HomeMy WebLinkAboutJoint Called Commission and Legislative Delegation Meeting October 20, 2016
JOINT CALLED AUGUSTA COMMISSION & CONFERENCE ROOM 291
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING October 20, 2016
PRESENT: Hons. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor; D. Williams, M. Williams, Hasan,
Commissioners; Commissioner-Elect Jefferson; Reps. Howard, Sims, Prince, Jones; Sen. Stone,
Representative-Elect Newton.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
An invocation was offered.
Rep. Howard presented opening remarks.
Mayor Davis introduced Mr. Michael McPherson of the Georgia Municipal Association.
1. Hometown Connections – Georgia Municipal Association overview of 2017.
Mr. McPherson noted GMA’s efforts at the General Assembly and meetings that have
recently been held with groups throughout the state. He stated that one of the issues GMA is
concerned with is the effort to allow craft breweries to open and sell their products on site and to
sell food. Another concern is blight and he noted that GMA has been meeting with realtors in
the state of Georgia regarding property rights. The current law states that a property that is
condemned for blight by a community has to sit on the books for 20 years before anything can be
done to it. The realtors see this as an impediment and see a need to change the law to get those
type properties back on the tax rolls. He also noted that there are difficulties in identifying who
owns a property when it is foreclosed on and that GMA is working on crafting language to help
with this problem.
Mr. M. Williams noted that there are problems with such properties where the relatives
have simply walked away and there is no one to take responsibility for the upkeep.
Mr. McPherson stated that they have had discussions on such properties and they often
fall under the tax sales because the property taxes have not been paid. The issue of the 20 years
must be first considered and the realtors wish to gain some flexibility that will allow for a
transfer of sale in limited circumstances.
2. 2017 Augusta Georgia Budget Highlights
Ms. Jackson stated the total City budget amounts to almost $800 million dollars with a
Little over 2800 employees employed. Although there has been a slight increase in property tax
revenues, she noted that there has been a $1.4-million-dollar decrease in local option sales tax
revenues and a decrease in franchise fees.
Mr. McPherson noted that GMA has fought for information from the Department of
Revenue about data that should be shared with governments in cities and counties.
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Ms. Jackson noted that costs are rising for aging employees and the city is looking for
ways to decrease these costs. She also explained that some fees would be increased, there would
be no new programs and cuts would be made from various departments. Non-governmental
organizations would also be cut from funding. She also outlined other highlights of cuts and
changes within the government in order to save costs. She noted that the 911 fees are not
generating enough revenue to cover the costs and that the amount of revenue that is taxable on
motor vehicles has dropped since 2013. Ms. Jackson also pointed out that Amendment 74
Section 7-31 of the Charter talks about each addition to the capital improvements of an existing
manufacturing establishment located in Richmond County shall be exempt from all county ad
valorem taxes except for school purposes for five years from the time such addition is made if
the cost of such addition is $1 million dollars or more. If this was adjusted by inflation that
threshold would be a lot different. Also exempt from ad valorem taxes for a period of five years’
are additional improvements if they have a fair market value of $100,000 or more.
Mr. Howard noted that this is good information for the delegation and they will look
forward to coming back after the first of the year to discuss it further.
3. Tax Levy Sales – Right of Redemption
It was noted that Rep. Prince carried a bill last year that addresses housing sold on the tax
block. It received a favorable response and DeKalb County already has something in place
similar to what Richmond County might want to do.
The Mayor noted that the Commission may ask for something at a later date from the
Delegation concerning this after additional discussion is held.
4. Greater Augusta Day at the Capitol
Ms. Sue Parr of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce shared information about
plans for Greater Augusta Day on the first Wednesday in February. Leadership Augusta will
participate as well as Augusta University and local elected officials. A bus will leave at 7:30 in
the morning to transport about fifty participants for a full day of activities in Atlanta.
5. Lame Duck Councils and Vacancies
Mr. Howard stated that he had contacted legal counsel to see if a revision of election
dates could be done through local legislation. He learned that it can be done but wanted to know
if the Commission as a whole wanted this to be done. He suggested that the Commission take
this up as an agenda item and send a resolution to the Delegation asking for adoption of the
specifics of what they want and the Delegation will give it consideration. At this time the
primary election is held in May and the question was should the election be held on another date.
6. Casino Gaming in Georgia
Mr. McPherson stated that GMA does not have a position on casino gaming but that it
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does on revenue items. He noted that there is a public safety impact from these facilities and that
a portion of the funds generated from these gaming facilities should come back to the local
governments that have a hotel resort and should be used to fund the public safety and
infrastructure measures. He stated that there is interest in establishing such facilities and
legislators should consider how the revenue will be shared.
It was the consensus of the group that a follow-up meeting will be held in early January
of 2017 for additional discussion of the various issues.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was 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 action minutes of the Joint Called Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission
and the Legislation Delegation held on October 20, 2016.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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