[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6317215,"mediaKeyId","2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4","parentId",2374875,"title","Commission plans joint public meeting to explain House Bill 0581 and property tax effects","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",1712000,"endMs",1838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4&start=1712&end=1838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4/thumbnail_1712000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317215/Miller-County/Georgia/Commission-plans-joint-public-meeting-to-explain-House-Bill-0581-and-property-tax-effects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317215-7e7cc04c233ac4630806f82b7ce9c514/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764584&Signature=VJ1uDFQRY4VZEcXxlcCby7t9FuZtxCDe6CQUnCjhQCRMC8uL0lfgMoWp87BfGKjC7sDeKUVl3UuFSFfN6xmXo~C23Ha53PpToQ3CUj1LGkibWSTgi8EDPSvfi0ApCUQGjGfxK1TMZiAlUBrpvQBn0-mnjgBBCzY73mQiHQiIQvo8UaGXnMy3Y6HB7jaaIuP-xiDsqB3BeGYwhvBD8YpoIso9aRUKy9ND32sGPu16qz7Gm75~4oyyXfVXznD0USr46ENQvXHfyzr5xdX~UqKAuB7e-1pUVNYRqVFbb~MOMApI9XQ1OLJcssDRZcuf-OxGkr6IVMzFThwRNu~ZAdBdwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-20T15:38:24Z","article","During the meeting commissioners discussed House Bill 0581 (referred to in packet as B 0581) and the local uncertainty about its effect on property-tax revenue and schools. Commissioners said Miller County will not opt out and that the county must inform the public about how the bill could limit annual property-tax increases for some homeowners and what revenue-replacement options exist.

Commissioners discussed convening a joint meeting with the school board, city officials, the tax commissioners and the assessor's office to educate the public on how the bill affects homestead exemptions, millage rates and revenue options such as a one-cent sales tax (commonly called \"SPLOST/LOST\" variations in other contexts). One participant said that under the bill property-tax growth is capped (discussed as roughly 2–3% per year) and that to offset limited property-tax increases local governments may consider a sales-tax measure to maintain revenue for services.

Commissioners asked staff to arrange the joint educational meeting and to invite the public. They also noted that other counties were proceeding differently and that the law could face legal challenges; one commissioner said Thomas and Washington counties had already made decisions, and that the broader legal picture remained unsettled.

No formal policy or vote to adopt a local revenue measure occurred at the meeting. The commission directed staff to schedule the educational session, coordinate participants and collect clarifying information about homestead exemptions and the fraction of taxpayers likely affected.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miller County Board of Commissioners - 02/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Miller County commissioners agreed to hold a joint public educational meeting with the school board, city officials and tax offices to explain the local impacts of House Bill 0581 on property taxes and revenue options.","taxTitle","Miller County, Georgia","taxId",73614,"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},6317225,"Commission debate over public-gathering language and emergency powers leads to edits; ordinance adopted with wording changes",405,949000,1354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4&start=949&end=1354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4/thumbnail_949000.jpg","/articles/6317225/Miller-County/Georgia/Commission-debate-over-public-gathering-language-and-emergency-powers-leads-to-edits-ordinance-adopted-with-wording-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317225-85c8b837105397d923c0cbc4dfabc486/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764584&Signature=OmEwMULmhmiJfWsXKn6pHcZ4u1eHYPuIxYFcqeDzYvWo~tW-FoU8oBC1tMo5o7-T4Ver2xuyBOfhPF0CxsssWopabJu6JyCTwARPDyDfJu-b9TU0DqGcet3BR4fpBfn7~-qJ3sUkRrmUxTXWASu1T3wjHjgBJNgqEXG1QdZ9DC9FloK0EBbuPNFvGLjTTy51v9K90QQSvkk-iJFnQO9h8nJGfhSiGLMofdYMo5JO7-1x92xu9RD1oLvLkq342XNUmUHRonqVm5rfTpLefqPkSnkLNtc2w0D8Mtt2t1cqi1DJK619YkiBzbwOwYx7BOxnV1c2JS5CXgTowZXxYxCXjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the February meeting of the Miller County Commission, commissioners reviewed updated county ordinances, including a new public-gatherings section addressing assemblies, parades and picketing and an emergency-powers section that outlines county authority during emergencies.

Commissioner Keith strongly objected to language in the public-gatherings section that would bar “yelling, shouting, singing, clapping, chanting” during assemblies and parades, saying the provision was overbroad and could be used to limit free expression. He also objected to emergency-powers language that would allow the county to “seize, take for temporary use, or condemn any private property for the protection of the public,” saying the power sounded excessive and could be ripe for misuse.

The draft ordinance text had been adapted from existing templates the county attorney and staff reviewed and the chair said the language largely came from a Georgia model based on Seminole County language. Commissioners discussed replacing the categorical prohibitions on noise with a narrower rule such as a decibel limit or clearer conduct-based standard.

