---
date: 2024-07-15
title: 07-15-2024 Millage Minutes
source: 2024-07/2024-07-15_07-15-2024 Millage _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

St091<ELi61ge
here Community Connects
CITY COUNCIL lLLAGE RATE PUBL C HEARING #1
SU ARY NUTES

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2024 6:30 PM.
& Ci C ouncil
Ma%or
May or 5% or
are_.
Mayor Pro Tem Ky 16 my Council .IS'EI'I ct '3
Councglmember Ellon Al exander

D_1str_10t 5

Counqnlmember Yolanda Barber Councrl Drstrrct 4
Councnlmember LaKelsha Gantt Counc1l
. D1_str1ct 1
C0unc11member Alphonso Thomas Counc1l D1str1ct 2

Administration
F redencE Garamer Manager
Vanessa Holi da Ci Clerk
C as Sandra Lester tyCi
Clerk
Lakelsha Gaines Interlm t{Yity
Quinton Washmgton C Jty A ttorney

Mission: To provideyision a l eadership and superjor municipal services that enhance the
quality ofl Ife for cmzen$ [w l Ie creat1ng_a welcomgng busmess atmosph ere focused on
sustainabll Ity a nd expanswn of tourism and cultu ral event s.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 6:30
pm.

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.

Motion to adopt the Agenda was made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Mayor Ford read the Public Hearing Rules and Procedures

PUBLIC H EARI N6 #1
1 Council Consideration of Millage Rate
Presented by Frederick Gardiner -

City Manager
Mr. Gardiner confirmed that the millage rate that will be discussed
tonight does not
affect homeowners that do not reside within the
city limits of Stockbridge; noted
this is the first of three public hearings required,
noting the property digest
increased by 44%, and that it is a good practice to advertise a
higher rate in the
IIPag-s
event an adjustment needs to be made, additional
hearing would not be required,
and noted the advertisement last year was 6%, and this
year the rate was
advertised at 4.25%.

Mr. Gardiner presented an overview of the
proposed Millage Rate, noting the
growth of the city and impact of city services; reviewed the 2024 Property Tax
Digest and 5-year History of Levy; reviewed the Property Tax Analysis report with
examples of the appraised and the assessed value of homes and the tax increase
based on a rollback millage rate of 3.61, the current
millage rate of 3.77, and
millage rates of 4.00, 4.15, 4.20 and 4.25; reviewed the Preliminary General Fund
FY25 at a Glance report; 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 are two more
Millage Rate Public Hearings with the adoption at the final hearing on July 22nd;
and noted there will be Referendum on the November 2024 Ballot to allow for
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.

Mayor Ford noted the Public Hearings are required since the city adopted a
millage last year.

Mr. Gardiner clarified that is true if the Tax Digest increases.

Councilmember Alexander noted the Tax Statement and the different
entities, and
suggested homeowners attend the meetings of the School Board where the
majority of the tax on the statement is assessed at 60% and the County where the
tax on the statement is assessed at 26%.

Deputy Tax Commissioner, Lynn Carty confirmed the County has a frozen
exemption in place that allows a property to be frozen at the rate when purchased,
and noted the County will meet on July 30th at 1:00
pm. regarding the millage, and
the School Board will meet on July 22nd at 4:30
pm. regarding the millage.

Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor of No Millage Rate Increase:
Glenn Martin, Loretha Martin, Karen Charmaine, Claire
Kellam, Sharon Nelson,
and Eugenia Brown.

Speakers Opposed to Millage Rate: Jocelyn Williams

Mayor Ford noted the City of Stockbridge does not control appraisals and asked
staff to adjust the questions that were raised.

Mr. Gardiner confirmed the Henry
County Tax Assessor controls appraisals, and
noted the city cannot control rentals, and that the investment
companies are
competing with homeowners, noting changes can only be made by the state
legislature.

ZIPagc
Mr. Gardiner noted residents are not
paying a double tax, and that all homeowners
in Henry County are required to pay for 1.09 mills for
public safety, and that tax is
now on the City of Stockbridge tax bill and has been removed from
the Henry
County portion of the tax bill.

The City Clerk noted the (4) four Henry
County cities collaborated with the County
to assign meeting dates where both city and
County staff could be in attendance,
along with the governing body of each municipality.

Mr. Gardiner noted the Henry County Water
Authority had recently issued a notice
that water rates were increasing, noting the cost to treat water.
process

Public Hearing Closed.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:36
pm. was made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed unanimously
5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City lerk CMC AAAAA ny S. Ford, Mayor

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