Category Archives: VLPRA

Cancelled: Millage and Special Called Meetings because Hurricane Helene @ LCC 2024-09-26

A lowndescounty.com news item yesterday says:

Millage Public Hearing Meeting and Adoption Meeting / September 26, 2024 / CANCELLED

The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners is postponing the Millage Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. as well as the Special Called Meeting for the Adoption of the Millage Rate which was scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. due to Hurricane Helene.

These meetings will be rescheduled at a later date.

Also yesterday they posted that, “Lowndes County Offices will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024 due to Tropical Storm Helene.”

Cancelled: Millage Public Hearing and Special Called Adoption Meeting @ LCC 2024-09-26 County Offices closed Thursday and Friday

That all seems sensible.

And that cancellation announcement resolves the question we posed of how was the Commission to approve the budget, given there was no meeting scheduled for that?

I don’t see a Public Notice anywhere for that Special Called Meeting. Of course, state law merely requires the notice to be sent to the local legal organ of record (The Valdosta Daily Times). The law does not require that the notice actually get posted.

So apparently they cancelled a Special Called Meeting without the public having seen a notice that it had been called.

-jsq

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Final Millage Public Hearing and Vote to Approve @ LCC 2024-09-26

Update 2024-09-26: Cancelled: Millage and Special Called Meetings because Hurricane Helene @ LCC 2024-09-26.

5 PM, Thursday, September 26, will be the third and last public hearing opportunity for the millage rate. The first two were both on September 19, at 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

Third and Final Public Hearing 2024-09-26, Lowndes County, Georgia, Millage Rate + Decision

In the second hearing, Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter said, “And then we will adopt the millage, setting the rate, on September 26, as well.”

How does that work? There is no Regular Session nor Special Called Meeting scheduled for September 26. Will they just vote after the Public Hearing, since presumably a quorum of Commissioners will be in the room? Or will they announce a Special Called Meeting, with at least 24 hours notice, as state law requires?

We don’t know, because no agenda is posted for this third meetings, just as no agenda was posted for the first two.

As usual, the presentation is not on the lowndescounty.com Finance Department web page.

-jsq

Videos: Millage Public Hearing @ LCC 2024-09-19

This was the second public hearing opportunity, said Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter, after the first one was 8:30 AM the same day. The third and last one will be on September 26.

He added, “And then we will adopt the millage, setting the rate, on September 26, as well.”

The only Lowndes County Commission meeting scheduled for September 26 is that Millage Rate Public Hearing. Does this mean they will vote in that meeting?

Collage @ LCC Millage 19 September 2024

In this September 19 meeting, Finance Director Stephanie Black explained the millage, including state requirements for announcements of tax increases or rollbacks. She included the usual reminder that two Authorites get their own millage: Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) and Lowndes County Development Authority (VLDA). FYI, the county Tax Digest is $5.1 billion.

One citizen stood up in the Public Hearing. Alan Watson spoke against. Unlike their usual custom, Continue reading →

Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Regular 2024-08-13

The County Manager gave an electrical fire report, and said Chairman Slaughter would be sworn in on August 19 to the Georgia state Board of Behaioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. She mentioned 14 Lowndes County animals had been transported to Kentucky by the Humane Society.

EMA Director Ashley Tye gave a weather report about Hurricane or Tropical Storm Debby: it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and not as bad as our Florida neighbors to the south.

Three citizens spoke about a need for improved policies for animal control.

The Lowndes County Commissioners approved all the regular agenda items unanimously, with no discussion about anything but the Utilities Forklift at their Regular Session, August 13, 2024.

They reappointed Lonnie Denton to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS).

They reappointed Bubba Highsmith to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA).

Collage @ LCC 13 August 2024

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12

There was some discussion in the 7-minute Monday morning Work Session of the Lowndes County Commission. They vote today (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM.

Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024

Regarding the Love’s Travel Stop Beer and Wine license, no public hearing is necessary if the license is for consumption off premises.

On 7.a. Pump Station Rehab, Chairman Bill Slaughter wanted to know how many lift stations the county has. Continue reading →

Packet: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC 2024-08-12

Update 2024-08-13: Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12.

Update 2024-08-11: Special Called Meeting about Opioids Settlement @ LCC 2024-08-12.

Two appointments, an alcohol license, and almost $2 million in Utilities Department bids are on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Work Session Monday morning at 8:30 AM. They vote Tuesday at 5:30 PM.

Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift, Force Main sewer system @ LCC 2024-08-12

Three bids were received for the Utilities Department Forklift, with low bid at $18,100.

Only one bid, for $1.792 million, was received for the repair and rehab at 14 lift stations, out of 4 contractors who attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting. Lift stations affected are Bevel Creek, Whitewater Road, US 84, Francis Lake, Old Pine, Davidson Road, Miller Farms, Moody Family Housing, Skipper Bridge, Union Road, Kinderlou Clubhouse, Griffin, Saddle Bags, and Stone Creek.

Cost	What
$1,792,027.8.00	Pump Station Rehab
$18,100.00	Utilities Forklift
$1,810,127.8.00	Total

VALORGIS shows Lowndes County’s sewer lines if you turn on the Water Sewer Service Areas layer, and within that Lowndes County Sewer Lines Force Main and Gravity. Be sure to turn off Water Lines and Valdosta Sewer Line.

