CITY OF JONESBORO

CALLED MEETING MINUTES

TAX MILLAGE HEARING

August 18th, 2011

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their Tax Millage hearing on Thursday, August 18th, 2011.  The meeting was held 10:00 a.m. at the Jonesboro Police Station, 170 South Main Street Jonesboro, Georgia.

Council Present:        Luther Maddox, Mayor

                                    Roger Grider – Councilmember

                                    Clarence Mann, Councilmember

                                    Wallace Norrington, Councilmember

                                    Pat Sebo, Councilmember - absent

                                    Bobby Wiggins Councilmember - absent

                                    Joe Compton, Councilmember

Staff present:    Janice Truhan - City Clerk, Sandra Meyers – Finance Clerk.

Mayor Maddox called the meeting to order.

Mayor Maddox introduced a comparison list of all other cities millage rates in Clayton County. The Mayor stated that Jonesboro’s proposal is cheaper than the other cities.

Public Comments were given by – Nancy Coffman, Penelope Warren and Randy Segner.

Mrs. Coffman is a business owner in the city and she is opposed to the tax increase. How many of those cities have the $60,000 homestead exemption? How many of those cities furlough their employees?

Ms. Warren inquired as to what happened to the city alcohol tax. Mayor Maddox responded that any tax goes into the general fund. Ms. Warren asked what the tax would be on an $80,000. property. Mayor Maddox stated it would be $40.00.

Mr. Segner asked how were other millage rates relevant. Mayor Maddox said we compared ours to theirs, and Mr. Segner asked what difference does that make? Mayor Maddox said it is information to inform you and give you something to compare to. Mr. Segner asked, why are we asking for 2.5 mills? Mayor Maddox stated that is what we need to balance the 2011 budget. Mr. Segner said he would like to come by City Hall and pick up a copy of the budget. Mayor Maddox stated that would be fine. Councilmember asked what dollar figure that 2.5 would produce. Ms. Meyers said about $200,000.00. Mr. Segner inquired as to the difference between this year and last for expenses and was advised to come to City Hall to see that detail.

Councilmember Compton asked Sandra Meyers if she can explain the comparison between last year and this year, she said no, she did not have that information with her. Mayor Maddox stated you will need to come by City Hall for that information. Mr. Segner asked how the Fines & Forfeitures are. Mayor Maddox stated that they are up a bit. Mr. Segner asked if we are required by law to have a surplus. Mayor Maddox stated that we have to have a balanced budget, the state mandates this. We are not required to have a surplus budget, but it is needed. Mr. Segner said there has been no cutting of expenditures. Mayor Maddox replied that we have cut everything again and again, but at the end of the year we may take from surplus. Councilmember Grider explained budget funds within departments. Councilmember Compton-Millage rate- are Ad Valorem taxes applied?

Councilmember Mann suggested that the city get a millage rate comparison for 4 or 5 years ago. I feel that once we levy a tax, it will never go away. If we don’t get the homestead exemption set, everything will fall on the businesses.

Councilmember Grider asked what we pay for fire tax. Mayor Maddox said 3.9 mills.

Councilmember Grider- so we pay Clayton County a 3.9% fire tax plus an increase of 2.5% millage? Councilmember Grider said this is a 6.4% increase. Mayor Maddox said that was a Clayton County Fire tax, not a City of Jonesboro tax. Councilmember Compton stated what was actually cut to try to balance the budget? Mayor Maddox stated we had to cut travel, three positions, almost every line in the budgets. ‘You should already know Joe, you were at the meetings and approved the budget.’ Councilmember Compton said he only knows about the newsletter. Mayor Maddox said that we also cut the concerts, 3 positions at the Police Department and travel, memberships. Mayor Maddox discussed Fines and Forfeitures.

Councilmember Mann said he proposed the Fines & Forfeitures be set at $450 but somehow this was changed. Mayor Maddox said you adopted the budget. Mr. Segner- I would like to have a copy of the budget. Mayor Maddox said yes, see Ms. Truhan. Councilmember Compton stated, I have been told fines & forfeitures for this year are over $600,000? Mayor Maddox stated no, they are at 67 – 68 percent. Councilmember Grider said that he thinks we will be over by the end of the year.

Mayor Maddox ask if there were any further comments.

Mayor Maddox declared the Hearing adjourned.

____________________________________ ____________________________

LUTHER W. MADDOX – MAYOR Janice Truhan – City Clerk