash pick. [1:58:48, 1:59:08]: Up. This past 4th of July, our trash is normally picked up on Thursday. 4th of July was on Tuesday. We called and we called. We did not get our trash picked up until the very next week. But yet nobody in public works could assist us after we call, called our councilperson. Still we're going to be able to do that. [1:59:08, 1:59:19]: No response back. Now, this millage rate we're hearing tonight, this decision was made a year ago. But yet when we were asking in January, no new taxes, surplus. [1:59:21, 1:59:25]: Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Once again, Mr B uh Mr Gardner. [1:59:28, 1:59:29]: Mr. Gardner? [1:59:40, 1:59:41]: Yes, sir. [1:59:42, 1:59:44]: Um Mr. Evans. [1:59:44, 1:59:48]: Uh make sure I get this correct. Um [1:59:48, 1:59:55]: Yes. So if you if you [1:59:55, 2:00:03]: There are three three major water supplies for City of Stockbridge, um, incorporated and city of Stockbridge unincorporated. [2:00:03, 2:00:10]: You can either be depending on how east you are in the count in the in the city, you're either on Clayton County water or you're on Henry County water. [2:00:11, 2:00:21]: Um and then obviously if you're in the quarter city, you're on City of Stockbridge water. And so yes, infrastructure as you know it, um as the water services, yes, we don't [2:00:22, 2:00:42]: We we don't provide you with the water service, but we do work on those water lines depending on where they are in the city in the in the count in the city. Also, as it relates to our stormwater, um, those issues that are that come from our stormwater issues, they also arise, regardless of you in the city, we we cover those as well. Um [2:00:42, 2:01:02]: As for GFL, my understanding of it is if you were an unincorporated county under GFL, you are actually paying more for your GFL service than you are for your city GSL service, which also includes, if I'm not mistaken, recycling and bulk pickup, which you had to pay additional for if you were unincorporated. Yes, sir. [2:01:02, 2:01:02]: Yeah. [2:01:02, 2:01:15]: Sir, sir, sir sir. No. Let him finish let him finish. You had an opportunity to speak earlier. Okay, he's addressing it already over there. Okay. [2:01:16, 2:01:36]: Alrighty. Um those are the one I get. I think uh Mr. Evans stated that that he was not paying the one point nine oh four mills. Was not? Correct me. He was asking about the the the two point oh for the water authority. Oh, okay. All right. He's in Clayton, he said he was getting clay. [2:01:35, 2:01:46]: No you mentioned about the one point you about police service technology. [2:01:46, 2:01:49]: The statement was made that [2:01:49, 2:01:54]: People in the city of Stockbridge had been paying one point nine millage rate for decades. [2:01:55, 2:02:12]: I wasn't in the city of Stockbridge until January. So I couldn't have been paying one point nine four millage rate if I wasn't in the city until January. So now the additional proposed of any additional proposed is an additional tax rate. But you were Henry you had Henry County police, sir? [2:02:12, 2:02:32]: Mm. Did you have Henry County police? Yes, I did. That means you were still playing Henry you were playing you were playing police uh you were playing the Henry County tax. You're playing him you were playing police for the Henry County tax. It should be the same. It's the same. It is. Henry County police were the same is is same as ours. Okay, yeah, go explain. Yes, sir. So [2:02:32, 2:02:52]: Yes, okay. So um if you live if you live in the city of Stockbridge or you are an unincorporated um Henry County, we all pay the 1.904 for police. There's and the police district, there's also what you pay for fire under the fire district. [2:02:52, 2:03:12]: district. Um and then there's an additional that you pay which is a.314 mills, which is for code enforcement to the county. So if you check your county bill, you should see those enumerated on your county bill. If you go on, you can go online and look at it and they'll show you the illustration of it. But all residents pay within the fire district and the police district [2:03:12, 2:03:12]: District. [2:03:13, 2:03:16]: Um when you come into when you came into the city. [2:03:16, 2:03:20]: That if the city doesn't impose a a millage rate at all. [2:03:20, 2:03:22]: That point nine four, if you [2:03:23, 2:03:25]: If you're in the city would go away. [2:03:26, 2:03:26]: That [2:03:27, 2:03:47]: point two, which is the point nine oh four plus the point three four one would go away. The problem is then obviously you won't be paying for police won't be providing service. Um but everybody has been paying that amount and has been paying that amount as last as far as I know from the last service delivery agreement, which was twenty twenty. [2:03:47, 2:03:49]: And I know for a fact that it was there in twenty twenty. [2:03:50, 2:03:58]: in twenty ten, um, when I was the city administrator at McDonough, we paid that. Um, you paid that. And as for the two two meals up to the water authority, [2:03:59, 2:04:10]: Unfortunate, um that bill was saddled on every resident in Henry County, regardless if you lived in the city and was served by City Water. We paid that to the water authority. [2:04:11, 2:04:15]: Why to I'm one of the folks that opposed it when I learned about it? [2:04:16, 2:04:18]: And it's a city administrator in McDonough, including the mayor then. [2:04:19, 2:04:39]: Um eventually I think the county is the water authorities decide to go to push that away. So in 2025, the two meals that you pay to Henry County Water Authority, that'll go away in 2025. But it's been on it's been on your tax bill. If you've been a resident here for the last 35 years, they've been charging that two meals regardless of where you live in the city. [2:04:39, 2:04:53]: If you want city water or you want their water, they were charging it um by statute. They were charging that to every city. Um we also paid a hospital mill here years ago, but that went away when the hospital was sold to Piedmont, that hospital rate went away as well. [2:04:55, 2:04:59]: I believe this covers it. Next next lady please. Name and address, Madam Clerk. [2:05:00, 2:05:00]: Okay. [2:05:01, 2:05:21]: Mindy Mayers 1008 Peaks Point McDonough Georgia 30253. Um so I have a question and a comment. My question is I keep hearing that you were already paying this to Henry County. And so my question is, are we going to no longer be paying that to Henry County? And are we going to get a [2:05:21, 2:05:41]: A deduction on our Henry County bill for that one point nine. I guess I'm just trying to understand that because it's not clear to me if you're saying we used to pay it there and now we're gonna pay it here. So are we no longer gonna pay that rate to Henry County? So if I get a qu uh that question answered. And also I just