After discussion and proposed wording changes to address the overreach concerns raised, the commission voted to adopt the ordinances with the agreed edits. One commissioner said the county attorney would provide revised text and the board would read and adopt the final wording at the next step; the clerk confirmed a motion to adopt with the wording changes passed (voice vote: aye).

The meeting record shows commissioners asked staff and the county attorney to refine the public-gatherings and emergency-powers language to make enforcement clearer and avoid unintended limits on protected expression. Commissioners also noted routine exclusions for personnel and other confidential matters would remain protected from public packet release.

Next steps: county attorney to supply revised ordinance language that reflects the board's edits for formal adoption and inclusion in the county code.","At the February meeting of the Miller County Commission, commissioners debated and edited proposed county ordinances on public gatherings and emergency powers after concerns that some provisions were overly broad.",{"_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},6317230,"Miller County officials consider joining regional joint development authority to boost manufacturing job incentives",481,245000,726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4&start=245&end=726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6317230/Miller-County/Georgia/Miller-County-officials-consider-joining-regional-joint-development-authority-to-boost-manufacturing-job-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317230-acec2c5f826dfd2c1c32e6ee5bc2e6c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764584&Signature=Rk3hQSRUjX7uelZ8QlSE31Ei2s0p7MIW4Ld9rJTr3TxEtCit~oBYzV~JB9oyEO4xWwqgHuhjUbvEB9UhtOGIfgi06a0pWe0Msr8Bis2WkmSv6V58-RSreJuT8PUX2rWgkRZ0p1FtD3hEmcbQfhQk4rNdXHjqAWs0S~h2Nq0Zt2fFoGZOUXXjcS-sRXihMIVMvBtSJqi~h4BKU7XEVIDR-dzopyi-urQzFEQAiZDnEf9aq3wjKa-la8i4sC~wQfsbRH5T-VCXy9G5etH7sTHZOjYoplkLoiUi~fWSNdHiaCnPSZ42EliYxZ3XYrD5Y7bAvx57AH9WT9gqnnBpm7U7RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a February meeting of the Miller County Commission, a county official urged the commission to adopt a resolution to join a regional joint development authority that would let the county pool state job tax-credit benefits with neighboring Early County.

The proposal would let Miller County leverage Early County’s higher state ranking (tier 1) to increase state tax credits offered to eligible manufacturers and distribution centers locating in Miller County — potentially offering up to $4,000 per new job under certain conditions, the presenter said.

The joint development authority concept presented was based on a state template and a 1963 statute that establishes joint development authorities, the presenter said. Under the model described, the joint authority typically has no paid staff; local appointees govern the authority and coordinate with existing county development authorities and downtown development authorities.

Presenter Jamie (role/title not specified) told commissioners she and Suzanne Reynolds had prepared draft bylaws and a resolution drawn from the state template. Jamie said Early County plans to vote on the same resolution in March and that having Miller County adopt the resolution would help include the counties in a package submitted to the state for recognition as a joint development authority.

Jamie said participation could change the county’s eligibility thresholds and reduce the number of new jobs required to trigger higher tax-credit levels, calling the arrangement “a tastier carrot for businesses” and a way to use state incentives instead of local abatements. She also said that joint authorities commonly serve as a conduit to apply for grants when beneficial.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about representation, and Jamie said Miller County would appoint representatives (she named Kevin and herself as potential representatives). County legal review had begun but was not complete; the presenter asked the commission to consider adopting the resolution tonight if the attorney’s review returned in time.

No formal resolution was passed at the meeting. Commissioners said they would wait for the county attorney’s final text, with one commissioner noting the board could read the resolution and vote at the next meeting. Jamie and county staff said they would return with the finalized language and contacts from the state as requested.

Next steps: staff will provide the attorney-reviewed resolution text for the commission to consider at a future meeting; Early County is scheduled to vote on the same package in March, according to the presentation.","Commissioners heard a presentation on forming a joint development authority with Early County and other South Georgia counties that could allow Miller County to access larger state tax credits for new manufacturing and distribution jobs; no formal vote was taken and staff will return with text and next steps.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6317220,"Commission weighs tire reimbursement claim and discusses formal pothole-response plan",578,1988000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4&start=1988&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4/thumbnail_1988000.jpg","/articles/6317220/Miller-County/Georgia/Commission-weighs-tire-reimbursement-claim-and-discusses-formal-pothole-response-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317220-cb2d3ecb9124413c887e9c75580fa438/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764584&Signature=FQpgRzlkquKztQ8aBgGqJuNtu0frKEyx32GIHQ7ClcfkVUcrMuHeFOQSJc5cVXuxjduNCZx4VT~3BeMOX-v8R83WOHQhN3iPJMLhdBWP7LCBy6GZ0NAEEj6-nhAkxXSs9mgpDao5z56273VOjCnM~-SyZGL94fZU28PTd1FFfns9OzCsroD3UUvGPHZ4Zx2D9cTtEfEwAgcWzYzXK5craSVYUqdoa85sA75lnWgqRCRq4oWVQIMVna5oYd~FEStpH42s-xr7dubw673BE5Ga70X3nqP3OB0BzT1te0iyEE4~QEks69~rTmAF3MBs3WyDXmuLb-wjxrmyLLtFSzYqBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Miller County Commission meeting, commissioners considered a request to reimburse a resident for tire damage allegedly caused by a county road condition on Bush Dairy Road. A police report and an invoice for two replacement tires were included in the meeting packet.

