GwinnettViews
What are your feelings Gwinnett?
They passed it now we get trashed by it.
Mar 24th
Good morning:
So after a long and hard thought I decided that I would not attend last nights BOC meeting in fears of getting more upset than I already was. I did however contact my BOC member along with the chairman to indicate my displeasure with this entire plan.
Here are my thoughts on the morning after Gwinnett Counties version of the health-care bill being forced on Americans.
1) How is this still not illegal as one of the reasons the plan was thrown out in 1990 was due to the fact that a government may not collect a debt for a private company? The ordinance does not address this action nor does it create a Sanitation Authority or something of the like, this will be one loophole we the citizens may still have to fight this plan.
2) How can the county not bid out these services, would this not go against antitrust rules in the country?
Last week I sent out a rough P&L but here is n update version of what I envision this plan will cost to run on a yearly basis.
Staffing Levels
Director of Program $100,000.00 per year
Asst. Director $ 75,000.00 per year
Call Center Staff
Call Center Supervisor $50,000.00 per year
Ten Call Center Agents at $30,000.00 per year for $300,000.00
Asst. Director $ 75,000.00 per year
Call Center Staff
Call Center Supervisor $50,000.00 per year
Ten Call Center Agents at $30,000.00 per year for $300,000.00
Enforcement/Inspectors
Supervisor $50,000.00 per year
10 Enforcement Agents in field at $40,000.00 per year for $400,000.00
Total payroll would be $975,000.00
Payroll tax and Benefits at 42% is $409,500.00
Total Payroll cost all inclusive $1,384,500.00
Vehicles for Staff
Director’s $50,000.00
Asst. Directors $35,00.00
Truck for Enforcement (11 including supervisors) $220,000.00
Total vehicle cost $305,000.00
Other expenses
Fuel for vehicles per year $102,000.00
Insurance expenses $20,000.00
Office rental $3500 per month or $$42,000.00 per year
Utilities $2,000.00per moth or $24,000.00 per year
office supplies per year $12,000.00
Computers/printers $30,000.00
Tax Assessor office fee f adding charge to tax bill $1.00 each resident for $150,000.00 per year
total cost for office operation $380,000.00 per year
Total cost per year for plan administration $2,069,500.00 ( now please keep in mind this is for the first year of operation and many of these expenses that I have listed here do not need to be purchased every year such as vehicles and office equipment)
Using these figures which are rather outrageous there is still $180,500.00 left over as a surplus. I would use this money to pay the annual raises that the county workers seem to expect each year. Ifeel we need to question every BOC member on how they can justify this administrative fee.
I am going to send this budget to Shirley Lasseter and Charles Bannister requesting that I be hired to run the trash division of the county and offer to split the difference on the savings over and above the surplus of $180,000.00 per year I can save them. think I will get a job offer?
Great quote from last night
“The county did not settle the $80 million lawsuit; it financed it over the length of the contract,” said Anthony Grutadaurio, operating manager for Red Oak Sanitation, a small hauler with fewer than 5,000 Gwinnett customers. “Again, the residents are paying for your mistake.”
BOC Does It Again: Surprise Surprise Surprise
Mar 19th
Well as Gomer Pile said, “surprise, surprise,surprise” the BOC has worked a closed door deal with the haulers that filed suit. Strange how there are five district one for every hauler that has filed a lawsuit.
I do not see how the county can legally do this as I think they are required to bid this out. I am looking for a minority trash hauler to let them know they were not given the opportunity to service Gwinnett.
I would encourage everyone who can attend the meeting next Tuesday night to do so and let the BOC know how you feel on their closed door deals that now involve more than lad deals.
Please look back at the lead article of the AJC the day the BOC announce the new trash plan, it was the illegal dumping problem that the city of Atlanta has and they have mandatory trash service. Oh, what was the BOC’s main reason why they know we need this, illegal dumping!
Let’s see we have no ost federal and state funding since the leaders or should I say children can not agree on shared services involving cities and the county.
