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Clarkesville City Council approves partial millage rollback, 2024 budget

By
Jerry Neace
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Clarkesville city council Monday evening approved the 2024 budget and the 2023 property partial rollback. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

The Clarkesville City Council approved their 2024 budget and a partial millage rate rollback for 2023 property taxes at their regular council meeting Monday night. The millage rate that was approved is now 6.011, a partial rollback of .1 mill.

The total budget for 2024 is $5,097,244.

Clarkesville held three public hearings Monday to review the 2024 budget and receive public comments prior to approving both items at their 6 p.m. regular council meeting. The city’s millage rate public hearings and 2024 budget review were held at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and again during the 6 p.m. regular meeting.

According to Keith Dickerson, no one spoke during the morning and midday public hearings. However, one resident spoke during the public hearing at the evening meeting. Burton Collin of LaCount Lane addressed the city council about the tax notification that he had received. “Put it mildly, when I looked at it, I was shocked,” he said.

Collin told the council that from his calculations, his property taxes increased 26.5% over last year.

“I don’t know what to do. I wonder what’s going to happen next year. What’s it going to be next year?” he asked the council.

The approved millage rate is now set at 6.011 mills. A partial rollback of .1 mill from last year’s millage rate of 6.111 mills. Though it is a millage rate rollback, it is not a full rollback. The full rollback would have been .814 mills reducing the millage rate to 5.297 mills.

The partial rollback will reduce the taxes on a $250,000 house by approximately $90, while a full rollback would have saved the same homeowner approximately $700.

Even with the slight reduction in taxes, the city will still experience a net increase in property taxes to the tune of nearly $300,000. The majority of the tax increase, 70.6% or $211,800, will come from the reassessment of existing properties. The remaining 29.4%, or $88,200, will come from new properties added to the tax digest.

The slide demonstrates Clarkesville’s three operating funds and the approved budgets beginning January 1, 2024 (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

The approved budget begins on January 1, 2024.

The general fund, which is funded primarily by property taxes, accounts for $2,926,452 of the overall budget. The water and sewer fund is $1,964,792, and the sanitation fund is $206,000.

White County appoints Billy Pittard as new county manager

By
Staff Report
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Billy Pittard served in various government leadership roles in Barrow and Oglethorpes counties before coming to White County. On October 3, 2023, the White County Commission hired him as the county's new full-time manager. (Bryce Barrett/White County)

The White County Board of Commissioners made it official at their monthly meeting on Monday and appointed Billy Pittard as the new county manager.

Pittard has served as interim county manager since May. Commissioners chose him for the full-time position following what the county describes as a comprehensive selection process aimed at identifying a candidate “with the vision, experience, and dedication required to lead our county into the future.”

Before coming to White County, Pittard served as Barrow County Operations Manager and Interim County Manager. Pittard previously served as the full-time, elected Chairman/CEO of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners and Oglethorpe County’s Public Works Director.

From 2019-2020, he was the President of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG).

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Pittard as our County Manager. His leadership and community-oriented approach make him the ideal candidate to help us address the challenges and opportunities ahead,” says White County Commission Chair Travis Turner.

As county manager, Pittard will oversee the day-to-day operations of the White County government. He will work closely with county departments and collaborate with the Board of Commissioners to develop and implement policies and initiatives that benefit the residents and businesses of White County.

“I am honored to have been selected as County Manager. The great community we have here in White County definitely weighs into my acceptance of this role,” Pittard says. “I look forward to working with the Board of Commissioners, county employees, and the community to build a bright future for our county.”

Pittard becomes White County’s fourth full-time manager since June 2021.

Cleveland Municipal Court rated top 10 percent in Georgia

By
Dean Dyer
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Pictured, from left, are Cleveland City Council members CJ McDonald, Jeremy McClure, Assistant District Attorney Greg Futch, Court Clerk Charlie LaVelle, Judge Garrison Baker, Mayor Josh Turner, and Councilmember Nan Bowen. Not pictured, Public Defender Todd Lord

The Municipal Court System in Cleveland has been recognized as being in the top ten percent of courts in the state with a high clearance rate, meaning they clear up cases before them, and people don’t have to wait a long period of time.

The Standing Committee on Judicial Workload Assessment Award was presented to the court team during Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting.

“This award reflects our court’s dedication, efficiency, and commitment to ensuring timely resolution of cases,” said Cleveland City Clerk Lisa Ritchie.

The Cleveland Municipal Court team includes Judge Garrison Baker, Assistant District Attorney Greg Futch, Public Defender Todd Lord, and Court Clerk Charlie LaVelle.

“To clear these cases out and be in the top 10 percent is a remarkable thing, particularly after coming out of almost two years where the courts were almost completely shut down,” said Judge Baker.

Judge Baker shared that much of the credit is due to the exceptional work of Municipal Court Clerk LaVelle in directing them.

