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PAGE 12A BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 O O September 10, 2021 Dear Citizens of Winder: There are three petitions being circulated around the City in an effort to amend our City's Charter. While it is not my job as your Mayor to advise you on whether to sign or support these petitions, I do believe it is my duty to inform you on what the petitions are seeking to change and what the ramifications would be for our City. First, one of the petitions seeks to cap the ad valorem tax, better known as the "property tax" at 3 mils. (For reference, a house with a fair market value of $100,000 would generate a maximum of $120 tax PER YEAR at this cap.) Note, this is not a 3% increase limit as I have heard, it is a 3 mil cap on the property tax rate. • If this is approved, it would force elimination of funding for our police and fire departments. • The current cost of the Police Department is more than 3 mills. A cap on the property tax defunds the police department and endangers your safety and welfare • It currently costs more than 3 mills just to operate the fire department. The reduction or elimination of the fire department would greatly endanger public safety and lead to increases in the cost of property insurance. The increased cost for property insurance would far exceed the cost of 3 mils of tax. • In addition to fire services, the Winder Fire Department also responds to EMS and rescue calls to provide 911 emergency medical needs, rescue citizens trapped inside wrecked cars, search for missing children or persons with special needs, and serve in other lifesaving missions. The funding for these lifesaving services is jeopardized bv this petition. • This would prevent us from improving the condition of City streets. • Any cap on the millage rate would limit, if not eliminate, the City's ability to borrow funds for major public safety, public works, streets, utility, water, sewer, and natural gas projects. There could be no improvements or expansion of City services, many services would have to be eliminated. Second, there is a petition to change the City Charter to allow for citizens to veto any action taken by the Council. • This would amount to government by social media. • You would no longer be able to use your property as allowed by law because "the citizens" can change the law. • Job creation and economic development would cease. Businesses require certainty in law to operate. Without this certainty, businesses will take their jobs elsewhere and no new jobs will come to Winder • This petition for a citizen veto would create an unstable and chaotic City government. For example, every time someone receives a citation they could attempt to repeal the ordinance. • Each effort to repeal an action of the City Council would require the City's citizens to fund the cost of the veto election and any associated legal action- driving up cost and driving down efficiency in operations and distracting the City from its mission of providing critical services. • The City would no longer be able to contract with others because the veto would make any agreement uncertain. Suppliers, contractors and others would not be willing to make agreements or contracts with the City. The City would have great difficulty in obtaining needed supplies and services for the people of Winder. Third, there is a petition to limit the number of terms an elected official could serve . This removes your choice as a citizen to elect who you believe to be the best person for the job. We already have term limits; they are called ELECTIONS. It is my hope as your Mayor that you thoroughly consider the consequences of these petitions before you take a position on them. And as always, the members of Council and I are happy to take your calls and visit with you to answer your questions and discuss any City issue of interest to you. Please don't hesitate to reach out. With Respect, David Maynard, Mayor of Winder Paid for by Citizens in Support of the City of Winder