Two public hearings on Thursday on the proposal to raise Dalton Public Schools’ property tax rate drew about 55 people, with 11 speakers, but no one who voiced approval.
At the noon hearing, six people addressed the five members of the Dalton Board of Education, one at a time, each allowed up to five minutes to talk.
Mayor David Pennington finished to applause after he said the city has priced itself out of the market as an economical place for property owners to live. He urged the board members to reconsider their proposal to raise the tax rate from 7.845 mills to 8.134 mills. They hope to generate another $1 million to cover a portion of the $17 million they’ve lost from state revenue since 2003 and the $2.6 million lost in local property tax revenue since last year.
“We sympathize with the city school board’s problems, the county school board’s problems, all governments’ problems, but we also sympathize with all the people who have to pay those taxes,” Pennington said. “The cost of living in a community — basically the price for our product — is the millage rate. The city of Dalton’s millage rate is the highest in Northwest Georgia by far. There’s nobody even close.”
Pennington said the city taxes that property owners pay are at 100 percent of their property’s value while almost every other taxing entity in Georgia taxes only 40 percent of the value.
“The price to live inside the city of Dalton versus outside the city of Dalton in Whitfield County is about 60 percent higher than it would be for the same house ... It’s about 35 percent higher than what it is in Gordon County and about 40 percent higher than what it is in Catoosa County.”
None of the individuals speaking at the hearings said they currently have children in the school system. Throughout the hearings, the common theme from the speakers was that now is not the right time to raise taxes.
Pete Gunn said he travels across Georgia for his job with a repossession company and witnesses firsthand people who are struggling to make ends meet.
“I just don’t think it’s appropriate at this time to place another burden on the taxpayers,” Gunn said.
Phil Neff, a Dalton businessman who employs 47, said he recently stopped giving himself a salary because he is struggling to keep his company afloat. He said he doesn’t want taxes to go up for himself or his employees.
“I’m in a survival mode,” he said. “... It is not the right time to be imposing any type of a tax increase.”
Larry Underwood said this month he is going from a salary of about $40,000 a year to having to live on Social Security, “which is not very much.”
“I’m probably in better shape than some people (but not as good a shape as others),” he said. “I don’t think this time — with what I understand about the school district — is the time to increase taxes.”
Marshall Mauldin said he is concerned that the local property tax base will decrease even more when appraisers look at commercial values again next year.
“I think you’ve really got to take a long-term approach to this,” he said.
Vann Roberts said college expenses are a burden for families, too, so school officials need to think harder about finding ways to better prepare students for college without incurring extra costs for taxpayers.
Troy Smith asked several questions about the school system’s costs, including why board members are considering a tax increase when the $56.7 million budget is already balanced.
“Next year is going to be much worse,” board Chairman Steve Williams replied, explaining officials expect further reductions in both state and local revenue.
Cathy Holmes, a member of the board that governs Dalton Utilities, asked school system officials to reconsider spending $9,000 per student, a cost higher than surrounding districts. In Whitfield County Schools, for example, spending per student is about $8,000.
“The city of Dalton stands out as being the most expensive,” Holmes said. “It just suggests to me that perhaps there would be the opportunity for some true blue benchmarking.”
Williams said he understands the need to help make Dalton a city where people want to live, but he said not all of that depends on the property tax rate. For middle management and young professionals, many are looking to live in an area with a good school system, he said.
“We’re not in an economy where that is an option for nearly as many people,” said John Didier.
Denise Wood, a member of the Dalton City Council, asked board members to “sharpen the pencils and take a business perspective” by considering ways to cut the budget beyond the $5 million they’ve already trimmed this year.
Williams said board members are already doing that, but continue to seek ways to do more. He said the school system is operating on about the same amount of funding as in 2005 but is serving about 700 more children.
Board member Richard Fromm said after the noon meeting adjourned he appreciates the input from the public and understands planning must be conducted from a long-term rather than a one-year approach.
“It’s a community discussion that needs to be had,” he said.
Board member Tulley Johnson said the board hasn’t increased taxes since 2003.
“I think we’ve done a good job,” he said. “We’ve just been cut (from the state) every year since 2003. We’ve reduced staff, salaries and transportation ... We’re faced with a lot of difficulties at this time.”
