[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6355474,"mediaKeyId","2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8","parentId",2218376,"title","Public comments favor statewide floating homestead exemption; council to vote on opt-out after three hearings","audioSeconds",994,"startMs",2995000,"endMs",3989000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8&start=2995&end=3989","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355474/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Public-comments-favor-statewide-floating-homestead-exemption-council-to-vote-on-opt-out-after-three-hearings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355474-3d17bca3600db391e3518220819d4603/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975695&Signature=Wz2Ao-9cfSQtU6KjSVao~L1Wg-QcnqqNSyess8~2l4ixnLzepRD3w3Lg~Ib~HQsf9X5lmQz0Aut-yV9x2y0jrkt11SIqD3tYBXFjd90DFcttvhM3iyWcQ1U8n0mK9TaEWheqzXTbELMBQMNxFM8FSQXNjn1fcXKtBZ11Zl2pydBKuxSZLHggaZx7caiExInSlaB1UYTRER6OGCpw2H99Puc~BFp0QYM8UEilySk6mVpfZeWLgMfkYDiDkSgkuwqLhwfNmuNWJcWMuIahY6scdeg1w5wHT9LZp46BGM3Aps1KCtMUanxa0zJirxf9tDm6eJ8z0KzrCPw4R3EMYe7IzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-04T14:55:09Z","article","Diana DeSanto, the city's interim manager, summarized House Bill 581 (2024) and the implementation steps Villa Rica must follow to opt out of the statewide floating homestead exemption or to remain in and possibly pursue the related floating local option sales tax (FLOST).

What HB 581 does: DeSanto explained the bill implements a statewide floating homestead exemption that caps the annual increase in a homesteaded property's taxable value at a rate tied to inflation (the state revenue commissioner will set the inflation measure, expected to be CPI). The exemption freezes increases in taxable value for qualifying homestead properties by offsetting annual taxable-value growth based on the set inflation measure. The law does not apply to debt-service (bond) millage but does apply to maintenance-and-operations ad valorem taxes and to special service districts (including Tax Allocation Districts) where applicable.

FLOST and local choices: HB 581 also authorizes an optional local sales tax (a \"floating local option sales tax\" or FLOST) of up to 1% to help recoup lost property-tax revenues created by the floating homestead exemption; the FLOST requires a referendum and both the county and every city in a county that levies property tax must have adopted the floating homestead exemption (or equivalent) to be eligible to place FLOST on the ballot. DeSanto explained the county/city opt-out deadline and the local process: three public hearings, specific advertising and posting rules, and a final council resolution filed with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025, if the jurisdiction chooses to opt out.

Public comment: Several residents and local officials spoke at the hearing and most urged the council not to opt out of the statewide exemption and to preserve residents' right to the homestead protection and to keep FLOST as an option to offset revenue loss. Key speakers included Ken Carey (Villa Rica resident), Eric Robinson (Mayor of Mount Zion, speaking in support of honoring voter intent), Greg Roberts (Villa Rica resident), and Alita Dobs Farmer (Ward 1 representative). They said voters approved the statewide referendum last November (DeSanto and commenters cited county-level vote totals showing a roughly 64% “yes” result) and urged Villa Rica to follow the public's will. Commenters also asked for clear public education on how the exemption and any local sales tax would affect bills and local services.

Council and staff clarifications: City attorney Kevin Drummond clarified that all jurisdictions are automatically in under the statewide exemption and must take affirmative legislative steps to opt out; DeSanto and staff said the city has already advertised and scheduled the legally required three public hearings (the Feb. 4 hearing at 10 a.m., a second hearing at 6 p.m. the same day, and a final public hearing at 6 p.m. the next Tuesday) and the council will vote after the hearings whether to adopt a resolution to opt out. Staff also presented an example analysis showing a cumulative, illustrative reduction in tax digest revenue of just under $1 million over a six-year retrospective period if the floating homestead had been in place during recent years; speakers and councilmembers noted those prior years included unusual housing-market inflation and cautioned about interpreting backward-looking numbers as actual realized losses.

Timing and process reminders: DeSanto reiterated the legally prescribed steps, advertising requirements, and filing deadlines for the opt-out process and explained that if any city in Carroll County chooses to opt out, the county and other cities cannot use FLOST as a revenue source for that county. The council did not vote on an opt-out at the Feb. 4 meeting; the scheduled hearings were intended to satisfy the required public-notice steps prior to any final council action.

