-  Minutes City Council Work Session October 3rd, 2023 6:30pm  GEORGIA Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Avenue, Baldwin, GA; 30511 Acting Mayor. Alice Venter, Council Member Theron Ayers, Council Member Stephanie Almagno, and Council Member Maarten Venter were all in attendance.  Call Meeting to Order  Acting Mayor. Alice Venter called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.  Economic Development Discussion (max. 20 minutes)  Council Member Stephanie Almagno shared her experience with visiting Tim Barbir's data centeri in Maysville, which will be similar to the data center to be built in Baldwin. Citizens in Chandler Heights had expressed concern about noise levels from the facility to. Almagno, who shared that she was pleasantly surprised that the noise was less than expected, even when right next to thei facility. Almagno also shared that the infrastructure Georgia Power hasi installed for the facility will bel beneficial to Baldwin for years down the road, even: if Barbir were  tosell. Public Hearing Old Business  1. 2023 Millage Rate  CAO Emily Woodmaster shared an overview oft the rollback options with some a.) Noi rollback - Millage rate stays the: same (Habersham County: 9.342, Banks County: 3.465), and add additional collections, totaling $892,0001 in b.) Full rollback - Reducing the: millage rate to equal the assessments from the year prior. Even ift the digest changes, the actual collections do not, totaling $760,000. This is also partially caused by Governor Kemp's Homestead Relief Grant, which will reduce qualified property owners' assessed values by $18,000. made Habersham County exemptions increase from $1.6 million to c.) Partial rollback - Number created by the City to meet the FY24 budget set forth by the Council at $832,000. Habersham County'sm millage rate would be Acting Mayor Venter reiterated that property taxes only contribute to 24% oft the City's budget, and thei remaining 76% comes from other budgeting sources including the water treatment plant and school zone cameras.. Aj partial rollback would bring in enough collections to meet the FY24 budget without having to make additional cuts to department needs or provided services. The average  adjustments toi the previously presented numbers:  collections.  $10.2 million.  8.735and Banks County would be 3.24.  Work Session Minutes  October 3rd,2023  Page 1    impact per parcel in Habersham would be $1.34, and the averageil impact per parcel in Banks County (with fewer parcels) would be $2.70. Council Member Maarten Venter stated that after seeing data from Baldwin's public safety, the City needs to maintain services. He reiterated that he would Almagno stated that it's the City's responsibility to maintain a balanced budget and to maintain everything that has been accomplished in thel last year. She said that having no rollback was not an option, but a full rollback would require asking department heads to make even more cuts to their budgets. Almagno stated that the partial rollback provides an appropriate balance by meeting the Woodmaster explained that the consensus of the Council at this meeting determined the next steps of passing the millage rate. Noi rollback OT a partial rollback would require three public hearings. The millage rate: must be certified tothe state by November: 1st, sO a Special Called Meeting will be required to meet Council was in consensus toj pursue a partial rollback of the millage rate.  vote only for a full or partial rollback.  needs oft the departments and the needs of City services.  those requirements.  New Business  2. Purchase of New Police Vehicle  Chief Chris Jones addressed Council regarding adding a seventh police vehiclet to the Enterprise lease agreement. The Police Department has hired a newi full-time officer, who is driving one oft thei two remaining Ford Explorers in the fleet. These Explorers are approaching seven years in service when the recommended life ofa police vehicle is no more than five years. Enterprise will capitalize 50% ofthe upfitting, sO the City will only have toj pay $9,000 for upfitting at the time of Funds for this new vehicle will come from SPLOSTVII and Public Safety Funds. There is currently $60,000 remaining in SPLOSTY VII and the City will need $10,000 from Public Safety Funds to cover payments for the remainder of FY24. Council was in consensus tol bring this forward at' Tuesday's meeting.  vehicle delivery.  3. Appointment of] Erik Keith  Duei toi the resignation ofLarry Lewallen, Post1 on the Council is currently vacant. To ensure the Council will have a quorum for the remaining 2023 meetings, it was proposed that Erik Keith (who qualified for Postiu uncontested) be appointed to serve the remainder of Lewallen' 's term. Legal counsel verified that since there only 90 days until election, it follows the City's charter to appoint Keith and then swear him ini for his own term in January. Council was in consensus tol bring this forward to' Tuesday'smeeting.  Amouncement Work Session Minutes  October 3rd, 2023  Page 2    a. Join us for thei final 2023 Movie In the Market on October 20th at 7:30 pm! Bring your chairs and blankets to the Baldwin Farmers' Market for a free screening of "Coco." Light concessions will be available with all proceeds going to our "Shop b. The City of Baldwin is now accepting vendors for our Sixth Annual Fall Festival on October 21st! We welcome foodi trucks, crafters, and non-profits to sign upi for abooth and be a part of our yearly celebration of Baldwin and our surrounding community. The vendor application is available online at www.ctyotbaldwin.org or bye emailing bioesbthalanene Fireworks at thel Fall Festival  With a Hero" program!  will be: sponsored by Safety Plus.  Adjournment  Action: Amotion was made by' Theron Ayers to adjourn the meeting with a second by Maarten Venter. Motion Carried 3-0 at' 7:31 pm.  10/10/2023 Date Approved by Council  G  OF BALD CITY  SEAL CT GP  A  Erin Gathercoal, City Clerk  E66  Work Session Minutes  October 3d, 2023  Page 13