I would like to point out that the $1.25 service feeill bring the county in 1.875 million in revenue. Now billing this on the tax bill should cost nothing for the mailing since they already need to send the tax bill out. What in the heck is the county going to use the rest of the money for?? Here is how I see it:
$100,000.00 per year for the Trash Zar
$400,000.00 for ten trash enforcement staff members
$300,000.00 for ten customer service reps to answer our complaint calls
$100,000.00 per year for office lease and utilities
$100,000.000 per year for vehicles to patrol
$225,000.00 for benefits
Total $1.225 million per year to operate this plan for us. What happens to the $600,000.00 left over????
Don
FREEDOMWORKS AND CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT TO HOST SECOND TOWN HALL OCTOBER 29TH
Oct 22nd
FreedomWorks voices strong opposition of proposed 2 mill tax increase at this time as we don’t feel like the Board of Commissions has justified a need for an increase.FreedomWorks and Gwinnett Citizens for Responsible Government will host another Town Hall meeting on October 29th at 7 PM at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium.
Among the topics sure to be discussed is the latest comment by Commissioner Kevin Kenerly who stated the county will need a tax increase of 2 mills in order to meet the budget needs and reduce cut-backs.
FreedomWorks grassroots coordinator Debbie Dooley stated, “after all the spending cuts, Commissioner Kenerly, who is not seeking re-election, requests a 59 million dollar or 2 mills increase. The Board of Commissioners needs to clearly and in detail define exactly what programs that will fund. We also request a detailed accounting of what programs have been cut and the amount of the cut. Public Safety programs are essential to the safety of our citizens. There are other areas that are luxuries and not essential during this time of economic hardship.”
We do not believe all the budget cuts have been responsible nor do we believe that all options have been fully exhausted before requesting a tax increase. We urge the public to send their suggestions for cost savings and ways to generate revenue to gwinnettbudgetcuts@gmail.com These suggestions will be discussed at the Town Hall on October 29.
Gwinnett property owners already saw a $200 – 300 increase in their property tax bill because of last fall’s unfunded State homeowner’s property relief grant. Gwinnett homeowners can not afford an additional $168 increase in this economic down turn. The Board of Commissioners, to their credit, has demonstrated that they will listen when the tax payers speak loudly and enmasse. We urge them to listen to alternative suggestions from the Gwinnett County tax payers before raising taxes by 2 mills.
The fact is we have every right to ask these questions. Every member of the BOC ran their elections based on lower taxes and responsible spending. The seats belong to the tax payers. We are their employers and they are accountable to us.”
For more information contact Debbie Dooley at 404-404-625-4986 or debbie0040@yahoo.com
Commissioner Kenerly going out with a bang!
Oct 7th
WSB Radio Article: Gwinnett Tax Hike Possible
GDP Article by Camie Young: Tax increase back on table: Kenerly calls for new county plan
A property tax increase is back on the table for county residents, as a commissioner said service cuts to balance the budget have been too severe.During Tuesday’s board meeting, Commissioner Kevin Kenerly called for county staff to devise a plan that would cost taxpayers an average of $14 more a month – or about two additional mills.
So Gwinnett here we go again. Commissioner Kenerly wants all of us to step up and sacrifice in the name of safety? Where is the money going to go? What will it be spent on? Safety in law enforcement where its needed or more library hours? Give us the details so the citizens can understand and have the knowledge that’s needed to know what’s going on.
“Bold action is needed to keep Gwinnett County a preferred place to live, work and raise a family. I would ask the Gwinnett families to sacrifice with me.”
Now is the time AGAIN to make sure your voices are heard. Demand to know the details of Mr. Kenerly’s proposal.
Open hearings on the Property Tax Increase at GJAC today at 4:30 and 6:15 and June 2.
May 26th
Commissioners hold millage rate public hearings
OPEN LETTER TO GWINNETT TAXPAYERS MAY 22, 2009
As mayor of Suwanee, I can attest firsthand that local governments are profoundly affected by these challenging economic times. I can also promise that the Suwanee City Council is doing everything in its power to hold the line on taxes.