Pattie Stephens

By
Now Habersham
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Pattie Stephens, age 71, of Baldwin, formerly of Dawson, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Born on April 14, 1952, in Dawson, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Norton Stephens, Sr. and Sarah Powers Stephens. Ms. Stephens retired from the textile industry before becoming disabled in later years.

Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Joe Stephens, Jr. (Donna) of Peachtree City; niece, Stefanie Stephens of Atlanta; and nephew and spouse, Brett Stephens (Katy) of Peachtree City.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Baldwin City Cemetery. All those attending should meet at the cemetery by 9:45 a.m.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Piedmont Drops CCS Road Contest Late to LaGrange

By
Now Habersham
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(Photo by Dale Zanine)

The Piedmont University men’s soccer team dropped a hard fought CCS battle to LaGrange Tuesday afternoon after the Panthers scored the game winning goal in the 88th minute. The Lions were in the contest the entire way, seeing plenty of opportunities to take the game for themselves.

The first half remained neutral for both teams as neither team dominated possession of the ball. LaGrange out shot Piedmont in the half 7-4, but neither squad was able to take the lead into the break. Keeper Bobby Wood made all three required saves in the first half, while Jason Aussin posted two shots on frame.

Out of the break, the battle continued as both teams continued to fire away. However, with just mere minutes remaining, the Panthers finally broke the 0-0 score line in the 88th minute. With little time remaining, the Lions were unable to equalize and left LaGrange with a 0-1 loss.

Up next, Piedmont returns to the Walker Athletic Complex for a CCS matchup with the Hawks of Huntingdon on Saturday, October 7. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
– Enrique Hernandez scored in the 88th minute for LaGrange.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
— Jason Aussin posted four shots in the contest.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
— LaGrange out shot Piedmont 12-10.
— Piedmont had six corner kick opportunities to the four of LaGrange.
— There were a total of 28 fouls in the contest with four yellow cards handed out.

Christopher Jerald “Topher” Chandley

By
Now Habersham
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Christopher Jerald “Topher” Chandley, age 25, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2023.

Born in Demorest, Georgia, on March 17, 1998, he was a son of Jerald Lee Chandley, Jr. & Sarah Cauley Chandley & C.J. Wilson. Topher was formerly employed with McAllister Tree Service and Fieldale Farms Corporation. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, coon hunting, and woodworking. He was of the Baptist faith.

Topher was preceded in death by his grandmother, Joyce Manley Sosebee.

Survivors include his daughter, Joyce Ann Chandley; mother & step-father, Sarah Cauley Chandley & C.J. Wilson; father, Jerald Lee Chandley, Jr.; brothers, Harley Chandley, Jake Chandley; sisters, Victoria Ann Chandley & Alex Pitts, Brittany Ann Chandley, & Valarie Ann Chandley; grandmother, Nevelyn Chandley; special friend & adopted father, Keith English; nephew, Dalton Pitts as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, & friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 06, 2023, at Hillside Memorial Chapel in Clarkesville, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 05, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of “Topher” be made to Hillside Memorial Chapel to help with funeral expenses.

An online guest registry is available for the Chandley family at www.HilsideMemorialChapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care & professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel of Clarkesville, Georgia. (706) 754-6256

James “Jimmy” William Webb

By
Now Habersham
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James “Jimmy” William Webb, age 76, of Clarkesville, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 27, 1946, in Rabun County, he was a son of the late Grover Webb and Lucy Henslee Webb. Mr. Webb was a United States Marine Corps Veteran, having proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, where he earned a Purple Heart. He retired from L.P. Gas Service as a gas truck driver after 30 years of service. Jimmy was a faithful member of Clarkesville Church of God and the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but above all, he enjoyed reading his Bible and his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, James Kevin Webb; brother, Grover Webb, Jr.; sister, Mary Webb Martin Kitchens; and brothers-in-law, Alton Martin and Billy Kitchens.

Survivors include his loving wife, Karen Holbrook Webb of the home; sons and daughters-in-law, Kyle Mark Webb of Clarkesville, Greg Webb (Ashley) of Cornelia, and Shone Posey (Malissa) of Mt. Airy; daughters and sons-in-law, Amanda Clark (Granger) of Mt. Airy and Satin Posey (Jarrad Collier) of Banks County; daughters of the heart, Janice Haynes of Knoxville, Tennessee and Michaela Mize of Clarkesville; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law: Calvin Webb of Clayton, Freddy Webb (Vickie) of Cornelia, and Ronnie Webb (Ann) of Cornelia; sister, Clara Webb Tumlin of Alto; sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” Webb of Tiger; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great-nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Clarkesville Church of God with Pastor Tim Tanner officiating. Interment will follow in the Grant Reeves VFW Memorial Park with Rev. Lonnie Bennett officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Grant Reeves Veteran’s Honor Guard and the Marine Corps Funeral Honors.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Piedmont women’s tennis closes fall season at ITA Regionals

By
Piedmont University Sports Information
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The Piedmont women’s tennis team closed out a successful fall season this past weekend at the ITA Regionals in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Overall, 20 different Lions competed across two days of play, with 27 singles victories and six more in doubles play.

