About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2023)
WATERS LEADING THE WAY Page 9 • MILLEN • PERKINS • RED HILL • SCARBORO • BUTTS • EMMALANE • THRIFT • BIRDSVILLE • FOUR POINTS • SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL Vol l No 27 September 6, 2023 Quality News That Affects You Millen, Georgia $1.25 By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times ntv Services has officially withdrawn its application for the construction of a new solid waste handling facility in Jenkins County. The decision was announced by Ben Wall, the owner of Atlantic Waste Services, in a recent interview. "We value the relationships we have made with Jenkins County and our neighbors. I , decided the best course of action was to 1 withdraw the application," said Mr. Wall, expressing a desire to maintain positive relations with the local community. The controversy surrounding the proposed landfill had been brewing since July, with both residents ana county commissioners engaging in heated discussions. The core of the issue revolved around a revised Solid Waste Management Plan, which had reignited debates surrounding a plan dating back to 1990. A pivotal moment occurred on July 18 during a county commissioners meeting, where tensions ran high as residents and officials clashed over the potential expansion of the construction and demolition landfill into a solid waste landfill. In response, concerned citizens convened at The Bam on July 25 to strategize on how to block Atlantic Waste's expansion plans. One of tne primary concerns raised by citizens was the potential negative impact on the county's future growth and the hazards it could pose to future generations. In an effort to address these concerns and explain the potential benefits to the community, Ben Wall hosted two public forums. However, both events saw limited attendance from residents. The Jenkins County Times even made live video coverage available to ensure transparency in presenting both sides of the debate. As tensions simmered, citizens gathered at the Jenkins County Courthouse for the August meeting of the county commissioners, where both proponents and opponents of the landfill project engaged in a spirited debate. Ben Wall, who was present at the meeting, reiterated his willingness to engage in discussions with his neighbors and emphasized that, as a property owner in the county, he too was impacted by the outcome of the decision. Finally, on September 1, Grady Saxon, County Administrator, officially received notice from Atlantic Waste that their application for the new solid waste landfill was being withdrawn. The withdrawal of the application marks a significant development in this ongoing saga, leaving the residents of Jenkins County to contemplate the future of solid waste management in the community. It remains to be seen what alternative solutions will be proposed and whether the county can find common ground on this pressing issue. City Council Initiates Special Election to Fill Vacant District 1 Seat Council collectively sought the engagement of the City's Election Superintendent, Wanda P. Burke. In the spirit of preserving the democratic integrity of District l's representation, Burke has been requested to initiate the process for a special election to fill the now-vacant seat. A Path Forward: Special Election The adopted resolution underscores the Council's commitment to upholding the principles of fair representation and civic engagement. With the calling of a special election, the citizens of District 1 will have the opportunity to voice their preferences and contribute to the selection of their new representative on November 7, 2023, during the general election. The qualifying period has been scheduled for September 18-20 from 8:30 - 4:30 and ending on the 20th at noon. This exercise in participatory democracy is expected to invigorate Millen's local „ , _ 1V . . See COUNCIL page 7 political scene By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Millen - In response to the recent qualification of former Council Member Dr. Giovanni R. Shumake as a mayoral candidate for the city, the Millen City Council convened a specially called meeting on Tuesday, August 29th. During the meeting, a pivotal resolution was adopted to address the resulting vacancy in District 1 of the City Council. Mayoral Aspirations Lead to Council Vacancy: The dynamics of Millen's local governance took an intriguing turn when Dr. Giovanni R. Shumake, a Council Member of District 1, formally declared his intention to vie for the esteemed position of Mayor of the City. Shumake's qualification as a mayoral candidate, a milestone reached on Friday, August 25th, prompted the City Council to take immediate action. Resolution Drafted and Approved: City Attorney Hubert Reeves assumed the responsibility of drafting the resolution, tailored to navigate the city's response to the unique situation. The City Council members, recognizing the significance of addressing the void left by Shumake's mayoral campaign, swiftly approved the resolution during the specially called meeting. Contained within the resolution is the assertion that both the Mayor and the Jenkins County School System Sets Millage Rate By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Jenkins County - After a series of public hearings and concerns from residents, the Jenkins County Board of Education announced last week to set the millage rate to 14 mills. This decision comes as a response to property value reassessment and state legal requirements, raising concerns among residents and educational stakeholders. As reported in the August 8, 2023 issue of the Times, the suggested rollback millage rate due to the property value reassessment was calculated at 13.259 mills. The intention behind this figure was to offset the impact of rising property values on local residents. However, this rate falls short of the minimum equivalent millage rate mandated by Georgia law. Under OCGA 20-2-165, school systems in Georgia are required to maintain a minimum equivalent millage rate of 14 mills for maintenance and operations property tax to secure Equalization Funding from the state. This funding plays a crucial role in the financial stability of school systems and ensures equitable access to resources. Failure to meet this legal requirement could have significant consequences for the Jenkins County School System. Since 2018, the system has received over $2.8 million in Equalization Funds, which are an integral part of the state funding formula for schools. Losing this critical funding could result in an annual shortfall of nearly $600,000 for the school system. Such a financial setback would potentially impact educational programs and resources provided to students. To comply with the legal obligations and secure Equalization Funding, the Jenkins County Board of Education has devised a plan to roll back the millage rate to 14 mills. While this rate represents the lowest millage rate set by the Board of Education since 2014, it will still lead to a modest tax increase for local residents. For instance, homeowners with an average property fair market value of $125,000 can anticipate an increase of approximately $56 in the school tax portion of their property tax bill. While this increase may not be substantial for individual residents, it will collectively contribute to bridging the financial gap required to meet the state's minimum millage rate and secure vital Equalization Funding. The decision to raise the millage rate has sparked discussions within the community, with some residents expressing concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. On the other hand, supporters argue that maintaining the minimum millage rate is essential to ensure the continued provision of quality education in Jenkins County. What is a millage rate? The mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property. The mill rate is based on "mills." It is a figure that represents the amount per $ 1,000 of the assessed value of the property, which is used to calculate the amount of property tax. JOIN US AND DONATE POWERADE 1 TO JENKINS COUNTY SPORTS r* 1 n r u !in" ' A:: ■1 || Local Living ..2 I Faith & Family ..3 Perspectives ..4 Lunch Menu ...8 Obits ... 5 Sports ..9-10 News Across Georgia ..7
