CMYK Thursday, October 2, 2014
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Braselton Bash hosts 326 show cars. 3B
Slight tax hike ‘floated’ for Jackson Co. By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
Attempting to balance the Fiscal Year 2015 Jackson County budget in the wake of a tax digest which failed to grow is problematic, prompting consideration of a possible 1 mill tax increase. At a Sept. 24 budget work session, an executive summary of the proposed budget was presented by County Manager Kevin Poe and Finance Director Logan Propes. Initially, the Jackson County got a proposal which represented no change in the tax rate but staff also provided a look at the budget with a possible increase. See more at ClickThePaper.com County staffers offered the possibility of a maximum 1 mill tax hike as a means of balancing Fiscal Year 2015’s total annual budget of $65,431,416. This is an increase
of$1,923,067 or 3.03 percent from FY 2014. With the decision of the commission to eliminate all furlough days for employees, another $534,516 will be added to the expense for salaries and benefits. Also in the proposal are several new positions including four additional deputies. Related to benefits, a shift to self-insurance is anticipated to lower county costs and build a reserve fund for health insurance. Another hit to the county’s bottom line is total debt service which will peak in 2016. With more than $8 million going to debt service in FY2015, Jackson County will direct 24 percent of its general fund expenditures to paying toward its debt, meaning 4.577 mills of tax is allocated to meet the indebtedness. Half of the county’s millage rate goes to maintenance and operation of county government, Poe said.
Without a property tax increase, Jackson County’s anticipated decline in the 2014 total net digest of $12,670,136 will mean a decrease of approximately $77,399 or 0.42 percent in real and personal property taxes from the prior year is at issue. Poe noted there had been hope to see a 4 percent increase in the digest but instead it is almost flat. That is not good news for county budget planners or school officials vested with the task yet again of trying to provide all expected services with a finite amount of money. The impact of tax abatements and exemptions is weighing heavy on the digest which currently reflects only limited positive impact from millions of investments made in property acquisitions and equipment for new industries which have been recruited to Jackson County in recent years.
In the county budget proposal, the FY 2014 tax rate is proposed at 11.28 mills for incorporated areas; 9.76 mills for unincorporated areas. This represents a 0.90 net mill increase in the current unincorporated rate of 8.86 mills and a 1.16 mill increase in the incorporated areas from the FY 2013 tax rate of 10.12 mills. Poe explains the difference in the millage rate is due to uneven growth and the insurance premium tax rollback rate applied to the unincorporated area. Three public hearings are being scheduled for 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 and for 6 p.m. on Oct. 20 on the budget proposal and millage rate recommendation with adoption of whatever rate is set for the 20th. Tax Commissioner Don Elrod would take the digest to Atlanta for approval on Oct. 22 with the anticipated due date for taxes being Dec. 31.
