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o o 16 Pages, 2 Sections A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County, Georgia $1.00 Copy Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Barrow County’s tax digest grows over 26% in last year By Morgan Ervin morgan@barro wnewsj ournal. com Property tax estimates have arrived in mailboxes across Barrow County over recent weeks, with many residents receiving higher tax bills than ever before and left to wonder what happened to cause these in creases. The county’s annual tax digest is a vital resource for understanding the justifica tion for these tax hikes. The tax digest for 2023 is $4,170,628,283. a net increase of 26.35% from the tax digest for 2023. After a 24.94% net gain in the 2023 digest from 2022. the county’s digest has now experienced a considerable increase for two consecu tive years. As a result of increased values for reassessed prop erties that were already on the tax digest, an additional $705,818,574 was added to the county’s tax digest over the past year. Meanwhile, the value of new proper ty from construction rose by $161,363,207 and per sonal property increased by $60,470,203. Exemp tions also increased by $52,338,461. while auto mobiles still subject to the birthday tax decreased by $6,332,770. Some relief from rising taxes was offered on March 12. 2023, when Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 18 for a one-time Property Tax Relief Grant, which reduced the assessed value of homes by an addi tional $18,000. The county’s tax digest increases alongside in creased property values and growth. Certain aspects that lead to increased property values resulting in higher taxes in clude home improvements, neighborhood improve ments, like new schools and new businesses, and gov ernment policies. Not all properties will change at the same rate due See Tax, page 2A Senior citizens turn out in droves to protest school tax By Carole Townsend With the Barrow County Board of Educators’ im minent decision regarding the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) millage rate coming up, many of the county’s senior residents showed up Tues day to voice their concerns about a recent surprise they received when they opened their property tax assess ment notices. About 35 years ago, the then-sitting Barrow Coun ty Board of Education outlined conditions under which senior citizens might someday be required to pay school taxes. Until this past county home value assess ment, seniors have not had to pay school taxes in Bar- row County. However, 35 years ago, the likelihood of many, if any, homes in Barrow val ued at $200,000 or more was rather far-fetched. Fast forward to 2023, with the median home value in Barrow County hovering around $380,000, and many homes tipping the scales at MAILING LABEL '0 4879 14541 7 a much higher number, it has become clear that the “someday” discussed 35 years ago is now. As a result, senior cit izens. many on fixed in comes supporting bud gets already stretched paper-thin, reminded the school board that they bought their homes, worked hard and sent their children to schools they supported with their tax dollars. As such, they do not feel this perceived curve ball should place undue pressure on them at this stage of their lives. Board members agreed. The board reminded citi zens that these concerns, and even some solutions, will be addressed in three upcoming public hearings on the matter. During these public hearings, audiences will listen to a presentation and participate in questions and answer sessions. Currently, board mem bers favor a millage rate of 15.298, which is down from the current school millage rate of 17.881. The board also discussed plans for using $1.9 million out of the fund balance to extend teacher salary schedules for 30 years. The three public hearings coming up will take place on the following dates and times at 179 W Athens St. in Winder: •June 22 at 10 a.m. •June 22 at 6 p.m. •June 29 at 1 p.m. Index: Public safety 5A State roundup 3A Classifieds 3B Legals 4-7B Obituaries 6-7A Opinion 4A Sports 1-2B photos courtesy of City of Winder Bulldogs, poodles, chihuahuas, great danes and many more breeds were accompanied by their humans for an event created esxclusively for pets. Women purchase items from a vendor selling pet out fits and apparel. Derrick, Dove and the Peacekeepers provided live music at the event. Bark in the Park: Winder hosts its first-ever pet party Winder hosted its first annual Bark in the Park event Friday, June 2, at Jug Tavern Park, where families and their four-legged friends gathered for an evening of pet-themed fun, including a dog show, caricatures and vendors selling pet clothes, gourmet treats and other pet supplies. The event also featured live music, a bounce house, cornhole and food trucks. Winder approves FY24 budget with mayor’s tie-breaking vote By Morgan Ervin morgan@barrownewsjournal.com The Winder City Council passed a resolution adopting the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget for all city funds during its voting session Tuesday af ter Mayor David Maynard’s tie-breaking vote in favor of its approval with councilmembers Stephanie Brit, Kobi Kilgore and Travis Singley opposed. GENERALFUND The general fund, which fi nances the