CorinthHills.org

Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

For attendees:
Over 40 parking spaces of items to browse. Admission is free.

For vendors:
Spaces are $10 each. You can register for Garage Sales at Lilburn City Hall (using cash, check or credit card), located at 76 Main Street, online by clicking the “Register Now” button below (requires use of a credit card), via telephone (requires use of a credit card) or by mailing a completed registration form with a check.

More:
• CityofLilburn.com

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The county line:
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted a new solid waste ordinance for unincorporated Gwinnett County during the board’s business session on March 2, 2010. The ordinance as adopted will be posted as soon as possible.

Service will begin on July 1, 2010, giving residents and haulers time to transition to the new system. The new ordinance, which does not affect city residents, will provide a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally-conscious solid waste management system and also will allow Gwinnett County to fulfill its requirements under state law. All homeowners will have access to services for the collection and disposal of household garbage, expanded recycling, white goods (household appliances), bulky wastes (mattresses, furniture, etc.), and yard trimmings.

The new ordinance sets five service districts and authorizes the County to enter into one or more service agreements with a private company or companies to provide residential garbage service with no more than one service provider within each district. Fees for residential waste services will be made payable to Gwinnett County and will be billed as a residential solid waste fee on the same bill as county taxes.

Approval of a new ordinance is the first required step in the process of implementing a new solid waste management plan. Details of the service areas, costs, and collection logistics will be made available as soon as they are finalized.

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Mike Beaudreau was quoted in part as stating, “I don’t think it’s perfect…”

Don Collins, government contract manager for Waste Industries, told commissioners his company took it on faith that the county would follow the court’s order and draw up a new plan in a public, above-board manner, but that the plan showed officials worked behind closed doors to satisfy members of the first lawsuit.

…Isn’t that why a Gwinnett County special grand jury is investigating the board’s land deals?…

“Even as our federal lawsuit continues,” Collins said, “your vote today confirms our position before the court that the county’s illegal trash plan is marching forward.”

Local news outlets report that despite not being allowed to address the board before the vote, citizens were vocal in their opposition after the vote. It was also disclosed that a new recall effort was being launched targeting Chairman Bannister.

More:
• GwinnettCounty.com
• GDP
• AJC
• GwntRecall.com

3 Responses To “Garbage Adopted”

1. Admin Says:
   March 3rd, 2010 at 9:26 AM

   It’s my understanding that one of the overriding concerns that the board wanted to address for the citizens of Gwinnett was the traffic issues as it is effected by garbage haulers. For the life of me I don’t understand this. I find myself being delayed far more by postal trucks, UPS, FedEx and the worst offenders, school buses.

   There’s a project for Gwinnett County. Adopt a policy whereby school buses aren’t required to stop every 50 feet to pickup and offload kids. School systems all over this country, including GCPS, gripe about obese children… allow them to walk a few feet to and from the bus stop…

   That’s our opinion, we welcome yours…

2. j.q.public Says:
   March 5th, 2010 at 8:40 AM

   RINOs, republicans in name only. Republican mantra dictates smaller government and allowing the public to manage their own affairs in a free market society. Obama’s healthcare reform is an excellent example, republicans aren’t for it because it puts healthcare in the hands of government. BUT Gwinnett “republicans” believe that they should decide my waste disposal, how it’s paid for, how much it is and when I should pay it.

   Yeah, “republicans” they are.

3. fwy545 Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 10:52 AM

   I do see garbage trucks from various services in our neighborhood on several days during the week, but they don’t take long to complete their business. I certainly don’t think that it’s worth relinquishing my right to chose my own waste disposal service in order to reduce this little bit of traffic. If you think about it, there will still be traffic to pickup all homes, and even more now that the county is mandating all residential homes be serviced. The only difference will be the number of days the truck will be in the neighborhood. The time spent in each neighborhood for each truck will actually increase.

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Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will again consider county mandated garbage collection. Even with lawsuits totaling in excess of $80 million still pending over the last board sanctioned solid waste plan, local media reports suggests that not much has changed in the new proposed plan. The biggest change is that Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful will not be the county appointed enforcer.