have a comment, because it seems like just from the the um comments that I'm hearing from [2:05:41, 2:06:01]: From the council that the decision has pretty much been made. Like, hey, I've heard it several times, like, okay, we've got to move forward, the decision has been made, we've got to pay these taxes, we need this infrastructure, so on and so forth. And so my comment is that, you know, just from the interactions of everybody today, like this morning and here, I come because I'm a [2:06:01, 2:06:21]: concerned citizen, right? But I just want to make sure when you all do make decisions, you have our best interests at heart. And the communication really needs to be on one accord, right? So being respectful, listening, because it just seemed like we went on for like an hour and a half of everybody having to make a point. And to me that was just a lot when it was a public hearing. And so I [2:06:21, 2:06:41]: I just ask that when you make the decision, sounds like it's been made, but just really think about the citizens and how it's going to impact us and what rate will really be um beneficial or what's really going to um be best for the citizens and you all listen to each other when you're talking and be respectful. And that's my comment. Appreciate you comment. [2:06:40, 2:06:41]: [7604.1, 7624.1]: Pre appreciate your comments. The final decision won't be made from the council until after the third public hearing, which is set for the twenty-seventh of uh July, which should be nine o'clock here in the council chambers. And the one point nine zero four uh was what everybody was paying for Henry County Police. You no longer pay that Henry County police, that that comes actually it's automatic. You've already been paying it. [2:07:04, 2:07:15]: It's now coming to Stockbridge to support the our police department here at Stockbridge. Okay, so it's it's it's the same amount, but it's just coming to the city now versus Henry County. Sir, please come forward your name and address, please. [2:07:18, 2:07:22]: Eric Knowles, one hundred one one Holly Ridge Road, Scottbridge, Georgia. [2:07:23, 2:07:26]: Um, I come and you know, concerned about the millage rate, but [2:07:27, 2:07:29]: You can say, I mean, it's done. [2:07:29, 2:07:31]: We saw the presentation, you won't survive without it. [2:07:33, 2:07:46]: What's gonna be done to stop it there, to make it where you don't come to us next year and say, We gotta raise it another mill, we gotta raise it another mill. [2:07:47, 2:07:48]: Our properties are gonna go up. [2:07:49, 2:07:50]: They're going to. [2:07:50, 2:07:53]: So they're gonna automatically be an increase next year. [2:07:54, 2:07:57]: Unless we go through another housing crash like we did. [2:07:58, 2:08:01]: So what's the feasibility that you can speak to us on? [2:08:02, 2:08:08]: And that this is where it stops for the foreseeable future, that we can survive. [2:08:08, 2:08:14]: It's gonna be I I mean I my feeling is it's gonna be the four mils, but that's just my personal feeling. [2:08:14, 2:08:16]: Is it gonna stop there? [2:08:17, 2:08:21]: Because you know, I'm a teacher. Every time I get a raise. [2:08:23, 2:08:24]: Is gone. [2:08:25, 2:08:26]: It's gone. So [2:08:26, 2:08:30]: I just wanna hear because this is done. I mean, just like y'all said. [2:08:31, 2:08:33]: What's gonna stop it here? [2:08:34, 2:08:34]: Thank you all. [2:08:35, 2:08:55]: No problem. Appreciate it, sir. I would imagine what what has to happen is the co over the course of time as you continue to legislate that you that we do we're transparent and that we do the right things for you for you citizens and we have the engagement with you and uh hopefully that we'll be able to maintain uh everything that we can so it doesn't go up high. Now I can't obviously predict the future. None of us. [2:08:55, 2:09:07]: And I don't know what else to say other than that at this point, uh in that aspect. So uh just gotta stay tuned as we continue to legislate and and live and work and play in the community. Ma'am, if you can come forward please, your name and address. [2:09:11, 2:09:22]: Sonny Randazzo, Barrent Street. Um, Mr. Smith is gonna bring up the fact that we could trim the amphitheater to a great deal. We got a lot of shows y losing money. [2:09:23, 2:09:41]: The next almost all the remaining shows have sold less than a thousand tickets. But my question is, uh once the tax is in place, are we gonna be able to um apply for a senior or homestead exemption for the city tax? [2:09:41, 2:10:01]: Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. I believe what's happening is that Mr. Harris is he's still here, correct? Mr. Harris has talked further about the the actual uh homestead exemption uh that for the age limits. So if you could once again please reiterate the homestead exemption, the process for that. Seems though that maybe this individual may have lost that and then pick up on that. So homestead exemption. [2:10:01, 2:10:21]: Exemption, the age limit, how that goes about how what the process you go about, just to make sure that people understand the process here. Right. Most folks have typically once they purchase their house or move into Henry County, you know, they're always told by their real real estate agent to file for their homestead. So most folks always do that. That's your typical, you know, L1 exemption that you'll see on your [2:10:21, 2:10:41]: Tax bill. There is an additional age exemption that kicks in once you are reached the age of 62 on January 1st of that tax year. So if you turn 62 on January 3rd, it wouldn't apply into that following year. [2:10:41, 2:11:01]: tax year and simply need to bring in your driver's license to to show proof of age. Once you apply for your exemption at age 62, it'll automatically um increase your exemption amount at age 65, again at age 68, and at age 70, you'll no longer be paying your um um school taxes. [2:11:01, 2:11:05]: All right. [2:11:06, 2:11:06]: Okay. [2:11:07, 2:11:13]: I I'll tell you what, m Mr Harris, if you can maybe talk with her and and and and straighten that out. Sir, could you come forward, sir, name and address, please? [2:11:17, 2:11:21]: Charles McEwan, three sixty Grand Florida Drive, McDonough, Georgia, three zero two five three. [2:11:22, 2:11:34]: Go ahead, sir, please. Good evening. Good evening. Mayor Ford and Councilman and Councilwomen. Um, I spoke to you, Mayor Ford, when you were on the election uh trail, and I told you then I felt like I was bamboozled. [2:11:35, 2:11:36]: by the council [2:11:36, 2:11:38]: Um prior to you being re reelected. [2:11:38, 2:11:42]: Based on the annexation, we had a long discussion about the annexation. [2:11:42, 2:11:46]: I voted against the annexation, even though I could afford to support the annexation. [2:11:47, 2:12:05]: And the reason I felt bamboozled is because we're