BALDWIN — The Baldwin City Council held a contentious first public hearing on a proposed millage rate increase during its regular meeting Sept. 9.
During the work session before the meeting, City Administrator Emily Woodmaster outlined three possible options for the increase, two of which involved hiring additional city staff.
Three options
The first option would not add staff but would still raise the millage rate to 11.273 mills in Habersham County — a 22% increase — and to 7.003 mills in Banks County, a 48% increase.
The second option would add two positions: a finance director to split Woodmaster’s role, which she will resign from at the end of 2025, and a part-time social media coordinator for $10,000 annually. That plan would raise the rate to 11.880 mills in Habersham County and 7.610 mills in Banks County.
The third option included those positions plus animal control services for the city. That proposal would set the rate at 12.045 mills in Habersham County and 7.75 mills in Banks County.
The most divisive point was the proposed social media coordinator position. Mayor Pro Tem Alice Venter said the city needed animal control far more than social media help.
“I don’t know that we’re really in a position financially to have a social media coordinator,” Venter said.
Mayor Stephanie Almango countered that the role would be minimal and improve communication with residents.
“The issue is communication,” Almango said. “I mean, we’ve heard over and over again from the citizens that communication has been an issue, and without having the social media coordinator, we can’t post when things are happening in this city, like a water leak.”
Residents voice opposition
Several residents also opposed the idea.
“The trust has been broken between y’all and us,” resident Josh Bowden said. “So if y’all post something we don’t believe it. We would rather talk to each other to find out the truth. Because right now y’all have dropped the bucket, and I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is right now. We’re paying more in taxes than big cities.”
Former mayor and current city council candidate Joe Elam said the proposal was out of line with neighboring communities.
“It’s not understandable, because every other taxing authority around you are either rolling their tax back fully or rolling it back quite a portion, and yet they’re still able to provide their services,” Elam said. “It’s just something that I think each of you council members should understand. A vote for this millage increase tells me you’re disconnected from our citizens and you have no understanding of management for budgetary roles.”
Resident Cindy Lifsey was also critical.
“This budget has gone up and up and up every year, and we just keep hearing, ‘Well, what services do you want to do without?’” Lifsey said. “No, that’s not the way to handle this. You need to learn how to budget.”
“Something’s got to give. Something’s got to give. I don’t think ya’ll have made a serious effort to roll things back to make our property taxes more affordable,” Lifsey added. “This is just ridiculous.”
Councilman Erik Keith defended the city’s position, noting the costs of basic operations.
“Everything has gone up,” Keith said. “People want raises. You have to pay for stuff. I didn’t know this. I was in the same boat you were until I was up here. You don’t know until you’re in it, you have to figure out how to pay for stuff. You have no clue. I didn’t either.”
The city will hold two more public hearings on the proposed increase, though dates have not been set.
Consent agenda
In other business, the council unanimously approved its consent agenda. Items included an $82,465 rebuild expense for Raw Water Pump No. 1, a $22,490 upgrade to Neptune 360 software, and a $16,781.55 allocation from public safety funds for two police vehicles.
Council members also approved a $9,987.68 Axon contract for the school resource officer, renewed the city’s probation services contract, accepted an Oak Terrace utility easement, and paid a $1,997.88 invoice to Habersham County Animal Control. The consent agenda also authorized two resolutions: one designating the entertainment district for the 2025 Fall Festival and another awarding a bid for U.S. 441 water main repairs.
The Baldwin City Council’s next regular meeting is set for Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
