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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-29-2004 Called Meeting CALLED MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER July 29, 2004 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:58 p.m., Thursday, July 29, 2004, the Honorable Bob Young, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Hankerson, Grantham, Mays, Beard, Williams, Sims and Boyles, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. ABSENT: Hons. Colclough and Cheek, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: [inaudible] public hearing before the Commission adopts the digest and millage rate for 2004. I’ll turn the meeting over to Mr. Sonny Reece with the Board of Tax Assessors, who is going to give us a briefing. Mr. Reece: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is the third and final public hearing of proposed property tax increase by the Augusta Richmond County Commission. The Commission announced its intentions today to increase property taxes they will levy this year by 9.2% for maintenance and operation. Each year the Board of Assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of all tangible property in Richmond County. When the trend or prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicates there must be an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to redetermine the value of such property and increase the assessments. This is called reassessment. When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce that same total revenue on the current year’s new digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred. The budget tentatively adopted by the Augusta Richmond County Commission requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate, therefore before the Augusta Commission, the County Commission may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this increase. All concerned citizens are invited to attend the public hearings on this increase to be held at the following locations at the indicated times. The first and second public hearing was held on July 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Gracewood Community Center on Tobacco Road; the second was held at 6:30 p.m. at T. Harry Garrett Gymnasium at 1100 Eisenhower Drive. This is the third and final public hearing today at the Commission Chamber Room at 2:00 p.m. I have passed out a little handout that shows the change, as advertised, the announcement, the total increase is 9.2%. That is, the revenues increase and tax dollars collected along with the 2003 budget required by the 2004 budget. We have put up on the wall and also up here by the Mayor copies of the 2003-2004 millage rate comparison and also the effects it would have on a $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $250,000 and $400,000 single-residence with a single 1 regular homestead exemption. According [inaudible] proposed millage rate comparisons, 2003 millage rate for the county general fund M&O was 6.859 mils. The proposed is 7.489 mils. This is an increase of .46302 mils. It should generate approximately $2.1 million. In comparison the effect on a homeowner, with the different values, if you look at the other sheet which you have in front of you, it shows that a homeowner with the, a value of $50,000 and single regular homestead exemption, the total increase would amount to $9.45 per year, which is less than $1 a month. On a $100,000 home, the increase was $22 a year, which is less than $2 a month. On a $150,000 home, it’s $34.65 per year, less than $3 a month. On a $250,000 home, it’s $59.85 a year, which is less than [inaudible] a month. On a $400,000 home, we have an increase of $97.65 per year, which is below $8 month [inaudible]. Does anybody have any questions about the proposed millage rate increase and the effect it may have on your personal residence or property? Mr. Mayor: This is a public hearing. This is the time we’ll hear from the public. If anyone would like to speak. Would anyone like to be heard? Or have a question? [inaudible], Sonny. Mr. Reece: [inaudible] public hearing has been held [inaudible]. Mr. Mayor: If nothing further, we’ll close out our public hearing and we don’t have a quorum present. We don’t have six votes. We don’t have a quorum either. Mr. Reece: Mr. Mayor, while you’re waiting, until you get your members here, if you’d like, Mr. Russell can give you a recap of the morning hearing and I’ll give you a recap of the evening hearing. Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, as you know we did have another public hearing at Gracewood on Wednesday, July 21. There were approximately six people there from the public. General comments were that – we listened to the same presentation that you heard a few minutes ago. General comments were that while nobody likes to pay taxes, they understood where that, those tax dollars seem to be going. When explained the impact on their houses, they were surprised that it was that little, in all honesty, and as we talked about the level of services we provided I think that they were comfortable with the explanations we were giving. No real comments about the – no real comments other than they weren’t happy to be there. Some comments about the fact that there weren’t a whole lot of people there. They were sort of disgusted about that themselves. But that’s pretty much where they were at at that particular point in time. Due to the Commission meeting, I did not attend the evening hearing. Mr. Persaud and Mr. Reece did that for us and Sonny can tell you about the evening hearing. Mr. Reece: At the evening hearing at 6:30 at T. Harry Garrett Gymnasium, we had four people in attendance. All four of those asked to express to the Commission that they were totally opposed to any increase in the millage rate and all four of them voted 2 unanimously to say no increase in the millage rate and for us to bring that to your attention. The same, as Mr. Russell had mentioned, the primary things in the morning and the evening session was that they felt that the Commission needed to do everything possible to increase the economic development and bring more jobs into the area. And they were all amazed at the apathy from the turnout at both locations and were highly distressed at that and asked what could be done to get more participation in the government and they seemed to be concerned with that, and that was the general comments at the evening session. Mr. Hankerson: How many people were there? Mr. Reece: Four. Mr. Hankerson: Four? How many in the morning session? Mr. Reece: Six. Mr. Hankerson: Six? Mr. Reece: Yes, sir. Mr. Hankerson: And that’s truly an indication that what I know about this city that something that somebody totally really strongly oppose, they can pack the Chamber room out, but I mean it’s an indication, four people showed up, six people showed up, and today I guess we have one or two. Ms. Speaker: [inaudible] Mr. Reece: The advertisement first appeared July 14 and the second public notice was on July 21 in the newspaper. Ms. Speaker: The day of the meeting? Mr. Grantham: When did you advertise? th Mr. Reece: We advertised on the 14 of the three public hearings to be held, and then on July 21, the day of the [inaudible] public hearings we advertised again, with the three public hearings in the morning paper, which would show the meeting for that evening and also for the meeting today. Ms. Speaker: So you had only one announcement, then, prior to the day of the meeting? Mr. Reece: Yes, ma’am, that’s what law requires. 3 Ms. Speaker: That might explain such a low turnout, help to explain it. Mr. Mayor: It was also publicized in the press, was it not? Mr. Reece: The press was aware of it. The press was aware of it, and I heard it, but here again, that was another thing that was mentioned in the meetings, lack of press coverage. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Boyles? Mr. Boyles: I did, Mr. Mayor, thank you. Mr. Reece, did you explain, or Mr. Persaud explain where the tax increase, the millage increase actually went? Mr. Reece: Yes, sir, we did. Mr. Persaud was there and gave a breakdown and Mr. Russell gave a breakdown in the morning session, where the revenues went. Mr. Persaud: Yes, sir, Commissioner Boyles, we did increase the funds raised by the millage increase of .63, of which $1.1 million went to restore the fund balance, $775,000 to fund EMS expenditures in the general fund which was removed from the fire district, and to fund the 911 Center approximately $200,000, approximately $2.1 million. Mr. Boyles: Did anyone object to the ambulance service or to the EMA [sic] or the 911 Center? Mr. Persaud: Not to my knowledge. Mr. Boyles: I think that’s the basis of where the millage increase went this year; am I correct? Mr. Persaud: That’s correct. Mr. Boyles: And isn’t it a possibility that to fund the 911 Center and the EMA [sic] that that was a one-time type thing and that might could be rolled back, or a continuing thing? I know the ambulance service will be unless the citizens don’t want the ambulance service. It’s been on my street twice this year, so – Mr. Persaud: The 911 expenditures were [inaudible] lease arrangement so that will be a recurring obligation. Mr. Boyles: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: The public meeting is over [inaudible] Commission meeting. I can report to the Commissioners who are here, I know some of you expressed interest, with 4 respect to Pfizer. We have spoken to the people from Pfizer and I spoke with the Governor’s Office late yesterday and last night with the Commissioner of Industry, Trade and Tourism. [inaudible] and the manager of the Pfizer plant has a meeting next week with Industry & Trade in Atlanta to talk about ways to [inaudible] and the Governor and I have a meeting next month [inaudible]. We’re doing what we can do, short of identifying somebody that wants to buy it. Mr. Boyles: [inaudible] Mr. Mayor: [inaudible] Development Authority is in communication with [inaudible]. The best leads are going to come out of the State [inaudible]. Mr. Hankerson: Can we lay this on the table until after the SPLOST meeting? We may have more Commissioners here. Mr. Mayor: We are going to have to. We can’t do anything. Mr. Hankerson: I mean, I