Transcript

Event transcript
All right, I'm calling this meeting to order. 00:00:08
We're going to start with the pledge. 00:00:12
Chief, would you like to lead us? 00:00:19
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:22
And to the Republic for which it stands. 00:00:26
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:00:29
All right, so the city has a hearing loop system. 00:00:37
In the council chambers, a wireless network for those with hearing aids. 00:00:41
Signals can be picked up by most hearing aids. The city also has loop receivers for those who still have some difficulty hearing. 00:00:45
Anyone with questions can contact the ADA Coordinator City Manager to allow the city to make reasonable accommodations. 00:00:53
This meeting is being broadcast online via a link on the City Council meeting information page of the city website. 00:01:00
This also provides closed captioning. 00:01:07
Click the CC icon in the lower right corner. 00:01:09
When the video is posted, CC will automatically appear. 00:01:12
A transcript of the meeting is under the Transcript tab. 00:01:16
The current month's agenda is posted a week before the meeting to allow time to provide comments in writing to the clerk. 00:01:20
All right, so this is a public hearing. 00:01:29
For the purpose to speak towards the mileage rate. 00:01:33
After we're gonna. 00:01:38
Before we go into it, the manager is going to give a brief overview of it, but when it is time for the public hearing, you are to 00:01:40
speak from the podium. 00:01:43
4 minutes per person. 00:01:47
Please refrain from debate, argument, personal attacks, or irrelevant discussion. 00:01:49
Address only the merits of the pending matter and address remarks directly to Council. 00:01:55
Council can't speak to potential litigation. 00:02:00
Attorney-client, or personnel matters. 00:02:04
So, Manager Dickerson, if you will, please. 00:02:07
Give your overview of the proposed 2025 mileage rate. 00:02:11
Thank you, Mayor. Pretend. 00:02:17
So the. 00:02:19
Excuse me, the city's net property tax digest for 2025 is estimated as a little bit more than 274,000,000. That's an increase of 00:02:21
almost 13%. 00:02:25
Or $30 million over. 00:02:30
2024 property values. 00:02:32
A lot of that, about 18,000 of that, so a little bit more than half of that. 00:02:35
Is attributed to new developments or improvements to existing properties. 00:02:39
The mileage rate that we're proposing for this year will remain the exact same as the current. 00:02:44
Mileage rate. 00:02:49
However, that is .1 to 2 mills higher. 00:02:51
Than the estimated rollback rate of 2.634 mills. 00:02:54
That will generate property taxes of 756,000 and five dollars. 00:02:59
Which is an additional of $84,144.00 over FY25 revenues. 00:03:05
I do have and I guess let me point out a couple things so. 00:03:12
House valued a fair amount market value of 300,000. 00:03:16
Again, it would say the exact same as this year unless there were improvements made of that property or it's a new property that 00:03:19
hasn't had taxes before, like properties that are being developed in Trove or wherever they may be. 00:03:24
That tax on a fair market value home with a homestead exemption would be $325.21 at the 2.756 mills. 00:03:30
And for a non homestead property or commercial property, a fair market value of 500,000, the bill would be $551.20. 00:03:38
Again, property values or property taxes are based on values that are identified on January 1. 00:03:46
Of a budget of any calendar year. 00:03:52
The bills are provided in August. Those are provided by the Tax commissioner. 00:03:55
Based on the tax assessors data. 00:04:00
Our budgets are July. 00:04:02
Through June, which means we don't get their revenues for until the end of the count of the calendar year till the quarter two of 00:04:04
the calendar year. 00:04:07
So I think it's always important to point out, you know, the value of these property taxes. 00:04:12
So right now based on the garbage leaf and limb services that are provided to the public. 00:04:16
A resident would pay $27.00 a month for household or works out to $324 a year. 00:04:23
Per household for the weekly garbage in the weekly leaf and limb pickup. 00:04:28
And if we were to look at public safety and law enforcement services as alone as a standalone, that value is $598 a year, again, 00:04:33
substantially less than what a homestead property. 00:04:39
Would pay into property taxes. 00:04:45
This information that's on the screen will appear in the paper probably next week. 00:04:48
So that the public will see. 00:04:52
The actual data. 00:04:54
The five year history tax digest history which is required by the tax biller. Tax bill payers. 00:04:56
Bill of Rights. 00:05:02
And so you'll see that there's. 00:05:04
And then gross digest is 287. After exemptions, our net digest is 274 million and some change. 00:05:07
That's an increase of about. 00:05:14
4%. 00:05:16
The taxes levied again. 00:05:18
