Commission, Councils Discuss New Sales Tax

Commish

By KATHY MUDD

The Jasper County Commissioners, along with members of the Monticello and Shady Dale City Councils, met Monday evening to discuss passing a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST).

Since each city and the county bought into HB581, they are eligible to pass a sales tax that will offset ad valorem taxes. All agreed that it would be a good idea to pursue the tax. They will have to determine the distribution, which last night, the county suggested that the monies be divided by the taxable digest. That way, said County Commission Chairman Bruce Henry, every property owner with homestead exemption gets a break. The formula proposed by the county is 87 percent to the county 12 percent to the city of Monticello and less than one percent to Shady Dale.

County Manager Mike Benton showed what effect that would have. If the tax raises $2 million, then the county would receive $1,740,000, Monticello would get $240,000, and Shady Dale would receive $20,000. He then showed how it would affect the millage rate, based on the 2024 rate. For the county, it would result in a full two mill reduction on taxes. For Monticello, whose millage rate was only 3.53, it would raise enough funds to equal 2.301 mill, reducing that millage rate to 1.229. For Shady Dale, one percent would raise $20,000, which is more than the city collected in taxes last year.

After everyone seemed to agree on the formula, they discussed the length of time it would be ordered for. The maximum length is five years, and they all agreed to the five year time slot. Monticello City Manager Lathaydra Sands said they would like to talk to their attorney before they agreed.

District 4 County Commissioner Asher Gray said it would be the same people paying whether it’s sales tax or property tax, as there is not that much income from outside sources paying sales tax. Most of the sales tax generated here is generated from residents, he said.

Monticello Mayor Pro-tem Doug Currie questioned that all county residents, including city residents, would get the benefit that those in the unincorporated areas get, and was assured yes, it would apply to all county property.

After the three groups seemed to be in basic agreement, the city officials left and the county continued the work session, discussing the cost of convenience centers for garbage disposal. Mr. Benton and Planning & Zoning Director Doug Attaway had gotten some information from Putnam and Morgan counties, and they plan to pursue more information before Jasper seriously considers adding them. There was talk of the convenience centers replacing curbside pick-up.

Next the county talked about providing a home for the Jasper County Humane Society. It’s complicated for the county to give or lease land to an entity, but they will use the Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC) to make the process seamless. The Humane Society president Tracy Campbell and vice-president Michelle Bryant were at the meeting along with DAJC Executive Director Tony Rogers.

The county is considering allowing the Humane Society to use land adjacent to animal control. That way, peace is not disturbed by barking dogs, as there already are barking dogs at animal control. In addition, the Humane Society works alongside Animal Control.

Lastly, the commissioners briefly discussed the Impact Fee Ordinance Amendment. The commissioners have contracted someone to work on impact fees, as changes made two years ago were not made appropriately, and the county wants to up the amount, and change how it’s divided. The county had taken law enforcement out of the recipient list as the Sheriff’s Office was recently upgraded, and more improvements are not anticipated in the near future.

However, Mr. Benton said that Impact Fees could be used to retire the debt from the jail renovation and he suggested keeping the sheriff’s office as a recipient.