Points from the original plan still being considered:
• Service fee(s) to be included in county tax bill
• Expanded recycling
• Mandatory participation by all residents
• 5 zones to be established and serviced by one hauler

If approved, the plan is expected to take effect this July. The board will not allow public comment prior to the vote. Voting will take place at 10 AM tomorrow at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville.

One Response To “County Mandated Garbage - AGAIN…”

1. Admin Says:
   March 2nd, 2010 at 2:38 PM

   Gwinnett County’s Solid Waste Information Center is open for callers Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm, 770.822.7141.

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During today’s State of the County address, commission chair Charles Bannister called for a one cent sales tax increase. Bannister stated that should voters approve the new penny tax, it would generate approximately 150 million dollars in new revenue with 35 percent coming from non-Gwinnett shoppers.

Bannister is looking to put the penny sales tax on the ballot this November.

2 Responses To “Bannister Asking For More Tax Revenue”

1. fwy545 Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 7:44 AM

   Purdue wants a one cent sales tax increase for the state so if both initiatives make it to the ballot and pass Gwinnett will be up to 8%.

2. BG Says:
   February 16th, 2010 at 8:33 PM

   Not to mention the 21% increase in Gwinnett property tax and the abolishment of the Georgia homestead exemption. How does the government expect its citizenry to get ahead?

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It is believed that given the current real estate market conditions most Gwinnett County property assessments are valued too high.

Gwinnett County has published the following on its website newsletter:
The Board of Tax Assessor’s Office will be adjusting the 2010 tax value on several thousand properties in Gwinnett County as assessors review the real estate sales and foreclosure data occurring in certain areas of the county. To make sure your property is included on the review list, you should file a Real Property Tax Return. The property tax return will allow you to declare your opinion of the value of your property.

If your value is not accepted, a Notice of Change in Assessment will be issued to you (scheduled mailing by mid April 2010). The notice allows you to appeal the value, which will result in a review process and possibly further into hearings.

The property tax return process begins with the timely filing of a Real Property Tax Return. You may visit the Tax Assessor’s web page at www.gwinnett-assessor.com to print a partially completed form between January 1 and March 1, 2010. Complete and mail the Real Property Tax Return anytime between January 1 and March 1, 2010. If you are mailing your return, it must be postmarked by the USPS no later than March 1, 2010. Your completed return will not be accepted via email or fax - no exceptions.

Should you have questions about the process, you may call 770.822.7200 or e-mail assessor@gwinnettcounty.com.

Bear in mind that your tax bill is the product of the millage rate x property assessment equation and Gwinnett County just increased its millage rate.

Interesting reading:
• Metro Atlanta property valuation comparison map
• Why you’re paying too much in property taxes

One Response To “Gwinnett Property Tax Valuations”

1. Admin Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 10:26 AM

   Received via email yesterday:

   PROPERTY TAX RETURNS DUE MARCH 1 IN FOUR METRO COUNTIES

   If you own real estate in DeKalb, Gwinnett, Hall or Newton counties, you have only until March 1 to file a property tax return with your county tax assessor’s office asking that your property value be lowered for 2010. Most other Georgia counties allow until April 1 to file. After that, your county assumes you agree that your property is worth what they currently say it’s worth, and your tax bill will be calculated based on that valuation.

   The only problem with that assumption is that literally tens of thousands of owners have seen their property values go down in recent months, but their local governments have failed to reflect that decrease in value. As a result, you can easily end up paying more property tax than you rightfully owe.

   The process of asking your county tax assessor to review your valuation begins with the filing of a single page form, PT-50R, the Georgia “Taxpayer’s Return of Real Property.” This form requires you to find out what the county currently thinks your property is worth, then you must state what you think the correct value should be. My advice: guess low.

   The form is available for download on my money99.com website. Obtain your parcel info and previous year’s value by calling your tax assessor’s office. Then, in Section C, you will need to estimate the value of your property as of January 1, 2010.

   The county is not required to ask you if you wish to lower your estimate of value unless they are proposing an increase. And most Georgia counties are content to let the current values stay as they are.