People are hurting. Many have lost jobs or taken pay cuts. Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. Nonprofits are trying to survive. Everyone seems to be doing whatever they can keep costs down. Well, not everyone.
Earlier this week, our Gwinnett County Commissioners announced their plan to raise your property taxes by more than 25 percent – 30 percent if you live in a city – so they can expand their 2009 budget by about 10 percent over their 2008 budget. We don’t have the exact figures because they still won’t publish the budget they adopted March 3.
You see, even though we’re nearly halfway into the fiscal year, without their budget document, the public is being kept in the dark. Our commissioners are ballooning county government in the worst economy anyone can remember.
Forty-three million of this enormous $87 million property tax increase isn’t even planned to be spent in 2009 – they’re socking it away in something called “working capital reserve.” Our commissioners have decided it’s better to overtax you and hoard those dollars than for you to pay your mortgage, health care or for your kids’ education.
Under the guise of public safety, our commissioners have hatched a curious plan to hire 170 more officers to start patrolling inside cities that are already policed effectively by the cities. This wasteful and dangerous duplication will require another $17 to 20 million of your money in new taxes – can’t know for certain without the budget. Sheriff Butch Conway calls their scheme a “terrible mistake.”
Growing the size of government in these economic times is exactly the wrong thing for any elected body. It’s quite obvious that our commissioners are oblivious to the reality that the rest of us face. We’re cutting back, yet they’re expanding their county largesse and sending us the bill. And it’s going to be a whopper.
State law requires our commissioners hold three public hearings at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center before they set these new tax rates. Two are scheduled for Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. The third is June 2, after which the county will vote on the new tax rate.
I plan to attend all of them, and hope you will, too.
Have we learned anything from the county’s recent “trash plan” episode? This time, will we make our voices heard to our elected commissioners before they take action on this outrageous tax hike?
If not, brace yourself for a doozie of a county tax bill.
Dave Williams, Mayor
City of Suwanee, GA
No decisions yet on the Trash Plan. County may defer any decision for this year.
Mar 15th
So what does this mean? Since I read the article yesterday I went back and forth on my thoughts. Maybe they are taking their time to get it right. Then I laughed at that thought because of how bad the Old-New Plan was screwed up. Maybe they have have no idea where to go next. Seems plausible especially if you have no real new ideas and the Old-New Plan was screwed up. Maybe they are still trying to figure out how to spin all the other great ideas lately like the stadium and the new budget and the raise in water rates and they just don’t have time for this and of course they really know that the Old-New Plan was screwed up. So maybe they defer and delay and maybe people’s anger and concern will be directed in another direction like the stadium and the budget which in all honesty we can do nothing about. We have heard here on this site “it’s just trash what’s the big deal.” The big deal is the way our county is being run. The big deal is the decisions that are being made just don’t make sense. The big deal is the county thinks they know what is best for the citizens and from the things they have done lately do you really think that is true? The big deal is the erosion of my choices. Today it’s trash what’s next?
Let’s revisit the last meeting of the MBSCT:
What we need to think about is who knows better what is best for us at the end of the day? The BOC? Really? When the MBSCT was created we asked more than once for them to be sanctioned. However, after attending the last meeting of the MBSCT I am pretty sure I don’t want this group to be speaking for me. I had high hopes for this committee that they would come away from these meetings listening to the public and come up with ideas that would make sense and be some ideas that the BOC could agree was in the best interest of the people who live here Gwinnnett County.
-
My only issue with this one is that this is one more thing the government is mandating like we don’t know that picking up trash is important. Most of us are going to have trash service whether the BOC tells us to or not because we don’t want the trash to stay at our house. I am sure I am naive in thinking most people want trash service whether at their home or their business because they want their trash picked up. I really find it hard to believe that because someone does not have trash service that automatically makes them an illegal trash dumper. Again I am probably naive but I hope we live in a better county than that.
