Taxes, drought and growth discussed in chairman's state of the county address

A report on the condition of the county was delivered by Lincoln County Commission Chairman Walker Norman at the regular meeting of the commission held Thursday, January 10.

At the outset of his address, Norman said, "The year of 2007 was an unprecedented one for Lincoln County, largely due to the hard work and dedication of all the departments of Lincoln County Government - their committed department heads and dedicated employees. I honestly believe that no other county government has the devotion and perseverance that we possess. Thank you for everything you do."

He then shifted to the subject of property taxes, noting that these taxes are based on sale or fair market value as determined by the board of tax assessors. Created by the Georgia Legislature, this board operates independently of the local governing body, hiring its own employees and maintaining its own policies and procedures.

"Therefore, contrary to popular belief, Lincoln County's chief tax assessor does not work for or report to the board of commissioners," stated Chairman Norman.

He went on to add that on a number of occasions over the past year, he heard that the fair market values set by the tax assessor's office were too high. "I did my own research and learned that 80 percent of the homes that were sold in 2007 were sold for more than the board of tax assessors' fair market value. Over half of these homes were located in non-lake-related areas. Yes, some will argue that these sales will potentially influence future property values, but are we to tell our friends and neighbors how and at what price they should sell their property?"

In other remarks, Chairman Norman reminded taxpayers that only 42 percent of their total 2007 property tax bill went to fund the operation of Lincoln County Government. "So despite a popular misconception presumed by some in our community, the board of commissioners does not control 100 percent of your property tax payment.

"The commission has made ardent strides to lessen the county's portion of your property tax bill," the chairman continued. "Since 2001, the county's portion of the total millage rate has been reduced by 4.38 mills, which includes a .4-mill reduction for 2007. As we start working on the budget for the next fiscal year, it is our desire to find ways to further cut the county's portion of the millage rate.

"Developing the budget is a daunting task. Commissioners must balance requests for expenditures from a complex mix of 31 county departments, constitutional officers, and various state and local agencies such as the health department, the district attorney's office, and the board of elections, just to name a few, with an equally complex mix of revenues, including property tax."

According to Norman, two of the issues that face the commissioners during any fiscal year are an unexpected shortfall in revenues and the steady decline in non-property tax revenues over the past 20 years. The decline is due primarily to a reduction in funding by the federal and state governments.

"A good example of this for Lincoln County is road paving," said the chairman. "Not too long ago, the Georgia Department of Transportation funded 100 percent of the cost of paving roads in the county. Now, the county is required to cover 40 percent of the paving costs. The county's share to pave a mile of road is approximately $130,000. To make matters worse, rising petroleum prices have increased the cost of asphalt in 2007 by 10 percent."

Norman stated that he is concerned about the ability of the county's senior citizens and others on limited, fixed incomes to pay their residential property taxes. "In the past, I have publicly stated that I would support increasing the county's portion of the current homestead exemption of $2,000 to a much higher exemption to help those in need. What happens during the 2008 Georgia Legislative Session will determine whether or not I will move forward to seek approval of such an exemption in 2009."

In further comments, Chairman Norman indicated that 2007 was a year of many accomplishments for the county. Among these were:

.. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for a 35,000-square-foot distribution center for Hero Metal Furniture Company, Ltd.

.. A new ambulance, tractor, and motor grader were purchased at a combined cost of approximately $314,000.

.. The Lincoln County Development Authority, working closely with the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, obtained the distinction for Lincoln County of "Entrepreneur Friendly" from the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

.. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs selected Lincoln County as a "Community of Opportunity."

.. Wilkes Telephone & Electric Company has nearly completed Phase I and has already begun Phase II of their fiber optics build-out.

.. The E-911 center is now both Phase I and Phase II compliant, meaning dispatchers can pinpoint the location of wireless 911 callers.

.. Several county roads were paved or resurfaced including Bermuda Way, Broad River Scenic Drive, Colvin-Kennedy Road, Elam Drive, Julia's Way, Lake Drive, St. George Street, and W.T. Mason Drive.

.. Almost 50 miles of county roads were re-striped.

.. New construction, including commercial, single family homes, and additions/alterations, reached a valuation total of close to $16.5 million.

.. A contract was awarded for the construction of a new community center at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex. The center will feature a gym, a fitness center, a computer lab, and a game room.