full circle now and all I hear is taxes, taxes, taxes. But the quality of life, in my opinion, from you guys management is not what I'm not what I was wanting to pay for. And if I had known this in the past, if I could rewrite history, I would have voted for an annexation, because either way we were gonna get taxed. [2:12:05, 2:12:09]: We got a new police department. I support police obviously because I want safety in our community. [2:12:10, 2:12:13]: But at the same time, without a feasibility study, who said that was necessary? [2:12:14, 2:12:17]: You guys say the crime is down, but based off of what? [2:12:18, 2:12:21]: What what crime is now based off of what? What what is what I mean? [2:12:21, 2:12:23]: What are numbers that to support [2:12:23, 2:12:24]: This police department. [2:12:25, 2:12:27]: And now we're here today, I'm assuming, because [2:12:28, 2:12:31]: We're we're asking for more money to support this this police department, correct? [2:12:32, 2:12:52]: That that is correct. Now um our police chief is is still here and um m Chief Trammer, could you come? Oh we we oh stand by please. I'll I'll have him address that in just a second. Okay, I'll have him address that in just a bit. He'll be able to address that. So what else is on what else is on your mind, sir? Oh in addition to that, like I said, the the the way I see it [2:12:52, 2:13:04]: We're building new schools. Obviously we need new schools because of the growth. You know, we have apartments going up everywhere. And I mean that means we're gonna be paying more taxes, not the people in apartments, of course. So with that being said, [2:13:05, 2:13:25]: Growth is good, but not all growth is good. And not all growth the way we're doing it is not not good. So the way we're running this thing now, I d I don't I don't agree with it with much of this uh way you guys are running things basically. So and I know you guys are probably already like everyone else said, got your mind made up on this tax or this millage rate, should I say. Um you guys are probably gonna settle about three or four percent, I I probably imagine that. [2:13:24, 2:13:33]: Whether we all stand here and, you know, scream and yell, but we're here now, like you say. And it's great that you, you know, you bring up all the exemptions and the homesteads and that's great. [2:13:34, 2:13:38]: But that's irrelevant if the keep the military rate keeps going up every year. That's gonna be irrelevant. [2:13:38, 2:13:42]: So I mean, you guys try to, you know, put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. [2:13:44, 2:13:45]: Okay. [2:13:47, 2:13:50]: So that's pretty much all I got. Okay, good deal. Prime. Appreciate it. [2:13:51, 2:13:54]: Chief Traveler, thank you sir. You're welcome. Chief Travel, could you come to the podium please? [2:14:10, 2:14:30]: Hey Chief, question came up if I understand correctly about the we mentioned about the the crime is down, certain percentages down based on what and I'm only assuming that is based analysis and based on a feasibility study that was done, based on uh the the results of previous years with Henry County. Now that you've taped down Stockbridge, you Chief as uh as leading the Stockbridge Police Department. So [2:14:30, 2:14:37]: So could you elaborate on the why it's why it went down, what you what it's all based on, things of that nature can further explain that? [2:14:38, 2:14:58]: So we were able to pull the uh the crime statistics uh the year prior when Henry County was responsible for police services in the city, and we compared that data to uh the same period of time the Stockbridge Police Department uh had taken over. And during that period of time, that's where we're talking about the twenty four percent reduction in violent crime, the ten percent reduction in [2:14:58, 2:15:03]: property crime for an overall eleven percent reduction in crime based on [2:15:03, 2:15:23]: the uh last full year versus the year prior when Henry County was policing here. And there was another statement that was made earlier. And just to address that, since you've been addressing other questions, there was a comment made that Henry County is handling half the calls in the city and that's absolutely not the case. Uh Henry County has not taken any reports or handled any calls inside the city limits of Stockbridge proper. [2:15:23, 2:15:29]: unless that was backing up our officers and we also backed them up on calls as well. So I wanted to clarify that information. [2:15:30, 2:15:48]: Thank you, Chief. Appreciate that. All right. Um Sir, come to the podium and you get your name and address. I I see Mr. Wall. I see Mr. No, no, I just want that there was a feasibility study done, two of them. Right, right. Good deal. There was. Name and address, uh please get your three minutes. Uh Madam Clerk, you ready? [2:15:48, 2:15:53]: Go ready, please. I'm Bruce Smith and I have a house under contract here in Stockbridge. [2:15:54, 2:15:58]: And the reason why I'm not given the address because there was a council person here that was uh [2:15:59, 2:16:18]: dipping into my business back about two, three months ago. So put it this way, we're under contract stock bridge. Uh good evening. Um Mr. Gardner, Mr. Uh uh Tax Commissioner, Chief, good evening. I appreciate this opportunity to come before you. [2:16:18, 2:16:23]: to uh explain some things that you people are being uh not telling people the truth about. [2:16:24, 2:16:25]: Number one. [2:16:26, 2:16:30]: That one point nine mils that going back to the city and the county and all this other stuff. [2:16:30, 2:16:32]: That pay for three police officers. [2:16:32, 2:16:35]: Three Henry County police officers. That's what they pay for. [2:16:36, 2:16:37]: Okay. [2:16:37, 2:16:41]: Number two, I've never been against a police department. [2:16:41, 2:16:42]: бо [2:16:42, 2:16:43]: Oh [2:16:43, 2:16:48]: Way back when when cross the street at city hall cross the street. [2:16:48, 2:16:51]: When one one council person was on the council then [2:16:51, 2:16:52]: I was for a police department. [2:16:53, 2:16:54]: But it had to be done right. [2:16:55, 2:16:56]: When I ran for mayor. [2:16:57, 2:17:09]: Chief Trim and I had a conversation and I told him I'm not against the police department, but it was not done right. Now what you did is you got a whole fistful of money and decided, oh, we're gonna start a police department, in my opinion. [2:17:09, 2:17:10]: Okay, my opinion. [2:17:11, 2:17:18]: But you didn't put in the factor how you're gonna pay for this police department fiscal year twenty twenty four. And that's where we're at today. [2:17:19, 2:17:27]: But you've made all this got all today. You said, oh, we cut back to God, we got a whole 11 million dollars. What happens when that runs out? [2:17:27, 2:17:44]: You still haven't come up with a solution to pay for