---
date: 2024-07-22
title: 07-22-2024 Minutes
source: 2024-07/2024-07-22_07-22-2024 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

81091311112186
Where Community Connects

C TY COUNC L MILLAGE RATE PUBLIC HEAR NG #3
SUM ARY M NUTES

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024 10:00 AM.
& ouncil
Ma%or
May or nt on . or t- are
Mayor Pro Tem Kyle erry istrict}

Council

Councrlmember Elton Alexander Council District 5
Councilmember Yolanda Barber Councrl District 4
Counqrlmember LaKelsha Gantt Councrl Distrtpt l
Councrlmember Alphonso Thomas -

Counctl Drstnct 2

Adminis tration

F redencli Gardiner 7

City Manager
Vanessa Holida ~

City Clerk
Cassandra Lester e_pu .Cl Clerk
Laketsha Games Interim Ity reasurer
Quinton Washington City Attorney
Mission: To provide vision l eadership and s uperior municipal services that enhance the
quality of l Ifeforcitizens ary1
_w I lecreating la wel coming busmess atmosph ere focused on
sustainabll ity a nd expans ton of tourism and cultu ral event s.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 10:02 am.

invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Berry

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members
were present except Councilmember Gantt.

Motion to adopt the Agenda was made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by
Councilmember Barber. The motion passed unanimously

Mayor Ford read the Public Hearing Rules and Procedures

PUBLIC HEARING #3
1. Council Consideration of Millage Rate
Presented by Frederick Gardiner City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted this is the of three required public hearings and adoption
of the millage rate, which is used to fund general
operations for FY2025; noted in
1990 there were 3,000 residents in the city of
Stockbridge and today that number
is close to 40,000 residents; noted the impact of the addition of
nearly 7,000
residents and the impact the growth has had to the city and its budget,
specifically Public Works and the Police Department; noted the millage rate is
driven by the Tax Digest which had a 4.4 % increase, and noted that an increase
in the property digest by Georgia Law is considered a tax increase; and
noted the city advertised a higher rate of 4.25% as a placeholder, and staff is
recommended the rate remain at 3.77%.

Mr. Gardiner presented the Property Tax Analysis; reviewed the
Preliminary
General Fund FY25 at a Glance report, noting the FY2025 balanced
budget as
submitted by staff departments; reviewed home values and rates vs assessed
values; noted the Tax Distribution by Government Entity and the percentage of tax
with the City of Stockbridge at 3.77 mills (11.2%);
Henry County Water Authority at
2 mills (5%); Henry County at 10.511 mills (26%); and the
Henry County Board of
Education at 23.628 mills (59%); and noted there will be Referendum on the
November 2024 Ballot to allow for a City of Stockbridge Homestead
Exemption
and city residents must apply with the City of
Stockbridge as this exemption is
separate from the Henry County Exemption.

Tax Commissioner Michael Harris noted the
process going forward is to adopt a
millage rate today, and noted the Board of Education and the City of McDonough
will also adopt a millage rate today, and the Henry
County Board of
Commissioners will adopt a millage on July noted his office will complete the
Tax Digest and submit it to the state to begin the
process of collecting taxes; noted
tax bills go out to homeowners the late August/early September, and that if
you
receive yourtax bill, it is available online. Mr. Harris noted the Board of
Education will meet to set the millage rate today at 4pm and the
County will meet
on July 30th at 1pm to set the millage rate.

CouncilmemberAlexanerthanked Mr. Harris and referenced the Frozen
Exemption.

Mr. Harris noted the Frozen Exemption where homeowners continue to
pay taxes at the assessed value when you purchase your home although your
property value increases over the years; and noted there are other exemptions for
homeowners with certain criteria and deadlines to apply, noting if
you are 62 on
January 1, you need to apply forthe Age 62+ exemption; noted the County is
proposing a 3 mil net increase in taxes with the police portion going from 2.9 to
4.7.

Councilman Alexander noted the exemptions were up front, and referenced
the November 5, 2024 Ballot Referendum for Homestead
Exemptions
that include
L1, Age and Septic.

Mr. Aaron, the Public Works Director referenced the Annual Sanitation
Fee that is placed on the Tax Bill, and noted the services include
garbage,

2|Puge
recycling, limb/grass clipping pickup, and bulk pickup.