just don’t know. I don’t want to sit here and not do anything. Mr. Mayor: What we can do is give you one of those pagers like they give you at the restaurant, and when we get a quorum it will light up. Mr. Hankerson: A quorum light? The Clerk: Yes. Mr. Hankerson: Okay. (Laughter) Mr. Hankerson: Okay, Lena, put that in the budget. Make sure it will reach south Augusta. (Laughter) Mr. Mayor: We’ll call to order the special called meeting of the Commission. It was called for today for the 2004 millage rate resolution. I think what you need to do is not count who is here, but count how many votes you’re got. All right, the Chair will call a brief recess. [RECESS] 5 Mr. Mayor: The meeting will come back to order. The Chair will entertain a motion to go into legal session to consider pending and potential litigation. 2. Legal meeting. a. Pending and potential litigation Mr. Grantham: So move, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mays: Second. Mr. Mayor: Motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor please vote with the usual sign. Mr. Smith out. Motion carries 7-0. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: The Chair will entertain a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute the affidavit. 3. Motion to approve authorization for the Mayor to execute affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Williams: So move. Ms. Beard: Second. Mr. Mayor: Any objection? The Mayor will sign the affidavit. Mr. Smith out. Motion carries 7-0. Mr. Shepard: I’ll prepare it, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. We will, the Chair will entertain any motions a result of our legal session. Mr. Shepard: May I suggest the form of that motion, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: In connection with pending litigation, I would ask for a motion that there be added to agenda today and approved authority for the attorney 6 handling the Martha Burk case for the City be authorized to settle the plaintiff’s – that’s the opposing party’s – attorneys fees and cost claim in that Martha Burk case by payment to the plaintiff’s counsel of $120,000. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a motion? Mr. Smith: So move. Ms. Sims: Second. Mr. Mayor: Is there a second? Ms. Sims: Second. Mr. Mayor: Second. Discussion? All those in favor of the motion then please vote with the usual sign. Mr. Mays not voting. Mr. Hankerson out. Motion carries 6-0. Mr. Mayor: We need to go back to the purpose of our called meeting at 2:00 o’clock, which was to adopt the 2004 millage rate resolution for Augusta Richmond County. 1. Adopt 2004 Millage Rate Resolution for Augusta Richmond County. Mr. Mayor: I’ll ask the Attorney, if he would, to read the resolution. Mr. Shepard: I have. I ask that we co-convene both meetings, Mr. Mayor, the one scheduled at 2:00 and the one scheduled at 2:15, and in order to move forward with the ad valorem tax process, I would ask for the adoption of the following resolution. This is a resolution adopted by the Augusta Richmond County Commission establishing the tax rate for the calendar year 2004. Resolved, by the Augusta Richmond County Commission, a majority of the members thereof concurring, that the rates as set forth in the attachment hereto, filed with the Clerk, for the calendar year 2004, be and the same are hereby levied against the taxable property of said county, within the county general fund, the urban services district, the capital outlay fund, the fire district, and the Blythe district respectively, as set forth, and I’ll read those in the resolution, into the record in just a minute. Be it further resolved that Jerry Saul, Tax Commissioner, or his successor in office, is hereby directed to [inaudible] said tax on the taxable property within said districts, except homestead exemption properties provided by law and except exempted personal property as provided by law, for the calendar year 2004. That would be adopted th this 29 day of July, 2004, and the millage rate by funds are as published in the 7 attachment, Exhibit A, which will be filed with the Clerk. And I’m going to read those millage rates by funds. They are as follows: countywide general rate, the proposed rate is 14.095 mils. Sales tax credit is 6.606 mils. The county general fund net millage for maintenance and operations is 7.489. The urban services general millage is 19.641. The sales tax credit for the urban services district is 10.302 mils. And the urban services district net maintenance and operations millage is 9.339. The capital outlay fund millage is 0.870. And the fire protection millage is 1.249. The Blythe fire district maintenance and operation millage is 2.612. There is no millage levied for the county bonds. And no millage rate levied for the urban services district bonds. So that would be a 0.0 rate in the county bonds category and a 0.0 rate in the urban services bonds. And those – we’ve also filed with that, Mr. Mayor, the supporting documents as far as the tax cap calculations and the papers prepared by the Finance Director, which are further attached to the resolution. Mr. Mayor: The record will show that the [inaudible]. Mr. Shepard: Yes, for the record, that’s correct. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a motion to adopt the millage rate resolution? Mr. Hankerson: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hankerson? Mr. Hankerson: Before a motion, I know we discussed this millage and we know the importance of it, why it’s there. What are the consequences for not passing this today, and our deadline, and if we do not adopt this.63 millage rate today, what are the consequences? Are there any penalties to the City if the [inaudible] is not presented on time? Mr. Mayor: We’ll ask Mr. Reece to respond to that question. Sonny? Mr. Reece: Yes, sir, we have just talked with the Department of Revenue in case the question came up. If the rate is not adopted today, it can be adopted next Thursday. We will have to publish two large notices on the doors of the Commission Chambers for one week. We would also have to run an ad, approximately half a page, saying that the meeting would be held again next week at the same time, at which time we could take it to Atlanta. If that is done, the penalty could be $1,792 for not having it there for the first week. Every week for the first three weeks that we do not get the digest in on time, it’s $1,792. Then the penalty becomes $8,959 for each week thereafter until the digest is approved by the Department of Revenue. Mr. Hankerson: So if we decide at a later as Monday, we still would be penalized $1,700, is that – 8 Mr. Reece: They can penalize us $1,792 if we don’t get it there by Monday. But if we adopt the millage rate today, we have to advertise it for another week by putting notice, a large notice on both doors to the Chambers and also running an ad of approximately half a page in the Augusta Chronicle, and if I can get the ad in the paper tomorrow or either Saturday, then the public hearing could be held next Thursday. Otherwise, we would have to continue going. Mr. Hankerson: So if we vote on it and it fails, that’s what we have to, readvertise that process; right? Mr. Reece: Yes, sir. If you fail and you start over, then we have to go through the full process of the two week advertisement. Mr. Mayor: What if you recess the meeting today? If the vote fails and we recess the meeting, we don’t adjourn the meeting but we recess it, we could take it up again tomorrow? Mr. Reece: You could take up tomorrow, you could take it up Monday. Mr. Mayor: Without having to go through the advertising – it would be a continuation of this meeting. Mr. Reece: Be a continuation of this meeting. And when you sign the resolution and also the rollback forms and the other affidavits you have to sign, it would be dated today’s date, which would meet the, match the dates that it was advertised in the, in the media. Mr. Hankerson: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hankerson, go ahead. Mr. Hankerson: Sonny, could you let this government know the impact on collecting this .63 millage? I recall back in November when former Commissioner Steve Shepard and some of us really got together and worked on this and cut this down to the bare bone, and I know that it was some problems there with ambulance service and so forth that if we’d have came up with a zero, without increasing it at all, there were some serious problems there, that the Commissioners at that time agreed to adopt a .63 millage rate because of the fact that the ambulance service was involved, 911 was involved, and we had looked, scaled back on not hiring, a hiring freeze and all that. What’s the impact of this .63 millage rate to the City of Augusta to safety and to the ambulance service? What impact it is? 9 Mr. Reece: Mr. Commissioner, if you don’t mind, I’m going to refer that to the Finance Director, who is back here. I know the numbers but I think it would be more appropriate if it came from him. Mr. Mayor: Are there any more questions? Yes, Mr. Grantham? Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going – Mr. Boyles: I thought it he was going – can we get the response? Mr. Mayor: Oh, I’m sorry. Mr. Grantham: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what he – Mr. Persaud: Thank you, Commissioner Hankerson. When the 2004 budget was adopted, the budget included a millage increase of .63 mils. The proceeds from this millage increase totaling approximately $2.1 million was designated to reduce the use of fund balance. I think the tentative budget sum [inaudible] included use of fund balance to the extent of $4 million and it was this Commission’s desire not to deplete the reserve at that level, so $1.1 million was used to fund the budget and provide some relief from fund balance. The cost for EMS, emergency management service, expenditures has traditionally been funded in the fire district, to provide some relief in the fire district those expenditures were moved to the general fund, totaling $775,000. And to fund [inaudible] 911 expenditures, $200,000 was used from the .63 mils. So a total of $2.1 million is a translation of dollars from the .63 millage. To keep the budget in balance. Mr. Hankerson: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Reece? Mr. Reece: One other thing in response, Mr. Hankerson, if you would – the other effect it would have is that we’re on a time line. We met with the IT Department and the tax commissioner yesterday, and the time frame of getting the bills over to our printer and getting the bills in the mail on the first week in September, and delaying it further would postpone that. And currently we’re on target for the bills to go out the first week of September so the collections could start and the discount would start immediately and the due date would be November 15, so the revenues would be coming in quicker this year than they have in the past two or three years. Mr. Hankerson: Okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Boyles? 