mayor and council, finance, administration, human resources, information technol ogy, downtown development, planning, permitting, inspec tions, police, fire, streets, public works and geographic infor mation systems (GIS) projects $21.9 million in revenue in FY24, an 8.7% increase from FY23. Budgeted expenditures will increase by $2.98 million, or 16.4%, in FY24. While the FY24 general fund budget an ticipates a millage rate rollback, increased fees for alcoholic beverage licenses, fire inspec tions and zoning, land use, building and other permits will see increases in FY24. Other areas where the city anticipates increased revenues include the local option sales tax, charges for services and in vestment income. Of the city’s general fund revenues, over $12 million, or 56.9%, is from taxes; $4.5 million, or 21.3%, is from charges for services; $984,000, 4.6%, is from licenses and per mits; $1.1 million, or 5.2%, is from investment income and $1.9 million, or 9.3% is from other financing resources. General fund expenditures for FY24 total $21,187,680 and expect a 4% cost of living and up to 3% merit increases for city employees. The city will be adding new full-time positions including a tax administrator, three firefighters, and an arbor ist planner and will establish engineering, communications and internal public works de partments. As of the start of FY24 on July 1, ESG will no longer be providing public works services through a contract with the City of Winder. ESG will contin ue to provide utility services through a contract with the City of Winder. According to the city, providing city services in- house resulted in a “significant enhancement of services while generating cost savings” in the FY24 budget. Of the general fund's expen ditures, public safety accounts for $10.1 million, or 47.8%; public works account for $2.7 million, or 12.8%; general gov ernment accounts for $5.8 mil lion, or 27.5%; and housing and development accounts for $2.1 million, or 10.2%. Other additional general fund expenditures for FY24 include the implementation of the Cedar Creek Master Plan and the city's new comprehen sive plan. The city’s unassigned fund balance for FY24 totals $5,905,658, which represents 27.9% of expenditures, equat ing to 3.35 months of reserves. OTHER FUNDS The Rose Hill Cemetery Fund, which accounts for ac tivities connected with funds restricted for support of the city-owned and operated Rose Hill Cemetery, is proposed at $94,719, up roughly $23,000, or 33.4%, from FY23. Budget ed expenditures are projected to increase at the same rate due to See Winder, page 2A ‘ROCKET LAUNCH’ HELD AT NEW AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY Austin Road Elementary Principal Julia Hodges and Vice Principal Grace Stone hosted a “Rocket Launch” meet and greet Sunday afternoon. The event allows future students and their famlies the opportunity to meet with staff and teachers, tour the newly constructed school and purchase Rocket gear. The June 4 launch was the first of two planned this summer before the school officially opens its doors this fall. The next Rocket Launch is set for Thursday, July 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Chimneys to repay city’s general fund “You have a profit in the golf fund,’’ announced Samuel Latimer, CPA with Rushton and Company while present ing the city’s fiscal year 2022 (FY22) audit report to council on May 16. The presentation served as the in troduction to the council’s budget work session, articulating financial data from FY22 and expounding on year-to-date numbers for fiscal year 2023 (FY23). "While our profits are notable, we are mostly proud of doing so while simultaneously improving our course conditions, facilities and increasing wages for all of our staff members,” said Elizabeth Clarkson, Chimneys general manager. The report clarified that Chimneys saw a $448,407 in profit in FY22 and projected $552,000 in FY23. Accord ing to Latimer, this profit marks a significant financial milestone. “I will also say, I don’t see that a lot...it’s something to celebrate there.” “Cred it also goes to our fantastic grounds crew, led by Head Superintendent Tom Thebeau,” said Clarkson. The city council will now authorize a $1 million repayment to the city’s general fund, which has financially supported Chimneys since 2014. “This is an incredible achievement for the city’s long-term investment in the golf course, and now the city’s general fund can be repaid,” said Councilman Sonny Morris. The course was purchased in Sep tember 2013 with a $600,000 advance from the city’s water and sewer fund. The repayment to the water and sew er fund’s advance will continue on a yearly payment schedule of $20,000 per year on a 30-year term. The Chimneys purchase came at a challenging time for the golf industry, which was facing a downturn due to the recession. Despite this, the city council decided owning the course was in the city's best interest due to it being an integral part of the city’s wastewater treatment system. “Now, the profitable Chimneys Golf Course will continue contributing to the eco nomic growth and recreational value of the City of Winder as a self-sus taining enterprise,” read a city press release. Learn more about The Chimneys Golf Course at https://www.chimneys- gc.com.