Statesboro City Council held two public hearings on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in the city council chambers at City Hall. The first hearing was held at noon and the second was at 6 PM.
City Manager Charles Penny gave a budget presentation at the beginning of both meetings to explain the reasons for the proposed 44.75 percent millage increase. The increase actually figures out to an 8% increase of the operating budget in the general fund. (NOT a 44.75% actual funds increase).
Here are some highlights of his presentation:
- The employee compensation plan 5% pay plan adjustment for inflation and pay for performance adjustments in pay.
- Position city for growth in the region.
- 25% of real and personal property is non taxable. GS, churches, hospital and schools fall into this category.
- 64.6% of General Fund Budget is salaries
- SPD budget is $10,707,000
- SFD now has 48 firefighters to adequately provide 96 square miles of coverage including the City and five mile fire district
CLICK HERE to view City Manager Charles Penny's presentation.
Public Comments - 12 Noon meeting
Nine citizens attended. Four citizens spoke. Three of them do not live in the city. Another lives in the city but does not own property in the city.
Even though City Council members are not required to attend the public hearings, Mayor Jonathan McCollar, Council Member Shari Barr and Council Member Paulette Chavers did attend. Council Member John Riggs was not feeling well and could not attend.
Cassandra Mikell - I am not a city resident but I do own property in the city. She again, asked election officials to stand up for the citizens. Citizens are preparing to rise up to run for public office over frustration of these tax increases. This will have a domino effect for citizens who do not live in the City. Families in Statesboro are hurting and this will hurt them more. She referenced Glennara Martin a BOE member who has been the sole person who voted against tax increases in the County. Please find ways to cut.
Lawton Sack - This is becoming a recurring theme for elected officials considering these hearings optional. If this is not a convenient time for Council Members who did not attend the hearing then consider it may not be convenient for citizens to attend as well. This money is coming from the citizens of Statesboro and those who live outside the city and have businesses and investments in the city. There is a great frustration of business owners who continue operating in the city. We would love to see more investments of people coming to Statesboro. Bryan County lowered their taxes for the seventh year. What are they doing right that we are not doing? This is coming out of hard working peoples pockets. This is only $18 per month. Some folks are going up 108 percent. Please weigh everything before you make a decision.
Jane Sack - I am a county resident speaking on behalf of senior citizens. I have a lot of friends who are widows who don't have extra money. They wanted me to come speak for them. I was shocked at BOE meetings that no one was there. No one showed up. Why aren't other council members here? My concern is with the BOE. When I asked them why they didn't attend the meetings they told me the meetings are on the internet. They also told me that I can call or email them anytime I have a question. It concerned me that not one BOE elected official showed up. I encourage you to look at the budget and listen to us senior citizens.
Len Fatica - lives outside the city. He asked Mr. Penny how much is in the reserve fund for the city is. Mr. Penny responded, around $7.2 million. The city has gone after state and federal dollars to help with the budget. Thank you for doing this. The state is sitting on $10 billion in reserves. They should be helping you.
Live stream of the 12 noon meeting
Public Comments - 6 PM hearing
Five citizens attended the hearing. Four of which attended the morning hearing. Two spoke. Both spoke at the morning meeting as well. Mayor Jonathan McCollar, Council Member Shari Barr and Council Member Paulette Chavers attended the hearing. Council Member John Riggs was not feeling well and could not attend.
Lawton Sack returned to speak again. I stand here and talk about the economic side of this. The burden of the limited tax base in the City. Consolidation should be considered when you tap out the resources. When you start annexing and growing out a city you then loose the cultural aspects in the heart of the city. Their voices are not being heard. You see older areas of community that are being ignored as we focus on growth in other areas. There has been slight growth now we see dramatic growth in the budget.
Jane Sack also spoke this morning. Lawton is a math major, but as his mother I am not. I am a people person. Thank you Mayor for talking to me after the first meeting. You are a real gentleman. I am concerned about my friends who are struggling now. They are part of the baby boomers with sick spouses and raising adult children and grandchildren. Social Security is cutting people. My home has been assessed $100k more than last year, so there is extra money out there. Lets find that money. I wish other people were here to hear us.
Cassandra Mikell - returned and spoke again. She ran into a local downtown business property owner after leaving the hearing and his assessment has doubled since making an investment a few years ago. Two other buildings downtown have a 130% increase in their taxes. Lower taxes in Bryan County will draw folks. Many building owners can't vote, because they live in the county but they are impacted by the tax increase. Please vote no.
Live stream of the 6 PM hearing
All citizens are invited to the last public hearing on this tax increase to be held in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 50 East Main Street on September 19th at 5:30 pm prior to the Council meeting.