Councilwoman Gantt joined the meeting at 10:28 am. and apologized for her
lateness due to her attendance in court.

Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor of No Millage Rate Increase and remaining at 3.77:
Guan Martin, Richard M. Cook, Jocelyn Williams, Loretha Martin, and Clair Kellam

Speakers Opposed: No Speakers
Public Hearing Closed.

Councilman Thomas emphasized that the City of Stockbridge
governing body has
no control over the taxes assessed by the Henry County Board of Commissioners
or the Henry County Board of Education.

Mayor Ford asked Mr. Gardinerto address the question regarding notification to
residents.

Mr. Gardiner noted the city is required to advertise in the
Legal Organ, and did so,
and also posted the information on the website, however, going fonNard, the
information will be included on the water bill, noting only a small fraction of
residents are on city water and will receive that information, as most residents
receive their water from Clayton County and Henry County Water Authorities.

Mr. Gardiner referenced the legislative process for the
upcoming Homestead
Exemption Referendum that will be on the November 2024 ballot for Stockbridge
residents which will include L1, Age 62+ and Septic Exemptions; noted
by law the
millage rate public hearings must be held in July.

Mr. Harris noted the bills must be mailed to homeowners
by September.

Councilmember Barber requested staff notify residents of updates and to
reactivate the quarterly newsletter to share news and information with our
citizens; noted that regarding the millage rate, there needs to be an accounting of
how the tax dollars are being spent; noted the
governing body needs to be
provided with financial information on revenues in and expenses of the city so she,
as an elected officials can make informed decisions, noting she does not know the
financial status and therefore does not know if the 3.77 millage tax is
warranted, and may not be needed at all; noted staff moves when three votes are
received from the Council, and is why her questions
regarding the finances
were unanswered.

Councilmember Gantt noted the Stockbridge City Council cannot control the
economy, however, it is the responsibility of the governing body to be fiscally
responsible and looking out forthe best interest of Stockbridge; noted she
recognizes the price of everything is going up, and that is not in the control;
referenced the meeting times, and noted there was a meeting held at
6:30pm to
accommodate those residents who were unable to attend the 10am
meetings;

3lPagc
noted that when you look at your tax bill, the
City of Stockbridge did not raise
taxes; and that the 3.77 millage rate was implemented because the residents of
Stockbridge wanted to implement a police department, noting those tax was
necessary to fund the police department.

Councilmember Thomas stated that the citizens of Stockbridge elected this
body
and trust this body to make good decisions for
Stockbridge residents;
noted there
are operations that go on in the city that include roads, infrastructure, parks and
overall operations, and they all come at a cost; noted there was a
police
department 40 years ago, and there was a millage tax, and when the police
department dissolved, the millage tax went away, as it was not needed, however,
when the police department came back, so did the
millage tax; noted the officials
just want to provide its residents with a good quality of life, work with a professional
staff, and be proactive; and agreed with Councilmember Barber to go back to
sending out the quarterly newsletter.

Mayor Pro Tem Berry stated to the residents, that the Council has heard them and
rest assured, the action taken by the City represents the voices of the
City of
Stockbridge residents; noted he understands the hardship of the current
economics and the struggle with expenses, as he too is a resident and is affected
by increasing costs, being married and a fatherto seven children and everyone
working hard to stretch their dollars; noted he understands people are hurting, and
emphasizes with all; noted the individuals in these seats are serving with integrity,
appreciates everyone on staff for doing a good job; and wants the residents to
know their money is going to good use; and extended an information to reach out
with any questions or concerns by phone, email or text.

Councilmember Alexander thanked the councilmembers for their
comments, and
stated to the residents that everyone on this Council cares about the
community
and that it was the right decision to start
up the police department and stands by
that decision.

Motion to adopt the Millage Rate of 3.77% was made
by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by Councilmember Thomas. The motion passed 4-1 (Barber
Opposed citing she does not know if the millage rate is necessary because the
Council has not been apprised of any financial regarding the
income,
revenue, police department, public works, or amphitheater; and that the city needs
to be transparent).

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 am. was made
by Councilmember Gantt;
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed
unanimously 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

WWW
Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk CMC
Anthony 8. Ford,