Road superintendent Andy (last name not given) and others described the location as a rough driveway/wash at the road edge rather than a visible pothole in the travel lane; photographs in the packet showed differing views and the police report listed one damaged tire while the vendor invoice listed two replacements.

Commissioners expressed reluctance to create a precedent of routinely paying vendors for vehicle damage without a clear finding of county liability. One commissioner said, \"My recommendation would be not to pay it, but to definitely need to know where Andy can go and fix these piles as quickly as possible so it doesn't happen again.\" Another commissioner asked staff to ride the route, mark and document problem sites, and develop a schedule for patching so large potholes would not reoccur.

The board directed staff to inspect the site with the sheriff and the county engineer, reconcile the police report and the vendor bill, and return with recommended policy and a factual report. Several commissioners said that hiring additional road crew members and assigning a dedicated crew or schedule for pothole patching would be a priority to reduce future incidents.

No reimbursement was authorized at the meeting. Commissioners said they would decide after staff returns with the inspection findings and a proposed procedure for handling future claims.","Commissioners reviewed a damage claim after a resident reported tire damage on a county road and discussed whether to reimburse the bill; commissioners asked staff to inspect the site, gather additional information and to develop a formal road-maintenance and pothole-response plan before deciding on payment.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6317211,"Votes at a glance: Miller County Commission routine approvals and appointments",112,1342000,1454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4&start=1342&end=1454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374875-f7e80e2545d3854a47a715793d6115b4/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","/articles/6317211/Miller-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Miller-County-Commission-routine-approvals-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317211-8380ac0848372de1a30086a46dc11d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764584&Signature=AxfSRqnysbsWKn7MsqP19lIcfY~Sy1gzsIdAD~BaCzy7F8CI4EuxXS7p4yw2YyYLbue42gwFAueehnl4NHTdmvZb3vRIrKU6F5oJPcNRepin0VurvnNb43YUqfHa-dk9C~~6~yyOoMGX5j~9YQGGsN7N9stTU1Pk0GPk1r-DVKWP86Srzb1X4AXvTeKyskwpVlCBCQp0qH3AZOZC3wui3y6b2ghGZYcoHLrTY2705DgaRIZDYixnrOBNMnEDa7x2cqM9gtH1~pruYZ36iIDI0AJfFLw3im2K7FpX7k012WBkndi7Hlk~0ndzbgwVqvsbT1tEwG2GG3O3K5zcvpYaqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the February Miller County Commission meeting the board recorded several routine approvals and a few substantive actions. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes include:

- Agenda: The commission approved the meeting agenda after adding an item for Jamie to speak (voice vote: aye).

- Minutes: The commission approved prior meeting minutes and financial reports (voice votes: aye).

- Ordinances: The commission voted to adopt updated county ordinances (public-gatherings and emergency powers) with wording changes requested during discussion; the board directed the county attorney to provide revised text reflecting those edits.

- Appointment: The commission approved the appointment of Ty Godfrey to the Tax Assessor Board for a multi-year term (motion and voice vote: aye). Packet materials show the county intends staggered terms to align with June expirations.

- Personnel and Purchasing Policies: The commission adopted updated personnel policy and procedures and the purchasing policy after prior review in December and January (voice vote: aye).

- Adjournment: The commission adjourned the meeting following department reports.

Several items were deferred for further staff or legal work: the joint development authority resolution (attorney review pending) and a tire-reimbursement claim (staff to inspect and report).","The commission approved routine agenda, minutes and financials, adopted updated county ordinances with wording changes, appointed a member to the tax-assessor board, and adopted personnel and purchasing policies; the meeting deferred some items pending attorney review or staff follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission plans joint public meeting to explain House Bill 0581 and property tax effects

Commission debate over public-gathering language and emergency powers leads to edits; ordinance adopted with wording changes

Miller County officials consider joining regional joint development authority to boost manufacturing job incentives

Commission weighs tire reimbursement claim and discusses formal pothole-response plan

Votes at a glance: Miller County Commission routine approvals and appointments