TOWN OF GARLAND MONDAY, JUNE17,2024 6:30PM  SPECIAL! MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BOARD OFCOMMISSIONERS  The Special Meeting/Public Hearing ofthe Board of Commissioners of the Town of Garland was held at the Garland' Town Hall in Garland, NC on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 6:30pm. The following members oft the Board of Commissioners were present: Mayor Austin Brown, Mayor Pro Tem Timothy Blackburn, Commissioner Lee Carberry, Commissioner, Jo: Strickland, Commissioner Ralph Smith, Town Clerk, Shauna' Harper and absent was Commissioner Anthony Norris. Also, in attendance were several residents. CALLTOORDER: Mayor Brown called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and welcomed everyonei in  attendance. PRESENTATION:  Samanta Wullenwaber, Deputy Executive Director; Mid Carolina Regional Council presented the board with budgeti information. Included was the tax rate analysis, growth rate, county property re- evaluation, explanation ofthe neutral tax rate, collection rate of property taxes and examples of how Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into thej publichearing, Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn  tol balance the budget based on the RNTR of. .44 cents. seconded the motion and motion carried. PUBLCCOMMENT645m  First to: speak, was resident, Tim Register, home, and business owner. He thanked the board for the roles and added there were misconceptions from the previous presentation. Advised ofhis financial background in finance and states as home and business owner the current tax rate of.72 cents from the town is unaffordable and the county tax helps. He recommended a decrease in the town tax rate since iti is the highest around and has been for years. Residents and businesses will not be able to afford their property taxes. Consider the lower tax rate to help the Town of Garland residents and Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson also requested thet town to adopt a lower tax rate. The current tax rate is high and asks to show love and attention to the residents. Al lot of older folks struggle with the Inr response, Commissioner Smith pledged to vote on revenue neutral tax rate and agreed withl Mr. Mayor Brown followed up with. .72i is high however the town does provide services for the citizens. Commissioner Smith motioned to close public comments, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Timothy  businesses.  current] prices oftoday and live on a fixed income.  Register:  Blackburn, motion passes. REGULAR SESSION: 6:58pm  Per Mayor Brown, discuss tax rate, cuts, and budget ordinance at: al later date. There will bel budget Commissioner Smith motioned for a. .47 cent tax rate. Motion dies. Commissioner Strickland motioned to table the vote on tax rate sO there is time to research, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem  work session' Thursday, June 20th @ 6:30.  Blackburn, motioned passed 3-1, Commissioner. Smith, nay.    Motion to adjourn by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Commissioner Carberry, motion  carried.  Duly adopted on the 2nd day ofJ July, 2024 while ini regular session.  Ad ba Austin Brown, Mayor  ATTEST: Harper GLAnO Town Clerk/Finance  GEBAR oeal) GEAND  dypa Officet)