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ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting to set the millage rate today. Attending were Commissioners Jason Proctor, Briar Johnson, Tim Daniel, County Manager (CM) Brandon Rogers, and Attorney Rob Morton. (Commissioner James Jenkins could not attend.) Also attending Tim Ingram, Chad Proctor, Kyle Fletcher IDA, Kristin Cudnofhusky, Tax Commissioner Donna Chapman.

To view the 5 year levy information for both the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners, click here: http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWStaxes10.26.23.html.

The Millage Request for Development Authority of Pike County for roughly .25 mil for Fiscal Year 2024 (year will run 01/01/2024 through 12/31/2024) will pay for the Development Authority Director's salary at $82,000, marketing/communication, travel, training and registration, engineering for Pike Business, Loan payment on clearking/mulching, and grading the Pike Business Park, postage, business development, supplies, rent to the Pike Chamber, miscellaneous, and vehicle insurance and maintenance and comes to is about $157,600 (without FICA/Medicare). [Note from the Editor: Several lots are on the move in the business park already so more businesses are moving into Pike County with discussions that are being conducted on a few more. Businesses help pay taxes too.]

1. CALL TO ORDER ........ Chairman Briar Johnson

Called to order 1:01 p.m.

2. INVOCATION ........ Silent Invocation

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ........ Chairman Briar Johnson

4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))

Motion to approve the agenda. Approved 4-0.

Tim Guy arrived 1:03 p.m.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a. Consider Resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Pike County Tax Levy.

CM Brandon Rogers read the Mill Rate. 9.638 mills. Board of Education (BOE) 14 mills. BOE Bond .899 mills. Development Authority .25 mills. Copy of the BOE is there for commissioners because the BOE just passed theirs this morning. -23.93 on the bond from the BOE.

Question was asked about the BOC... What about us? There is a good chance that people in the county will see an increase. The rollback should take it back, but if you weren’t accessed correctly before, you will probably see an increase.

BOC, BOE, and Development Authority are all included.

The number is going to change from what we got for estimated tax forms because the numbers have changed. The school couldn’t go any lower than 14 mills because of endangering the loss of the state and federal funding that it receives.

Tax Commissioner Donna Chapmen advised that there is a state homestead credit of $425 that will come off of the bill automatically. It lessens the blow this year, but this will hit hard next year.

Tax bills will go out hopefully by November 20. Her people have to do their work before it can go to the state though and tomorrow is a holiday. It usually takes her staff a couple of days to do what they need to do before sending this to the printer.

The bill will be due on January 20, 2024 if this can be submitted to the state and sent to the printer by November 20th. If this is done later than November 20th, bills will be due on February 20, 2024.

A question was asked about the county having enough to run until the bills are paid. Much will come in by the end of the year from mortgage companies. Many calls have already come in asking when people can pay.

Motion to approve the resolution. Approved 4-0.

b. Consider authorization for the Chairman to sign the Resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Pike County Tax Levy.

Motion to allow the Chairman to sign. Approved 4-0.

6. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE

7. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn. Approved 4-0.

1:11 p.m.

Agenda subject to revision.

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