NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE HEARING
City of Hiawassee
The City of Hiawassee has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by .88 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at any of these date:
Tuesday September 4th 10AM
Tuesday September 4th 2PM
Tuesday September 11th 6PM
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 2.258 mills, an increase of .88 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 2.170 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $5.10and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $5.28.
Millage rate to remain at 2.258, there is no increase to the millage rate.
HIAWASSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MILLAGE RATE PUBLIC HEARING 10 AM
September 4th, 2018
The Hiawassee City Council Millage Rate Public Hearing was called to order by Mayor Liz Ordiales at 10:00am.
Present in addition to the Mayor were City Council members Anne Mitchell, Kris Berrong, Amy Barrett, and Nancy Noblet. Patsy Owens was not present. Also present were Police Chief Paul Smith and City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick.
The Mayor welcomed the Queen of the Square, Joan Crothers, Mr. Tim Barrett and Fetch Your News reporter Robin Webb.
Mayor Ordiales informed the council and guests that the large increase comes because of the 52 properties found earlier this year that were not paying City taxes. She also made a brief presentation about the costs that the City covers such as the AirMedCare coverage, increases by BRMEMC, gasoline, etc are also effecting the City budgets, and the City is entering into two loans (Sewer $800,000.00 and Water Treatment Plant $1,200,000.00) for upgrading our Water Treatment and Sewer operations. The Mayor also informed the guests that several of the vehicles the City uses are in dire need of replacement (a vehicle that needs to be pushed because it doesn’t go into reverse, etc.).
Miss Joan indicates she is on a fixed income and the many recent cost increases are difficult to manage.
Mr. Barrett informed the council that he has heard from people in the community who are struggling to make ends meet and it will be a burden for them if the millage rate remains constant.
There was a good deal of discussion amongst the Council with respect to what they are hearing from the community. There was discussion about our community being older and on fixed incomes and that there have been several things this year that is impacting the constituents.
Meeting concluded at 10:36am.
HIAWASSEE CITY COUNCIL
MILLAGE RATE PUBLIC HEARING
September 4, 2018
The Hiawassee City Council Millage Rate Public Hearing was called to order by Mayor Liz Ordiales at 2:00pm.
The meeting was attended by the Mayor, and Council members Anne Mitchell, Kris Berrong, Amy Barrett, Nancy Noblet and Patsy Owens. Also present was Police Chief Paul Smith and City Clerk, Bonnie Kendrick.
In attendance were Mr. Wayne Schultz, Sue and Bill Scott and Fetch Your News journalist Robin Webb.
The invocation was given by Anne Mitchell and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bill Scott has spoken to many people at Mover and Shakers, McDonalds, etc. and no one he has spoken to is in favor of the increase and suggested the Council reconsider and roll back the millage rate.
Sue Scott spoke of the many increases that the citizens are facing this year; TVA, BRMEMC, Windstream, etc. She spoke of a constituent who is struggling even now and is being assisted and the increase will be a greater burden. Mrs. Scott said she appreciated the Mayors contribution to the City and what she has done. She asked what the money would be used for and if the increase was urgent and would not be used for wants instead of needed things. Council member Patsy Owens responded that the need for updating the infrastructure was long overdue. Mrs. Scott also mentioned the banners, but was informed that the banners are paid for from Hotel/Motel tax money and that Hotel/Motel can ONLY be spend on advertising.
Mr. Wayne Schultz presented the Council with a typed message conveying his thoughts. He wonders why the County can roll back the Millage Rate, but the City cannot and suggest that perhaps if the Council did roll back the rate, it would show compassion for those who are very, very poor.
Mayor Ordiales reminded those present that the majority of the increase of the millage rate is due to the 52 properties (with an assessed value of $5million) found earlier this year that have not been paying City taxes. The increase based on a $150,000 home will be $5.10/year.
Council member Anne Mitchell spoke of also being on a fixed income and having to budget for the expenses, but also knows that the City is in great need of the funds.
Council member Nancy Noblet acknowledged that the TVA and BRMEMC as well as others are passing on expenses to the constituency, but that it also applies to the City. For the City to progress, it needs money. She is adamant that keeping the Police Department is crucial as they have been and are keeping the City safe and she feels that it is vitally important to the community.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council member Nancy Noblet, seconded by Council member Kris Berrong with all Council members in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 2:42pm.