Ending: The council will hold the additional hearings as advertised and consider a resolution on the March 1 timetable; staff and speakers asked for clear public outreach to explain how the exemption and possible FLOST revenue would work locally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Villa Rica","oneSentenceSummary","Interim city manager Diana DeSanto summarized House Bill 581 and the optional FLOST sales-tax process during a Feb. 4 public hearing; several residents and neighboring officials urged council not to opt out and to preserve the homestead exemption and the option for a FLOST referendum.","taxTitle","Villa Rica, Carroll County, Georgia","taxId",57022,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6355478,"Council considers 180-day moratorium on new construction as sewer plants near capacity",3110,525000,3635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8&start=525&end=3635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8/thumbnail_525000.jpg","/articles/6355478/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Council-considers-180-day-moratorium-on-new-construction-as-sewer-plants-near-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355478-a11818fcbc8fda0f71d6a22c9a92cb30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975695&Signature=j1eWomM-lwfTK8hJ4kgUj-jjPU2zqrr74d3AIOoBCxRzgwd0g6dT0k6tspZFwrm~pFDsX-tv-zs~Fr-Hpwgt7uF5LPT7EjwL4oUolhLtfG2lcBTKW3aJ8YSJUmWskvp2meUlseGEPhkmI88B9G1Qg1tJegEF1Ce-3y3lxt2bORBFF~SfLBMYDVhOFgYhJN2O20eNf1Wr62iqXlC7FjxsfWADnUG8fAe1T0mQq0Ptiwo-6TV4y4LJFLhv3eFEB1srKf-qP1kmg64xh6YTI8t4Dd0gKSAk7yY6YcooLzg2m5tWEVc8QNF47VmxF9opy09mILsxCpHBe8PaHih~u8E1Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City utilities staff told the Villa Rica City Council on Feb. 4 that approved and pending development would push the city's wastewater system beyond safe operating capacity within a few years without additional infrastructure or permitted discharge locations. Staff asked the council to consider a temporary moratorium on new construction to allow time for planning and regulatory approvals.

John Bain (utilities staff) and other members of the operations team said Villa Rica has two wastewater treatment facilities: the West plant (approximately 2.0 million gallons per day design capacity) and the North plant (about 0.5 million gallons per day). Using developers'submitted project lists and anticipated completion timing, staff reported the West plant's load had climbed from about 50% of capacity in 2021 toward over 60% in 2024, and that the North plant was at about 86% capacity in 2024. Based on current approvals and construction schedules, Bain said the West plant is projected to exceed 100% capacity (roughly 103%) by 2027.

Staff's concern: Growth already approved or in construction will increase wastewater flows faster than the city's current treatment and permitted discharge capacity. Staff said options include expanding treatment capacity at existing plants, identifying additional permitted discharge locations, or redirecting flows between plants; each option requires state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) approvals and design/construction time.

Proposed short-term step: Interim City Attorney/Staff proposed a resolution to enact a 180-day moratorium on new construction permits except for narrowly defined exceptions (public-safety or health-related projects and projects that increase system capacity). The moratorium would pause consideration of new applications until the city obtains a clearer roadmap from EPD on plant expansions, discharge approvals and timing; staff said the moratorium would not affect projects already approved through the permitting process.

What was said at the meeting: Utilities staff presented detailed usage and projection numbers and repeated that the city already purchases increasing amounts of drinking water (production remained roughly constant while purchases rose from about 35% of demand in 2021 to 45% in 2024 and projections above 50% by 2029). Council members expressed concern about the economic trade-offs of delaying new commercial projects, and asked for alternatives such as right-in/right-out driveway controls or developer contributions for needed turn lanes. Staff said a moratorium would include an exemption/appeal process for projects with vested rights or for narrow, documented public-safety needs.