-
Where is the free choice of the residents in this? Again to hear the MBSCT say we need to go to a “One Hauler One Neighborhood” sounds great in theory but who is getting to choose the hauler. Not the residents. Yes I am happy the local businesses get the opportunity to bid again and stay in business but if I were them I would be wary of this approach as any. Why? Because what’s to stop them from getting undercut on their bid by bigger companies with more resources. What’s to stop one company from having more than area? What will that do to service? According to Commissioner Beaudreau having a SLA (Service Level Agreement) will keep performance high. What will keep the service at a high level is my ability to fire someone if I don’t like their service. Seems to me a business listens a lot better when you hit their pocketbook than if you hit their customer service line. I heard more than one trash hauler say this in the meeting. The ones that were there have no problem being held to that standard. For most that’s how they got where they are today
-
This is how you stop illegal dumping? Nope, sorry but if you think making something mandatory that the majority of the people use anyway is going to stop illegal dumping then you are losing it. The people who dump illegally won’t give a rip and will continue to do what they do. If you really want to stop illegal dumping then get serious about stopping the people who do it. Don’t interject the government more in our life and punish us because the majority of the county do what we are supposed to and a small percentage don’t.
The findings of the MBSCT were supposed to be presented today. In the end it will be interesting to see what their findings end up being. Will things change? There was nothing on the agenda for the working session of the BOC. Where will the county go and what decisions will the make at the end of the 120 days?
2009 Budget Passes—Property Taxes increases to follow
Mar 4th
I would like to suggest you go out to the county website and watch the meeting from yesterday that was taped. The budget was not passed with ease and the 4-1 vote was very interesting. We have been critical of Commissioner Beaudreau but yesterday he at least tried to stand up and say the budget wasn’t right.
“It would have kept us solvent, and we would have had a balanced budget,” Beaudreau said. “It’s regrettable that politics got in the way.”
We just wish he had been able to come up with alternatives before the meeting so that MAYBE some of the other members the BOC would have listened. However that did not happen and Chairman Bannister distanced himself from Commissioner Beaudreau on the budget just like he had done already with the Trash Committee.
Commissioners did approve a call by Bannister to move capital projects, including the opening of a Grayson police precinct, into future years. Beaudreau said the moves seemed politically motivated since three of the five projects were in his southern Gwinnett district.
BOC receives $1.6 billion 2009 Budget – Watch out for Property Tax Increases… County will not use rainy day fund.
Feb 23rd
Gwinnett County Website: Commissioners pass interim budget
How is the County going to make up a $62 million shortfall? Through property taxes. That’s right folks watch your millage rate go up. No using of the Rainy Day fund here. Can you imagine how bad it will have to be raining to use the Rainy Day Fund if we are not in a downpour now?
While more safety officers whether Police or Fire is a good thing and goodness knows they deserve every penny they get it is hard for me to believe the county is really going to hide tax increases behind the need to hire more safety officers.
From the GDP Article
and officials said they are hoping for $65 million in additional revenues to make up the difference.
“We almost balanced the budget, and then the revenue projections came in,” Deputy County Administrator Mike Comer said. “The costs started going up at that point.”
Comer said the amount of a tax increase could become more clear in June, when officials are expected to have a clearer picture of the county tax digest, which could drop because of a decrease in real estate values.
Hoping? Hoping? Really? Start looking at things the county is spending their money on in the past year. From the failed trash plan to a baseball stadium and you see why they are hoping. We can all look forward to paying our share of this. So the people who own property will be the ones penalized.
From the AJC Article
Despite additional cuts made to the original budget proposed in December, the county is facing a revenue shortfall of about $62 million, said Jock Connell, county administrator. Without an economic turnaround, he said he didn’t see any way to avoid raising the millage rate on property.
AJC Article by Patrick Fox: Gwinnett’s $1.6B budget includes 136 new positions
WSB Article by Jon Lewis: Gwinnett Tax Increase Possible
Recent Comments