1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,550 summary. 2 00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:06,319 » Good morning. Welcome everybody to the 3 00:00:06,319 --> 00:00:08,400 serve board of commissioners September 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,120 22 26 meeting. Thank you all for being 5 00:00:11,120 --> 00:00:13,759 here. Just information I've got to leave 6 00:00:13,759 --> 00:00:16,720 at 20 till 10 to be in Byron for a 7 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,920 mandatory meeting. So I will slip out at 8 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,640 that point. Item one is to discuss 9 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,320 operations of the customer service 10 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,560 department and proposed revisions to the 11 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:29,039 customer service policy. 12 00:00:29,039 --> 00:00:32,160 And looks like we've got Rita Bagwell to 13 00:00:32,160 --> 00:00:40,790 present. So, welcome. 14 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:41,920 >> Good morning. 15 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,680 >> I'm honored to share the operations of 16 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,719 customer service with you today. I lead 17 00:00:46,719 --> 00:00:49,360 an outstanding team and I'm excited that 18 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:51,600 they will be showcased in the first part 19 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,559 of my presentation. I will also share 20 00:00:54,559 --> 00:00:56,800 some proposed changes to the customer 21 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,000 service policy. In 2020 when COVID 22 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,559 occurred, we the city had to revamp the 23 00:01:02,559 --> 00:01:04,640 level of services that we provided our 24 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,280 customers at the time. that led to 25 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,240 availability for online payments, online 26 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,600 contracts, bill payment kiosk, and 27 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,479 access to account information online. 28 00:01:16,479 --> 00:01:18,479 All of these options are accessible to 29 00:01:18,479 --> 00:01:22,479 our customers 247. 30 00:01:22,479 --> 00:01:25,680 In 2023, our policy was updated with 31 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:27,759 these resources becoming part of the 32 00:01:27,759 --> 00:01:30,320 policy. I found through reviewing the 33 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:32,320 policy for the revisions I have proposed 34 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:36,320 today, the policy in 23 was a sound 35 00:01:36,320 --> 00:01:39,200 policy. The revisions today are 36 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,920 enhancing the services that we provide 37 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,560 to our customers as well as becoming 38 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:46,479 better stewards for the city's 39 00:01:46,479 --> 00:01:54,069 resources. 40 00:01:54,079 --> 00:01:56,000 This is our organizational chart. 41 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,119 Customer service has 22 employees. I 42 00:01:59,119 --> 00:02:01,680 have a assistant customer service 43 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:03,920 manager who has six positions that 44 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,799 report to him. Mr. Joel Kitchens, the 45 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:09,599 billing supervisor has two positions, 46 00:02:09,599 --> 00:02:12,560 Serena Engles. Contract desk supervisor 47 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,879 Wanda Moore has three positions that 48 00:02:14,879 --> 00:02:18,239 report to her. The cashier supervisor 49 00:02:18,239 --> 00:02:21,680 has five positions that report to her. 50 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,319 And the key accounts manager is 51 00:02:24,319 --> 00:02:26,720 responsible for all of the city utility 52 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:28,480 key accounts. And then I have the 53 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,040 administrative coordinator. Each 54 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:34,239 supervisor does not just supervise 55 00:02:34,239 --> 00:02:37,200 three, four, five employees. They also 56 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,440 are assisting those employees with the 57 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,239 customers that we have. So I want that 58 00:02:42,239 --> 00:02:44,560 to be understood as well. I would like 59 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:46,879 to take a moment to introduce my staff 60 00:02:46,879 --> 00:02:51,190 that are here. 61 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,120 So, Serena Engles is the bill and 62 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:56,239 supervisor. Wanda Moore, contract desk 63 00:02:56,239 --> 00:03:00,239 supervisor. TJ Simon is our new key 64 00:03:00,239 --> 00:03:02,959 accounts utility manager. And Mr. Joel 65 00:03:02,959 --> 00:03:04,720 Kitchens is the assistant customer 66 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:08,632 service manager. 