In case anybody doesn’t know, Lowndes County’s sewer system is separate from Valdosta’s sewer system, and has about 10% of the capacity of Valdosta’s.

Also, for some years Lowndes County has been repairing parts of its sewer system before they break. Although I hear persistent rumors that there have been unreported leaks.

Map: Lowndes County sewer system (green lines) –VALORGIS

Lonnie Denton wants to be reappointed to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS) Board and DFACS County Director Gail Finley recommends that.

Bubba Highsmith wants to be reappointed, and George Foreman also wants to be appointed, to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) Board.

The beer and wine license request is for a new establishment, Love’s Travel Stop #550, 2319 Old Clyattville Road, Valdosta, GA.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Continue reading →

Videos: Danny Weeks, Millage Rate, 3 Alcohol, Animals, Paper Ballots @ LCC Regular 2023-08-22

$4.2 million per mill times 2.5 mills is $10.5 million dollars a year that the county fire department is to get with no budget.

That’s up from last year’s $3.2 million per mill for $8 million, so the county fire department is to get an extra $2.5 million. Yet they never advertised it as a tax increase.

For what, and with what accounting, was not explained. Chairman Bill Slaughter said it was to maintain a “healthy fund balance” for five years since they established the fire department. Where can citizens see this fund balance, and what it is being spent on?

Collage @ LCC 22 August 2023

Both millage rate votes passed only by 3:2. If all three of the Lowndes County Commissioners who voted against on one or the other had voted against both, or if one of the other two had joined against on those votes, the county would have had to think again.

However, for the main millage, they approved 8.778 mills, which the Chairman said is a rollback of 1.434 (from last year). This is noticeably less than the Department of Revenue recommendation of 8.896 mills. Less as in 0.118 mills or $283,200. Until Commissioner Clay Griner the previous day asked what millage would actually match the projected budget, they seemed to be heading for the larger figure.

Still no explanation of why only one of the three beer and wine licenses got a Public Hearing.

They added an item for a change order on a Val Del Road water main for “about $180,000”. That reminds me that in July they approved almost $10 million for another water main in advance of development. Got to have sprawl.

More questions about the condition of the old dog box. Continue reading →

Videos: Millage Rate, 3 Alcohol, Animals @ LCC Work 2023-08-21

Update 2023-08-23: Videos: Danny Weeks, Millage Rate, 3 Alcohol, Animals, Paper Ballots @ LCC Regular 2023-08-22.

The millage rate settings (general and fire district) got the most discussion yesterday morning, as well they should, in the Lowndes County Commission Work Session. Finance Director Stephanie Black was absent because of COVID, so the main millage rate slide show was given by someone else.

Collage @ LCC 21 August 2023

Commissioners Clay Griner and Mark Wisenbaker had some questions, which elicited information about what lower millage rate would meet the county’s budget. Also a mill this year is worth about $4.2 million, while last year it was about $3.2 million. This is because increases in tax assessments as the Tax Assessors catch up.

The County Attorney said something inaudible in there, because he was facing away from his microphone.

Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker asked whether the fire department could get its millage adjusted down. Chairman Bill Slaughter said they were still building. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked when they’re all built, then could we adjust that down? The Chairman that would be something to consider. County Manager Paige Dukes said that staff and other expenses were running higher than expected, but maybe some new items could go into the next SPLOST.

Commissioner Wisenbaker wanted to know what kind of balance the fire department had. Nobody knew, but the Chairman said they could get that that day.

They vote tonight at 5:30 PM.

Before then, you may want to ask your County Commissioner: Continue reading →

Millage Notice: 2023 Property Tax Digest & 5 Year History of Levy @ LCC 2023-08-14

Update 2023-08-22: Videos: Millage Rate, 3 Alcohol, Animals @ LCC Work 2023-08-21.

Here is the Public Notice Lowndes County posted one week before the millage rate decision, which will happen this Tuesday evening.

Digest History 2023-08-14 and Agenda for LCC 2023-08-21

They are proposing 8.896 mills, including 1.00 mill for the Industrial Authority and 1.25 mills VLPRA. The total is a reduction of 1.315 mills from 2022.

How can the county afford a 13% reduction in the millage rate? Continue reading →

Millage, Alcohol, and Animals @ LCC 2023-08-21

Update 2023-08-20: Millage Notice: 2023 Property Tax Digest & 5 Year History of Levy 2023-08-14.

The big item is setting the millage rate for 2023, which in conjunction with the assessments and various exemptions, recovery exceptions, etc., determines how much property tax you pay.

Collage @ LCC Packet 2023-08-21

They will probably set it to a rollback rate of 8.896 mills, which is a reduction of 1.315 mills from 2022. That includes Industrial Authority 1.00 mill and VLPRA 1.25 mills.

The Lowndes County Commission will also separately set the Fire District Millage Rate for 2023. They propose 2.50 mills, which is the same as for last year.

Only one of the three beer and wine licenses gets a public hearing. Why only that one is not clear, since the other two are also because of change of ownership.

And there’s a bid for an Animal Services Chassis Box.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website. Continue reading →

On the LAKE front

Citizen dialog for transparent process by the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange