2023-08-03 August 03, 2023 10AM Special Called Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED - LFSpecial Called Meeting Minutes — Final
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Smyrna Community Center
Oak Room
200 Village Green Cir SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
August 03, 2023
10:00 AM
1. Roll Call
Derek Norton, Mayor
Tim Gould, Mayor Pro Tern (Ward 6)
Glenn Pickens (Ward 1)
Latonia P. Hines (Ward 2)
Travis Lindley (Ward 3)
Charles "Corkey" Welch (Ward 4)
Susan Wilkinson (Ward 5)
Kathy Young (Ward 7)
City Attorney Scott Cochran
City Administrator Joseph Bennett
City Clerk Heather K. Peacon-Corn
Present: 7 - Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Glenn Pickens, Councilmember Travis
Lindley, Councilmember Charles Welch, Councilmember Susan Wilkinson,
Mayor Pro Tern / Councilmember Tim Gould, Councilmember Kathy Young
Also Present: 1 — Scott Cochran
Staff Present: 3 —Joe Bennett, Jill Head, Mike Hickenbottom, and Kristin Robinson
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Latonia P. Hines
2. Call to Order
Mayor Derek Norton called to order the August 3, 2023 Special Called City Council meeting held at
the Smyrna Community Center in the Oak Room at 10:00 AM.
3. Formal Business
A. 2023-148 Public Hearing for the 2023 Millage rate; there will be no vote on this item.
Citywide
Mayor Derek Norton opened the public hearing.
Ken Hymes, 151 Ennisbrook Drive, stated that he was speaking to request that Council
not increase the millage rate. He explained that people are already feeling financial
pressure because of inflation and the rise in property values.
Mayor Norton explained that the current millage rate set at 8.99 has been in place since
2006. The Council had no plan to raise it. Residents with homestead exemption will see
no increase in their property taxes. Mayor Norton further explained that the state requires
that despite the City maintaining the current rate at 8.99 for homestead properties, if the
tax digest grows, it has to be posted as a tax increase. Businesses will have an increase,
but homestead properties will not. The confusing wording is a requirement by the state
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August 03, 2023 City of Smyrna Smyrna Community Center
10:00 AM Mayor and Council Meeting Oak Room
legislature, but Mayor Norton reiterated that there will be no tax increase for those with a
homestead exemption in the City of Smyrna.
Mayor Norton closed the public hearing.
4. Public Comment
5. Adjournment
Mayor Derek Norton adjourned the August 3, 2023 Special Called City Council meeting at 10:03 AM.
Facilities are provided throughout City Hall for convenience of persons with disabilities.
THIS MEETING WAS PROPERLY NOTICED AND POSTED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOTICING
STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN O.C.G.A. 50-14-3:
The City of Smyrna website —www.smyrnaga.gov
City Hall, 2800 King Street SE, Notice Boards
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
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