the police department. Now, I I heard the conservative figure of$1.2 million. Is that right? To uh deal with the police department? Well, the actual number is if you're gonna have a first-class, full service police department in 2024, they need$12 million. [2:17:46, 2:17:54]: They need a flat out$12 million. That$1.2 million plus$11 million you got right now is not even gonna touch the bucket for what they need to do. [2:17:55, 2:17:59]: And now you have infiltration of crime coming in from the other counties into Stockbridge. [2:18:00, 2:18:05]: And they need to get other police officers out there. Not as far as uh I I heard a count that uh [2:18:06, 2:18:10]: Six hundred calls were answered in in in the city of Stockbridge and in in uh [2:18:10, 2:18:13]: Um Henry Conn took a third of them. [2:18:14, 2:18:19]: Now eventually Henry Connie gonna come back and say, look, y'all need to pay us for these calls we we've been out here doing. [2:18:20, 2:18:22]: Now as far as his Millestine, [2:18:25, 2:18:30]: You need to come up with some true numbers'cause like one council person said, it's spilled milk. [2:18:30, 2:18:32]: Police department has to get [2:18:32, 2:18:33]: has to be funded. [2:18:33, 2:18:53]: And this little this little number that you coming up with is not gonna is not gonna fund the police department the way it needs to be funded. Now, what has happened since this councilperson was in the city hall over that, this council here, because we came in together when Mayor Thompson was elected, all of you, all of us came came together except for one councilperson. [2:18:54, 2:19:11]: When we came in together, y'all started blowing too money. All right. That's the three minutes, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. All right. So um [2:19:11, 2:19:14]: [8354.4, 8358.1]: Three you guys few names. Come on, sir. Name name and address please. [2:19:23, 2:19:29]: Good evening. Good evening. Uh Stuart Eball, one thirteen Ashling Grove. Uh [2:19:29, 2:19:38]: Neighborhood Johns. Always good to see him. Um, obviously here in Stockbridge. I just want to kind of uh close it out by putting some of this in perspective. This this whole thing seems like a uh [2:19:39, 2:19:42]: Kind of self inflicted uh sucking chest wound here. [2:19:43, 2:19:43]: Um [2:19:45, 2:19:51]: You know, there's always been a lot of discussion on on all kinds of things, whether it was annexation, whether it was City of Eagles Landing, whether it was a police department. [2:19:51, 2:19:56]: Ненезд, прая джентльман з алудю, амі, амже шок. [2:19:56, 2:20:01]: That we brought in the police and no disrespect to the captain. I love what they're doing and and his crew, but this was before him. [2:20:02, 2:20:04]: That we had no plan for next year. [2:20:04, 2:20:11]: We're we've always been told we have no city tax, we have no city tax, Stockbridge has no city tax. Well I'll be [2:20:11, 2:20:22]: If we didn't hear two hours ago, for a decade you've been paying one point nine mil city tax. Why the hell have we been hearing all that time? We have no city tax. That's a lie. [2:20:23, 2:20:27]: I've never heard that. I've been here twenty six years, or at least the ten we've had it for the last. [2:20:28, 2:20:31]: Why have we been here and there's been no city tax for every project that's come up? [2:20:34, 2:20:37]: Now let's put this into perspective. Okay? So [2:20:39, 2:20:50]: It every time there's a drink uh uh uh uh tax that comes up, whether it's splost, we went from six to seven, it's always, oh, it's just a penny. No, that's seventeen percent. [2:20:51, 2:20:54]: And then it went from seven to eight that we're at now. Oh, it's just a penny. [2:20:54, 2:20:55]: No? [2:20:56, 2:20:56]: Thank you. [2:20:57, 2:20:58]: That's 14%. [2:21:00, 2:21:02]: The millage rate, okay? [2:21:02, 2:21:07]: From what we're at now and I use the three twenty five price, it came it comes out the same way. [2:21:07, 2:21:10]: 'Cause we don't have any houses in hoc in Stockbridge anymore for a hundred grand, I tell ya. [2:21:11, 2:21:20]: Um as Mr. Alexander knows, because he's also a real estate agent. So let's go with that three twenty-five number. And if you go with the four that four point uh two one five. [2:21:20, 2:21:26]: That's a hundred and twenty two percent increase in tax. It's not, oh, it's only three hundred dollars. [2:21:27, 2:21:29]: That's a hundred and twenty-two percent. [2:21:30, 2:21:31]: Okay? [2:21:32, 2:21:43]: And then and using his example and his taxes, and it it's a fair example to do, yeah, I could I didn't catch the exact math, but it's three thousand dollars or whatever, and it's going up three hundred dollars. [2:21:43, 2:21:45]: That's another 10%. [2:21:45, 2:21:52]: Nobody's pay rates are going up a hundred and twenty-two percent, fourteen percent, seventeen percent. [2:21:53, 2:21:55]: But you want that kind of money out of our pocket. [2:21:56, 2:21:57]: I'll leave it at that. [2:21:57, 2:21:58]: Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. [2:21:59, 2:21:59]: Mm. [2:22:00, 2:22:01]: Sir Sir. [2:22:02, 2:22:22]: Sir, she needs you to need you to sign up, sign that document there. And there's no city property tax, is what we're referring to. There's always a one point nine zero zero four tax public safety. Right. But but it was no city proper tax. Right, but that was for public safety. But it's no there was no city property tax. When we say no tax, it was meant no city property tax. That's what it was. That's what it was. Okay. Point take, but that's [2:22:22, 2:22:42]: That's not the way it's putting out. Okay. Okay. No problem, sir. That's right. Next ma'am. Go ahead, ma'am. Your name and address, please. Jane Lee, 553, Creek Stone Drive, Jonesboro, Georgia, 30236. Okay. Um, you guys have pretty much responded to everybody's comments that's been up here except Mr. Smith's, and his are the ones I would really like to hear the response to. [2:22:42, 2:22:50]: About the$12 million that it's actually going to take to do this police department and what's going to happen next year. All right. All right. Stand by. [2:22:50, 2:22:55]: Uh your your name, address, she needs that. Okay. Uh Mr uh Chief Trammer. [2:22:57, 2:22:59]: Now Mr Gardner can come on up too. [2:23:00, 2:23:02]: I know I understand it. [2:23:03, 2:23:04]: Good. [2:23:11, 2:23:31]: So in reference to uh the the amount of money, twelve million dollars, things of that nature, we talked early earlier, Chief, in your presentation, you talked about all the offer funds that we have. We talked about uh the actual bond the three million b uh dollars that we bonded. We haven't used all those. I actually are Mr. Wall is here now to talk about you know to defer all that, because uh we got blessed with RP. [2:23:30, 2:23:43]: And things of this nature. So could you re elaborate on reference to the funding thus far