Centerville votes on millage rate at Tuesday meeting

CENTERVILLE, Ga. — The millage rate was the main point of conversation at Centerville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night.

The city’s final public hearing was on Sept. 5, where an ordinance was proposed that would keep the city’s millage rate at 10.364. Since property values went up during revaluations this year, this means an increase in property taxes for the city by 12%, or around $290,000, according to city documents.

During the public hearing, Centerville resident John Snyder took to the podium to ask questions and raise concerns.

He first asked where citizens could see where the taxes are used. City Accountant Carol Harrison responded, saying that information is in the budget released by the city.

Mayor John Harley agreed, adding that much of the budget goes to public safety. According to the published budget, out of nearly $6 million in general fund expenses, just over $4 million is set for public safety.

Snyder then questioned the 12% increase, calling it significant, and asked if new housing and the need for public safety in those areas prompted the tax increase.

Mayor Harley responded, saying the city is keeping the current rate to make up for lost revenue from last year’s adoption of the rollback millage rate.

“Last year, we did a rollback, a significant one, because we knew it was hurting people at the time. But we didn’t keep up … so we found ourselves in a position where we need to do this to try to get us back on track again. We saw the mistake we made that time; we’re trying to correct that mistake,’ Harley said.

Councilman Robert Bird also chimed in, saying the city is working through employee retention, and confirmed that up and coming housing developments will need funding for city services. He also explained that those who saw an increase on property value would see an increase on property taxes.

Later, Councilman Justin Wright said that employee retention is an issue multiple cities are facing.

Councilman Edward Armijo thanked Snyder for coming out to the meeting, and explained the city takes pride in its public safety, saying the city added new firefighter positions in the budget, and also mentioned employee retention as a factor.

Mayor Harley added that when new homes come to the city, they don’t have to pay property taxes right away, but still need services, so funding is also prepared ahead of time to account for city growth.

Finally, Councilman Wright and Councilman J. Micheal Evans commented on employee retention, with Wright citing specifically the police department, which he said has six open positions. Evans added some officers moved departments because of pay and Wright added that there is interest in officers returning to Centerville.

During the voting process, Wright brought up the idea of a tax rebate on unspent salary funds, which Harrison said rolls into the general fund balance and used for next year.

Overall, multiple councilmembers spoke in favor of the current rate, citing city growth, employee retention and ensuring service to citizens as factors.

“In the situation that we have, the reality is, is that retaining people, keeping our city operating in the way that it needs to operate takes a lot of patience and a lot of budget management by Carol and others, and department heads, to always keep us informed of where we’re going and what we need to do,” Armijo said. “And there’s going to be more challenges ahead of us. But I think that we’re trying to work smart about it, and not just fly off the seat of our pants. So again, I thank everybody, the mayor, council for coming together and really trying to be sensible about this. And that’s all we can do is work with the facts. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

“The important thing to realize about the rollback rate is if we adopt the rollback rate, we’re not allowing for the city to grow,” Bird said.

“For our citizens, we’re going to do what it takes for us to provide you the services that you expect. No one likes to pay more taxes. I don’t like to pay and I know you don’t like to pay. But revenue is required to provide the services that we’re providing. And we’re going to do what it takes to make sure that you have those services,” Evans said.

“If we took the rollback rate, we would not have any money left. It would take us about a year, year and a half. We’d be in dire straits,” Harley said.

Councilman Wright spoke against, citing rising costs.

“I understand the analogy of needing to be prepared for the future. I understand that the squirrel has to collect more nuts in the springtime that he’s going to need through the end of the winter. I buy all that. The difference is the squirrel can’t force the tree to give him more nuts than the tree has. And city government can’t, through the force of law, compel us to give them additional funds. And I think in a time where in my wife’s very small car today I put $80 worth of gas in it to fill it up, that to say that if we absolutely don’t have this growth right now, that the city is absolutely going to collapse, I’m not going to say anybody’s wrong. I’m just gonna say I don’t agree,” Wright said.

Ultimately, council voted 4 – 1 on the current millage rate, with Councilman Wright opposed.

Moving through new business, Director of Economic Development Shannon Bryant announced the city has been selected as a finalist for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to build a play area in Center Park for smaller children, as well as upgrades to make the park more accessible to those with disabilities.

In the public works department, Director of Operations Mike Brumfield announced that to comply with a state mandated service line inventory, the city is partnering with a company called 120Water to develop software and guidelines.

After new business and council comments, the meeting was adjourned. A livestream and supporting documents can be found on the city’s Facebook page: “City of Centerville, Georgia- Government.”

HHJ News