CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Commissioners held the first public hearing 2017 millage rate Monday morning and may have been surprised by what they heard from the lone public speaker.

To balance the FY 2017 budget, commissioners have proposed a millage increase of .83 mils TO 9.998 mils and a $590,000 reduction in the county’s reserves. That reduction will leave the county with a fund balance of only about 2.8 months to deal with emergencies. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) recommends that counties keep a minimum of three months in reserves.

Cleveland resident Jimmy O’Neill said three months of reserves is not enough and that the average Georgia county keeps 5-6 months in reserves. Therefore, he would like commissioners to consider a larger tax increase.

“I’m asking you to stick it to me,” O’Neill said, “Those who never want to raise the millage rate do not understand economics.” O’Neill, who said he has a background in economics, added, “Take the hit now because it’s going to be worse later.”

O’Neill said the Board is being penny-wise and pound foolish in not raising the millage rate more. “You either raise the millage rate to where it needs to be or screw over county employees who will leave and go where the pay is better.”
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, O’Neill said, it’s better to raise the millage rate and pay employees competitive wages than to train them and have them go to neighboring counties to work then have to train their replacements.

“Training employees, particularly those in the Sheriff’s Office, is very expensive,” he said.

Commissioner Terry Goodger proposed a slightly higher millage rate than 9.998 at the last meeting and was supported by Chairman Travis Turner, but the motion was defeated 2-3.

County Manager Michael Melton gave the millage rate presentation and pointed out the millage rate stayed at 9.19 mills from 2008 to 2014 and was lowered to 9.168 two years ago.

The increased millage rate means the owner of a $300,000 home would pay about $99.60 in increased taxes.

The next public hearing on the millage increase will be Thursday at 8 a.m. with the final hearing set for Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.

The Board also authorized the Fire Department to purchase a used tanker for $42,000.