07.21 Ledger 01 - The Cherokee Ledger-News

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4 THE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS NEWS JULY 21, 2010 FREE - FREE Hot Stones or Foot Detox Now Hiring Licensed Massage Therapist w/purchase of full hour massage $49 .99 - with coupon - Hennessy Honda .com “Pay for experience ...not overhead.” Taxes • Accounting • Payroll Financial Fraud Investigation & Prevention Michelle Fox, CFE, CPA 404.422.8572 safeguard.solutions@comcast.net www.safeguardCPA.com Walk-Ins Welcome Jo-Jo’s Jo-Jo’s Asian Asian Massage Massage Therapy Therapy www.jojosmassage.com 9550 Main St, Suite 110, Woodstock, 30188 678-770-5878 ■■■ County rolling up its millage rate BY CAROLYN MATHEWS carolynmathews@ledgernews.com Cherokee County, like the school district, is considering raising its millage rate, but both higher rates, if approved, will not result in most citizens paying more taxes. That is because county property value is down because of the recession. In order to make up for a smaller revenue stream, the county government is considering “rolling up” its millage, in order to collect for its coffers this year the same amount of estimated revenue as it had in 2009. “This is actually a roll-up,” said County Manager Jerry Cooper. “Normally there would be inflation of the digest, and if we didn’t roll back the rate, taxes would go up, but property values have decreased 8 percent.” Cooper said commissioners tentatively plan to set the county portion of the millage rate at 8.313 mills, from 7.703 mills. The higher rate includes 4.729 for the general fund, up from 4.381 mills, 2.956 for the fire district fund, up from 2.742; and .628 for the parks bond fund; up from .580. The net general fund digest dropped to $7.6 billion this year from $8.3 billion in 2009. The fire digest is $5.7 billion this year, compared to $6.2 billion last year. The millage rate hike does not legally require public hearings because the new rate is not above the “rollback” rate. “We’re doing it anyway, to be transparent and open to the general public,” Cooper said. One public hearing was held on July 20 at 6 p.m.; the other is set for July 29 at the 6 p.m. county Board of Commissioners Meet- Cooper ing, at the Cherokee County Administration Building and Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, in Canton. The millage rate is scheduled to be approved at the meeting. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value. Property in Georgia is taxed at 40 percent of assessed value, after exemptions. County Chief Assessor John Adams said the millage rate will not have an effect on property owners whose property went down in value at least 8 percent. For a homeowner with a $200,000 home that has not changed at all in appraised value, taxes would go up a little less than $50 annually under the new county portion of the millage. This takes into account taxes on $80,000 in assessed value, less a $5,000 county exemption. He said that of the 94,000 vacant and improved parcels in the county, 82,000 went down in value some amount. “The overall digest went down more than 8 percent,” Adams said. “This is a roll-up to a revenue neutral point.” Adams noted that the school district portion of the county property tax bill is slated to go up one mill, from 18.65 to 19.65, subject to school board approval July 28. However, that millage is not even up to the school district’s rollback rate, which is 20.155. The school district digest went down 10 percent, because those 62 and older can apply for and receive a school tax exemption that for the most part negates school taxes. School district millage is capped at 20 mills without voter approval. County spends $1.7M for aquatic land BY CAROLYN MATHEWS carolynmathews@ledgernews.com The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, using park bond money, has purchased land for a county aquatic center, which could have as many as three pools, near the geographic center of the county. At the July 6 meeting, the commission unanimously approved the purchase of 37.65 acres for $1.73 million, at Gresham Mill Parkway and Sixes Road, just west of the Sixes Road Interstate 575 exit, in order to build the aquatic center along with adjacent city parkland, from MBC Partners. Post 4 Commissioner Derek Good made the motion to approve the purchase, saying “We have worked on this for eight years.” An initial assessment of the land shows that there is room enough to grade 10 to 12 acres flat to place the aquatic center. A road is paved to the property boundary, and the seller plans to transfer $82,500 to the county prior to closing for use by the county for road improvements. Some sort of commercial development will likely be located in front of the aquatic center, fronting on Sixes Road. “An outlet mall was being considered there, but I believe they are looking at the Ridgewalk interchange area now,” Post 1 Commissioner Harry Johnston said. In the request for proposals for the swim center, County Manager Jerry Cooper will include asking for a consultant at the beginning of the process so that the county knows what it needs to build. While the land and the construction of the $10.2 million facility will be paid for out of the parks bond proceeds, the county will have to figure out how to fund operating costs through use fees at the pools. SEE AQUATIC, PAGE 15