Because we've seen so much growth. 00:05:21
That's what's making up the $84,000 that and any again, any improvements to existing. 00:05:22
Buildings, whether they be commercial or residential. 00:05:29
Point out that if you were to roll it back, so this is your proposed mileage rate, which would everybody's would stay the same 00:05:33
again unless there were improvements made. 00:05:37
And and if the tax assessor picked those up or not? 00:05:41
They're using the rollback. There would be a. 00:05:44
$14.40 difference that that means they would pay $14.40 less. 00:05:47
In taxes for the year if you have a $300,000. 00:05:53
Homestead valued property and on the commercial side for a non homestead at 500,000 they would see a $24.40. 00:05:56
Reduction, if you will, over this year's taxes. 00:06:05
And that's it. 00:06:09
Thank you, Manager Dickerson. That was very helpful. I really appreciate the. 00:06:14
Showing the value of the services that the city provides, even at the current mileage rate. 00:06:19
So it's time for a public hearing if anyone would like to. 00:06:26
Speak, I have my timer all ready and happy to hear your comments. 00:06:30
If you'll again state your name and address for the record. 00:06:41
Is it out OK? 00:06:50
Madam Chair, PRO Chairman, Council Member and. 00:06:53
Chief Allwood, nice guy. 00:06:57
Nice car. 00:06:59
Spend a little time talking with him. 00:07:01
I've got 3 items I wanted to bring to your attention. 00:07:03
Once again in the body of your. 00:07:08
Budget document. 00:07:11
They singled me out. 00:07:13
Single Bob Smith out not just once, not twice, but several times. 00:07:15
The lawsuits are filed against this city and others. Rightly so. Rightly so. 00:07:20
Pause, you hear? This is not about budget. This is only about the mileage rate. That's what this public hearing is for, is my 00:07:28
understanding. 00:07:32
We will have public comment on budget. 00:07:36
Later on this evening, but I just want to make sure that. 00:07:40
What you're commenting on is about the mill rate. 00:07:44
So this affects the mileage rate totally what I'm about to say. 00:07:48
OK, so. 00:07:54
So, so going back to that. 00:07:55
Through open records I find that. 00:07:59
Two law firms have been hired by this city. 00:08:02
One to the total Atlanta law firm. 00:08:06
$16,419.60 and Athens law firm now I was 20,116 thousand dollars. 00:08:08
20,116. 00:08:17
She also hired a local law firm for. 00:08:19
16,419. 00:08:22
So. 00:08:26
Maybe perhaps you ought to put that in your budget because that's an it's quite a quite a lot of money at taxpayer spent second 00:08:27
thing, the salary of the governor. 00:08:32
It's 182,000 last time I checked. 00:08:37
111.8 million. 00:08:40
The chairman of Oconee County Commissioner has 45,000 people. 00:08:43
And he makes 123,607. 00:08:47
The Oconee County Commissioner Administrator. 00:08:51
45,000. 00:08:55
People. 00:08:57
And he has 378 employees. He makes 100. 00:08:58
However, the city of Watkinsville has 3000 people. 00:09:04
And about 15 employees I don't know. 00:09:08
Making $109,299.46 and this is from the latest reports I could find. 00:09:11
Further, umm. 00:09:18
When you're budgeting. 00:09:20
Please. 00:09:22
Please look at properly financing funding the Police Department so they can have a presence in Watkinsville to slow this traffic 00:09:24
down. I know you've received my letters, multiple letters and, and, and it's unacceptable. 00:09:32
When my grandchildren are 1015 feet away from Mccree St. and I have to. 00:09:40
Move them in a fenced area because they're flying down the street. 00:09:45
18 Willis, you've already seen my letters and all. 00:09:49
But this is very important thing and I just wanted to raise these points about your budget. 00:09:54
Increasing from 1.8 million to 3.4 million. 00:10:01
In just four years. Thank you. 00:10:06
All right, and. 00:10:11
Clerk, did you receive any comments? 00:10:12
No, ma'am, I did not. OK. 00:10:16
All right, so I am if there's no other comments. 00:10:23
I am going to close the public hearing. 00:10:27
And go over the next steps. 00:10:31
So this evening at 5:00 we have a work session where we as council and mayor are going to be reviewing the budget. 00:10:34
And then tonight at the City Council meeting, which is at 6:30, there will be another public hearing. 00:10:44
And that will be the second one and that will be about the budget. 00:10:52
Not the military. 00:10:56
And then? 00:10:58
On Wednesday, June 18th, which is the next City Council meeting after today. 00:11:00
Will be the third a public hearing on the budget. 00:11:05
And at that point that evening, we should be reviewing for the final time and formally approving the budget. So that will be on 00:11:09
June 18th at 6:30. 00:11:13
So, with all that in mind, can I hear a motion to adjourn? 00:11:19
I motion to adjourn. 00:11:25
Second, all in favor? 00:11:27
Aye, all right. Meeting turned. 00:11:30
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Transcript

Event transcript
All right, I'm calling this meeting to order. 00:00:08
We're going to start with the pledge. 00:00:12
Chief, would you like to lead us? 00:00:19
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:22
And to the Republic for which it stands. 00:00:26
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:00:29
All right, so the city has a hearing loop system. 00:00:37
In the council chambers, a wireless network for those with hearing aids. 00:00:41
Signals can be picked up by most hearing aids. The city also has loop receivers for those who still have some difficulty hearing. 00:00:45
Anyone with questions can contact the ADA Coordinator City Manager to allow the city to make reasonable accommodations. 00:00:53
This meeting is being broadcast online via a link on the City Council meeting information page of the city website. 00:01:00
This also provides closed captioning. 00:01:07
Click the CC icon in the lower right corner. 00:01:09
When the video is posted, CC will automatically appear. 00:01:12
A transcript of the meeting is under the Transcript tab. 00:01:16
The current month's agenda is posted a week before the meeting to allow time to provide comments in writing to the clerk. 00:01:20
All right, so this is a public hearing. 00:01:29
For the purpose to speak towards the mileage rate. 00:01:33
After we're gonna. 00:01:38
Before we go into it, the manager is going to give a brief overview of it, but when it is time for the public hearing, you are to 00:01:40
speak from the podium. 00:01:43
4 minutes per person. 00:01:47
Please refrain from debate, argument, personal attacks, or irrelevant discussion. 00:01:49
Address only the merits of the pending matter and address remarks directly to Council. 00:01:55
Council can't speak to potential litigation. 00:02:00
Attorney-client, or personnel matters. 00:02:04
So, Manager Dickerson, if you will, please. 00:02:07
Give your overview of the proposed 2025 mileage rate. 00:02:11
Thank you, Mayor. Pretend. 00:02:17
So the. 00:02:19
Excuse me, the city's net property tax digest for 2025 is estimated as a little bit more than 274,000,000. That's an increase of 00:02:21
almost 13%. 00:02:25
Or $30 million over. 00:02:30
2024 property values. 00:02:32
A lot of that, about 18,000 of that, so a little bit more than half of that. 00:02:35
Is attributed to new developments or improvements to existing properties. 00:02:39
The mileage rate that we're proposing for this year will remain the exact same as the current. 00:02:44
Mileage rate. 00:02:49
However, that is .1 to 2 mills higher. 00:02:51
Than the estimated rollback rate of 2.634 mills. 00:02:54
That will generate property taxes of 756,000 and five dollars. 00:02:59
Which is an additional of $84,144.00 over FY25 revenues. 00:03:05
I do have and I guess let me point out a couple things so. 00:03:12
House valued a fair amount market value of 300,000. 00:03:16
Again, it would say the exact same as this year unless there were improvements made of that property or it's a new property that 00:03:19
hasn't had taxes before, like properties that are being developed in Trove or wherever they may be. 00:03:24
That tax on a fair market value home with a homestead exemption would be $325.21 at the 2.756 mills. 00:03:30
And for a non homestead property or commercial property, a fair market value of 500,000, the bill would be $551.20. 00:03:38
Again, property values or property taxes are based on values that are identified on January 1. 00:03:46
Of a budget of any calendar year. 00:03:52
The bills are provided in August. Those are provided by the Tax commissioner. 00:03:55
Based on the tax assessors data. 00:04:00
Our budgets are July. 00:04:02
Through June, which means we don't get their revenues for until the end of the count of the calendar year till the quarter two of 00:04:04
the calendar year. 00:04:07
So I think it's always important to point out, you know, the value of these property taxes. 00:04:12
So right now based on the garbage leaf and limb services that are provided to the public. 00:04:16
A resident would pay $27.00 a month for household or works out to $324 a year. 00:04:23
Per household for the weekly garbage in the weekly leaf and limb pickup. 00:04:28
And if we were to look at public safety and law enforcement services as alone as a standalone, that value is $598 a year, again, 00:04:33
substantially less than what a homestead property. 00:04:39
Would pay into property taxes. 00:04:45
This information that's on the screen will appear in the paper probably next week. 00:04:48
So that the public will see. 00:04:52
The actual data. 00:04:54
The five year history tax digest history which is required by the tax biller. Tax bill payers. 00:04:56
Bill of Rights. 00:05:02
And so you'll see that there's. 00:05:04
And then gross digest is 287. After exemptions, our net digest is 274 million and some change. 00:05:07
That's an increase of about. 00:05:14
4%. 00:05:16