Next steps: Staff is pursuing detailed EPD responses about options to expand treatment capacity and permitted discharge locations; EPD modeling responses for waste-load allocations commonly take 4'6 months, staff said. The moratorium was placed on the agenda for discussion and possible action; no formal vote or adoption of the moratorium was recorded at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Ending: Staff urged the council to allow time to obtain state guidance and prepare a funding and construction roadmap; council members asked staff to seek less-disruptive short-term alternatives and to return with costed options for board consideration.","City staff presented projections showing the West wastewater plant could exceed capacity by 2027 and recommended a 180-day moratorium on new construction pending state EPD guidance and options to expand treatment/discharge. Council opened discussion; no formal moratorium vote was recorded.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6355483,"City consultants recommend consumption-based increase, council backs staff on option focused on conservation",1275,320000,1595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8&start=320&end=1595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218376-de1d96ca2c5fcd1d21c2851e0a0a46e8/thumbnail_320000.jpg","/articles/6355483/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/City-consultants-recommend-consumption-based-increase-council-backs-staff-on-option-focused-on-conservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355483-a7082159cd438b52eb7aad7cb1499c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975695&Signature=JI5jBpKPn6U0xpsWUirW4kbJDKSGs~ywFlIxkR6dQ6OsSSlIrutjkvWyw3~yRSWll~IOINl13IWIsPfOsDCscMxGNQHqXKxYZusXz5F8UnLlqyaR55~xptn5JZrG2ow7APzW4Paj68MxMYXgcbAMBN-~zLtWhJY1RXkw7I6KiagENojOJDGwVhOsHD5ViOLARm-6O6PfPOsixNIbwK5xtyzDvoMD3m3CZWct62iSfhy4Y0fc~tAEYgk17WgSLU0nNxwNLVUOoxcKg0hOul4GQ~CJAlZg3gT6Sgt1VPXYhzzMwS14jciIoQ~M189SgPhbB1PuEn2gcpXRus5XmrBelA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from Carter & Sloop presented a review of Villa Rica's water and sewer rate structure on Feb. 4, recommending a simplified tier structure and one of three rate increase packages to keep the utility fund solvent as expenses rise.

The report, led by consultant Chrissy Garrison with backup from Mark Hain of Carter & Sloop, reviewed 2023 customer usage and the water and sewer fund's recent revenue and expense history. Garrison said residential customers account for about 56% of consumption and 59% of revenue, while commercial and industrial accounts together provide most of the remainder. She recommended simplifying residential and nonresidential tiers and using a targeted rate increase to ensure debt-coverage requirements are met through 2025 and 2026.

Carter & Sloop offered three packaged options to close a projected shortfall: Option 1 would raise base fees 20% and consumption 12%; Option 2 would leave base fees unchanged and raise consumption charges by 20%; Option 3 would increase both base and consumption by 15%. The firm estimated the average combined residential water and sewer bill would rise by roughly $11 under Option 2 and a little over $12 under the other two options. The consultants recommended Option 2 as the staff and consultant preference because it emphasizes conservation by charging higher per-thousand rates while leaving the fixed monthly base fee unchanged.

Why it matters: The consultant said operating expenses grew at about a 7.75% annual average from 2019'23, and the city faces higher costs to purchase water as suppliers raise rates. Carter & Sloop modeled a conservative $20 million in new capital borrowing over 20 years to estimate future debt service. Under the firm's assumptions, modest rate changes would restore positive net revenues in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 but leave a projected deficit again in 2027 unless rates or revenues are adjusted again.

What was discussed: Consultants walked the council through customer usage breakdowns and how the current tier breaks leave most residential customers in lower tiers (only about 4% of households hit the highest residential tiers). They showed how commercial meter-size-based tiers currently give large-meter customers disproportionately large first-tier volumes and recommended a consolidated nonresidential tier structure so similar users pay comparably and higher users face stronger price signals to conserve.

Council reaction and next steps: Deputy Finance Director Amanda Long told the council staff's recommendation is to adopt Option 2, the consumption-only increase, because it better promotes conservation as the city purchases more wholesale water. Council members asked for more detailed bill-impact examples for low- and high-usage households and emphasized public education about how the percentage increases translate into dollar changes for customers with small bills. No formal council vote was recorded at the Feb. 4 meeting; staff said the recommendation will proceed toward implementation and that revenues and expenses should be reviewed annually or semiannually.

Details and context: The consultants used 2023 consumption as a baseline, projected growth tied to approved developments, and included purchase-water price increases reported for Douglasville/Douglas County and the Carroll County Water Authority. They also modeled debt-service coverage requirements (a 1.05 coverage ratio) and presented the simplified tier structures they recommended.

Council members and staff said they expect to provide the public clearer examples, a one-page comparison of bill impacts at common usage levels, and an ongoing schedule for future adjustments.

Ending: Staff plans to proceed with the consumption-focused increase (Option 2) as its recommendation and will return with implementation details and public communications; the council signaled support but had not recorded a formal vote during the meeting.","Consultants from Carter & Sloop presented a water and sewer rate study showing rising expenses and recommended simplifying tiers and raising rates; staff recommended Option 2 (increase consumption charges only) and council members expressed support, with a formal vote yet to be recorded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments favor statewide floating homestead exemption; council to vote on opt-out after three hearings

Council considers 180-day moratorium on new construction as sewer plants near capacity

City consultants recommend consumption-based increase, council backs staff on option focused on conservation