Council Holds Second Millage Hearing Update: Vote Taken

Announcements, Citizens Speak, Community

CLEVELAND, Ga.- The Cleveland City Council held its second millage rate hearing on Aug. 23 at 9:00 a.m., the third and final one will take place on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

City Administrator Kevin Harris presented the council with another option for the millage rate. At the first meeting, he recommended a rate of 5.472 and now he believes the city can take the full rollback of 5.056 mills.

To review the first meeting visit https://white.fetchyournews.com/2022/08/16/council-holds-millage-rate-meeting/. There is also a notice on the City’s homemade for the original millage rate to review that visit https://www.cityofclevelandga.org/.

City Administrator Kevin Harris while giving his millage rate presentation.

Harris reviewed the collection of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) since FY2007. He noticed a trend starting in FY2011 that the actual collections exceed the budgeted amount. He also showed a graph of how property taxes have increased since FY2007.

With the passage of the law that allows for internet sales to be received in the area in which the order was placed the tax collection has grown even larger. In FY21 there was a $383,924 difference and in FY22 there has been so far a $305,226 difference.

Harris feels with this trend the City can take the full rollback of 5.056 mills. This would bring in $539,940.35 in revenues.

If this is the option the council chooses to take then Harris will closely monitor the LOST sales every month. In Jan. he will then make a recommendation if necessary for a budget amendment.

Heard in the clip above is Harris explaining why he feels like this is possible. The council will vote on this after their last public hearing.

Tedi Boling while addressing the council and Harris about the millage rate.

Tedi Boling was present at the meeting. Boling and her husband were also presented at the last meeting and voiced their concerns about the city not taking the full rollback.

“Thank you for your presentation that was actually very nice, I appreciate the hard work you did as well it makes me feel like my voice was heard as a citizen,” commented Boling.

UPDATE:

The Council voted 3 to 1 in favor of the full rollback rate at the meeting. The new millage rate for the City of Cleveland is 5.056 mills which is not a tax increase.

“I need to express my concern I am not in favor of the full rollback and these are my reasons why our economy is unstable and that’s where my concern is,” stated Councilmember Nan Bowen.

Nan Bowen while speaking in opposition to the full rollback.

 

Public Hearing on Referendum for Package Stores

Announcements, Citizens Speak, Community

CLEVELAND, Ga.- The City Council held a public hearing on a possible referendum for the November ballot for package stores to see if this is something the public is interested in.

The council also approved the request from Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker to purchase a new Ford Explorer for the Cleveland Police Department. The City Attorney Grant Keene formally turned in his notice that as of the end of the year he wishes to step down from his role within the city.

At the Council’s Feb. 14 meeting Mr. Ed Ward brought a request to have a referendum placed on the Nov. ballot for package stores. To review that meeting visit https://white.fetchyournews.com/2022/02/15/council-discusses-short-term-rental-ordinance/. Ward was one of three citizens that spoke at the public hearing.

Ward, as well as Mr. Charlie Pope both, spoke in favor of the referendum. This is due to the high likelihood they both see more significant revenue streams for Cleveland. According to Ward Helen is currently the only area for miles until Gainesville that has package stores and because of this, they are making $5 to $6 million in revenue.

Ward also pointed out to the council that several local cities have begun adding package stores to their communities. Ward owned Ma Gooches and with the turning of the times, he petitioned for their business to be able to sell alcohol, and then when finally passed they rebranded to J. W. Reeds. If the referendum makes it onto the ballot and is passed, Ward plans to build a store where his restaurant used to sit before the 2019 fire.

Commissioner Terry Goodger while addressing the City Council.

White County Commissioner Terry Goodger was also in attendance for the public hearing and once again spoke against the package store in Cleveland. He felt that the possible revenue stream would not be as large as Ward and Pope thought it would be.

“My question is what will the benefits of a package liquor store in Cleveland be? How can a packaged liquor store be a positive force that benefits the economic growth of our community? I can think of nothing except for possibly the revenue you’re talking about that the City would receive from it, I don’t think that ultimately the revenue will meet the expectations,” explained Goodger.

The council will hold another public hearing on July 25 at 6:30 p.m. to give anyone else an opportunity to speak on this topic. After this public hearing, the council can take action on the referendum. To review the proposed referendum visit https://www.cityofclevelandga.org/news_detail_T10_R83.php. There is also an email address where comments can be directed if someone is not able to attend the hearing and that is [email protected].

City Attorney Grant Keene while announcing his intention to step down at the end of the year.

During the regular meeting, the council approved Chief Shoemaker’s request to purchase a new 2022 Ford Explorer. The Explorer is on Jacky Jones Ford Dealership’s car lot. The price is $33,532 and the funds will come out of the SPLOST fund.

Lastly, City Attorney Grant Keene announced his intention to step down at the end of the year. Keene has worked for the city for 33 1/2 years. This is subject to council approval and they have been seeking the services of a new attorney to fill Keene’s shoes, the council approved Mr. Keith J. Whitaker of Smith Gilliam Williams & Miles, P.A. as the new attorney.

Heard in the clip above are Mayor Josh Turner’s remarks to Keene. Keene received a standing ovation after his announcement.

City Council Meeting

Announcements, Community

CLEVELAND, Ga.- The Cleveland City Council is holding its monthly meeting and a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on July 11.