10 Mr. Boyles: Mr. Mayor, to follow up a bit to Mr. Persaud, David, in the $1.1 million that we tried to put back into the – I use the word savings account because it’s our reserve account – wasn’t that brought about because of the Alabama versus Shelton in the indigent defense and we had to go into the reserve funds to take care of that [inaudible] ’03 and we tried to, finance tried to put that back last year, along with how the $775,000 for the ambulance service was handicapping the fire department because our previous administrator had taken that money from the fire service and it was hampering their operations and the other, the EMA [sic] and the 911 Center was done because of almost federal mandates, and we felt like that was the only place we had to go at that time to do that? Mr. Persaud: Those are obligations acquired in 2003, but to balance the 2004 and to keep the service level at that, at the required or expected funding level, would have required a significant draw down of reserves. So to avoid that, we shifted some burden on the small millage increase. Mr. Boyles: Okay, thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Anything further? Mr. Grantham: I had a comment. Mr. Mayor: Go ahead, Don. Mr. Grantham: Thank you. I was going to make a comment because I feel like it’s important to let the people know, the citizens of this community know that we have new Commissioners sitting here that actually were not involved in this deliberation last year in regards to a tax increase. And based on the elections that were held last year by and for these new Commissioners, as well as the ones that were seated in January, there were commitments made. And there were pledges made that they would not seek tax increase. And it bothered me somewhat that we did not have a full Chamber this morning, excuse me, this afternoon with our Commissioners that had supported this effort. And certainly it would, it would be, I think, in the best interest of this body to wait until we can have a full attendance of our Commissioners, whether it be tomorrow or whether it be Monday morning, to take this issue up so that it would not be either in a defeated situation or in a pressurized situation that a Commissioner might feel obligated to vote in order to fulfill a commitment to the full obligation of the community. Mr. Mayor: Any further discussion? Mr. Williams? Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I hear my colleague, Mr. Grantham, and I kind of disagree. Nobody likes doing what we got to do here today, but it’s been stated and it’s been said many times how low our tax digest is. It’s been stated how out of 159 counties Augusta Richmond County is one of the lowest. I think none of us like doing this but to 11 put the burden on those who are here, if you was elected to office, you need to do what is right for the people. I hear what Mr. Grantham saying, but why are we going to pay and why are we going extend this? It took us a while to get a quorum together today. Why are we going postpone this meeting and possibly charge this government $1,700 and maybe initially even more than that if, if we keep playing ball? This is a tough game. This is about people’s business. And if we got to do it, we need to go ahead and do it today and get it over with. I mean, you know, I don’t make promises, Don, and I try not to, because when you do that you end up have to break those. I don’t think it’s right to put it on the backs of the rest of us who are trying to be men and women of the government who’s been elected because some of us made promises that we would not vote to increase, increase taxes. When you elected, you elected to do what is best for the City of Augusta. And if that’s what we going, I mean I heard people talking about it and the news media criticize those who walk out in meetings and those who, who Commissioner Mays go the world record for Augusta for abstaining and how much time we talk. I mean this is, this is, this is a rough business. But we need to do what is right, we need to go ahead and do this, we done vote on it, we done talked about it, we done done everything we supposed to do, we done done the public hearings, it’s time for us to stand up and either be with it or not with it, I guess, but it’s not fair to put it on the back of the rest of us. I’m supporting it, I think we need to get it over with, I don’t want to cost this city any more