‘Georgia Grown’ is celebrated at East Jackson Elementary By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
Hoschton hosts fall festival The 40th annual Hoschton Fall Festival brought thousands to town to watch the Dixie DockDogs competitors jump and swim their way to victory throughout the weekend. Saturday morning’s parade featured loads of Shriners and clowns and beauty princesses. The entire weekend provided a chance to shop with food and merchandise vendors as well as local merchants, play Bingo, listen to talented entertainers, check out the American Street Rodders car show and even try ziplining. Sunday’s happenings included the pet competition (lower, R) in which Ellymae, judged tops for best costume, gave kisses to organizer Tonya Akin of Dog Gone Cute Grooming. See more scenes from the 2014 Hoschton Fall Festival on Page 7A and at ClickThePaper.com
East Jackson Elementary School believes in serving up “Georgia Grown” food in its cafeteria while helping to keep Jackson County economically strong. On Sept. 24, students, teachers and staff gathered in the school’s gymnasium to kickoff the school’s Farm 2 School activities. Also in attendance were several local farmers in attendance looked forward to sharing what they do on a daily basis along with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Chef Josh Aaron of Jefferson’s The Savory Spoon, School Superintendent Dr. April Howard, Jackson County Schools’ Director of Nutrition Dr. Debra Morris and East Jackson Elementary chef Rich Freeman. As Principal Jennifer Halley welcomed the students, faculty and guests to the assembly, she mentioned how important the local farmers are to the community. “We cannot thank our local farmers enough for everything they provide for not only our school, but for the community as well,” said Halley. When Halley turned the microphone over to Commissioner Black, he discussed the meaning of a hero. He asked several students who raised their hands what they thought the meaning of a hero was and who were their own personal heroes. The students gave answers such as, “A hero is someone who helps other people” and “My dad is my hero.” After receiving student input, Black told them that farmers are heroes of his. He asked two of the local farmers -- James Brouchard and Matt Shirley -- to join
Farah Bohannon The Paper
Chef Josh Aaron was presented with a plaque in recognition of his hard work and dedication on behalf of children of Jackson County Schools. him at the front of the gymnasium. He said these two men have helped put food on the table in many homes, restaurants and schools. Black spoke to his youthful audience in a way to help them understand how important farmers are. “Farmers are my heroes,” said Black. “They work very hard to ensure you and I have the best food on our table. By supporting all of our farmers, we will help make both Jackson County and Georgia strong.” Black also explained the importance of having both younger and older farmers from different generations and everything they bring to the table — literally. He mentioned it is extremely important for the older and younger farmers to work together to produce some of the best food for families, schools and restaurants. Always thank farmers for the hard work and time
See GEORGIA GROWN, 2A
NEWS – gOOD AND BAD – aROUND AREA RACE VENUES
Petite LeMans bringing racers, spectators to town
Gresham Motorsports Park up for sale or lease
BRASELTON – Hear the roar of different engine types and feel the congestion of thousands of spectators arriving for the Petite LeMans, a 10-hour showdown at Road Atlanta. The Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda is a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta, and this year marks the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup season finale. Expect this to be an exciting weekend with more than 50 entries in four different classes of competition on Saturday. The 12 turns of Road Atlanta will be screaming with thrills of this international competition of power and precision which Geoff Lee, President and General Manager, told a recent gathering of South Hall business
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leaders will be a chance to see Bryan Sellers, last year’s champ who has lived in Braselton for seven years. Sellers won his first pro race at Road Atlanta at age 16. “Winning at Road Atlanta is nearly impossible,” said Sellers, who races for Falken Tire Porsche, and knows how much it means to win. “I appreciate the significance of the win” at this “world-class race track.” Sellers said he also has seen significant and positive growth of the race as well as watching the community thrive. According to Lee, 10 hours of the Petite Le Mans will be streamed live on the Internet with two hours being aired on Fox after the football game on Sunday, Oct. 5. See more about Road Atlanta and the Petite LeMans on Page 1B.
Volume 8, Number 49 Forum Obituaries Pastor’s Pen Puzzles Sports
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JEFFERSON –Track Properties LLC (TP) Tuesday announced its intention to sell Gresham Motorsports Park or entertain a long-term lease. “We’re sadden to advise that Gresham Motorsports Park will not be hosting race events in 2015,” said Track Properties Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Gresham. “GMP will continue to be available for practice and testing while we market the facility for sale or long-term lease to another party.” Plans for the sale/lease of Gresham Motorsports Park are currently being formulated and will be announced at a later date. “This was an extremely difficult deci-
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sion,” Gresham said. “Our timing in rehabbing Peach State – along with a subsequent ownturn in the overall economy of the country – could not have been worse. The entertainment value for our fans and the services we’ve provided our sponsors and participants have been very successful in our opinion. Unfortunately, the economic part of what our family was trying to achieve with the GMP facility has not proven to be successful. “On behalf of our entire family, we would like to extend our thanks to John Close and all of our full-time and race-day associates. All have gone well beyond the call of duty in trying to make short-track
See GRESHAM, 2A
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