CITY OF JONESBORO

 PUBLIC HEARING-TAX MILLAGE MINUTES

170 SOUTH MAIN STREET

OCTOBER 3rd, 2011 - 6:00 p.m.

 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held a public hearing   on Monday, October 3rd,  2011.  The hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers located in the Jonesboro Police Department, 170 South Main Street.

 

Council Present:  Luther Maddox - Mayor

                              Clarence Mann - Councilmember

                              Roger Grider - Councilmember

                              Wallace Norrington - Councilmember

                              Pat Sebo - Councilmember

                              Bobby Wiggins - Councilmember

                              Joe Compton - Councilmember

 

Staff Present:      Joe Nettleton - Public Works Director, Chief Franklin Allen, Sandra Meyers –

                             Finance Officer and Janice Truhan -  City Clerk.

 

Mayor Maddox called the Public Hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed the visitors.

 

Public Hearing third in series of three, regarding the tentative adoption of a Millage.

 

Public Comments:

 

Ms. Sonja Sleeper inquired about the 40% property tax increase. Mayor Maddox stated it is 5 mills 34%.  Ms. Sleeper asked is this necessary to maintain services? Mayor Maddox stated the city provides streetlights, police department, etc. Ms. Sleeper asked how we do business.  She stated there are charges for everything.  Peoples incomes are going down and they have no jobs.

 

Ms. Nancy Coffman stated that all taxes fall on the businesses.

 

Ms. Claudia Turner issued the same argument saying that there is too much spending.   People donŐt want taxes, this is not fair.  You need to keep the budget the same as last year, Mayor Maddox.  I hope you will reconsider.

 

Ms. Suzanne Igler asked if we are existing on reserves? Before we go bankrupt, what will happen when the funds are gone? Discussion ensued.

 

Mr. Randy Segner inquired why would the City pass a budget on proposed future rate.  This is another problem to address.  Why did you not address current state?  Collect taxes? Government raises taxes. Money from Georgia Power $5, $7 AT&T bill in franchise fees. Businesses will pay.

 

Mr. Travis Cantrell suggested taxing the citizens instead of the businesses.  They have a way to recover, the citizens donŐt. We have no way to recover.

 

Mayor Maddox expressed that each year we set an operating budget.  It is not a matter of what we can spend in a calendar year.

 

Mayor Maddox called for any other comments.  Councilmember Wiggins replied no.  Councilmember Mann said there are previous years to base information on. Fines and forfeitures were underestimated.

 

Councilmembers Norrington and Sebo said they has no further comments. Councilmember Grider says he opposes any tax increase.  Councilmember Compton inquired about past revenue. Zero is a lot less than 200 thousand.

 

Mayor Maddox declared the public hearing closed at 6:17 pm.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________                                  _______________________________

Luther W. Maddox, Mayor                                                   Janice Truhan, City Clerk