Freshman Daisha Thompson highlighted singles action, going 3-0 to win the gold singles draw title, with wins over opponents from Birmingham-Southern and Centre. In the final of the draw on Saturday, Thompson was able to battle back from losing the first set and eventually took a third-set match tiebreaker, 10-5, to complete the weekend undefeated in singles.

Senior standout Abbey Grace Venham won her first match in the main singles draw before falling in the second round.

After dropping her first match in the main singles draw, junior Alyssa McSpadden did not lose again, on her way to winning the main draw consolation bracket, where she defeated teammate Jordan Ballard, who went 2-2 in singles for the weekend.

Junior Hollan Rabensdorf also had a successful tournament, winning two straight matches after dropping her first.

Freshman Olivia Carpenter also had a standout weekend, combining for five wins across singles and doubles competition. The Gainesville, Georgia native won three singles matches and then partnered with sophomore Sarah Row to lead the squad with two doubles wins.

With the fall season in the books, the Lions will now set their sights on the spring season and a quest to win a third consecutive conference tournament championship.

Voter registration deadline fast approaching

By
Jerry Neace
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file photo (NowHabersham.com)

The November 7 election is just over a month away, and election workers are getting ready. Voters across Georgia will head to the polls to decide local races and ballot initiatives.

The deadline to register to vote in November’s municipal elections is October 10. Early voting begins October 16.

Am I eligible to vote?

You can find out if you’re eligible to vote by contacting your local county elections office or by visiting the My Voter page on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

You may also register to vote at your county elections office or My Voter page.

Sutton appointed to fill vacant Ward 2 seat

By
Dean Dyer
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Annie Sutton (Photo by E. Lane Gresham)

The Cleveland City Council has appointed former council member Annie Sutton, who was a candidate in this year’s municipal election, to fill the vacant Ward 2 council seat.

Sutton qualified for the November election, but that process was canceled because only one candidate qualified for each position that was open.

Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner said Sutton will serve in this appointed position until the end of December, and at the first of January, she will begin a full four-year term.

“We will get with Ms. Sutton to schedule her swearing-in with Judge Baker. Hope to do that at the next council meeting so she will be ready to go,” he said.

During their meeting Monday night, the council also approved the appointment of Kevin Lin to the City’s Downtown Development Board.

Baldwin council to discuss millage rate, Keith appointment at Oct. 3 work session

By
Jerry Neace
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(NowHabersham.com)

The only candidate to qualify for Baldwin’s upcoming Post 1 city council election may start work earlier than expected. The city council is considering appointing Erik Keith to the post following Larry Lewallen’s unexpected resignation.

Lewallen, who served on the city council for ten years, resigned on September 25. He was not seeking reelection. Keith was the only qualifier for that post. Acting Mayor Alice Ventor stated last week they were checking with legal counsel to determine if they can appoint Keith to the council before he officially takes office in January.

If the council appoints him, Keith will fill the remainder of Lewallen’s term through the end of this year. He will then be sworn in for a full four-year term in January.

Baldwin council members will discuss Keith’s appointment during their monthly work session on Tuesday, October 3. The city council will also discuss Baldwin’s 2023 millage rate.

Millage rate talks

During budget hearings in June, there was very little discussion about whether the city council would roll back or raise the millage rate. The council set the current FY 2024 budget, anticipating keeping the millage rate static at 9.342 mills.

Baldwin City Council discusses the 2023 millage rate at their September 25 meeting. They will discuss the topic again at their work session on Tuesday, October 3, at 6:30 p.m. (City of Baldwin Facebook livestream)

At last week’s regular council meeting, Baldwin Councilmember and mayoral candidate Stephanie Almagno indicated that she may be in favor of a partial rollback. Councilmember Maarten Venter stated he, too, might support a partial rollback, although he was more inclined to live up to the promise he made last year for a full rollback.

Before he resigned, Lewallen went on record saying he favored a full rollback. Now that he’s no longer on the council, it will be left to Almagno, Venter, and Councilmember Theron Ayers to decide.

Baldwin’s Acting Mayor, Alice Venter, said she does not favor a rollback.

Other items on Tuesday’s work session agenda include the purchase of a new police department vehicle and economic development.

The meeting is open to the public. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.

GBI welcomes public input as part of its reaccreditation process

By
Staff Report
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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is working to renew its accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

As part of this process, the GBI is inviting the public to share their thoughts.

If you want to provide feedback about GBI services, you can do so online at https://cimrs2.calea.org/.

To achieve CALEA accreditation, agencies must meet high standards in four key areas: policies and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

Established in 1979 by several law enforcement organizations, CALEA is globally recognized as the primary authority for accrediting law enforcement agencies.

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