Politics & Government

Property Taxes Increasing in Cherokee

In a 4-1 vote, the county commissioners approved a millage rate hike in Cherokee County.

See what happened at over a possible millage rate increase in Cherokee. Before the meeting begins, Tea Party members file in wearing identification badges. The Cherokee GOP called for members to come to the meeting tonight and speak out against the increase. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

7:47 p.m

Meeting adjourned. 

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7:37 p.m.

Consent agenda approved which included several speed limit changes in Cherokee County. 

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7:28 p.m. 

The increased millage rate is approved at 28.985. Jason Nelms was the only commissioner to vote against the measure. 

7:28 p.m.

“I understand that we’re the government and we’re the bad guys, and you don’t believe us” Bosch said. 

7:22 p.m.

Jim Hubbard, who in the work session said he would not support the millage rate increase, reverses his position and now said he will support the increase. In what sounded like a reprimand of the speakers, Hubbard negated two comments that were contradictory to the plan laid out by Cooper in the beginning of this meeting.

One of those comments, "politicians want ever increasing sums of money ," was no cohesive to Cooper's plan, Hubbard said.

"We don’t have the bloated government you see in so many places," Hubbard said. "We have great people."

7:18 p.m.

Harry Johnston said the next option is to make all 10 paid holidays unpaid holidays for county employees. He also said some employees are well paid--like County Manager Jerry Cooper--but most are not like deputies. 

7:14 p.m.

Harry Johnston said he would approve the millage rate increase. 

7:10 p.m.

Jason Nelms said he could not back the millage rate increase. 

7:05 p.m.

Public hearing closed. 

7:04 p.m.

The same speaker closes his argument with this quote: 

"Frankly, we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore. Godspeed, and thank you for your time."

7:01 p.m.

The next speaker said he was a member of several Tea Parties, but is here as a tax payer. He also said his family had been in Cherokee for 160 years and his house's appraisal went down 33 percent last year. 

6:58 p.m.

"If you listen to Nick Saban long enough, you hear him say ‘just keep getting better,'" Bradford said. "If you do that long enough, you just might have a national championship on your hands."

6:54 p.m.

Tate Bradford is the next speaker and is speaking in opposition of the millage rate increase.

"It's great to live in Cherokee County," Bradford said. "Alas, the people in Cherokee are in trouble because America is in trouble."

 

6:51 p.m.

This speaker notes "Agenda 21" a theory from the Tea Party that resembles the Soviet Union model. 

6:49 p.m.

This speaker suggests not cutting police, fire and schools, but proposes other unnecessary items to be cut. He also suggests that the majority of the people want the government to leave them alone. He also said he would like for the "feds to stay out of Cherokee County." He also suggests that the county stop taking federal money because it has too many stipulations and aggravations. 

6:47 p.m.

The next speaker expresses anger towards the current budget situation. 

6:46 p.m.

The citizens commission is approved with Buzz Ahrens asking the six to eight members to read the last three years worth of budget documents. 

6:43 p.m.

The same speaker is still up, suggesting different options on behalf of the Tea Party. The citizens commission is approved. She now suggests that the citizens partner closer with churches—like her home church of First Baptist Church of Woodstock—to reduce budget deficits. 

 

6:39 p.m.

This speaker was at earlier meetings proposing that a citizens commission be established to determine ways to cut costs without raising taxes. 

 

6:34 p.m.

The next speaker said she speaks on behalf of the Cherokee County Tea Party and opposes the tax increases.

"If we do not do something now, we will be back here next year asking for additional increases," she said.

She speaks out against developing parks and pools when the unemployment rate is going up.

6:30 p.m.

There are seven people signed up to speak. The first is a man in a Sequoyah Band of Chiefs shirt. He said he will be eliminating music lessons for his kids because of tax increases. He said his house dropped 2 percent in appraisal value in the past year.

"I don't mind paying my taxes, it's my duty," the speaker said. "I don't want my taxes to go up because I don't live in a subdivision. I live by the covenants set by the group in front of us...If you raise the millage rates, people can't afford to live here." 

6:25 p.m.

Cooper said most families will only notice a $20 increase in taxes and continues to explain where the deficit comes from. 

6:16 p.m.

Jerry Cooper, county manager, said that Cherokee currently has the lowest tax burden in the region and the lowest property taxes. 

6:14 p.m.

Public hearing is now open. The first of three public hearings is about the millage rate increase. This will be the last of the hearings before the commissioners vote. 

6:11 p.m.

Announcements and previous meetings’ minutes approved. 

6:06 p.m.

Meeting begins with a prayer and the pledge. 


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