The public is encouraged to attend the hearing. This is the agenda for the meeting.

  1. Call to Order 
  2. Invocation – Newlin Vargas of Basan Ministries 
  3. Pledge of Allegiance  
  4. Approve Agenda 

PUBLIC HEARING 

  1. November Referendum for the package sale of distilled spirits

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

     6. Finance Department – Finance Director Connie Tracas 

  • June 2022 statistics 
  1. Fire Department – Chief Ricky Pruitt 
  • June 2022 statistics  
  1. Police Department – Chief Jeff Shoemaker 
  • June 2022 statistics  
  1. Public Works Department – Assistant Public Works Director Ricky Hunt June 2022 statistics 
  2. Economic Development and Planning – Tom O’Bryant 
  • June 2022 Report 

POLICE CHIEF JEFF SHOEMAKER 

  1. Request for the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer

CITY ADMINISTRATOR KEVIN HARRIS 

CITY ATTORNEY GRANT KEENE 

NEW BUSINESS 

  1. Engagement of Professional Services 
  2. Approve July 5, 2022, Called Meeting Minutes
  3. Approve July 5, 2022, Executive Session Minutes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

  1. Millage Hearing/s 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

  1. Discussion regarding real estate and personnel matters

ADJOURN

BOC will hold redistricting meeting Thursday

Business

PRESS RELEASE

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 8 a.m. in the Board Room at the White County Administration Building.

The purpose of the Public Hearing will be to receive citizen comment on the proposed redistricting of the White County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education based on the 2020 Census. The proposed district map is available at the White County Board of Commissioners Office or at www.whitecountyga.gov

Commissioners will hold two public hearings on 2021 millage rate Monday

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – County commissioners will have a very busy day Monday (July 26.) At 8:30 a.m. they will hold the first of three public hearings on the proposed 2021 millage rate, followed by a work session and called meeting at 4:30 p.m. and the second public hearing on the millage rate at 6 p.m.

During the 4:30 work session, commissioners will consider the following:

  • The land use application filed by John and Amy Crow to request a conditional use permit at 1196 Deer Woods Trail to be placed into the short term rental program;
  • The land use application filed by Kenneth Paul Clark to redistrict property located at 180 Briarcliff Lane in Cleveland from R-1 to R-3 to be placed into the short-term rental program;
  • The Sheriff’s request for SPLOST funding for eight vehicles with equipment, security cameras for the detention center and an x-ray machine for the courthouse;
  • A resolution approving the joint comprehensive plan update;
  • Approval of 11 annual agency contracts;
  • Adoption of a resolution for ratification of the Board of Elections By-laws;
  • A discussion of the tax commissioner’s office renovation project.

 

 

 

Millage rate public hearing set Monday

News

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners will hold the first of three millage rate public hearings and a called meeting on Monday (July 27) at 8 a.m. in the County Administration Building on Helen Hwy.

The Board will present the proposed millage rate then call for comments from the public in favor of or opposed to the proposed rate.

Commissioners are required to hold three public hearings this year. The second millage rate public hearing is scheduled for Monday (July 27) at 4:30 p.m. in the Administration Building. During the afternoon session, commissioners will consider:

Requests from the Sheriff’s Office, including six new vehicles, two ballistic shied panels for courthouse security, 24 laptops for patrol vehicles and approval of an IT position;

Approval of a contract with Southern Geotechnical Consultants for the 2020 road paving and rehabilitation project for construction materials testing and construction inspection services;

Approval of a contract with ACG Solutions for the county courthouse access control project;

A land use application filed by Joshua Wells to request a conditional use permit on 3.01 acres at 156 Bear Mountain Trail in Helen to be placed in the short-term rental program;

A land use application filed by Cleve McAfee to redistrict property on 8.77 acres at 4389 Hwy. 115 East in Cleveland from C-1 Community Commercial District to C-2 Highway Business with a conditional use for single-family residences;

A land use application filed by Steve Seabold for a conditional use permit on 1.73 acres at 5494 Hwy. 356 in Sautee Nacoochee to be placed in the short-term rental program;

A land use application filed by William Porter for a conditional use permit on 1.38 acres at 121 Laura Lane in Cleveland to be placed in the short-term rental program;

A land use application filed by Wendy Moses for a conditional use permit on one acre at 164 Pine Ridge Drive in Helen to be placed in the short-term rental program.

 

 

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City Council to hold public hearing on wastewater system improvements

News

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Cleveland City Council will meet and hold a public hearing on the need for wastewater system improvements at 6:30 p.m. Monday July 13 in the Cleveland Community Center, 342 Campbell Street.

Meg Mbugua of Rindt-McDuff, a consulting firm that has been providing engineering and technical services to commercial, industrial, municipal and private development clients since 1980, will discuss the need for wastewater system improvements, compliance with Section 391-3-6-.02 of Georgia’s Water Quality Control Rules (and amendments thereto), and encourage public involvement.

Council will also consider a resolution to modify Hwy. 129 North Sewer Expansion Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan for the deferral of interest for 6-months.

Other agenda items to be consider:

Council’s appointment to the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission;

  • A School Resource Officer agreement;
  • Approval to waive penalties for delinquent utility bills for the month of July;
  • Approval to disconnect utility accounts three or more months delinquent.

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