With much reluctance, the Hart County Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to certify Hart County’s tax rate for the 2023 tax year during its meeting Oct. 24.
Commissioner Jeff Brown made the motion to certify the 2023 tax rate, but said his motion to approve doesn’t mean he agree with any tax increase.
“This wasn’t our decision for an increase, this wasn’t our board, and those who raised it are elected just like we are,” Brown said. “The constituents that they represent requested this.”
The 2023 millage rate stands at 15.483 mils with 10.524 mils coming from the Hart County Charter School System.
“We did our part and upheld our duty as commissioners to roll back the millage rate and I applaud our staff for that,” Brown said.
While the county did roll back the millage rate, the school system led the charge on the increase. But, as Commissioner Joey Dorsey said, the BOC is required to certify the tax rate.
“By law, we can’t deny it even though I wish we could,” Dorsey said. “I think we all feel the same way.”
While Dorsey said he’s spoke with school superintendent Jennifer Carter about the reasons why the felt raising the millage rate was appropriate, he feels the tax increase brings up a larger concern.
“I’m very concerned with all this growth we’ve had, the residential growth and what it does to the tax rate and the millage rate,” Dorsey said. “It’s a concern going forward but we can’t legally not approve it.”
Additionally, the commissioners held a discussion regarding the potential of adding mobile home inspections to the county budget.
Commission chairman Marshall Sayer said he’s heard from constituents about mobile homes transported to Hart County, falling apart before they get here and being left on the side of the road.
“We don’t have nothing in place to stop them, and that’s why we need to work on this,” Sayer said.
Dorsey stood in complete agreement and outlined a complaint that he received about a mobile home transported into Hart County.
“We got called out to a situation three weeks ago on an older model mobile home that was in pretty bad shape on the outside, and was being moved into Hart County with no inspection process,” Dorsey said.
Dorsey said with all the complaints he receives, the county needs to begin inspecting these mobile homes.
Commissioner Frankie Teasley agreed.
“They are nothing but an eyesore for the entire community,” Teasley said.
Brown said it was good practice for the county to put in an inspection process.
“It’s not to hinder the investor or someone trying to create more affordable housing, but its really to protect the homeowner,” Brown said. “It’s common practice and we need to follow suit.”
The commissioners reviewed a mobile home inspection ordinance from Thomas County, Georgia which Sayer really liked.
“The Thomas County ordinance requires an inspection before the home is moved into the county and gives a checklist on what is required at move in,” Sayer said. “Their ordinance was very clear.”
While the commissioners decided to work more on this moving forward, Brown told the audience what he thinks is the right course of action.
“I really thin we should have a county inspector who works for the county,” Brown said. “This issue has brought it to my attention.”
The BOC also entered a proclamation praising Hart County’s American Legion Post 109 and their work in bringing the Veterans Day parade to Hartwell Nov. 11.
“We really appreciate our veterans,” Sayer said. “The American Legion is working hard to promote this and we are supporting them”
Sayer mentioned that four of the five commissioners are confirmed to be a part of the parade. Dorsey, who also serves as a high school football referee, was selected to work the high school playoffs and couldn’t commit to participating in the parade at that time.
Once the proclamation was read, Post 109 commander James Fulghum praised the commissioners and his community.
“We thank you for this and we look forward to seeing you at the parade,” Fulghum said. “The citizens of Hart County a very patriotic.