Some fee increases are on the horizon for Stockbridge residents.
The Stockbridge City Council voted at its May 30 meeting to approve an increase in the sanitation fee for the 2024 fiscal year from $17.34 to $22 per month. Customers will be billed $264 annually on their respective county tax statements. A stormwater fee increase on a tier system was also approved after research and cost comparisons to Henry County rates.
Officials said cost increases for water services and sanitation services were mentioned in the past, and that during the COVID-19 pandemic the council made the decision not to pass along those increases when they could pose a greater hardship on citizens.
In other business, the council approved a resolution to advertise for new polling precincts for the city. Staff was tasked with inquiring of county election officials whether Global Impact Christian Ministries on Red Oak Road should be added as a county/city precinct to include City Council District 3 voters, and whether Precinct 38 should be amended to include District 4 voters in that area.
During consideration of a proposed $327,216 renewal of a landscape maintenance services contract, a motion was made to reject that option and bring the matter back to the council in August. The motion failed, and the city’s attorney advised that such action was equal to approving a renewal of the contract, so no further action was necessary. That opinion was questioned by multiple council members, and it could be brought back for a future vote if deemed necessary.
A vote on a proposed $141,432 janitorial maintenance services contract never took place. The matter was ultimately tabled until the council’s June 12 meeting.
A multi-million-dollar bid for road resurfacing was approved. Funding for work on the city’s Local Maintenance Improvements Grant list will come from SPLOST ($2,009,119.25) and the Georgia Department of Transportation ($288,000).
The council approved the $63,615 purchase of 250 water meters for a local townhome development and also the $61,419 renewal of a tank maintenance contract.
After a discussion of city finances, a motion was made to authorize the advertising of a city millage rate of six mills. That motion passed 3-2 with Elton Alexander and Yolanda Barber in opposition.
Thanks to all the people who voted “yes” to annexing the numerous subdivisions into the City of Stockbridge. Now the City of Stockbridge is increasing fees and looking to add a 6 MILL TAX RATE! Only a fool didn’t see that coming. The City of Stockbridge has failed to provide services including expanding their Code Enforcement area of coverage for internet reporting of issues (See Click Fix). The addition of the subdivisions was all about TAX money! Now those of us that didn’t want annexed into the City of Stockbridge for a long list of reasons are getting screwed with more fees and taxes due to fools voting “Yes” to the annexation. Educate yourselves BEFORE you vote.