Town Council Special Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes Special Called Friday August 18, 2017 9:00 AM Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ryan Housley Council Member Linda Howard Town Manager Jonathan Lynn Finance Manager Sandy Beach Town Clerk Dee Baker Council Member Ken Matthews was absent. Mayor Dial called the meeting to order. Public Comments Approval of Agenda Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Public Hearing: Discussion on the millage rate of the Town of Tyrone for fiscal year 2017-2018. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Mayor Dial commented that the Tyrone millage rate has remained at 2.889 mills for the past ten years. Mayor Dial opened the public hearing for anyone that wished to speak in favor of the item. No one spoke. Mayor Dial asked if anyone would like to speak in opposition of the item. No one spoke. Mayor Dial informed everyone that the next public hearing would be on August 22, 2017 at 9:00 am. Page 1 of 3 Discussion on the millage rate of the Town of Tyrone for fiscal year 2017-2018. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Tyrone resident, Ms. Brenna Shaffer stated that she was neither for or against the item but that she wanted to know why it was necessary to raise the rate. Mayor Dial explained the process. He stated that Tyrone establishes income from property taxes by setting a millage rate. The County taxes properties and cities set a millage rate for the percentage that is returned to the cities. He added that for many years, Tyrone has opted to maintain the same millage rate. During the recession period when property values were decreasing due to the Town maintaining the same rate, our return decreased as well. Rather than raising our millage rate to keep our revenue the same, we remained with the same rate. He added that presently property values are increasing so technically by law, this needed to be published as a tax increase; however, the Town is keeping its millage rate the same. Mayor Dial added that if Ms. Shaffer or any citizen were ever interested in how the Town spends its money, staff would be happy to meet with them to explain. Ms. Shaffer stated that she has seen throughout the Town how the monies were spent with improvement to roads and playgrounds. She asked how improvements were made during the recession. Mayor Dial gave two examples. He stated that currently the Town’s budget was approximately 3.7 million dollars. He added that in the past, the Town has had limited sewer capacity which restricted economic development. Council felt it was appropriate to increase the Town’s capacity. As a result, additional capacity was purchased for 1.7 million from Fulton County. Tyrone also has money in reserves and has been “saving money” for years. He added that another example occurred the night before. Council approved the purchase of property adjacent to Handley Park. Entering Handley Park, the property is on the right, down behind the corner property. The property is approximately 40 acres; purchased at a very good rate. Council was faced with the scenario of the Town purchasing the property or the property being purchased by a developer for an undesirable use, such as a warehouse and Council would not be allowed to halt the construction. The purchase was $300,000. We have used expenditures such as these over the years. Mayor Dial again invited Ms. Shaffer to inquire of Town expenditures through staff and thanked her for attending the meeting. Ms. Shaffer stated that she appreciated the information and added that this was where she lived and that she cared about her community. Mayor Dial asked if she had heard about Founders Studios coming to Town. She said yes. He stated that it was his belief that had the Town not acquired additional sewerage capacity, the purchase would not have occurred. Page 2 of 3 Adjournment Council Member Furr made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 am. _______________________ __________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 3 of 3