uh since you been a police officer or the chief of our department here and when and what's been happening with all that, how you've been funded properly? [2:23:43, 2:23:50]: Yeah, so so currently our budget's around six point four million dollars and that's with the staff that we have. We have seventy one employees [2:23:50, 2:23:53]: With a six point four million dollar budget presently. [2:23:53, 2:24:13]: Um obviously the annexation it br it it it brought in new areas, it brought in new responsibilities, uh and now we're responsible for the entirety of the interstate from Henry County all the way down to Jotico Road, which obviously presents some different challenges. So as a result of that, we've seen an increase in calls for service. Uh we do need to grow the department um and I think that our projections were [2:24:13, 2:24:33]: Um an estimated, you know, nine to ten officers additionally in order to meet the demands that calls for service. And I believe that what we were discussing earlier and Mr. Gardner can speak to this specifically. I think that the projection for the budget next year was eight point two million dollars to fund the police department based on what our needs are currently. Eight point two million. Yes, sir. All right. Definitely not twelve million. Eight point two million. [2:24:33, 2:24:39]: All right. Uh thank you. Thank thank you, sir. Appreciate that. Uh Mr Gardner, you had anything else you need to add at this point? [2:24:39, 2:24:47]: No, sir. I think the chief said it said it succinctly. All right. Good deal. Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate that. Uh on that note, uh I will close. Yes, ma'am. [2:24:56, 2:24:58]: Or you had somebody else who didn't [2:24:59, 2:25:01]: Do you have you have somebody signed up, you mean, that didn't speak? [2:25:06, 2:25:16]: Well yeah, I I would say we're done. Nobody else is standing. I try to get everybody who was standing. So on a note I'm gonna close the public hearing. Uh okay. Okay. [2:25:18, 2:25:20]: Oh that that your name and address, please. [2:25:21, 2:25:23]: I signed up but I didn't know I was signed up to speak. [2:25:24, 2:25:30]: But Keisha Foster, one sixty eight, uh Mr. Rich Trail. Uh my question is [2:25:31, 2:25:33]: What are we gonna do about like the [2:25:34, 2:25:42]: We go into other cities, um, like our building just fell down like a couple of days ago where the um the [2:25:43, 2:25:48]: Liquor store and all the buildings in Stockbridge are kind of like old. [2:25:49, 2:25:50]: Very old. [2:25:50, 2:25:55]: Uh, what are we gonna do to probably spruce up the the city when you come into it? You know how these other [2:25:56, 2:25:57]: City's got the [2:25:58, 2:26:01]: All the buildings the same colors or they re [2:26:01, 2:26:05]: biological downtown area. Only thing we've done is the after theater. [2:26:06, 2:26:09]: But the rest of the the city looks like a a hot mess. [2:26:09, 2:26:11]: It looks old. [2:26:11, 2:26:22]: It looks terrible. All the money's going to Logust Grove, um, Jortico Road, Joel's Borough Road. But what about one thirty-eight? [2:26:23, 2:26:24]: And [2:26:24, 2:26:25]: Um hurtsy bridge. [2:26:26, 2:26:27]: Like what are y'all gonna do to [2:26:29, 2:26:34]: Fitch those places up. Okay. Cause we don't have oh we don't have like what fast food. [2:26:34, 2:26:36]: Here on one hundred thirty eight. [2:26:37, 2:26:39]: Logan's gold is growing. [2:26:40, 2:26:41]: A lot. [2:26:41, 2:26:43]: Jonesburg Road had grown a lot. [2:26:44, 2:26:47]: But it look like a ghetto over here in one thirty eight. [2:26:50, 2:26:56]: Okay. One. That and [2:26:57, 2:26:59]: Yeah. More traffic lights. [2:27:00, 2:27:01]: And less roundabouts. [2:27:02, 2:27:04]: Also more sidewalks. [2:27:05, 2:27:08]: Um we definitely need sidewalks on flipping. [2:27:09, 2:27:11]: Up all the way down flipping. [2:27:11, 2:27:15]: 'Cause a lot of people walk flipping and they had to walk into the the grass park. [2:27:16, 2:27:18]: Uh whether you go on the Kroger or whatever. [2:27:18, 2:27:25]: Um I live right there at Reed's Creek Trail, Tie Street, Nisa, um sidewalk.'Cause I go walking all the time. [2:27:26, 2:27:28]: But luckily I was I live in the subdivision that's right there. Mm-hmm. [2:27:29, 2:27:32]: But that street I walked to Food Depot, I walked to the [2:27:32, 2:27:33]: The library. [2:27:34, 2:27:36]: But we need some s um sidewalks there as well. [2:27:37, 2:27:39]: So what are we doing for [2:27:40, 2:27:41]: That kind of stuff. [2:27:41, 2:27:43]: Plus I don't want the property taxes to go up. [2:27:43, 2:27:45]: It can go up but not that much. [2:27:46, 2:27:48]: So I don't care about the increasing [2:27:49, 2:27:49]: But [2:27:50, 2:27:51]: Do a st uh like a [2:27:52, 2:27:54]: A small amount of increase. [2:27:56, 2:27:56]: Okay. [2:27:57, 2:27:59]: Okay. [2:28:00, 2:28:20]: I got what 41 seconds? Is that is that it? Ah, let's see. Okay, watch let me let me let me let me mention let me mention this to you. What about hiring? Okay, hold on a second. Let me mention this to you. This is actually uh in re a hearing a public hearing reference to Millet. Some of the things you talked about dealt with uh you're talking about trails or sidewalks, and when that's [2:28:19, 2:28:39]: part of our T Sploss plan. We we have a strategic plan on that. If you're talking about the downtown area, we're working to rebuild and redevelop our downtown area and we're working on that. And we're in phase two of a LCI. Okay, phase one was the amphitheater. You're talking about the bridge of the Jodico. It's a lot if you go to Jodico Road in 75, there's a lot of construction going on. Costco's is coming. [2:28:39, 2:28:59]: You know, s prouts is coming. Those things are happening, okay? Those are not part of the the millage. That has nothing directly to do with the millage per se that we're supposed to talk about tonight. But there are things that are happening in the city, all right, that we're moving forward and and to build up the city. More f most of the most modern type of buildings and things are going up from new communities. When you're talking about older communities or older homes, well [2:28:59, 2:29:19]: Well actually that's part of the homeownership for individuals to do what they can to increase the value or increase their the structure of their home themselves. But if but if you're dealing with businesses, there's certain things we can possibly do with certain businesses in the emphasized areas whether it's downtown or 138, we can deal with businesses with code enforcement things of that nature and with our development agencies. Okay. So [2:29:19, 2:29:39]: So hopefully that'll help you. Okay, on that note that I don't see anybody else standing, so I'm gonna close this public hearing because that really that was not a public hearing issue, but so Bob, we