In other remarks, Chairman Norman addressed the drought that has taken hold of Lincoln County and the state at large. "While we have received a couple of inches of rain recently, Clark's Hill Lake is still well below full pool. As a result, the Lincoln County Department of Public Works set a goal of lowering countywide water usage by 10 percent. With the help of our citizens, we have met that goal. Thank you for your aid during this trying time."

Norman then reported on the financial condition of the county as of the end of December 2007. A few of the accounts named by the chairman were: General Fund, $1,561,697; Emergency Fund, $448,504; Water Fund, $35,832; Water Reserve Fund, $137,810; Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Fund, $1,240,492; Family Connection Fund, $38,061; E- 911 Fund, $49,479; and Jail Fee Fund, $40,782.

In conclusion, Chairman Norman said, "As your chairman, I earnestly ask for your continued support in working to make our community a better place to live. The success of our community does not depend upon me, this commission, this government, or its staff, but all of us, working together as a community. I hope that you all will join me in the coming year to make Lincoln County an even better place to live, work, and play. Thank you, and God bless Lincoln County."

In other business, the commission heard an update on negotiations with S.D. Clifton Construction, Inc. to bring the company's base bid for the construction of the new gymnasium within the county's $1.25 million budget.

According to Chairman Norman, "We have arrived at a figure that will give us a $39,000 surplus, so we signed the contract with S.D. Clifton. We plan to start with site preparation next week, which means we will probably be able to get in the building sometime after Labor Day."

The project will be funded with SPLOST revenues.

In further business, the commission:

.. Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by Director Ernie Doss, who indicated that the ambulance and fire/rescue services responded to 113 calls for emergency assistance during the month of December. Call volume was up 16 calls when compared to December of 2006.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators handled 768 emergency calls last month, monitored 6,768 radio transmissions, and dispatched a total of 569 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

In other items of information, Director Doss said, "As of the end of last week, we are now staffing two emergency vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One will be our primary ambulance and the other, our 'second out' vehicle, which will be available to respond to medical emergencies as well as fire and rescue calls."

He added that it has been one of his department's goals to put two vehicles on the street whenever they are needed.

.. Heard the Water Department Report given by Director Roby Seymour, who indicated that his office billed 1,744 water customers and 417 "availability" customers for a total of $49,491.49 last month.

Seymour pointed out that 140 additional availability customers will be coming on line next month.

Concerning roads, the director reported that his staff has been busy grading roads; hauling crush-and-run, soil, and sand; putting sand on water lines crossing the lake; trimming trees on dirt roads; patching potholes; and installing driveway pipes.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathy Davis, who said basketball registration is being held through Friday, January 18, with the season set to begin the week of February 11.

She went on to say that approximately 40 teenagers attended a soccer clinic held January 5 at the recreation complex. Another clinic is scheduled for the summer.

In closing, Davis informed the commission that there is a desperate need for new restroom facilities at the complex.

The matter was turned over to the Recreation Committee, chaired by Commissioner Darrell Henderson.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Department Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said her office issued 89 business licenses during the month of December for a total of $6,150. The county likewise received $300 in revenues from zoning requests.

Regarding code enforcement, 35 building permits were issued last month for a total of $2,614, and 143 building inspections were conducted.

It was further reported that 1,691 building inspections were conducted in 2007, compared to 1,231 in 2006 and 680 in 2005.

.. Voted to grant a new alcoholic beverage license to Mac's Bait & Tackle, which is under new management.

.. Voted to reduce the bond for the Serenity Point subdivision by $119,295 in accordance with a loan escrow agreement between the developers and the county.

.. Voted to accept a right-of-way deed for property on Nethania Farm Road, owned by William Diamond and Alison Diamond. The purchase price was $2,535.

In a related item of business, Britt Hammond, county attorney, indicated that one more right-of-way deed is needed for the paving project.

"I have made every attempt to resolve this matter," said Hammond. "So now we will have to hold a public hearing to discuss the use of imminent domain."

The public hearing is set for Monday, January 28, at 6:05 p.m. in the conference room at the courthouse.

.. Voted to establish the qualifying fees for the 2008 county-wide election. They are as follows: commission chairman, $1,407.54; commission member, $36; tax commissioner, $1,229.03; superior court clerk, $1,229.03; probate judge, $1,578.31; sheriff, $1,407.54; coroner, $36; surveyor, $35; and school board member, $35. The fees represent three percent of the total gross salary for each office.

.. Voted to appoint Pam Hamm to the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration.

.. Voted to adopt a permanent meeting time of 6 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners will be held Thursday, February 14, at 6 p.m. in the courtroom, located on the second floor of the courthouse.