The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today about local government reaction to proposed tax plan by Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson. Unfortunately for the article, there is no mention about exactly what the tax plan encompasses or how it would affect local tax collection. But the reaction clearly speaks to the negative from the Board of Education, City of Douglasville, Douglas County, and the Douglas County Development Authority (no surprise here).

Georgia Trend Magazine has a great article on the tax plan. An excerpt is below that briefly explains the proposed tax plan.

Called the “4 PLUS 4 = 0” tax, this would eliminate all property taxes for cities, counties and schools. It would apply a 4 percent sales tax on all services and other dollar-for-dollar exchanges and transactions, including food, legal services, accounting services, healthcare, pest control, electrical utilities and all other business-to-business transactions.

The plan would also drop state income taxes from 6 percent to 4 percent. Thus, 4 percent sales tax plus the 4 percent income tax equals zero property taxes, providing the 4 PLUS 4 = 0 a name.

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting

October l, 2007
7:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Minutes of regular meeting of September 17, 2007, and legislative session of September 13, 2007.

5. Consent Agenda:

Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 24-07-20 - Authorize the City of Douglasville to offer surplus property for sale on Saturday, November 10, 2007, through an auction to be held at the Douglasville National Guard Armory and conducted by Elrod Auctioning.

b. 24-07-21 - Authorize the expenditure of funds: (a) for purchase and installation of insulation and heating/air conditioning equipment in the bay area of the former fire station in downtown Douglasville, now used by the City Police Department, and (b) for a warranty on said department’s new emergency generator.

Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 25-07-17 - Authorize the Mayor to submit a grant application to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for a Fiscal Year 2007 NTIA/DHS Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant for a radio communications project.

Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks
a. 26-07-19 - Adopt a resolution proclaiming Monday, October 29, through Thursday, November l, to be the 2007 Douglasville Recycles Week, sponsored by Keep Douglasville Beautiful and the City’s Sanitation Department.

Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims
a. 28-07-31 - Establish the position of Arborist in the City Planning Department and adopt a job description for said position.

Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/Callye B. Holmes
a. 29-07-15 - Approve the form for a background information questionnaire for applicant appointees to City boards, commissions, and committees.

6. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. 20-07-54 - Request in a change in the agent outlet manager for the alcohol beverage license for Ruby Tuesday #2734 for the on premises sale and consumption of wine, malt beverage, and spirituous liquor at 9579 Georgia Highway 5. Application by Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

7. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth
a. 21-07-48 - Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 74, Article II - Sidewalk Cafes of the Douglasville City Code to provide for a cafe on O’Neal Plaza.

b. 21-07-49 - Authorize the Mayor to sign a License Agreement with English Country House Group, Inc., to allow a three-foot wide encroachment into O’Neal Plaza for an emergency exit for a restaurant at 6682 East Broad Street.

c. 21-07-50 - Authorize the City Maintenance Department to remove the shrubbery and planters located in O’Neal Plaza adjacent to the exterior walls of 6682 East Broad Street and 6680 East Broad Street, and authorize accessibility onto O’Neal Plaza through one door at 6680 East Broad Street.

8. Planning & Zoning Committee/Michael Carter Tabled from September 17, 2007:
a. 22-07-81 - Request for a change in zoning from R-2 (Single Family Detached Residential District) to CG (General Commercial District) certain tracts through which the planned Bright Star Road Connector will pass on approximately 6.68 acres. Application by the City of Douglasville.

New Business:
b. 22-07-96 - Request approval of a final plat for Sunset Hospitality Group at 1270 Thornton Road, located in Land Lot 679, District 18, Section 2. Application by Nat Patidar of Sunset Hospitality Group.

9. Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims

10. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III

11. Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III

12. Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks

13. Transportation Committee/Michael Carter
a. 27-07-21 - Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Carter & Burgess, Inc., for design and engineering services for intersection improvements at Georgia Highway 92 (Dallas Highway) and Malone Road.

14. Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims

15. Ordinances & Intergovernmenta1 Committee/Callye B. Holmes

16. Other Business

17. City Attorney/Joel Podson

18. Chief Assistant City Attorney/Suzan Littlefield

19. City Manager/Bill Osborne

20. Comments from Citizens and Delegates

The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today that the Dog River Reservoir is down to 57% capacity with little hope of rain in sight. Currently an average of 4.5 million gallons of water is being purchased from the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, however with Cobb adopting a total water ban, sales of the water may come to an abrupt stop. This week the state of Georgia decided to place an outdoor water ban for north and west Georgia.