wanna let you speak and address it. That's the best we can do with it. I know, but I just agree with I I don't have no problem with the military justice too high of an increase. I appreciate that. I think kind of I think small I think the clerk needs small I think the clerk needs your name and address, ma'am. [2:29:39, 2:29:45]: Ma'am, you have a you this is a comment uh against the mail is rate. Is that what you're talking about? Yes, come on up, please. [2:29:47, 2:29:55]: I'm sorry for getting up late. Your name and address. Clytel Pittman, four nine seven Townsend Bend, Stockbridge, Georgia. [2:29:56, 2:29:57]: I was just [2:29:58, 2:30:00]: Sitting there thinking. [2:30:00, 2:30:20]: When the decision was made, it seems like everything is being referred to the police department. So when this decision was made to get a police department, all of the stuff that went in as far as having this police department was that considered as far as [2:30:20, 2:30:20]: Uh [2:30:21, 2:30:31]: The city, city council, or was it considered for our senior citizens and citizens of Stockbridge to have to pay for it? [2:30:33, 2:30:53]: Well, what it amounts to, ma'am, it really, I mean the chief can speak, I can speak, and order even the rest of the council and uh city manager. What it amounts to, we looked at we we collected as a group, looked at the aspect to have our own police department. We fulfilled we have we would have better uh protection, policing, being a safer community if we had our own. It's always good to have your own, just like home ownership. [2:30:53, 2:31:11]: in this aspect. So it's always good to have your own. Now we wouldn't have to worry about the Henry County. We can develop our own and have our own police department itself. Now obviously police departments do cost and it comes at a it comes at a cost there. Yeah, because I mean it's a lot of senior citizens that live in Stockbridge. People are already catching hell from even trying to buy groceries. [2:31:11, 2:31:12]: So [2:31:13, 2:31:13]: Heaven [2:31:14, 2:31:15]: Millish tack. [2:31:16, 2:31:18]: At it every year. Mm-hmm. [2:31:19, 2:31:21]: People ain't gonna be able to live here. [2:31:22, 2:31:25]: W well we'll we'll we'll hopefully it'll work out well. Okay. [2:31:26, 2:31:26]: No. [2:31:26, 2:31:46]: I mean I don't know how else I've what else wait for. That's hoping it'll work out well. All right. All right. Tom, calm down folks. Calm down. Any other com ma'am, you have any other comments? You have any other comments? That's it. Okay, thank you very much. Okay, folks, we're gonna we're gonna end this public hearing. We're gonna end this public hearing. Alright, so I'm gonna close the public hearing. We've had we've listened to all the comments two and f two and four. [2:31:46, 2:31:49]: So did you have a little bit of a little bit of [2:31:50, 2:32:00]: Okay, so we're gonna end up public hearing. So council, uh just out of curiosity, if if we have any closing comments before we we adjourn the meeting, any closing comments at all? Pot Yes ma'am. [2:32:01, 2:32:10]: Have a closing comment. I want to thank everybody for voicing their opinions. We we hear you. Um I can tell you right now that we don't get [2:32:10, 2:32:12]: Any benefit from [2:32:12, 2:32:32]: Any any one of us, I definitely am hurting when it comes to taxes. I feel like we've been taxed to death. I'm looking at the highest tax, which is the school board tax, and I think is absolutely ridiculous. But I can't sit here and tell you that we can't run, you can't we can't have it both ways. And yes, there was a feasibility. [2:32:32, 2:32:52]: study that was done on the police department and yes there were projections and yes some of us voiced our opinions against that however we are here now and understand the police department is here most constituents when there was a um the [2:32:52, 2:33:06]: Eagles Landing thing and everything else. One of the arguments was we want our own police department. That was the argument on the other side. We're gonna get a police department. The argument was we want our own police department. [2:33:06, 2:33:11]: And it's wait wait a minute, I'm talking. I'm talking. I voted against it. [2:33:12, 2:33:18]: And I agree, I agree. I agree. I'm sorry. I agree, but [2:33:19, 2:33:20]: You know what? [2:33:20, 2:33:40]: I can agree with a lot of things that I believe that the constituents should vote for. But by law, that is not the case. And so what we have done, we have now we ha now have a police department. I just wanna thank you for voicing your opinions. My door is always open and whatever I can answer, I will. [2:33:40, 2:33:50]: And what I don't know, I'm gonna send you to the people who can answer. But thank you for taking out the time. There are are are five of us and a mayor. [2:33:50, 2:33:52]: And there is thirty eight thousand of you. [2:33:54, 2:34:01]: And look at how many people showed up today. We didn't have to sit in the amphitheater. We sat right here and you still had seats. [2:34:03, 2:34:08]: All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. Ms. Blount, please. [2:34:09, 2:34:10]: Not saying they don't care. [2:34:11, 2:34:13]: Not saying they don't care. [2:34:13, 2:34:30]: What I'm saying is understand because I wanna hear from I wanna hear from you. And I wanna be able to tell you my side and version of what has been seen. And I think this is very, very good tonight. So thank you. Thank you all for attending. Mr. Blount, please. [2:34:30, 2:34:50]: I just wanna say uh this is that one of the things that I have done since I've been on this council is to look at every situation and look at the citizens' needs and try my best to make every decision from this pulpit from pulpit or from this dais from this dais and [2:34:50, 2:34:57]: And uh to assist in making a better quality of life for the citizens. [2:34:57, 2:35:00]: One of the things I can say is that [2:35:00, 2:35:04]: My last name is Blount and that's just who I am. I'm straightforward. [2:35:04, 2:35:12]: I think that when it came up about what's what was going on, what was gonna be needed to sustain the police department, we can cheer about how we started it. [2:35:13, 2:35:30]: But I don't think the c the message was clear enough on how to sustain this police department. I do I am very concerned about the seniors. Very concerned. I had one of the biggest senior events in this in in Henry County and and it'll be going on tomorrow. Bingo Bash. Thank you for saying you coming, Miss Jones. [2:35:31, 2:35:36]: So I do I am very concerned about the seniors. My wife was on this Henry County Board of Agent. [2:35:37, 2:35:40]: I've love working with all citizens. [2:35:40, 2:35:42]: But this this county [2:35:43, 2:35:45]: And not only this county, this city. [2:35:45, 2:35:50]: People have to take interest on this city, look at what's going on. [2:35:51, 2:36:04]: Look at all of us that you're putting in office. Look at what we stand for. Look at what we're doing. And don't complain when things go to where they are now. Look at who's putting it and putting it us in the place we're in. [2:36:05, 2:36:07]: That becomes cumbersome. [2:36:08, 2:36:14]: I don't think it's one let me tell you something. Let me let me let me let me clarify something. I don't think it's one council member up here. [2:36:15, 2:36:19]: The the every councilman up here wants to do something good for this city. [2:36:20, 2:36:22]: Does it always work that way? [2:36:23, 2:36:24]: That's an opinion. [2:36:24, 2:36:26]: But I don't think any of us up here. [2:36:27, 2:36:28]: Ways out [2:36:29, 2:36:30]: Take our time. [2:36:30, 2:36:32]: A wasting time. [2:36:32, 2:36:39]: to say we're we're gonna hurt this city, we're gonna hurt citizens, we're gonna do this and do that. I that's not the makeup here. [2:36:40, 2:36:44]: Бо ви абви шоби по decisions we make. [2:36:45, 2:36:48]: Look at my track record. Look at everybody's track record. [2:36:49, 2:36:51]: Look at who you're putting in office. [2:36:52, 2:36:54]: Because I knew [2:36:55, 2:36:56]: John Blount knew [2:36:57, 2:37:02]: We was gonna be in this position today, and I've been saying it from day one. [2:37:05, 2:37:05]: All right. [2:37:06, 2:37:24]: Any closing comments before we go? Um, I don't know. Go ahead, Mr. Thomas. Thank you, Mayor Ford. And I just want to thank all of you all for coming out. I really appreciate every comment that has been made. And this is the process. And the and what happened tonight and the comments. [2:37:25, 2:37:45]: It should be said. We need to hear those comments. So don't feel that we didn't want to hear from you all. This is the process. Uh and it should happen. But let me say, uh I'm a senior myself. I'm on a fixed income. I don't want to tax. So it it's it's gonna burden me as well, but but this is what I think [2:37:45, 2:38:05]: We some of us are missing when it comes to the senior, and I think the tax commissioners sort of said it about uh the exemptions. So, and I'm looking at mine, and I've had conversation. So, I'm just saying, I don't think now, don't don't quote me on this, but and you could call Mr. Harris, but I don't think the senior [2:38:05, 2:38:25]: Seniors are going to be burdened with a lot. I heard a lot of misinformation just based on some of the comments. But that's okay. But we're eventually gonna straighten those out. Every comment that was made, and hopefully you will get an answer. And I appreciate the mayor, it's not a normal process to [2:38:25, 2:38:44]: engage in public hearings the way it is supposed to be done. But I think the mayor wanted to make sure that every question, every comment, that you had someone that was going to respond to that. And I and I think that is good. But but but but I'll just say though that [2:38:45, 2:38:46]: Any city. [2:38:47, 2:38:48]: Any city. [2:38:49, 2:38:52]: If you're trying to be progressive and trying to grow [2:38:53, 2:38:56]: These are the issues that we're going to face. [2:38:56, 2:39:16]: But we're gonna try to make sure that no one is gonna lose their home because of what we're trying to do. And like I said before, when we had a police department, we had a tax. Now, and I know everyone trying to equate this millage with the police, so it you know. [2:39:16, 2:39:19]: A public safety or no public safety. [2:39:19, 2:39:34]: For me, I voted for public safety. And I understand public safety. And and as we look at the six o'clock news and et cetera, et cetera, we see the need for public safety. Because you know what? If we did not have it, [2:39:34, 2:39:54]: And things was happening, you would be in here complaining about well, what is happening in my neighborhood. What is happening in my neighborhood? So, but again, I appreciate y'all coming, and I just want to speak to the lady here. Um, with the T Splash Project, there will be sidewalks from North Henry Boulevard all the way down [2:39:54, 2:40:14]: Tie Street to Red Oak to the four-way stop. We had a town hall the other night and that was spoken. So it's a lot, it's a lot happening. But be informed. So I'm just saying, go to the website, and I know the gentleman said that he went to the website and there was not a lot of information. Come to the council meeting. Most of the council meetings, it's nobody here. [2:40:14, 2:40:19]: All I suggest is just get the correct information. [2:40:20, 2:40:34]: Get the correct information and let's not so far go off of emotions. Just get the right information because we're all citizens here too. Everything that you face, we have to face. Just because we're sitting up here. [2:40:34, 2:40:37]: We we're not making any money. I'm on a fixed income. [2:40:38, 2:40:40]: So I don't wanna tax myself. [2:40:40, 2:40:49]: But I wanna make sure that here in the city of Startbridge where I live, where I live, that we have quality of life. [2:40:50, 2:41:10]: So that's that's my main issue here to make sure we have quality because I don't want to live anywhere else. I want to live right here in Stockbridge. So, mayor, I'm gonna yield back, but I just want to thank you all. Look, and always, always speak, always let us hear. And if you need to call me, call me. And then I heard some folks that may be in [2:41:10, 2:41:12]: [9672.6, 9677.1]: But don't get caught up in misinformation. [2:41:17, 2:41:18]: Get the truth then. [2:41:19, 2:41:20]: And what they say about the truth? [2:41:21, 2:41:25]: It will set you free. Thank you. No problem, sir. Any other okay, Mr. Alzheimer's, go ahead. [2:41:27, 2:41:28]: Stand by folks. [2:41:28, 2:41:48]: I just want to say thank everybody for coming out. Uh you know, it would be great. Calm down, folks. Listen. Every city council meeting was like this. Most of the time this room is empty. We're talking to one or two people. And if this if we had this type of public participation and engagement, [2:41:48, 2:42:08]: The community could only grow stronger. It's been great sitting here listening to the comments tonight so everybody could get in and get their information out to us. But we try to do everything that we can on every platform possible to be able to share with you uh the great things that are coming to the city. I I I love what you [2:42:08, 2:42:28]: Just said, and one of the reasons that I ran for office was because I saw what you saw on North Henry Boulevard. We're doing everything that we can. We just established a citywide development authority, and that citywide development authority will be issuing facade grants so they can buy new signs and they can fix. [2:42:28, 2:42:48]: Up the outside of their building. That's what the Citywide Development Authority does. Also, one of the things that we did was we passed some of the highest