Jefferson County Board of Commissioners votes to lower tax rate for 2024

Jefferson County residents are getting some good news as the Jefferson County Board voted to lower the property income tax rate for 2024 to 14.954. For tax year 2023, the tax rate was 15.454.

“I believe we can reduce the tax rate by 0.5 percent in the 2024 tax roundup,” said Jefferson County Administrator Jerry Coalson. “That includes taking out properties that may be subject to reassessment, which won’t cost any additional money. I’d like to have a goal of being able to reduce the tax rate by 0.5 percent each year.”

Precinct 2 Commissioner Johnny Davis echoed Coalson’s goal in the form of a motion, and the council unanimously passed the measure to lower the mileage rate for 2024.

Also present at the meeting were:

Given recent discussions in the county about solar farm projects and other potential industrial projects, commission chairman Mitchell McGraw clarified the county’s position relative to the county Development Authority’s position on tax breaks for his fellow board members and citizens.

“The question that is being asked is whether we can approve a tax break. However, the board of commissioners does not have the authority to decide whether to grant a tax break or not. The authority to vote on whether to grant a tax break is solely with the Development Authority. It is not the role of the board to tell the Development Authority how to vote on a particular issue,” McGraw said.

– Jefferson County Emergency Dispatch will receive upgraded equipment, Emergency Dispatch Software (EMD), which is widely used throughout the state. The software will be installed on consoles and, according to a video shown at the meeting, could be an integral part of the medical staff’s response to a call. The EMD software, training and consoles will cost $38,700, but Coalson said it will be paid for with SPOLOST funds.

– Hurricane Debby brought heavy rains and flooding to much of eastern Georgia last week, and the muddy conditions, Coalson said, caused a John Deere excavator at the landfill to unexpectedly slide down a slope and hit a tree, damaging the radiator and body of the vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.

“It’s just a weird thing that happened and it’s a good thing no one was there to get hurt. It’s going to cost us $23,428.49 to repair, but our insurance should (cover it) minus any deductibles,” Coalson said.

Repairing the damaged excavator wasn’t the only action taken by the Board of Commissioners concerning the landfill. Included in the monthly package prepared by Coalson was a written report from the landfill engineer. The report addressed several issues, but the most important one was the need for continuity and consistency in the staffing and operation of the landfill.

“Both of the people who work at the landfill are probably approaching retirement,” Coalson said. “I think it would be in the best interest of the county to hire another landfill employee. Once we have them hired and trained, it would certainly be an opportunity for someone who wants to move up quickly.”

Commissioner Wayne Davis agreed to participate in interviews to speed up the hiring process.

Coalson said implementing the landfill engineer’s recommendations and hiring a new operator should allow the county to keep the landfill open five days a week, and potentially on Saturdays.

– Senior Citizens Leisure Center representatives also contacted the board to ask about the progress of the parking lot project and when they would be able to return to the newly renovated facility. Rain delayed completion of the project, but the board voted to accept All Star Concrete’s bid of $89,000 to complete the paving of the Leisure Center parking lot.

– The Board also voted to abolish work sessions held prior to regular Board meetings.

This article originally appeared in the Augusta Chronicle: Jefferson County commissioners vote to lower tax rate for 2024