Hart County Board of Commissioners

Called Meeting

July 15th, 2002

12 noon

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met July 15th, 2002 at 12 noon in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners R. C. Oglesby, Don Burdick, Randy Banister and Ken Brown in attendance.  Also in attendance were County Administrator Gary Cobb, County Attorney Walter Gordon, City Council George Rooks, Herbert Maret, Sun Reporter Jeff Schenck, County Clerk Lawana Kahn and  City resident Paul Gaines.

 

Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order and read a letter from City of Hartwell Mayor Beasley rejecting the county's offer of binding high-low arbitration for the LOST revenues. Adding that the City officials proposed keeping the twenty-three percent of LOST revenues through 2003 and continue to settle the issue before December 31st, 2003.

 

Commissioner Burdick reiterated the basis of the LOST revenues, which is to roll back property taxes that would give property tax relief equitable to all. However, City residents receive average annual savings of $202 while County residents receive $74 annually which is not equitable.

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon remarked that binding arbitration would ensure a decision that the City and County would have to accept. He added that the law requires parties to submit to some sort of conflict resolution. Therefore, at some point the County needs to address the practical effects of terminating the tax if an agreement is not met by December 30th, 2002.

 

The commissioners discussed exploring the Homestead Exemption Sales Tax (HOST) to replace the LOST. They also discussed offering the City $516,000 a year over the next ten years.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to develop a letter to the City of Hartwell offering them a constant dollar sum, binding high-low arbitration, non-binding arbitration or consider the HOST tax. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

Original signed by                                            Original signed by

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Joey Dorsey, Chairman                                  Lawana Kahn, County Clerk