standards in Metro Atlanta. Once the tire shops and the pawn shops and the you know all of the negative businesses get there, they grandfathered in. [2:42:48, 2:43:07]: can't kick them out. But what you're seeing is some of the things that you all oppose is that we have new development coming on Highway 138 and Spivey Road. It's a$125 million project that'll be class A and the beautiful buildings that you described will be in that development. [2:43:08, 2:43:26]: There will be a right. There will be a right. That's that's right, ma'am. No problem. Let us let there will be a nourishing bloom organic grocer that will be there. There will be several others there. On Jodico Road, we're not going to be able to do that. No, this is no, this is one thirty eight. I'm talking about one I'm talking about one thirty eight. [2:43:27, 2:43:47]: Listen, ma'am, let him let him make make his comments, please. You already had your comments. I'm talking about 138. This is Fivey Road and Highway 138. All of that new stuff is coming in Councilwoman Gantt's district. And as we go on, what's gonna happen is we have standards. Now, every time somebody uh buys or tears down, buys and tears down one of those buildings. [2:43:47, 2:44:07]: They gotta build a 10-foot multi-use path in front of it, upgraded sidewalk, the building gotta be constructed out of brick. Everything has to be improved. But what happened is the real estate is increasing in value so much that when somebody comes in, you can't put a dollar store there because we put we prohibited that. You can't put a check cash. [2:44:07, 2:44:27]: Cashing store because we prohibited that. You can't put a thrift store because we prohibited that. All of those unwanted uses that clutter up that corridor, they're prohibited now. But the businesses that are already there are grandfather. When I took office, we had five check casting store stations on Highway 138. We no longer have that. [2:44:27, 2:44:47]: Three of them have gone out of business. And we're when maybe the other one might too. But in the end, there'll be no more dollar stores, there'll be no more low-end businesses along that corridor. And as we said, the Jodico Rotor project is going to give you the Atlantic station or the Avalon Alpha Reddit experience because we have Costco. [2:44:47, 2:45:07]: Coming there. We have Sprouts Organic Grocer coming there. First watch breakfast brunch is coming there. A oyster bar is coming there. A 12, a hostel is coming there. There's a lot of different things that you haven't seen in the community that will be arriving here moving forward. But it's up to us. [2:45:06, 2:45:26]: To set the standard at the things that we want to do. See, I talked to the Amos, Miss Amos over here, and they talk about Highway 138 and Spear Road and Walt Stevens. Thank God Miss Gantt has Walt Stevens and on our next next agenda so that we can finally deal with it because the uh powers that be when it was in the cabinet. [2:45:26, 2:45:46]: County did did nothing for it. We had a commissioner that served for 12 years that spent absolutely no money on the Highway 138 area at all. Matter of fact, the city had to take it over because there was no county funding being spent there. I did say my county tax bill was$676. We're asking [2:45:46, 2:45:53]: I will not vote for anything over the one point nine four or three point seven seven. [2:45:53, 2:46:09]: I will not vote for anything greater than the 3.77 me. I'm telling you that now. I'm gonna vote for the 1.94 that you already paid now or the three point seven seven. I will not vote for anything over that because as I heard what you said. [2:46:09, 2:46:25]: If you do it, do it in increments. I can't go up to six. I can't go up to five or to four point one because you all are feeling the pain and I feel your pain. So if I vote for anything, it's gonna be incremental the lowest amount possible to balance the books. Thank you. [2:46:26, 2:46:29]: Uh out of curiosity, Miss Barber, do you have any closing comments? [2:46:29, 2:46:30]: Yes, I'll make her quick. [2:46:31, 2:46:35]: I understand that we're going through growing pains. Um [2:46:36, 2:46:37]: When I took office in twenty twenty [2:46:38, 2:46:40]: Much wasn't happening in our city. [2:46:40, 2:46:43]: I moved in Stockbridge in two thousand two. [2:46:44, 2:46:45]: So things hadn't changed much. [2:46:46, 2:46:50]: Авосьі, екстід або прогрес, та плен з ар сіті гад. [2:46:50, 2:46:57]: We've moved forward with a lot of those projects, the vision of our city, including a police department. [2:46:57, 2:47:04]: As our city continues to grow, public safety has to be priority for us. Um [2:47:05, 2:47:08]: The council has approved a number of new residential developments. [2:47:10, 2:47:13]: We need officers. I think what was really [2:47:14, 2:47:16]: Important for [2:47:16, 2:47:23]: Um the public to know is how these tax dollars will be spent. So if in infrastructure projects. [2:47:24, 2:47:25]: If this is gonna help [2:47:25, 2:47:29]: Fund infrastructure projects, I think the public would be receptive. [2:47:30, 2:47:34]: If they knew what those projects were and the estimated costs. [2:47:34, 2:47:35]: Including [2:47:35, 2:47:38]: The budget for the police department. [2:47:38, 2:47:44]: All that information, I believe, we should be transparent as every member of this council. [2:47:44, 2:47:46]: Um most of them. [2:47:46, 2:47:47]: Have got up and left. [2:47:48, 2:47:50]: This is what I've had to deal with since I've been here. [2:47:51, 2:47:56]: I'm the newest member of this council, so my perspective is a bit different. [2:47:56, 2:47:56]: Um [2:47:57, 2:48:03]: I again support I support all the plans and projects and the vision for our city. [2:48:04, 2:48:08]: I thank you all so very much for coming here. [2:48:08, 2:48:16]: Sharing your comments, your concerns, your desires. My votes are not based on what I believe and what I want. [2:48:17, 2:48:19]: They're ba they're based on [2:48:19, 2:48:22]: The voices of people that I speak with in the community. [2:48:23, 2:48:25]: So thank you all so very much for coming. [2:48:25, 2:48:27]: All right. On that note, um [2:48:27, 2:48:44]: Uh thank you for being here, ladies and gentlemen. Our next once again we'll do this once again on the twenty seventh and nine AM and uh God bless you all and we I'm glad you were here and we listened to what you had to say. Appreciate it. Uh Council, I need a motion to ad uh adjourn this special call meeting. Mr. Blount So move is there second. [2:48:45, 2:48:53]: Is there a second? Second. Uh second. Oh Miss Barber, second. All in favor, please. Uh Mr. Blount. Second, Miss Barber, all in favor, please indicate. [2:48:54, 2:48:55]: I [2:48:55, 2:49:02]: Okay, I got Miss Kat. I g I got okay. Okay. All right, good. We are down turned. God bless you all. [2:49:20, 2:49:22]: Okay.