08.01.2022 August 1, 2022 Special Called Meeting of the Mayor and Council - Millage Rate - SIGNEDOF S�y�
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Monday, August 1, 2022
City of Smyrna
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
A. Max Bacon City Hall
Council Chambers
2800 King Street SE
Smyrna, GA. 30080
10:00 AM A. Max Bacon City Hall - Council Chambers
SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING - MILLAGE RATE PUBLIC HEARING
Roll Call
Present: 5 - Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Travis Lindley, Councilmember Susan
Wilkinson, Mayor Pro Tern / Councilmember Tim Gould and Councilmember
Lewis Wheaton
Absent: 3 - Councilmember Glenn Pickens, Councilmember Latonia P. Hines and
Councilmember Charles Welch
Also Present: 1 - Scott Cochran
1. Call to Order
Staff: 7 - Joe Bennett, Jill Head, Mike Hickenbottom, Dat Luu, Penny Moceri,
Heather Peacon-Corn and Kristin Robinson
Mayor Derek Norton called to order the August 1, 2022 Special Called Council Meeting
held at A. Max Bacon City Hall in Council Chambers at 10:00 AM.
2. Formal Business:
A. 2022-349 Public Hearing for the 2022 Millage rate; there will be no vote on this
item.
Ward / Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, presented the following background:
The FY23 budget approved by Council included revenue projections based on 8.99
mills. This is the second of three required public hearings before the formal adoption
of the 8.99 millage rate. Tax information was received from Cobb County on June 23,
2022. Per the information provided, the City would need to roll back the millage rate to
8.048 to not advertise a tax increase. In comparison, last year's millage rollback was
calculated at 8.468.
The official notice, and all required information, was posted in the Marietta Daily
Journal on July 8, 2022. It was posted again on July 17, 2022. A press release was
sent to the Marietta Daily Journal on July 7, 2022. It has also been posted on the City
website. The first hearing was held on July 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Mayor Norton stated that property taxes in Smyrna have not increased since 1993 and
approximately 50% of homeowners in Smyrna file homestead exemptions. He asked if
those with homestead exemptions will see an increase in their taxes. Kristin Robinson,
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director, stated that those with a homestead
exemption will not see a property tax increase. She further stated that the City is
City of Smyrna Page 1
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final August 1, 2022
3. Citizen Input:
4. Adjournment:
required by law to advertise even though there is no raising of property taxes.
A public hearing was called. City Attorney Scott Cochran swore in two citizens who
approached the podium.
Melissa Powell, 3580 Lee Street, stated that former Councilmember Wagner
expressed he wished to hear from more people. Children are the reason why many
citizens cannot comment or attend meetings to make public comment. She requested
that the City implement a permanent system for those who cannot come to the
meetings that allows them to comment virtually or otherwise. Ms. Powell further stated
that Parks and Recreation have done a great job with new programs (for example,
Daddy Daughter Dance, Mom Son Nerf Guns), but she feels the fees attached are too
high for those activities. She would like to see more family events without fees
attached.
Montserrat Knowlton, 1367 Poplar Pointe, stated she feels there is contradicting
information regarding property taxes. She indicated that Ms. Robinson just said that
there will be no increase, but the notice reads there will be an increase. Ms. Knowlton
also mentioned the added fees for the street lights last year that were on the tax bills.
She is unaware how that will be handled this year, but she stated she wants to file a
formal complaint because she feels a fee is a choice whereas a tax imposed is not
voluntary. Ms. Knowlton also stated that she does not see anything in the budget that
addresses increasing spending for the general public, especially for those of advanced
age.
Ms. Robinson stated that the language in the release is standard language required
from the state. The City is not allowed to deviate from that language because it is
Georgia State law. Ms. Robinson reiterated that if you own property and file a
homestead exemption, there will be no increase in property taxes.
Mayor Norton addressed the comment about not doing anything for the citizens. He
stated that at his State of the City address he listed several projects and events that
have been organized specifically for the citizens.
Mayor Derek Norton adjourned the August 1, 2022 Special Called Council Meeting at
10:11 AM.
City of Smyrna Page 2
SPECIAL CALLED MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
DEREK NORTON
MAYOR
LATONIA P. HINES, WARD 2
CHARLES A.WELCH, WARD 4
TIM GOULD, WARD 6
MAYOR PRO TEM
HEATHER K. PEACON-CORN
CITY CLERK
GLENN PICKENS, WARD
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TRAVIS LINDLEY, WARD 3
SUSAN WILKINSON, WARD 5
CITY SEAL
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