Commissioners Adopt 9.998 Millage Rate
News August 9, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners voted to raise the millage rate by .89 mils to 9.998 Monday and the only complaint heard during the third and final public hearing was from citizens who thought the increase should have been bigger.
Elizabeth Wells, one of five people to make public comment, said she would be willing to have a bigger tax increase if commissioners would approve a pay raise for public safety personnel.
“We all know the importance of our public safety employees and the tensions that have arisen,” she said. “Now that our population has reached 33,000, their job is even more important. I’d like to see them paid more to stay here.”
Sheriff Neal Walden has spoken often about the high cost of training replacements when experienced deputies leave to accept higher paying law enforcement jobs in other counties.
Russell Mobley said, “No one wants to pay more taxes, but I strongly support the Board of Commissioners in raising the millage rate.”
Laurie Lee said, “I too support the commissioners and commend them for doing of this.”
Chairman Travis Turner and Commissioners Terry Goodger and Lyn Holcomb voted for the increase while Commissioners Craig Bryant and Edwin Nix opposed it.
Turner said, “Raising taxes is not what I’m all about but when you milk a cow, there is only so far you can go. We have to look ahead.”
The millage rate was 8.19 in 2006 and ’07 then increased to 9.19 in 2008 and remained there until it was lowered to 9.168 from 2014- ’16.
Commissioners OK Wrecker Impound Lot Despite Pleas of City, Area Residents
News August 10, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners approved a very unpopular zoning change Monday that allows a wrecker impound lot to be built on 2.24 acres at the end of Helton Street, part of which is located in the City of Cleveland.
Property owners Don Payne and Terry Kimbrell requested the change from R-1 Residential to C2 Highway Business District in an area that does not have the highway access called for in the C2 classification. Although the property backs up to the Appalachian Parkway, it does not have access from that road.
Commissioners held two public hearings on the issue and at one, the meeting room was filled with area residents who strongly opposed the rezoning. Opponents said it would increase truck traffic in a residential area and endanger children. They also voiced concern that the business would eventually become a junkyard that would have a negative impact on property values.
The City of Cleveland has also voiced its opposition to the reclassification.
The vote to approve the zoning change was 4-1 with Commissioner Terry Goodger opposed. When the final vote was announced, one angry area resident registered her protest and stormed out of the meeting.
There were some conditions attached to the approval. The owners will have to use Campbell Street off Highway 115 West to access the property and if the property is sold and the usage changes the issue would have to come back to the county for a review. Also, commissioners said the lot can never become a junkyard.
County Holds First Hearing on Millage Increase
News August 1, 2016
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.
Neighbors Speak Out Against Proposed Wrecker Service
News July 26, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — In a packed meeting room, area residents expressed their strong opposition to a zoning change that would permit a wrecker service to be built in their neighborhood at Monday’s White County Board of Commissioners meeting.
The White County Planning Commission recommended approval of Don Payne’s application to rezone 2.24 acres from residential single-family (R1) to Highway Business District (C2).
Speaking at Monday’s public hearing, Payne said the property would not be a junkyard, but a yard where towed cars could be stored and a 40-foot by 60-foot building could be built to work on their tow trucks.
But the proposal met with near unanimous disapproval from residents of the neighborhood who cited numerous problems ranging from the danger to children to narrow streets and negative impact on home values.
Susan Hudson said she presented a petition signed by 100 area residents to the planning commission expressing their opposition to the business. She questioned why a business would be zoned as Highway Business District in an established residential area where there is no highway access.
April Richardson said access streets like Hood and Campbell are both narrow and already have too much traffic.
City Councilwoman Annie Sutton, who lives in the small neighborhood, said, “The property use does not comply with either the city or county land use plan.”
A small corner of the property is located within the city limits of Cleveland and Pastor Brian Sutton said, “The city council opposes this, the mayor opposes it. It will be bad for the neighborhood.”
Commission Chairman Travis Turner scheduled the issue for a vote at the August 8 meeting.
Gun Range Foes Win the First Round
News August 3, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Opponents of a proposed gun range in north White County won the first battle Monday when the White County Planning Commission to recommend denial of a land use change and special use permit that would pave the way for the facility.
The ball is not in the court of the Board of Commissioners where it is expected to be discussed at the Aug. 29 work session.
Opponents have safety concerns and complained that noise from the range would impact the tranquility of the area and quality of life.
Caleb Huiet and Josh Wofford, who requested the changes, say a lot of misinformation impacted the commission’s decision and they expect a different decision when county commissioners are presented with the facts and public opinion.
White County Commissioners Will Advertise Millage Increase
News July 19, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 during a called meeting Tuesday to advertise a millage rate increase to 9.998 mils to support the Fy 2017 budget. Public hearings are scheduled for Aug. 1st and Aug. 4th at 8 a.m. and Aug. 8th at 6 p.m.
The advertised rate represents an increase of .89 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $160,000.00 is approximately $56.96 and the proposed tax increase for non- homestead property with a fair market value of $130,000.00 is approximately $46.28.
Commissioners had projected a tax digest of $863,623,546 when they approved the FY 2017 budget but on Thursday they received the bad news that the digest was about $3 million below that projection.
As a result, commissioners were faced with the difficult decision to raise the millage rate or lower the county’s fund balance in order to balance the budget. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia recommends that counties keep at least a three-month fund balance in case of emergencies.
Reluctantly, Commissioner Terry Goodger proposed a millage rate of 10.108 in order to preserve a three-month fund balance.
“This Board has worked hard and been frugal with the taxpayers money,” he said. “This will be the first time in my six years on the board we’ve needed to raise taxes. But I’ve looked at the future and I don’t see the tax digest getting any better in the next two or three years. So I think we need to step forward and take care of this now.”
The motion failed 2-3 with Chairman Travis Turner voting with Goodger.
After a lengthy discussion, Goodger motioned for a millage rate of 0.966 which would have balanced the budget, but kept only about two-and-a-half months in the fund balance. That motion also failed 2-3.
Lyn Holcomb finally made a motion to advertise for a 9.998 millage rate and that was approved 3-2 with Craig Bryant and Edwin Nix opposed.
White County BOC Regular Meeting Announcement & Agenda
Legal Notice June 28, 2016
WHITE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING HELD THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 AT 8:00 A.M.
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
- INVOCATION.
- CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 6, 2016 REGULAR MEETING, THE JUNE 13, 2016 CALLED MEETING, AND THE JUNE 23, 2016 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING.
PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS
CONSENT AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
FINAL PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET.
- RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET.
- CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 COUNTY BUDGET.
- MR. TOM OWENS OF RAYMOND JAMES TO PRESENT OPTIONS FOR THE REFINANCING OF THE SERIES 2010 BONDS.
- CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING ANNUAL AGENCY CONTRACTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET YEAR:
- AVITA COMMUNITY PARTNERS (MENTAL HEALTH);
- DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH, WHITE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH;
- ENOTAH ANTI-DRUG COALITION;
- ENOTAH COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA);
- FAMILY CONNECTIONS;
- LEGACY LINK, INC.;
- SAUTEE NACOOCHEE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION;
- WHITE COUNTY BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES;
- WHITE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE;
- WHITE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU;
- WHITE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SVCS;
- WHITE COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE; AND
- WHITE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
- MR. JOE GAILEY, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE WHITE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE TRANSITION FROM GEORGIA MOUNTAINS YMCA.
- CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WHITE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION.
- CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR THE WHITE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION FACILITY.
- CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE 2016 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE.
- CONSIDER THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION BY THE CITY OF CLEVELAND OF 2.79 +/- ACRES OWNED BY THE KIWANIS CLUB OF CLEVELAND LOCATED IN LAND LOT 41 OF THE 2ND LAND DISTRICT OF WHITE COUNTY.
- CONSIDER THE BIDS RECEIVED FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A RETAINING WALL AT THE WHITE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING.
- CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SURPLUS OF VARIOUS ITEMS FOR SALE VIA ONLINE AUCTION (GOVDEALS) FROM THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS: FIRE SERVICES, SHERIFF’S OFFICE, 911/EMA, GENERAL GOVERNMENT, ANIMAL CONTROL, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
- CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE WHITE COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD.