67 00:03:08,642 --> 00:03:12,630 [clears throat] 68 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:14,879 Like I mentioned, customer service has 69 00:03:14,879 --> 00:03:18,879 22 employees. The total years of tenure 70 00:03:18,879 --> 00:03:22,720 in our department is 151 years. The 71 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:25,280 longest tenure is Mr. Kitchens with 26 72 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,319 years. Our shortest tenure is Andrea 73 00:03:28,319 --> 00:03:30,560 Slaggo who has been here with us one 74 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,720 month and she's bilingual. So, she was a 75 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,599 great addition to our team. The median 76 00:03:35,599 --> 00:03:38,239 years of experience for our team is an 77 00:03:38,239 --> 00:03:40,640 average of four years. 78 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,480 The national average for customer 79 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,640 service employees is typically with 80 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:49,360 between 13 to 15 months. So of my staff, 81 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,080 11 have been with us more than four 82 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:55,840 years. So half of my staff is above the 83 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:57,760 national average of staying in customer 84 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:00,799 service at the same place. Five 85 00:04:00,799 --> 00:04:02,879 employees have been with us two to four 86 00:04:02,879 --> 00:04:05,200 years. Four employees have been here 87 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,280 less than one. And of those four, two 88 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:14,132 were new additions to customer service. 89 00:04:14,142 --> 00:04:14,319 » [clears throat] 90 00:04:14,319 --> 00:04:16,959 >> I wanted to note our 2026 departmental 91 00:04:16,959 --> 00:04:20,000 goals. The first customer service will 92 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:21,919 become a one-stop shop for customer 93 00:04:21,919 --> 00:04:24,479 inquiries regarding all city of Griffin 94 00:04:24,479 --> 00:04:27,520 utilities. We will be initially the 95 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:29,440 person that they will sign up for solid 96 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,280 waste services, fiber, um water, we're 97 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:35,759 already handling the water um tap fees 98 00:04:35,759 --> 00:04:37,840 and things like that and they'll pay it 99 00:04:37,840 --> 00:04:39,919 with us. So we will be the customerf 100 00:04:39,919 --> 00:04:43,520 facing for the city. Um we will improve 101 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:45,919 the online utility contract process to 102 00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:48,479 provide ease for the customer. That's 103 00:04:48,479 --> 00:04:50,240 already been completed as of August 104 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:51,919 15th. 105 00:04:51,919 --> 00:04:54,080 Implement online contracts for solid 106 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,560 waste services. This will be for special 107 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,880 handling rolloff request and things such 108 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:04,479 as as that. Um those are on paper and 109 00:05:04,479 --> 00:05:06,639 it's done through the c the solid waste 110 00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:08,560 department. It will eventually filter 111 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:10,960 through the flow will be better and our 112 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,280 anticipation completion date for that is 113 00:05:13,280 --> 00:05:19,830 by the end of October. 114 00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:21,759 I'm visual so I wanted you to see the 115 00:05:21,759 --> 00:05:24,080 representatives. This is Mr. Kitchens 116 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,639 and his team. 117 00:05:26,639 --> 00:05:28,960 Some of their responsibilities include 118 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:30,960 answer the telephone, assist with 119 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,440 general questions, process credit card 120 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:36,000 payments, act as a liaison between the 121 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,400 customer and the utility. They contact 122 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,039 customers about high water usage. And 123 00:05:41,039 --> 00:05:43,520 that's a key because we call the 124 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:44,880 customer if it meets a certain 125 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,120 threshold. We call them before they get 126 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:48,720 that bill. And often they weren't aware 127 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,680 of an issue. Assisting reconnection of 128 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:53,919 remote meters completes utility 129 00:05:53,919 --> 00:05:56,639 analysis. analysis requests for both 130 00:05:56,639 --> 00:05:58,960 electric and water. They handle the 131 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:00,720 payment arrangements for the customers 132 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,120 and they process broken pipe credits. 133 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,360 They do a lot more but that gets the 134 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:08,319 gist of an every day. The billing 135 00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:11,039 department some of their highlighted 136 00:06:11,039 --> 00:06:13,360 responsibilities. They assist with 137 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,280 internal and external customers with 138 00:06:15,280 --> 00:06:17,360 billing and account inquires relating to 139 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,080 billing. Processes penalties and 140 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,479 disconnect notices. handles the 141 00:06:22,479 --> 00:06:24,560 disconnection of all remote meters on 142 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,199 the daily cutoff. Sorts and processes 143 00:06:27,199 --> 00:06:30,000 the lot box and bill payments. Processes 144 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,400 move in and move out service orders. 