Board member Danny Crutchfield thanked members of the public for coming but added there’s a misconception about the board members’ desire to raise taxes.
“You guys have got it all wrong,” he told the evening audience. “We’re not for an increase. We’re for our kids.”
The final hearing on the tax increase is Monday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Board members are scheduled to vote on the proposal after the hearing.
Education
Related Photos
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Dalton Mayor David Pennington, foreground, tells members of the Dalton Board of Education why he is opposed to a proposed tax increase Thursday at City Hall. Board members include from left, Danny Crutchfield, Rick Fromm, Mark Orr, Chairman Steve Williams, Superintendent Jim Hawkins and Tulley Johnson. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Discussion
Dalton Public Schools: Tax increase hearings draw objections
- Education
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Dalton schools budget draws almost $2 million from reserves
Dalton School Superintendent Jim Hawkins, left, speaks as board of education members Danny Crutchfield and Rick Fromm listen during a six-hour board meeting retreat. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Dalton Public Schools Superintendent Jim Hawkins said he’s no longer expecting a big economic bounce back to solve the school system’s budget concerns.
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Northwest students place high, take tech to next level
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair.
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Dalton student on GPS May Court
Christian Bryant of Dalton has been elected to the May Court at Girls Preparatory School and will serve as crown bearer to the May Queen during the May Day festivities in April.
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Northwest Whitfield High School Sweetheart Court
Northwest Whitfield High School's Tip Off Club hosted the 2012 Sweetheart Dance at the school recently.
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Art student’s work on exhibition
Gary Sanchez Soto will represent Murray County High School in “An Artistic Discovery: The Congressional Art Competition” at the Derrell C. Roberts Library on the campus of Dalton State College.
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Professor to speak on the Oscars during 'Lunch & Learn' program
Jonathan Lampley, assistant professor of English at Dalton State, will present “The Oscars: Winners, Losers, and Weird Moments” in the College’s James E. Brown Center, room 105, on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.
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Local high schools recognized for AP classes, exams
State School Superintendent John Barge named several local high schools as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools.
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The Perfect Polish
Cosmetology and Skills U.S.A. at North Murray High School recently sponsored a community service project in which Donna Blankenship’s students gave manicures to the residents of the Murray County Senior Center.
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MCHS accepts letterman's jacket
James “William” Butler’s family presented his letterman’s jacket to Murray County High School Principal Gina Linder during halftime of a varsity boys’ basketball game recently. The jacket, which has a “1962 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP” patch on it, will be displayed in the school’s trophy case. Presenting the jacket to Linder were Butler’s nieces, Chloe Brown and Ashley Strong; his wife, Patsy Butler; his daughter, Robin Baggett; and his grandchildren, Jaden and Janna Baggett.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December teacher of the month
English teacher Jennifer Weninger (center) was selected by her peers as December’s Teacher of the Month at Mountain Creek Academy. Principal Paula Martin (right) and Curriculum Instructor Facilitator/Counselor Jennifer Lents presented her with the award.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December staff of the month
Mountain Creek Academy Lisa Sanford, center, accepts a certificate from Principal Paula Martin and Counselor Jennifer Lents (left) as she is recognized with a December Staff of the Month award. Sanford has worked at Mountain Creek for 12 years.
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Med students visit Murray High
In December, students from Murray County High School and North Murray High School were invited to meet with fourth-year medical students Allen Ligon of Augusta and Heath Petty, an MCHS graduate.
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Gladden honors December student of the month
Joey Ecklebarger is the December 2011 Gladden Middle School Student of the Month. Joey is motivated and puts forth great effort in all classes. His behavior and attitude towards school, other students and teachers is also outstanding. Sean Hammond, Joey’s social studies teacher says of Joey, “He is great to have on our team.”
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Coker honors students for Week 14 good behavior
As part of Coker Elementary School’s PBIS or Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support system, students that follow the school expectations are recognized each week for their Great Behavior.
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Gladden students use Facebook in lessons
Gladden Middle School eighth-grader Shaley Stafford shows her Facebook page model on the book “Alice in Wonderland.” Eighth grade reading teacher Keith Rollins had his students choose a book from the library to do a book report on. However, this was not an ordinary book report. After the students read their book, they were to do their report by making a Facebook page about their book.
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