- MS. VICKI MAYS, FINANCE DIRECTOR, TO PRESENT THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT.
COUNTY MANAGER COMMENTS
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- MONDAY, JULY 4, 2016 – MEETING CANCELED / OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY.
- MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 @ 4:30 P.M. – WORK SESSION
- MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2016 @ 4:30 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
*OTHER MEETINGS WILL BE SCHEDULED DURING THE MONTH OF JULY FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2016 MILLAGE RATE.
CONSIDER ENTERING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ORDER TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL.
- ADJOURN.
Commissioners Hold First Public Hearing on FY 2017 Budget
News June 23, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners held the first public hearing on a FY 2017 proposed General Fund budget of $16,161,230 Thursday morning. The next public hearing is set for June 30.
The budget is about $127,000 higher than last year’s mid-year amended budget request of $16,034,021.
About 49.2 percent of the proposed spending plan will go to public safety, with 21,3 percent earmarked for general government.
Commissioners have budgeted $3,072,567.54 for the Sheriff’s Office, $2,114,003.53 for the Detention Center and $1,047,373.19 for the Fire Department.
At last week’s meeting, commissioners anticipated the need of a possible one-half mil increase to balance the budget. If they were expecting angry constituents to rise up in protest at Thursday’s meeting, they must have been pleasantly surprised.
“I think when you’re honest with people and do the best you can, they understand,” said Commissioner Terry Goodger.
With about a dozen people in attendance, only two rose to speak. One thanked commissioners for their hard work. The other said, he would not have complained even if the increase had been larger.
Carl Noon, a White County native who returned home to north Georgia recently, is retiring as a police officer in Houston Texas.
Noon said, “I’m concerned that, yes, you do need to be business-like, but there are some things government can do that nobody else can do. If you don’t budget enough, fire is affected, police is affected, ambulance is affected.”
A 35-year law enforcement veteran, Noon added, “I found out there are police officers here making the same salary from their first year on the job through their eighth year, it’s $14 an hour. You can go to Jiffy Lube an get 15 bucks. I don’t see how you can keep them in the future. You’re training people to go to other locations.”
Noon suggested that a grant writer could help the county increase revenue.
“They could go after grants from the Georgia Tourism Board and state highway funds,” he said.
Annette Boswell, who works with Family Connection, said, “I just wanted to say thank you from Family Connection, but most of all thank you from the children we serve. In my first year, we served 400 children. Last year, we served 1,700. I personally thank you for keeping us and I promise we will do our best to do everything we can for the kids.”
White County BOC Public Hearing & Agenda
Legal Notice June 22, 2016
WHITE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 AT 8:00 A.M.
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER.
2. CONDUCT THE FIRST READING & PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017 PROPOSED BUDGET:
PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED BUDGET; AND
RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
3. ADJOURN.
Commissioners Look for Budget Cuts to Avoid Millage Increase
News June 13, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — In a marathon two-and-a-half hour called meeting Monday, the White County Board of Commissioners grappled with the inevitable, a slight millage increase in the FY 2016-17 budget. Currently, it looks like the increase will be one-half mil which translates to about $20 annually on a $100,000 home when the proposed budget is adopted in July.
Commissioners authorized County Clerk Shanda Murphy to advertise public hearings for 8 a.m. June 23 and 30.
At the start of the meeting, the Board was battling a $800,000 differential between proposed revenue and expenditures in the proposed $13.4 million spending plan and they looked for cuts anywhere they could find them.
The biggest cut came in funding for the YMCA. Commissioners voted 3-2 with Chairman Travis Turner and Commissioner Terry Goodger discontinue the agreement with the YMCA and bring those services in house. The proposed budget for the YMCA had been $575,000. Commissioners will give those responsibilities to Parks and Recreation and reduce the budget to $500,000, a savings of $75,000.
The Board’s decision to end its agreement with the YMCA was not just about the money, however. Commissioner Lyn Holcomb cited a lack of communication and failure of the YMCA to develop a feeder system for the middle school and high school. Commissioner Edwin Nix said he had fielded numerous complaints from citizens about the YMCA, including failure to open concession stands during hot summer months so people could buy cold drinks.