   That’s fine if your property value has held up well over the past two years, but many neighborhoods have seen significant declines in market value. And if that is the case in your community, or if you believe values have declined for your property generally, now is the time to file a return.

   Estimating value is a tricky business at best, and requires detailed information about recent sales in your area. Real estate professionals have access to this info, but may charge a fee for a “broker’s price opinion.” A formal appraisal is likely to cost substantially more. But the more facts and comparable sales info you have when you make your return, the greater the likelihood that your assessment will be lowered.

   In any case, there is no charge for estimating low, and it preserves your right to present your case to both the tax assessor and the board of equalization. Typically, one in three requests to lower the value results in some relief from the county. And once lowered, your assessment is likely to stay put for three years.

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Gwinnett Clean Water Campaign is sponsoring a free septic system maintenance workshop to be held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium on February 17th, 2010 at 7:00 PM.

Registration is required:
GwinnettStormwater.com
dwrswreg@gwinnettcounty.com
678.376.7126

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Heard some talk this weekend that Costco is negotiating for the property that will be vacated by Target on January 30th.

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Aaron Bovos, Gwinnett County Chief Financial Officer (CFO), stood before an Engage Gwinnett committee and stated that the just approved 21 percent, 2.28 millage rate increase is considered a “one-time revenue” and that “It is absolutely critical that we put it to good use.”

Bovos continued by saying that the county has accrued $300 million in pension liabilities that have yet to be funded. So, Bovos and his staff are in the process of considering a recommendation to use the entire $50 million + that will be collected as a result of the increase to fund this pension liability.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has to vote on the allocation of tax revenues, but an actuarial study has already been commissioned to determine the impact of using the tax increase to fund the pensions.

Sources:
• Engage Gwinnett
• The Gwinnett Daily Post

One Response To “New Tax Increase To Potentially Fund Pensions”

1. BG Says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 9:44 AM

   Really, at what point does it become appropriate to march on Lawrenceville with pitchforks and torches?

   I’ve heard recall buzz, anything to it?

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The Gwinnett County 21 percent, 2.28 millage rate increase will generate more than $50 million in revenue for 2009. This is how the money is set to be allocated:

• $18.7 million: for existing deficit and to offset predicted decline in commercial tax digest
• $15.7 million: public safety (includes adding police and fire personnel)
• $10.8 million: courts and constitutional offices
• $4.8 million: recreation
• $2.3 million: corrections, support services and transportation (primarily mowing of rights of way)
• $1.8 million: libraries (includes operating all branches from 48 to 52 hours per week)

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The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved a 21 percent, 2.28 millage rate increase by a 4-to-1 vote. Mike Beaudreau was the only commissioner to vote against the measure.

More than 400 citizens filled the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium with approximately two dozen making comment in the public hearing that preceded the vote.

More:

3 Responses To “Gwinnett BoC Approves Tax Increase”

1. Admin Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 10:27 PM

   Always worth mentioning:
   - Gwinnett stadium deal (part 1) $40 million. - Negotiation in complete secrecy. No public hearings, no public input.
   - Gwinnett stadium deal (part 2) $24 million. - Cost overruns. Didn’t think it through the first time. There was however a public hearing,…. no public input allowed, but it was public. What’s the point?…
   - Two lawsuits pending ($40 million each) regarding the Gwinnett BoC and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and government sanctioned garbage pickup. In reality this means we’re going to be spending double what we were spending before for garbage.
   - Overpayment for land acquisitions with questionable circumstances. These deals are currently being investigated by a special grand jury.

   I’m not opposed to paying taxes as long as the money is spent wisely and ethically. Someone convince me that our BoC is going to spend any new money better than they spent the old.

   Gwinnett County is on record - as reported by the GDP - as saying that the stadium would pay for itself “from day one”. Not so much, huh.

   There is a lot of gray area open for arguing which services should be cut to make up for the poor decisions of our BoC, but there is no arguing why we’re currently in the economic situation we’re in.

