CLEVELAND, Ga. – Following a third public hearing Monday, the White County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 2019 rollback millage rate at 10.75 mils.

The proposed rate is the same as last year, however, keeping the millage rate at the same level represents a tax increase of .204 mils. Without the tax increase, the rate would have been no more than 10.546 mils.

The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $160,000.00 is approximately $12.65 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $130,000.00 is approximately $10.61.

Kevin Hamby reported that revenue from the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) has exceeded all expectations. The voter-approved referendum was projected to raise $19,000,000.The revised and actual estimated revenue has been adjusted to $24,351,668.

The local option sales tax (LOST) has also outperformed expectations. The 2019 projection was $2,502,538. To date, the county has received $2,774,370. Tourism has also produced another success story. Anticipated revenue for 2019 was $805,675 while actual collections total $977,811.

Will Wagner presented a brief report on the Historic Preservation Committee, saying the committee has met monthly for about six months. “We’ve been looking at camp meetings and have had several reports on those,” Wagner said. “We have also gathered some information from the White County Historical Society. They have been very helpful.”

Commissioners approved a low bid of $81,608.34 by Precision Paving to deep patch and overlay Truelove Road and deep patching of Post Road and Old Hwy. 75 South. Commissioner Craig Bryant recused himself due to a conflict of interest.

The Board unanimously approved giving Public Works Director Dave Cangemi $5,000 to place a hold on the purchase of a 60-foot used bucket truck and to hold a called meeting to approve the purchase price if a suitable one can be found.

Commissioners unanimously approved Commission Chairman Travis Turner to serve as White County’s voting delegate for the 2019 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference.

Finance Director Jodi Ligon presented the monthly financial report (pre audit, does not include accrued revenue).

General fund revenue for the month of June was $711,107 while expenditures were $1,773,734. Year-to-date revenue is $17,573,474 and expenditures are $18,122,189.

The Board projected collecting $133,200 in alcohol taxes and fees and thus far has collected $126,671. The FY 2019 budget anticipated collection of $1,020,000 in the title ad valorem tax. Collections so far are $1,013,689. Collection of the hotel/motel tax have surpassed expectations. The projection was $805,675. So far, the county has collected $977,811.

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