No increase in store for county taxpayers

News, Politics

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw held a called-meeting on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 23, to officially accept a rollback tax rate of 5.197 mills for county property owners. Bradshaw relayed confidence that the amount of revenue acquired will substain the quality of public service provided to citizens within the jurisdiction at this time.

The millage rate for maintenance of fire department operations was set at .483 mills.

“I’m confident that the county can accept the rollback without jeopardizing any of our services,” Bradshaw, a fiscal conservative who remains steadfast in a quest to save taxpayer dollars, confirmed prior to the commencement of the meeting, “I stay on top of it, and I’m intent on assuring that citizen funds are spent wisely.”

In addition, Bradshaw stated that the county budget remains on target, while relaying that the Georgia Department of Audits has cited “no findings” of concern in the initial review of the 2017 financial assessment.

Additional revenue and expenditures were applied to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office budget, the result of a grant and reimbursement of funds garnered from insurance-related matters. An amount of $3,939 was recovered, due to the reimbursement from auto insurance, following the collision of an uninsured motorist with a county patrol vehicle, which, in turn, required repair.

Chatuge Regional Hospital reimbursed a joint half-portion payment of air flight insurance, totaling $6,250. Air Methods provides emergency flight operations for county residents in need of urgent medical attention.

Furthermore, Towns County Sheriff’s Office received a grant to purchase ballistic vests in the amount of $679.

In sum, revenue to the county law enforcement budget increased department expenditures to a grand total of $10,868.

Commissioner Bradshaw signed a Georgia Indigent Defense agreement to provide legal services to defendants incapable of financially securing court counsel, along with an approval form with the Georgia Department of Transportation Transit Asset Management Group, in which the commissioner accepted responsibility for the two public transit vans operating within the county.

A plaque was presented to John Noel “Mousy” Nicholson, who was employed at the transit station, in recognition of retirement upon 12 years of outstanding service.

Barbara Hale and Holly Tiger were re-appointed as board members of the Towns County Library system.

Commissioner Bradshaw will conduct the upcoming county session on Sept. 18, at the Towns County Courthouse, at 5:30 pm. Meetings are open to the public.

Of note, the county seat of Hiawassee is on track to increase property taxes by rejecting the rollback millage rate. Three public hearings are scheduled to occur next week.

Towns County Board of Education accepted the rollback rate of 7.671 mills.

Leave a comment

Back to Top