145 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,560 Imports the meter readings for electric 146 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,120 and water per the billing calendar. 147 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:38,960 Participates in the monthly bill 148 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:41,440 preparation and that takes a full month 149 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:43,520 because they're looking at several 150 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:45,199 criterias. 151 00:06:45,199 --> 00:06:47,360 runs the different bill cycles and they 152 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,600 generate non-metered monthly services 153 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:53,199 such as fiber and the solid waste. 154 00:06:53,199 --> 00:06:56,479 The contract desk responsibilities 155 00:06:56,479 --> 00:06:58,560 highlighted for them are they register 156 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,639 the customers for new service. This is 157 00:07:00,639 --> 00:07:03,360 commercial, industrial, residential. 158 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,759 Collects utility deposit payments, 159 00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:08,319 utility payments, provides information 160 00:07:08,319 --> 00:07:11,199 and resolves complaints from customers. 161 00:07:11,199 --> 00:07:13,680 processes moveout requests and utility 162 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,319 transfers, assist with the collections 163 00:07:16,319 --> 00:07:19,440 process, and they also process the proof 164 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,400 of residency that our customers need for 165 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,240 school [clears throat] 166 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,720 credit history, address, name changes, 167 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,870 and additional fees. 168 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,840 Our cashiers are probably one of the 169 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,479 most customerf facing employees that we 170 00:07:36,479 --> 00:07:39,280 have. Um, and Carolyn at the top of that 171 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:40,639 picture is the one that you will hear 172 00:07:40,639 --> 00:07:42,319 say, "Welcome in every time you come 173 00:07:42,319 --> 00:07:45,440 in." Um, they receive and process 174 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,440 payments by cash, check, credit cards, 175 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:49,520 and money orders. They process the 176 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:51,680 return checks, assist in resolving 177 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,160 customer accounts, provide support to 178 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,479 the phone room when needed. They process 179 00:07:56,479 --> 00:07:59,360 the return mail, processes reconnections 180 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,960 on services that have been dis 181 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,120 disconnected for non-payment. They 182 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:04,800 balance their cash drawer at the end of 183 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,120 the shift and they serve as a backup for 184 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:10,080 the reception desk. So, someone's at 185 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:12,879 that desk all the time. 186 00:08:12,879 --> 00:08:15,520 The next person that is on our staff is 187 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,840 our key accounts manager. And I wanted 188 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,080 to give TJ a moment to actually step up 189 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,240 so you could be introduced to him and he 190 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:23,599 could kind of tell you some of the 191 00:08:23,599 --> 00:08:29,990 things and visions that he has. 192 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,680 » Um, good morning everyone. Like Miss 193 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:33,919 Rita said, my name is TJ Simon. Excited 194 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:37,120 to be here with the city of Griffin. Um, 195 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,760 my role as the key account manager. My 196 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:44,240 role is to be a 247 liaison for our 197 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:45,839 industrial customers and our key 198 00:08:45,839 --> 00:08:47,920 accounts. Making sure that they're taken 199 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:51,120 care of um not just for their electric 200 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,040 like in the past, however, for all their 201 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,120 utilities, water, solid waste, all the 202 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,399 above. um analyzing trends in their 203 00:08:58,399 --> 00:09:00,240 consumption, uh making sure their 204 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:03,360 building looks correct, um planning and 205 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,839 implementing any key account or 206 00:09:05,839 --> 00:09:07,760 departmental activities, and then 207 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:09,360 handling the marketing and advertising 208 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,320 for our utilities, especially with solid 209 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:14,240 waste and fiber. 