   BTW - I see that others are commenting on the reduction of their property assessments. My property assessments went up 3 times in roughly 10 years and has not gone down. My “real” property value is approximately 60 - 70% of what it is curently assessed by Gwinnett County and from what I gather from the Gwinnett County website I can’t even begin the process of rectifying the issue before January 1st of next year.

2. BG Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 AM

   GWINNETT COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT x MILLAGE RATE = TAX BILL.

   There is no way that the county can raise your property value assessments right now so they hop to the other side of the mathematical and political equation and raise the millage rate.

   There is always a way for county government to raise your property taxes and the ONLY way to keep the process in check is to vote better people into office and/or boot the bad ones out of office.

3. fwy545 Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 AM

   Sorry I don’t have a lot of factual data to provide, but this just stinks. We’re made to suffer because the Board of Crooks isn’t responsible with our tax dollars.

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Tonight, Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 7:00 PM, there will be a public hearing on the proposed millage rate increase followed immediately by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners vote.

The public hearing will take place in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

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Yesterday’s (November 23, 2009) public hearing on the Gwinnett County proposed millage rate hike plan drew a collective 450 residents with the morning session drawing approximately 150 and the evening session drawing approximately 300. The majority of the audience was decidedly against any tax increase.

Suwanee resident Ed Honeycutt received the loudest show of support when he stated, “We expect you to do this in a manner that does not place additional pressure on the county budget that translates into additional pressure on taxpayers’ wallets. Parks and recreation, clearly, is a want. Police protection, fire protection, fast EMS response times are needs.”

Lawrenceville resident Jan Tadeo stated, “I think the consensus here is the commission has made some very poor choices in the past with our money. I think the millage rate today is very unfair. To put the onus on property owners is very wrong.”

The overall general consensus was that there is a general public mistrust of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ ability to properly spend taxpayer money in this time of economic instability and that the BoC won’t acknowledge that Gwinnettians are hurting financially as well. Gwinnett residents are being forced to eliminate wants in favor of needs and expect their government to account for their tax dollars in similar fashion.

The next public hearing will be held next Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at the GJAC after which the BoC will vote on the measure.

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Gwinnett County officials have outlined a proposal that would restore some of the spending reductions made earlier this year to the county’s public safety, parks and recreation, and social services programs. The proposal would be funded by a 2.28-mill increase in county property taxes.

Public hearings on the proposed property tax increase will be held on Monday, November 23 at 10:00am and 6:00pm and on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00pm at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. All three hearings will take place during a special called meeting of the Board of Commissioners. The public hearing on December 1 will be followed by a vote by the Board.

Information about what the proposed tax increase will fund - and what it will not fund - is readily available for review on the county website, www.gwinnettcounty.com.

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The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners are set to discuss two lawsuits pending over county mandated trash service. Tuesday’s (November 17, 2009) special meeting is to be held with the garbage vendors who are suing the county along with mediators who will attempt to resolve the two pending 40 million dollar plus lawsuits. Yes, $80,000,000.00+.

Guess who pays the settlement? Guess how. These are the same commissioners who suggest that Gwinnettians give up one movie a month so that we can pay higher taxes.

2 Responses To “Gwinnett BoC Trash Talk”

1. bwilson Says:
   November 16th, 2009 at 7:05 PM

   Wasn’t the county mandated garbage service supposed to save us money? It appears to me that not only will I not save on my garbage service, but now my taxes will be raised to pay for the lawsuits. Am I missing something?

2. Admin Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 9:28 AM

   Nope, I think you’ve got it…

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Emory Eastside, a joint venture between Emory and HCA Inc. has posted a high death rate among pneumonia patients that were admitted between 2005 and 2008. Additionally, Emory Eastside’s own patient ratings scored below state averages on most questions surveyed.

Emory Eastside scored poorly on Medicare’s pneumonia mortality rate, in spite of earning high scores from Medicare for following protocols designed to prevent pneumonia deaths. The hospital is among 14 across Georgia that Medicare highlighted for posting high 30-day death rates among patients admitted with a pneumonia diagnosis over a three-year period, the latest data available.

Emory Eastside said it is making a special effort to work with patients suffering from chronic conditions after they leave the hospital to try to improve results.

• Click here to view the entire AJC article¦

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