The Board also found an additional $61,000 in savings by reducing the amount of the hotel/motel tax it distributes to organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sautee Nacoochee and the Historical Society and another and by reducing its payments to the Health Department by $25,000. But, in the end, it wasn’t enough.
“I was hopeful we wouldn’t have to raise taxes,” Holcomb said.
Turner said this is the first time since he’s been on the Board that taxes had to be raised.
“I don’t want taxes to go up,” he said. “Nobody on this Board does.”
Nix said, “People here can’t say we haven’t beaten ourselves up over this.”
The Board also awarded bids to two contractors to do the preparation work associated with the paving of a portion of Mt. Pleasant Church Road, Gene Nix Road, Yonah Valley Road and Barret Mill Road. The votes were unanimous, however, Commissioner Craig Bryant recused himself from the discussions because he had a relative who is one of the bidders.
The prep work Gene Nix Road and Yonah Valley Road was awarded to the low bidder Crumley Creek Construction in the amounts of $56,163 and $45,258 respectively.
The prep work for Barrett Mill and Mt. Pleasant roads was awarded to the low bidder Nelson Construction in the amounts of $95,631 and $44,727 respectively.
White County Voters to Decide on Revisions to Alcohol Ordinance
News May 3, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners made one revision to the county’s alcohol ordinance Monday but left it up to voters to decide if others should be allowed.
The revision that was adopted allows specific retail package licensees to offer samplings of their product to customers not to exceed 2 ounces and four samples per customer. This, they said, will place other licensees on an equal footing with area wineries that are already allowed to offer samplings.
Commissioners approved calling for a referendum on the sale of distilled spirits by the drink for restaurants, the Sunday sale of distilled spirits or alcohol by the drink and package sale of malt beverages and wine on Sunday;
In other action by the Board, commissioners unanimously approved:
The Legacy Link local share commitment agreement for FY 2017 in the amount of $9,450;
The purchase of maintenance tools in the amount of $7,755;
Placing a 1999 John Deere Gator assigned to the YMCA on the surplus list to be sold on Govdeals;
A revision to the White County employee retirement plan related to a reinstatement required by the IRS;
The FY 2017 Emergency Services contract with Northeast Georgia Health Systems in the amount of $800,000 that runs for three years and is renewable annually;
The lease of the Historic Jail Building to the Chamber of Commerce for 20 years at $1 annually;
Renewal of the employee health insurance coverage with Alliant Healthcare for FY 2017 in the amount of $1,738,224, which represents a premium reduction of $156,000 annually;
Awarding the GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) project on Webster Road to the low bidder, Allied Paving, in the amount of $509,590.25.
Alcohol Sales Expected to be the Hot Topic at Monday’s Commission Meeting
News April 29, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Alcohol sales will be the hot topic when the White County Board of Commissioners meets Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building.
Commissioners are cosidering calling for a referendum that would allow voters to decide if they want to permit the sale of alcohol by the drink, Sunday sales of alcohol by the drink and Sunday sales of malt beverages and wine package sales.
Other issues the Board is expected to vote on include:
The purchase of one Ford Explorer for $35,556.76 and one Dodge Charger for $31,194.72 for the Sheriff’s Office from Jacky Jones Ford at the state contract price;
Approval of the Legacy Link Shared Commitment Agreement for Fiscal Year 2017 for White County Senior Services in the amount of $9,450.00;
Approval of the purchase of maintenance tools for $7,755.00;
Approval of a surplus resolution for a 1999 John Deere Gator assigned to the White County YMCA to be sold on govdeals.com;
Approval of the White County Employee Retirement Plan document revisions related to restatement required by the IRS under the Pension Protection Act;
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2017 Emergency Services Contract with Northeast Georgia Health Systems in the amount of $800,000, a three-year renewable agreement.
Renewal of the lease of the Historic Jail building to the White County Development Authority;
Renewal of the county employee health insurance coverage with Alliant Healthcare for Fiscal Year 2017;
Awarding the GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant for the project on Webster Lake Road;