210 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,120 um some of the upcoming projects and 211 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,600 events that uh we have going on. We have 212 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:21,519 our public power week celebrating the 213 00:09:21,519 --> 00:09:24,240 importance of public power and a public 214 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:26,800 utility uh coming up October 4th through 215 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,519 the 10th as part of that and a way to 216 00:09:29,519 --> 00:09:31,600 give back to the community. We are uh 217 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,080 hosting a warmth for winter drive uh 218 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,000 coordinating with several different 219 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,040 places to get those blankets we collect 220 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,839 hats, coats uh to those in need in our 221 00:09:41,839 --> 00:09:43,839 community. And then as well on November 222 00:09:43,839 --> 00:09:46,320 16th, we have National Storm Water Day, 223 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,399 uh hoping to promote the Griffin Gives 224 00:09:48,399 --> 00:09:50,800 Back program and get more and more 225 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:53,839 volunteers out to our cleanups. Um this 226 00:09:53,839 --> 00:09:55,519 past week, we had the Spalding County 227 00:09:55,519 --> 00:09:58,240 Fair where we were able to have each 228 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,720 different utility, uh engage with the 229 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,920 community, um have a fun time with the 230 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,120 community, and just show the utility 231 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:13,350 that each of us represent. 232 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,360 He is a perfect person for that 233 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:17,279 position. He has a servants's heart and 234 00:10:17,279 --> 00:10:19,120 wants to do things for the community. 235 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,320 So, he represents Griffin very well. Um, 236 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,320 the next person is our administrative 237 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:28,000 coordinator. Britney is my um right-hand 238 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,160 go-to. She keeps us on track all of 239 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:31,519 customer service. She provides 240 00:10:31,519 --> 00:10:34,000 administrative support to the director 241 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,560 and supervisors. She orders our supplies 242 00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:38,959 and equipment, oversees our budget, and 243 00:10:38,959 --> 00:10:40,880 manages our checkbook to make sure that 244 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:42,800 we're working within our budget, 245 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,200 maintains miscellaneous deposit logs for 246 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,760 all of the city departments and assist 247 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:49,360 with the preparation of the daily 248 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:52,000 deposit. Our receptionist is another 249 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:54,640 customer-f facing employee. She This is 250 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,279 Samantha Bats. She answers the telephone 251 00:10:57,279 --> 00:10:59,519 and greets customers, 252 00:10:59,519 --> 00:11:01,440 greets our visitors, not just customers, 253 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,839 from one Griffin Center. She assists the 254 00:11:03,839 --> 00:11:05,600 customer signing into the kiosk, 255 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,600 maintains the daily counts for customer 256 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:09,760 service, and directs customers to the 257 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:15,190 appropriate personnel. 258 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,040 We're quite famous. We have several 259 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,040 people that have um received the 260 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,600 strongest link in the chain. Um I 261 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,320 received it January of 2012, the year 262 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,519 2015, and March 2022. 