It’s official … again. In something that’s almost become an annual rite of passage, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners approved a property tax increase Thursday night. The increase is two-fold: commissioners approved an increase of one mill to cover the note on a general obligation bond and they also signed-off on a roll back to offset a drop in the current tax digest. County leaders said the roll back was necessary to help pay for several overages, election expenses, an anticipated hike in health insurance premiums for county workers and other expenses weighing down Gilmer’s budget.
Chairman J.C. Sanford explained Thursday night’s vote will result in a net millage rate increase of 0.833 mils. In addition, commissioners approved an increase of 1 mill to continue payments on a general obligation bond, that will not be retired for 19 years.

Residents retaliated from the podium last night against the millage increases. County Resident Jim Brooks said that he commended the board for what they have done so far to get the county out of the deficit. However, he challenged Chairman Sanford’s comment on the adoption of the 2011 millage rate. Sanford said that the approved millage rate is not a tax increase. Brooks argued,

“It is a tax increase; our property values are going down and our taxes are staying the same… we’re paying more than we should.”

Later, another resident and small business owner Max King added,

“Every year you (the BOC) raise our taxes and we don’t get nothing out of it,”

referring to scaling back of county services. King also lamented the closing of fire stations around the county and the associated change in ISO rating, which increases home owners insurance.

“For my taxes what services do I get?”

he asked.

Comments like these were the norm last night, in what seemed like a continuous stream of citizen commentaries from the podium. In the wake (or tide) of these comments, the board seemed to be at its wits end. Responding to comments of departmental budget cuts, Chairman Sanford finally.yet genuinely asked the residents,

“What department do I close…which service would you want to do with out? Do you want the dogs on the street? Do we close the jail?”

His words hung for a moment in the silence of the room in echoes that seemed to haunt the Court House.

After Sanford’s comments faded, the commissioners said they had no choice but to vote for the hike. They all acknowledged the hardship another increase will place on residents. However, when asked how many county departments are over-budget on the same night commissioners approved the increase, Sanford replied “eight.” Of those eight, the three largest departments are apparently “slightly” over budget, according to Sanford. Those three departments are roads, fire and rescue and the sheriff’s department. Sanford said he is arranging a meeting with all department heads to discuss their budgets. He also encouraged every citizen to contact him and let him know which county department they want him to shut down.

Headed by Chairman Sanford, the board also plans to schedule a Town Hall meeting to further discuss possible solutions to the County’s current economic challenges. FYN will post this announcement when a date is established.