CITY OF JONESBORO

CALLED MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 3^rd, 2011 6:30 p.m.

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their regular meeting on Monday, October 3^rd, 2011. The meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Jonesboro Police Department, 170 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Georgia.

Council Present: Luther Maddox - Mayor

Roger Grider - Councilmember

Clarence Mann - Councilmember

Wallace Norrington - Councilmember

Pat Sebo - Councilmember

Bobby Wiggins - Councilmember

Joe Compton - Councilmember

Staff Present: Joe Nettleton - Public Works Director, Sandra Meyers - Finance Officer,

Janice Truhan - City Clerk, and Chief Franklin Allen.

Discussion-

Mayor Maddox announced that this meeting is to consider the adoption of a tax millage rate. Councilmember Mann stated that 3 years ago we voted to do away with the millage rate. What has gotten better? The Homestead exemption, legislation failed. Once we put on book, this will be used as a revenue source. I ask all of you to reconsider. Councilmember Grider asked is this fiscally sound? Explain why? Mayor Maddox fiscal value for the city has increased by 2 mills. But the infrastructure of the buildings and tax money decreased each year. We will have to take money from reserves, sales taxes are down or cut services. A 1.5 Mill won’t hurt anybody. Taxed at $40,000-$60,000 per year. Councilmember Grider said sales tax money is down because people don’t have money to spend. People are taking Money out of own pocket to keep their businesses open. Some of them are paying with their social security checks. I do not support any additional burdens. I do not agree. Councilmember Norrington thanked the citizens for their support. We hear you. We have to pay for the services that we receive. Jonesboro has one of the lowest rates in any city. There are not enough taxes from businesses. We ask for a referendum to lower the rate. Councilmember Sebo suggested a motion to reduce to 1.5 mills for residents and businesses. I hope my colleagues pass this tonight. Councilmember Compton said the City of Jonesboro should cut spending. I don’t think we did due diligence through the budget process. Mr. Norrington was right, you do have a vote. Mayor Maddox stated that if all the businesses in the city, had licenses, we would have more money.

Mayor Maddox called for a motion. Motion made for a 1.5 millage rate. Approved. [Motion: Sebo, 2^nd: Wiggins, Vote: Yea - Sebo, Maddox, Norrington, Wiggins; Nay – Mann, Grider, Compton].

Mayor Maddox called for motion to adjourn. [Motion, Grider, 2^nd, Norrington, vote: unanimous].

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Luther W. Maddox, Mayor Janice Truhan, City Clerk