263 00:11:27,519 --> 00:11:30,560 Serena Engles received it January 26, 264 00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:34,399 September 2018. Wanda Moore received it 265 00:11:34,399 --> 00:11:38,079 October 2017. Abria Taylor received it 266 00:11:38,079 --> 00:11:42,000 July 21. Laura Gman received it December 267 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,120 2023 and Mosha Henderson received it 268 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,399 March 2026. The reason that slide was 269 00:11:48,399 --> 00:11:50,720 important for me to put in there was 270 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,160 because customer service is not for all. 271 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:56,959 And to have that amount of employees 272 00:11:56,959 --> 00:12:00,720 that are recognized overall city is huge 273 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,279 because it just shows their growth and 274 00:12:03,279 --> 00:12:06,240 their dedication to the job. 275 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:07,279 The next slide is [clears throat] 276 00:12:07,279 --> 00:12:08,959 another slide that was important for me 277 00:12:08,959 --> 00:12:11,839 to showcase about customer service is 278 00:12:11,839 --> 00:12:14,000 the community involvement. I believe 279 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,880 that it is important as does my staff 280 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,360 that we're not just behind our desk 281 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:21,680 collecting a payment or telling someone 282 00:12:21,680 --> 00:12:24,160 no. It is about showing them that we're 283 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:27,600 part of them. We're one Griffin. And um 284 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,079 parting part of the way that we build 285 00:12:30,079 --> 00:12:32,639 that gap or build the uh go across the 286 00:12:32,639 --> 00:12:35,600 bridge to meet them halfway is we stay 287 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:37,760 in the community. Um, some of these 288 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:40,240 pictures is where we've participated in 289 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,399 Feeding Griffin for the backpack 290 00:12:42,399 --> 00:12:45,279 launches, United Way, Griffin Gives 291 00:12:45,279 --> 00:12:48,399 Back, the ice cream stroll, back to the 292 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:51,680 school bash, and we um host a box for 293 00:12:51,680 --> 00:12:54,480 Griffin Fire Rescue toy drive, but a lot 294 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,320 of the the toys that go in there are 295 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:00,160 from my staff. Um, and you can see we 296 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:02,560 have 22 people and you see how many 297 00:13:02,560 --> 00:13:05,120 people are showing up at those things. 298 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,920 We're united. Um, we've also uh 299 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:09,600 volunteered for the Christmas parade, 300 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,399 June Jam, and like TJ said, the fair 301 00:13:12,399 --> 00:13:14,079 booth. 302 00:13:14,079 --> 00:13:16,959 Some of our outreach and trainings. We 303 00:13:16,959 --> 00:13:20,160 have um it's important to refuel the 304 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,800 tank in customer service. So, we do a 305 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:24,959 lot of trainings, some internal, some 306 00:13:24,959 --> 00:13:27,040 external. Um, some of the trainings 307 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,279 we've had is phone etiquette training 308 00:13:29,279 --> 00:13:32,079 for all customer service training, first 309 00:13:32,079 --> 00:13:34,240 aid and CPR training. We have had 310 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:37,200 customers have a crisis in our customers 311 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:38,959 office that we needed to have that 312 00:13:38,959 --> 00:13:42,160 knowhow. Um office safety training 313 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,040 griffin spalding leadership institute. 314 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:48,000 Um I have really tried to make sure that 315 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:49,519 we have employees that are able to 316 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:52,480 attend that. Um we collaborate with data 317 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:56,079 matics our bill uh payment printer. Uh 318 00:13:56,079 --> 00:13:58,240 we attended the career fair at Moore 319 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,720 Elementary. And this is a big thing that 320 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:03,040 I'm proud of. The last item is we have 321 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,680 we collaborate with our other cities and 322 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:07,279 it's not that we're just taking from 323 00:14:07,279 --> 00:14:10,639 them. The city of Cington, Nunan, and 324 00:14:10,639 --> 00:14:13,600 Rockdale County have all came to us and 325 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,680 asked us for our help and our guidance 326 00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:18,240 on their practices of how we could help 327 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,600 them see how to improve. So that to me 328 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,959 says a lot about Griffin. 329 00:14:24,959 --> 00:14:28,240 The next slide is just a a picture of 330 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,199 our project list. Um, we took the 331 00:14:31,199 --> 00:14:33,040 electric department's project list and 332 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:34,959 adapted it to customer service because 333 00:14:34,959 --> 00:14:37,199 we wanted to be able to track what we're 334 00:14:37,199 --> 00:14:39,600 doing. And, um, you can see at the top, 335 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,240 we're accomplishing two of them by this 336 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,240 presentation and our policy update 337 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:48,310 today. 