Winder council considering large fire tax hike
BY KRISTI REED
Winder’s fire tax millage rate could soon increase 39.5 percent if the city council approves the rate change as part of the 2009 budget.
The council voted Tuesday to notify the public that it is considering raising the millage rate from 2.15 mills to 3 mills. City Administrator Bob Beck said the amount would represent a tax of approximately $34 per year on a $100,000 home.
The city collects between $650,000 and $700,000 annually from the fire tax. That amount is used to support the operations of the Winder Fire Department. Currently, the fire tax provides approximately 37 percent of the fire department’s operating costs. If the new rate is approved, the percentage will increase to 47 percent.
Last year, the City of Winder hired three new firemen, which improved the city’s ISO rating from Category 4 to Category 3. In addition to funding the additional salaries, the fire tax revenue will be used to offset the cost of replacing the department’s 1975 ladder truck.
The city will hold three public hearings over the next few months regarding the proposed tax increase.
PAWN SHOP FEE
Another revenue item under scrutiny is Winder’s pawn shop fee. The city increased the fee for a pawn license from $200 to $1,200 in February 2007.
According to Chief of Police Stanley Rodgers, this increase only partially covers the costs incurred by his department in policing the activities of the nine pawn shops located within the city.
Due to the large volume of stolen property which moves through these shops, law enforcement personnel devote considerable time and resources to visit the shops and check items against a statewide database of stolen property. Rodgers estimates his department devotes over $2,200 in resources to each shop.
Pawn shop owner Michael Barnette asked council to reconsider the $1,200 fee, saying it was far more than the fees charged by surrounding cities and counties. Barnette said he is struggling to make a living and called the 600 percent increase “pretty substantial.”
Councilman Sonny Morris said he understood Barnette’s concerns, but that the city was justified in charging the higher fees.
“It’s costing the city a lot of money to manage and maintain pawn shops,” he said.
In other business, council:
• approved a franchise fee ordinance which will allow the city to collect 5 percent of the gross revenues of any cable or video which holds a statewide franchise and utilizes local right of ways.
• authorized the opening of a new bank account for the city’s SPLOST funds.
• approved a beer, wine and liquor permit for Turtle Creek Wine and Spirits at 429 Loganville Highway.
• approved a beer, wine and liquor permit by the drink for Murphy’s Brass Rail located at 243-A North Broad Street in Winder.
• approved a beer permit by the drink for the Chimneys Golf Course at 338 Monroe Highway.
• tabled a game room license request for Don’s Food and Gas Game room at 186 West May Street.
• approved an event permit for the Winder-Barrow High School Bulldog Band Thriller Race/Walk. The race is scheduled for Apr. 26 at 8:30 a.m.
• approved a prayer walk sponsored by Fit 5. The walk will take place downtown on Apr. 26 at 9 a.m.
• approved the rezoning of 114 North Broad Street from R-1 to B-1 for office or professional use.