The taxes levied again. 00:05:18
Because we've seen so much growth. 00:05:21
That's what's making up the $84,000 that and any again, any improvements to existing. 00:05:22
Buildings, whether they be commercial or residential. 00:05:29
Point out that if you were to roll it back, so this is your proposed mileage rate, which would everybody's would stay the same 00:05:33
again unless there were improvements made. 00:05:37
And and if the tax assessor picked those up or not? 00:05:41
They're using the rollback. There would be a. 00:05:44
$14.40 difference that that means they would pay $14.40 less. 00:05:47
In taxes for the year if you have a $300,000. 00:05:53
Homestead valued property and on the commercial side for a non homestead at 500,000 they would see a $24.40. 00:05:56
Reduction, if you will, over this year's taxes. 00:06:05
And that's it. 00:06:09
Thank you, Manager Dickerson. That was very helpful. I really appreciate the. 00:06:14
Showing the value of the services that the city provides, even at the current mileage rate. 00:06:19
So it's time for a public hearing if anyone would like to. 00:06:26
Speak, I have my timer all ready and happy to hear your comments. 00:06:30
If you'll again state your name and address for the record. 00:06:41
Is it out OK? 00:06:50
Madam Chair, PRO Chairman, Council Member and. 00:06:53
Chief Allwood, nice guy. 00:06:57
Nice car. 00:06:59
Spend a little time talking with him. 00:07:01
I've got 3 items I wanted to bring to your attention. 00:07:03
Once again in the body of your. 00:07:08
Budget document. 00:07:11
They singled me out. 00:07:13
Single Bob Smith out not just once, not twice, but several times. 00:07:15
The lawsuits are filed against this city and others. Rightly so. Rightly so. 00:07:20
Pause, you hear? This is not about budget. This is only about the mileage rate. That's what this public hearing is for, is my 00:07:28
understanding. 00:07:32
We will have public comment on budget. 00:07:36
Later on this evening, but I just want to make sure that. 00:07:40
What you're commenting on is about the mill rate. 00:07:44
So this affects the mileage rate totally what I'm about to say. 00:07:48
OK, so. 00:07:54
So, so going back to that. 00:07:55
Through open records I find that. 00:07:59
Two law firms have been hired by this city. 00:08:02
One to the total Atlanta law firm. 00:08:06
$16,419.60 and Athens law firm now I was 20,116 thousand dollars. 00:08:08
20,116. 00:08:17
She also hired a local law firm for. 00:08:19
16,419. 00:08:22
So. 00:08:26
Maybe perhaps you ought to put that in your budget because that's an it's quite a quite a lot of money at taxpayer spent second 00:08:27
thing, the salary of the governor. 00:08:32
It's 182,000 last time I checked. 00:08:37
111.8 million. 00:08:40
The chairman of Oconee County Commissioner has 45,000 people. 00:08:43
And he makes 123,607. 00:08:47
The Oconee County Commissioner Administrator. 00:08:51
45,000. 00:08:55
People. 00:08:57
And he has 378 employees. He makes 100. 00:08:58
However, the city of Watkinsville has 3000 people. 00:09:04
And about 15 employees I don't know. 00:09:08
Making $109,299.46 and this is from the latest reports I could find. 00:09:11
Further, umm. 00:09:18
When you're budgeting. 00:09:20
Please. 00:09:22
Please look at properly financing funding the Police Department so they can have a presence in Watkinsville to slow this traffic 00:09:24
down. I know you've received my letters, multiple letters and, and, and it's unacceptable. 00:09:32
When my grandchildren are 1015 feet away from Mccree St. and I have to. 00:09:40
Move them in a fenced area because they're flying down the street. 00:09:45
18 Willis, you've already seen my letters and all. 00:09:49
But this is very important thing and I just wanted to raise these points about your budget. 00:09:54
Increasing from 1.8 million to 3.4 million. 00:10:01
In just four years. Thank you. 00:10:06
All right, and. 00:10:11
Clerk, did you receive any comments? 00:10:12
No, ma'am, I did not. OK. 00:10:16
All right, so I am if there's no other comments. 00:10:23
I am going to close the public hearing. 00:10:27
And go over the next steps. 00:10:31
So this evening at 5:00 we have a work session where we as council and mayor are going to be reviewing the budget. 00:10:34
And then tonight at the City Council meeting, which is at 6:30, there will be another public hearing. 00:10:44
And that will be the second one and that will be about the budget. 00:10:52
Not the military. 00:10:56
And then? 00:10:58
On Wednesday, June 18th, which is the next City Council meeting after today. 00:11:00
Will be the third a public hearing on the budget. 00:11:05
And at that point that evening, we should be reviewing for the final time and formally approving the budget. So that will be on 00:11:09
June 18th at 6:30. 00:11:13
So, with all that in mind, can I hear a motion to adjourn? 00:11:19
I motion to adjourn. 00:11:25
Second, all in favor? 00:11:27
Aye, all right. Meeting turned. 00:11:30