Baldwin council discusses millage rate, approves temporary entertainment district

The Baldwin City Council discussed the pending millage rate for 2024 and approved a temporary resolution to establish an entertainment district during its Monday meeting.

Baldwin set its 2025 budget in June based on the 2024 millage rate being set at 1.11 mills. However, that rate may change based on the discussion the council had during its regular meeting.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster, the city had not received the tax digest from Habersham County at the time the budget was presented and approved. The city had to go on an estimation of the tax digest and set the budget accordingly. Since that time, the city has received the digest and allowed for a decreased option in setting the millage rate.

At the request from council members, Woodmaster presented a spreadsheet to the council that demonstrated the various millage rate options the council could consider. The options given to the council were a full millage rate rollback, leave the millage rate as is, a minimum increase, or the full anticipated increase.

The full rollback option would roll the millage rate back to 7.804 mills, a decrease of .677 mills. The static option would leave the millage rate at 8.481 mills. The minimum increase option would increase the millage rate to 9.170 mills, an increase of .689 mills. The final option would increase the millage rate to 9.591, an increase of 1.11 mills. All millage rates are based on properties located in Habersham County. Banks County property owners receive the benefit of the Local Option Sales Tax from Banks County that reduces their millage rate significantly.

Sticking to a promise

Council member Maarten Venter expressed his appreciation, by telephone, for Woodmaster’s efforts in presenting the millage rate options to the council. He tells the council, “I see the need for the additional funds in order to maintain, and improve, and plan ahead the services that we offer as a city.” However, he stands by a promise he made two years ago when the city raised the millage rate. “But I made a promise. I plan to stick with it. I cannot vote for any change to the millage rate. That’s what I’m sticking with.”

Councilwoman Kerri Davis gave her opinion about the millage rate options. “I’m glad that we don’t have to increase it to 1.11 and I am good with the .689.”

Councilwoman Alice Venter agreed with Davis, by telephone, about the millage rate options. “I concur,” she said. She added, “I don’t want to take anymore than we necessarily have to. I’m just thankful it’s not the 1.1 as we were expecting.”

With two council members in agreement on the proposed millage rate, Mayor Stephanie Almagno polled the council to receive a consensus on the millage rate options. Council member Erik Keith agreed with the .689 millage rate option.

Woodmaster explained the next steps to the council. Staff would be posting the dates for the millage rate public hearings on the city’s website and Facebook page once the dates are set to allow for citizen comments.

In other business

The council approved a water sale agreement with the city of Cornelia. The agreement is for Baldwin to purchase water from Cornelia during times of need at a rate of $4.82 per thousand gallons. The agreement stipulates that Baldwin can purchase up to 150,000 gallons of potable water per day. The city of Cornelia retains the right to increase the maximum amount. The term of the agreement is for five years.

The council approved a budget amendment for the receipt of $800 for collections that the city received from an insurance company. The money would be placed in the city’s general fund account. This was an insurance payment to the city from an automobile accident a couple of years ago.

Woodmaster presented a telecommunications contract from Sangoma Technologies Corporation. The contract provides for the replacement of the city’s telephones and phone service. The cost of the contract has a one time fee of $745.The monthly charge for service will be $1,796.40. It will replace and provide service to 35 city phone lines. The council unanimously approved the contract.

Resolutions approved

The council approved a resolution to establish a temporary downtown entertainment district. The resolution will allow for an establishment with a valid alcohol license to operate and dispense/serve alcoholic beverages for carry out purposes during the city’s fall festival.

The resolution allows for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within the district. The fall festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 19. Establishments will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on that date only. It will be held in the vicinity of the city’s Farmers Market on Airport Road.

Woodmaster presented a resolution to the council for its consideration. The resolution is to designate an agent to estimate the value of the city’s personal property that is to be disposed of. One example that Woodmaster gave to the council was for the disposal of old cell phones.

She explained that the city renewed its cell phone contract about every 12 to 18 months with Verizon. Upon renewal, the city receives new updated cell phones from the carrier but the carrier did not want the old cell phones in return. Woodmaster stated that the city had amassed a quantity of old cell phones that were still in good condition and working order and needed to be disposed of.

The resolution designates Woodmaster as the agent for the city to estimate the value of the city’s personal property. The council unanimously approved the resolution.