money that we go to cost. We need to try to do some things that’s going be progressive in this city and bring some money in. Those are my comments, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Williams. We need a motion to approve the millage rate resolution if somebody would make that. Mr. Mays: So move. Mr. Mayor: Is there a second? Mr. Williams: I second it. Mr. Mayor: Motion and a second. Further discussion? Mr. Mays: Yes, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mays? Mr. Mays: I think we had a very fruitful meeting on yesterday with the Tax Assessors Board, along with some things that we need to do in the future in terms of working with our Development Authority. And at the same time trying to not work towards dealing with an increase, but of working towards accuracy and in determining what properties, both real estate, business and other are worth in this community. I think we heard a very frank set of statements that came across unanimously from that board, 12 from the Chief Tax Assessor as well as his two deputies, in terms of where we are versus what we need to do. And I think this in part, if we can get to that stage, we may even get to a point where if we know what real numbers are, that we can, we can even come back to deal with some rollbacks in terms of what we are doing. But I think we’ve got to address past today a bigger issue in terms of the determining what the true worth is in terms of things in the city. That involves a serious staffing issue to a point that – as I made a statement yesterday that we are all concerned when we made the increase for public safety and everybody knows we’ve got to have it, but if you don’t collect the money on what properties are really worth after making that determination, then you at a standstill, quite frankly, of getting anything collected, anything spent, and a crucial decision about getting anything done. So while it means it’s something that we necessarily we may not want to do, I think it’s a decision that we are going to have to do. What I’m hoping is that if the vote does not pass that we will deal with a recess and try and still get this vote cast today by soliciting the support of a couple of my other members’ presence that may not be here, if that’s what it takes, and then we do it. I’d like to make one correction and one observation. My colleague said I had the best record in America as far as abstentions. I will correct his statement, that there are three lights on that board – one green, one red, and one orange. And in the halls of Congress of the United States, of the General Assembly of Georgia and other governmental body, it is my constitutional right and a right to vote as an elected office holder an abstention, my colleague, and I love you, is a vote. That’s why the three of them are there and they do it in America. I have that right to do that. So when I press that orange button, it is a true vote. The other comment I’d make, and finally, is that I came out of political retirement after Mr. DeVaney became Mayor in 1987, to come back to a County Commission that greeted me with a flood, a firing of an administrator, and at the same time a major, major tax increase. I was 45 days back in office and I wanted to go back home immediately. I knew I was in trouble when the elevator got stuck downstairs and I couldn’t get up. It was probably a sign I should have never come back to this place. But a decision had to be made. I’d never been a part of the County Commission and hated painfully to deal with that increase. It was the first one that I’d ever had to deal with in my whole life. I could have made a decision at that point, and quite frankly, that day they had enough votes. But a decision had to be made as to a point, do you do what you’ve got to do and you move on with it, or you deal with the fact that you’ve not been there? That choice is left up to the individual. And that’s my comment, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Sims? Ms. Sims: I, too, got stuck in an elevator my first Commission meeting, Commissioner Mays. We have a lot in common. I was not a part of the decision making on the finance of this year and the budget. But it’s very, very difficult for me to vote for any type of tax increase. However, I do not want to charge the government, this sitting body, any more money than we are already spending, so with the deepest – I would like this to be on the record – regret I will case a vote for this to be passed today. Thank you. 13 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Ms. Sims. Anything further? We have a motion on the floor to adopt the mil rate resolution. All in favor of that motion, please vote with the usual sign. Mr. Grantham and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 6-0. Mr. Mayor: The Chair will entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Mays: So move. Mr. Speaker: Second. Mr. Mayor: There’s a second. We’re adjourned without objection. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Called Meeting of Augusta Richmond County Commission held on July 29, 2004. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 14