Gilmer County will hold Special Called Meeting

Gilmer County is holding a Special Called Meeting at 10 AM Friday
morning 8/23/19 in the Chairman’s Conference Room to discuss the renewal
of the 1/2 mil bond payment on our property taxes.

We currently collect much more in SPLOST revenue and the 1 Mil already
on our tax bills to pay for the bond payments. The 1/2 mil should not
be renewed. If you want your tax bills lowered then attend the meeting
at 10 AM on Friday. See the summary of Revenue and Payments for the
General Obligation Bonds below:

SUMMARY OF GILMER COUNTY BOND PAYMENTS
AND ASSOCIATED COLLECTIONS TO COVER PAYMENTS
2017, 2018 AND 2019
2017 2018 2019
SPLOST COLLECTIONS 3,929,000 3,600,000 3,800,000
1.5 MIL BOND TAX* 1,731,000 1,700,000 1,869,000

TOTAL MONEY COLLECTED
FOR BOND PAYMENTS $5,660,000 $5,300,000 $5,669,000

BOND PAYMENTS $3,188,000 $3,188,000 $3,523,000

Excess Amount Collected $2,472,000 $2,112,000 $2,146,000

The citizens of this county did not vote to spend the $59 million plus interest that we spent on the courthouse, library, parking lot, etc. etc. The citizens voted to spend approximately $8 million for a new courthouse. They have paid that back in spades. Our current SPLOST collections are more than enough to pay the bond payments. The 1 mil that was added is sufficient for a cushion. When the ½ mil was added the Board agreed it was a temporary tax FOR ONE YEAR to be renewed each year only if needed. It is obvious it is no longer needed and needs to be removed.

*DALTON STATE COLLEGE REVENUE = APPROX. $91,404 PER YEAR. In the budget these payments are lumped with the 1.5 Mil from the tax bills for bond payments. For purposes of discussion and to avoid confusion I have subtracted the DSC revenue.