Snellville residents express concern about new city fee
July 2, 2008
Many Snellville residents attended the City Hall meeting Monday night to express their concerns about the proposed new fee rate for the new Stormwater Enterprise Fund. Coming shortly after the new property tax increase and at a time when the economy is doing so poorly, residents spoke out Monday night about their fears for the additional fee.
Suzanne Krieger was one resident who voiced her fear. She stated that she didn’t feel as if any fee or tax was justified.
Two engineers spoke in support for the fee for an hour detailing the complex fee structure that determines how much property owners would have to pay.
If passed, the fee rate would cost the average Snellville homeowner between $56 and $75 per year.
This would be in addition to the tax hike that was recently passed that will translate into a $75 increase in taxes per $150,000 assessed value.
Mike Sparks, who has been residing in Snellville for 23 years, stated the timing couldn’t be worse. He states, “You should find a way to reduce taxes during tough economic times instead of increasing the tax burden.”
Though they were scheduled to take a final vote, the Council agreed to table the issue until their July 14 meeting.
City Council Approves Tax Increase
June 19, 2008
In a 4-2 vote on Monday city officials approved the one-half point mileage increase in taxes for city property owners. The increase will cost the average Snellville home owner $20 per $100,000 assessed value.
Snellville residents voiced their opinions about the city taxes in public held hearings. Like the split vote, some residents are in favor of the increase, while others are opposed.
Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer urged the council to support the tax increase which would help compensate for a revenue shortfall.
Councilwoman Kelly Kautz refused to vote, expressing concern about the process. Kautz was concerned the mayor had not appointed a city manager until last week, meaning that the city manager was not in place in time to help balance the budget. Under Snellville charter, however, abstention counts as an affirmative vote.
Likewise, Councilman Robert Jenkins said he didn’t feel confident voting on a budget that was not overseen by a city manager.
Only Jenkins and Mayor Pro Tem Warren Auld voted against the increase.
Feeling there was no alternative due to revenue shortfall, Councilman Tod Warner voted for the tax. Speaking in favor of his vote, Warner stated, “People may think we are ‘tax and spend’ politicians, but we’re far from it … It’s not something we do lightly.”
Councilwoman Barbara Bender agreed and also voted for mileage increase. Expressing the difficulty she had in making the vote because of the hard economic times we are currently seeing, Bender stated that she also found her affirmative vote necessary.
Although residents won’t see the increase until the fall when Gwinnett County circulates the tax bill, the property tax increase is estimated to generate $595,000 for the city.
Treadway Nominated for Snellville City Manager Position
June 11, 2008
Mayors Oberholtzer and Mayor Pro Tem Auld have come to a decision and are planning to officially nominate Russell G. Treadway of Elizabetheton, Tenn. during a special City Council meeting this morning. The council is expected to unanimously confirm the nomination.
Treadway has over 25 years experience in top-level management in local government. Oberholtzer and his staff are very impressed with him.
Mayor Pro Term Auld, who interviewed Treadway over lunch on Friday, is thrilled to have Treadway as Snellville’s new City Manager. “I believe he is the type of individual who will be a credit to Snellville,” Auld said. “He’s a very calm individual and comes into this job well aware there is occasional friction on the council.” Auld was also impressed with his exceptional résumé, which includes extensive experience in finance and economic development.
Treadway is one of nearly 60 candidates who applied for the job. City Council members interviewed the final four and asked the final two to return for follow-up interviews.
Residents Comment on Tax Hike Proposal
June 10, 2008
The proposed tax hike drew comment from residents during morning and night public hearings at City Hall on Monday, June 9th.
Although Cathryn Creasy is on a fixed income and dislikes government waste, she spoke in favor of the half-point millage increase, which would cost property owners an additional $20 per $100,000 of the assessed value of their homes.
In her opinion, the proposed tax hike is a better option than the cuts that may take place if the proposal does not go through. The cuts that have been discussed as other options include eliminating police overtime, cutting up to six officers from the force, and reducing raises and benefits of all city employees. Additionally, there has been discussion of charging residents to dump recycling items at the recycling center, which is now free.
Two residents opposed to the tax hike also talked at the Monday night meeting. Both are facing a difficult time already with raising gas and food prices.
Speaking at the morning meeting, Dennis Lawton said he and his neighbors’ homes were reassessed this year and that with the tax hike, it would be a double-whammy for them. When it was reassessed, his home went up 20%.
Lawton also expressed his concern about the lack of a city manager, who should be overseeing the budget process. Although he acknowledged that a budget increase may be justified, he urged council members to carefully evaluate the budget first.
Residents will have one final opportunity to speak for or against the tax hike proposal during a public hearing at 7:30 pm next Monday, June 16th at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.
Two Finalists Remaining for City Manager Position
June 4, 2008
Two finalists remain for the City Manager position, both having extensive experience in city management. Russell G. Treadway of Elizabethton, Tenn. has more than 25 years in top-level management in local government, and Stephen J. Cottrell of Dunedin, Fla. has at least 13 years in analyst and management jobs in cities as large as Tallahassee, Fla. Both men have been invited for a follow up interview on Thursday.
Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer hopes to make his decision in the next couple of weeks. A majority of the City Council will then have to approve the mayor’s decision.
Treadway’s experience includes one year managing Elizabethton, a city of about 14,000 in northeast Tennessee and five years experience as city administrator in Mauldin, S.C., which has a population close to the 19,000 in Snellville. His educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science, a Master of City Management and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1995.
Cottrell’s most recent job was overseeing the day-to-day operations of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., which he did for eight months last year. Before that he spent eight months as city manager of Belleair, Fla. He was also the assistant city manager of Plant City, Fla., a city of 27,000, for nearly seven years. He additionally worked five years as a management analyst for the city of Tallahassee, population of 140,000. His educational experience includes a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in public administration at Florida State University in 1980.
Property Tax Increase to be Decided June 9th
June 4, 2008
Snellville property owners will most likely face an increase in city taxes. This increase for the average priced Snellville home of $150,000 would equate to an additional $30 per year in property taxes. Although the increase will not be finalized until the June 9th City Council budget meeting, the mayor and council members Tod Warner and Barbara Bender plan on supporting the increase. The alternative proposed by Mayor Oberholtzer included cutting up to 6 police officers from the city’s police force.
Large New Police Precinct For Snellville
March 27, 2008
Snellville is about to complete the purchase of land for a new police complex. The property is near the corner of Wisteria Drive and Clower Street and the city has set aside $5 million to buy the land.
Mayor Appoints Himself Interim City Manager
February 23, 2008
After the departure of Snellville’s City Manager Jim Brooks, Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer appointed himself the interim City Manager. Although the Mayor has the support of some, including the new City Attorney, Michael Williams, critics argue the offices of the City Mayor and City Manager should not be filled by the same person.
Politics 1
February 2, 2008