JULY 21, 2010 NEWS THE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS 5 Downtown Woodstock open for business BY CAROLYN MATHEWS carolynmathews@ledgernew.com Want to shop in downtown Woodstock? Don’t mind construction, you can get to local shops via Wall Street. Wall Street is the tiny back alley behind the blocks of historic buildings on the west side Main Street, not the better-known Manhattan thoroughfare of the same name. However, downtown merchants and Woodstock economic officials hope to bring prosperity to Wall Street and Main Street by improving the look of the downtown shops that are located in between. Construction has begun on sidewalks and streetscapes, but it will be business as usual for the 16 businesses located in the 15 buildings between Samson and Delilah Antiques and Priest’s Home Furnishings. The Woodstock Livable Center Initiative (LCI) a $1.05 million project being funded by the federal stimulus, is under way as of last week. The Woodstock City Council approved several measures so that the facelift would have a minimal effect on consumer and pedestrian traffic in the area. “The streetscape project started last week with some marking of utilities and with the milling of the project area,” said Director of Economic Development Services Billy Peppers. “The push is to have the majority of the construction completed by the end of the year, and to have the work in front of the commercial properties completed in time for the holiday season.” The city council is allowing a temporary lifting of the sign ordinance in the area to allow directly impacted businesses to hang two additional banners. “These banners still have to be permitted, but there is no fee associated with the permit,” Peppers said. Additionally, the city council voted to remove “do not enter” signs from the south end of Wall Street to allow right-hand turns from Mill Street. The city also purchased the former Woodstock Gas storage lot on Mill Street for additional public parking. The city also is examining the feasibility of making Mill Street two-way. It is now an eastbound one-way street. The city council voted to direct Community Development Director Richard McLeod to study traffic patterns downtown in order to determine if making the street two-way would improve traffic flow and increase the exposure of businesses in the area. Peppers said the city would be sensitive to its downtown merchants’ needs during the construction. “We are currently working on an advertising and marketing plan for during the construction as well as tweaks to our downtown events, such as Friday Nite Live, to make it safe and accessible during construction,” Peppers said. The construction is being accomplished block-byblock, beginning at the north end of downtown, by Johnson Landscapes Inc. The city council approved the contractor working through the night hours to minimize disturbing downtown business and traffic. CAROLYN MATHEWS | LEDGER-NEWS Woodstock Director of Economic Development Services Billy Peppers briefed downtown merchants on the streetscapes project under construction, at a meeting at Dean’s Store July 15. After improvements to the west side of the street, sidewalks will be added to across Main Street, paralleling the railroad track. Woodstock also has constructed a new a pedestrian crossing over the railroad track. Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques assured merchants and citizens at an informational meeting at Dean’s Store July 15 that the construction company’s “marching orders are to disturb businesses and residents as little as possible.” “Let us know if there is a problem,” Henriques said. “Economic times are tough enough, we don’t need to make them tougher.” Downtown Development Authority member Jennifer Nelson said that when construction is completed, the sidewalks will be more user-friendly. “It’s going to be great,” she said. “It will be a new updated look and it will be more accessible. It will mean a huge amount to downtown.” Nelson said the DDA wants to keep merchants in the loop and informed about the project timelines. A Web site where project progress will be tracked has been set up at www.mainstreetwoodstock.org. “I’m excited about this project,” said Lee West, a mortgage specialist located downtown, who shares a storefront with his wife, Cheryl West, who owns Seven Arrows. West said he just has one suggestion. He thinks reverse-angle parking, rather than angle parking, should be used for safety’s sake. In related business, the DDA just approved façade grants for the downtown businesses, where there will be a $1 match for every dollar invested in a façade up to $5,000 in improvements, Peppers said, adding details should be available in the next few weeks. The official groundbreaking for the Main Street project was held July 19 at the new Herbert Priest Jr. Pedestrian Railroad Crossing. LEDGER-NEWS STAFF WRITER JANET PELLETIER contributed to this article. ■■■ UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE ATM FEE REFUNDS* Cheryl Karr, Realtor RE/MAX Town & Country Office: 770-479-7050 Email: Karrgroup@comcast.net Web: www.Karrgroup.com $249,900 4-Car Garage & Basement; Located off Sixes Rd, 2 miles from 575; 4 BR/3 BA Ranch on Large Wooded Cul-de-Sac Lot; Fireside Master with Spa Bath. FMLS # 4059165 One hour of pamper & comfort. The Human Touch Technology’s massage chairs will awaken your senses, heal your body & replenish your soul. Softening hydrating aromatherapeutic foot bath treatment: • Aromatic Foot Scrub • Moisturizing Paraffin Wax • Callus Treatment • Foot Masque • Pedicure $168,900 3-Car Garage & Fin Basement; Popular Towne Lake Area. Spotless 3 BR/3 BA Home on Level Lot; Vaulted Ceilings; Split Bedroom Plan; New Roof; Can Close Quickly. FMLS # 4043974 �� OPPORTUNITY $5 00 OFF Signature Pedicure with coupon only Expires 8.25.10 NT Nails is a family owned business operated by State Board Licensed Onyxologist & Manicurist with more than 15 years of experience! � We Strongly believe that your enjoyment and Satisfaction is our SUCCESS!
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07.21 Ledger 01 - The Cherokee Ledger-News

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