Baldwin resident Debbie Satterfield is worried. The city council is considering raising taxes and she says, if they do, it will hurt a lot of people.
“I think I can financially do it, but I know lots of other people it’s going to be a strain on them and their families,” Satterfield told council members during a public hearing Monday night. “It’s really going to hurt a lot of people.”
Cutting back
Monday’s hearing was the first of three scheduled to discuss Baldwin’s proposed millage rate hike of 2.549 mills. During the meeting, city clerk Emily Woodmaster said the budget was originally set to reflect a 2.611 mill increase, but that was slightly lowered when Habersham and Banks counties released their tax digests. Due to reassessments, the tax digest on the Habersham County side of Baldwin increased by 115%. On the Banks County side, it increased by 121%.
If Baldwin’s proposed millage rate is approved, property owners on the Habersham side would see their city millage rate rise from 6.793 to 9.342 mills. Residents on the Banks County side would see theirs increase from 1.608 to 3.465 mills, including the LOST rollback.
Satterfield asked the council if instead of raising taxes they could cut back.
“Several people said they’re going to move; they’re going to relocate out of Baldwin,” she warned if council approves the rate increase. “You have too many new cars and too many new employees. I have lived here all my life and I don’t want to have to leave.”
A stronger business base could help offset the tax burden placed on property owners. Satterfield asked if there were businesses drawn to GA 365.
“There is a lot of opportunity coming up that road,” Mayor Joe Elam responded. “We’ve got several things in the works, paperwork already filed and we have lots of opportunity.”
Satterfield was the only member of the public to address the council during Monday night’s hearing.
Tax relief
Woodmaster said tax relief assistance is available to those with their primary residence inside Baldwin city limits. Those assistance programs include:
- Homestead exemption. Standard exemption is $5,000
- Over 65 years of age. Will go up to $10,000
- Disabled Veterans. Exemption is 100% of their property tax up to a certain value set by the state every year.
- Disabled Veterans widow. Exemption $10,000
- Seniors that are disabled. Exemption $10,000
In order to qualify for any exemption, a citizen has to apply for it by April 1st each year. For this 2022 tax year, that exemption period has already passed.
“If for some reason you couldn’t get it in, or didn’t know about it, we can make exceptions as needed,” Woodmaster said. “You just have to come by City Hall…”
The Exemption Form is on the website for tax year 2023. It must be submitted by April 1st.
Before the council votes on whether to adopt the millage rate increase, they must hold two more public hearings. Those hearings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on September 6 and 12. Both hearings will be held in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue.
