Ware County commissioners set FY25 millage rates and approve employee safety incentive pay
November 01, 2024 | Ware County, Georgia
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The Ware County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 adopted the county FY25 millage rate and approved a one-time safety incentive payout for employees, voting unanimously on all measures.
Tax Commissioner Roger Collins told commissioners the county rollback rate fell to 11.736 from 13.826 after updated property assessments, and that “the millage roll back is down to 11.736 from 13.826” and will yield the same total tax revenue as last year because assessed values increased. Commissioner Leonard Burse moved to adopt Resolution 2024-28 setting the county millage at 11.736; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor.
Interim County Manager Melinda Brooks introduced a letter from the Ware County Superintendent recommending the Ware County Board of Education roll its rate back to 14.00 mills from 15.064. Tax Commissioner Collins said lowering the school board rate below 14.00 mills would cause the Board of Education to lose $12.5 million in federal funding. Commissioner Timmy Lucas moved to approve Resolution 2024-29 adopting the 14.00 mill school rate; the motion passed unanimously.
On a separate motion, the commission approved Resolution 2024-30 to provide a one-time safety incentive payment of $125 for full-time employees and $65 for part-time employees, to be paid Dec. 6. Interim Manager Brooks said the payout is funded from a discount/refund on workers' compensation insurance premiums; Finance Supervisor Beverly York said this year's refund amount is $61,991.00 and that the county uses a fixed per-employee payout for payroll simplicity. Commissioner Leonard Burse said he was proud the savings are being returned to employees. The motion to approve the incentive pay passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2024-28 (County FY25 millage): motion by Commissioner Leonard Burse; second by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; vote 5–0, approved; millage set at 11.736.
- Resolution 2024-29 (Ware County Board of Education millage): motion by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; second by Commissioner Leonard Burse; vote 5–0, approved; school millage set at 14.00.
- Resolution 2024-30 (Safety incentive pay): motion by Commissioner Leonard Burse; second by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; vote 5–0, approved; payout $125 full-time, $65 part-time, to be paid Dec. 6.
The commission recorded roll-call votes for each resolution with Commissioners Leonard Burse, Jerry Pope, Sammy Hendricks, Timmy Lucas and Chairman Elmer Thrift voting in favor. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Tax Commissioner Roger Collins told commissioners the county rollback rate fell to 11.736 from 13.826 after updated property assessments, and that “the millage roll back is down to 11.736 from 13.826” and will yield the same total tax revenue as last year because assessed values increased. Commissioner Leonard Burse moved to adopt Resolution 2024-28 setting the county millage at 11.736; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor.
Interim County Manager Melinda Brooks introduced a letter from the Ware County Superintendent recommending the Ware County Board of Education roll its rate back to 14.00 mills from 15.064. Tax Commissioner Collins said lowering the school board rate below 14.00 mills would cause the Board of Education to lose $12.5 million in federal funding. Commissioner Timmy Lucas moved to approve Resolution 2024-29 adopting the 14.00 mill school rate; the motion passed unanimously.
On a separate motion, the commission approved Resolution 2024-30 to provide a one-time safety incentive payment of $125 for full-time employees and $65 for part-time employees, to be paid Dec. 6. Interim Manager Brooks said the payout is funded from a discount/refund on workers' compensation insurance premiums; Finance Supervisor Beverly York said this year's refund amount is $61,991.00 and that the county uses a fixed per-employee payout for payroll simplicity. Commissioner Leonard Burse said he was proud the savings are being returned to employees. The motion to approve the incentive pay passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2024-28 (County FY25 millage): motion by Commissioner Leonard Burse; second by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; vote 5–0, approved; millage set at 11.736.
- Resolution 2024-29 (Ware County Board of Education millage): motion by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; second by Commissioner Leonard Burse; vote 5–0, approved; school millage set at 14.00.
- Resolution 2024-30 (Safety incentive pay): motion by Commissioner Leonard Burse; second by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; vote 5–0, approved; payout $125 full-time, $65 part-time, to be paid Dec. 6.
The commission recorded roll-call votes for each resolution with Commissioners Leonard Burse, Jerry Pope, Sammy Hendricks, Timmy Lucas and Chairman Elmer Thrift voting in favor. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
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