I wonder how much of the ‘Heat Island’ effect has played into the drought…

The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today that on Wednesday the Atlanta Regional Commission board approved a $67 billion regional transportation plan to combat worsening traffic congestion and providing pedestrian upgrades for the metro Atlanta area. Of the $67 billion that was approved, a reported $70 million will be dedicated to the Highway 92 Relocation Project. It is estimated that another year will pass before a groundbreaking can be made on the project.

The regional transportation includes a “25-year long-range plan and a priority six-year plan drawn from the larger plan.” The Atlanta Business Chronicle also reported that ARC “approved the Southern Regional Accessibility Study, an 18-month, $1 million study that aims to guide transportation investments in the fast-growing southern crescent of the region, and the Atlanta Region Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways Plan, which lays a foundation for a more walkable and bikable metro Atlanta region.”

WORK SESSION AGENDA
OCTOBER 1, 2007
10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM

CITIZENS’ INPUT

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of September 18, 2007.

PLAT APPROVALS – PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL (Cynde)
2. Deer Valley.
3. The View at Groover’s Lake, Phase IV.

BUSINESS
4. Project Completion Extension, Safety Action Plan Project Agreement with GDOT. Request that the Board of Commissioners approve revised LGPA and extend project completion date to December 31, 2007 and authorize Chairman to sign related documents. (Keary/Randy)

5. Authorization to advertise for a public hearing to consider the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of Mason Creek Road and Berea Road. (Keary/Randy)

6. Request authorization to enter into an agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation for Off-System Safety Improvements at various locations in Douglas County including the installation of raised pavement markers and guardrail. (Keary/Randy)

7. Approval of Automatic Aid/Mutual Aid Agreement with Carroll County subject to legal review. (Scott)

8. Approval of agreement between Douglas County, Sheriff and City of Douglasville to house City prisoners in County Jail. (Legal)

9. Authorization to advertise for a public hearing to consider the adoption of a Resolution regarding E911 services to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) customers. (Legal)

10. Approval of employment contract with Wesley Woolverton in the Public Defender’s Office. (Legal)

11. Authorize to amend the budget by transferring $170,000 from General Appropriations to the Sheriff’s Detention Department to cover a shortfall in inmate medical care for the remainder of 2007. (Jennifer/Stan)

DISCUSSION ITEMS
12. Schedule for 2008 Work Sessions/Commission Meetings

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL

Legislative Work Session

September 27, 2007
7:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. Request in a change in the agent outlet manager for the alcohol beverage license for Ruby Tuesday #2734 for the on premises sale and consumption of wine, malt beverage, and spirituous liquor at 9579 Georgia Highway 5. Application by Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

b. Adopt a resolution concerning parades, marches, and other events using City streets and requiring deployment of City Police Department personnel for traffic safety and traffic control.

5. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth
a. Adopt a resolution concerning requests from the Irish Bred Pub restaurant, to be located at 6682 East Broad Street, for placement of a second story emergency exit and for outdoor dining on the City of Douglasville’s O’Neal Plaza.

b. Authorize removal of shrubbery in the City of Douglasville’s O’Neal Plaza adjacent to a section of the building at 6680 East Broad Street and accessibility to said building from O’Neal Plaza.

6. Planning & Zoning Committee/Michael Carter

Tabled from September 17, 2007:
a. Request for a change in zoning from R-2 (Single Family Detached Residential District) to CG (General Commercial District) certain tracts through which the planned Bright Star Road Connector will pass on approximately 6.68 acres. Application by the City of Douglasville.

New Business:
b. Consider the request for interpretation of the City Zoning Ordinance, filed by Jennifer Outwater for Historic Ghost Tours.

7. Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims

8. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. Authorize the City of Douglasville to offer surplus property for sale on Saturday, November 10, 2007, through an auction to be held at the Douglasville National Guard Armory and conducted by Elrod Auctioning.

b. Authorize the expenditure of funds for purchase and installation of insulation and heating/air conditioning equipment in the bay area of the former fire station in the downtown area, now used by the City Police Department, and for a warranty on said department’s new emergency generator.

9. Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. Authorize the Mayor to submit a grant application to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for a Fiscal Year 2007 NTIA/DHS Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant for a radio communications project.

10. Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks
a. Adopt a resolution proclaiming Monday, October 29, through Thursday, November 1, to be the 2007 Douglasville Recycles Week, sponsored by Keep Douglasville Beautiful and the City’s Sanitation Department.

11. Transportation Committee/Michael Carter
a. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement for design and engineering services for intersection improvements at Georgia Highway 92 (Dallas Highway) and Malone Road.

12. Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims
a. Adopt an ordinance and authorize the Mayor to sign an Adoption Agreement and Addendum with the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System, modifying the retirement plan for City employees to allow purchase of retirement credits for qualified military service, and to subject non-vested rehired employees to the same rules as new hires for vesting of benefits.

b. Establish the position of Arborist in the City Planning Department and adopt a job description for said position.

13. Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/Callye B. Holmes
a. Approve the form for a background information questionnaire for applicant appointees to City boards, commissions, and committees.

14. Other Business

15. City Attorney/Joel Dodson

16. Chief Assistant City Attorney/Suzan Littlefield

17. City Manager/Bill Osborne

18. Comments from Citizens and Delegates

In the past two months of time a predicament has arouse that puts into question the future of the Losing Georgia Project: whether continue on a limited basis or end it all together?

What began in the summer of 2005 as a way to visually document and express the changes occurring within Douglas County has become a repository of community resources through personal voluntary efforts for over two years. Various issues have been addressed with interactive community feedback, sometimes striking up some controversy.

However the minute hand’s edge has slowly carved a pressure point that needs relieving. I have always felt an obligation to craft and present at least two articles a week after the hiatus in February, while producing mapping resources that took months at a time to develop and working on several other projects. These strains have evermore become present, lending to two options I am pondering about.

Option 1 – Limited Involvement
A part of me yearns to keep Losing Georgia going in some form that I can comprehend with while attending to my full commitment towards writing the life and legacy of Lt. Robert G. Hunter and other projects. I certainly want to keep pursuing the neogragraphy part of the project as it has done very well, winning multiple awards and recognition.

In return I will sacrifice writing articles and the efforts of independently researching the lost history of Douglas County. The RSS feeds for local government meetings are still a viable option to maintain and the snippets section is up in the air for the moment. Updates on the project’s success would arrive at weeks or months at a time.

Option 2 – The End
The other half of me suggests that this is the time to end the Losing Georgia Project once and for all. There are issues in my life right now that are taking more precedence than feeling the obligation to keep up with the changes that are ongoing in the county. I know some people out there would enjoy seeing Losing Georgia go away.

I thank all those who have sent e-mails throughout the course of this endeavor congratulating me for my work and urging me on to continue. To this day I struggle with the decision I have to ultimately choose. What are your thoughts as a reader?

PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
AND
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING AGENDA

October 2, 2007

APPROVAL of MINUTES
- September 4, 2007

AGENDA

S2007-48 | Tab [1]
Mary Jo Tanner – Request for a Special Use Permit (RENEWAL) to allow an in-home manicurist’s shop at the property located at 3796 Longview Drive: Land Lot(s) 82, District 1, Section 5, Parcel(s) 66. Lot size: 0.33 acres.

S2007-49 | Tab [2]
Ronald B. & Kathryn L. Edenfield – Request for a Special Use Permit to allow a garage apartment at the property located at 4191 Cole Road: Land Lot(s) 83, District 2, Section 5, Parcel(s) 11. Lot size: 10.36 acres.

Z2007-50 | Tab [3]
Douglas County BOC – Request for a rezoning (administrative) from R-LD to C-H to bring the property into conformance with the Future Land Use Map and the historic use of the property at the property located at 4281 Highway 78: Land Lot(s) 653, District 18, Section 2, Parcel(s) 4. Lot size: 0.445 acres.

ADJOURN

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting today that the Georgia Department of Transportation is running out of money fast to support all the new construction that is needed for a strained infrastructure. According to the article, gas tax revenue is “the primary funding source for new road construction”, yet those revenues have increasingly been diverted to pay for maintenance and debts. It is estimated that by 2013 “maintenance and debt costs could actually exceed available revenue.”

One plan is to add a regional one penny sales tax to gas in order to accrue the much needed $200 billion shortfall that currently exists. What does this mean for Douglas County? It could mean that all those dollars promised by GDOT may not come after all.

The Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition is reporting today that Douglas County Tax Commissioner’s Office mailed out property tax bills a few days ago on Friday, September 21st. For property owners, the scheduled due date is November 21st.