338 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,199 And that concludes the presentation of 339 00:14:51,199 --> 00:14:53,120 just the customer service. Any questions 340 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,279 about that? 341 00:14:55,279 --> 00:14:56,240 really proud of my 342 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:58,480 >> I would like to commend staff. When you 343 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:00,160 look back 20 years ago, it seems like 344 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,320 every day or every week, we always had 345 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:05,040 calls of complaints. We're lucky to get 346 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:07,760 one. I mean, I'm not I mean, maybe one 347 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,920 every six months. So, it's just a 348 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,000 testimony of the commitment of your team 349 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:13,440 and what y'all been able to 350 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:13,920 >> Thank you. 351 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:14,639 >> provide. 352 00:15:14,639 --> 00:15:16,880 >> We definitely have a great team and I 353 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:18,959 think it's also the resources that we 354 00:15:18,959 --> 00:15:21,680 allow that we provide our customers now. 355 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:23,680 Um, so I think we're in a good place. I 356 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,360 think we could continue to do better, 357 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:28,720 but I think we're doing a great job. Um, 358 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:31,760 so the next slides are the proposed 359 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:34,240 policy revisions. And like I said, in 360 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,760 2023, we we did do a revamp of our 361 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,880 policy. And as I started looking at the 362 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,040 changes that we needed to [music] make, 363 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:46,240 um, it was not as significant in some 364 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,320 cases as I thought it would be. So it 365 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,360 was a very sound policy. the um in 366 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:54,000 section two, the purpose of the policy 367 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,560 um we specified the objective of the 368 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:58,560 customer service policy to work in 369 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:00,399 conjunction with the city's code of 370 00:16:00,399 --> 00:16:03,360 ordinances and contracts. So, we adapted 371 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,160 that wording to make sure that it shows 372 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,639 that those are in alignment. 373 00:16:08,639 --> 00:16:11,519 In section three, definitions that were 374 00:16:11,519 --> 00:16:14,079 added was the connection fee, the credit 375 00:16:14,079 --> 00:16:16,639 report fee, federal privacy act, and 376 00:16:16,639 --> 00:16:18,800 solid waste container fee. And that 377 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:20,320 stemmed from the questions that our 378 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,240 customers ask. They ask, "What are those 379 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:23,839 fees on their bill?" And I wanted to be 380 00:16:23,839 --> 00:16:28,560 able to have a definition for them. 381 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:33,040 Section four is our hours of operation. 382 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,920 This indicates the proposed adjudgment 383 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,399 adjust proposed adjustment to the 384 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:40,160 customer service department operating 385 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:44,320 hours changing from 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m. 386 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,920 changing at 2 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And 387 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:49,839 I have resources that I want to provide 388 00:16:49,839 --> 00:16:54,710 for the board's consideration. 389 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,600 This slide shows the statistics for June 390 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:59,440 of 2026. 391 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:02,240 From 8 am, our phone call total was 392 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,199 2,97. 393 00:17:05,199 --> 00:17:10,959 From 5 to 6 of that 2009 was 108 for the 394 00:17:10,959 --> 00:17:13,520 month. That's an average of five calls 395 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,000 for that one hour. 396 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,319 Office visits were 149. The office 397 00:17:20,319 --> 00:17:24,079 visits from 5 to 6 for the month was 37, 398 00:17:24,079 --> 00:17:27,120 leaving the average from 5 to 6 was two 399 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:28,799 visits. 400 00:17:28,799 --> 00:17:31,440 The bill payments for the month of June 401 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,880 was 6,653. 402 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,440 The total for the month from 5 to 6 was 403 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:42,400 336 with an average of 16 payments. That 404 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,960 is from the cashiers, the drive-thru, 405 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:49,039 and the contract desk. And again, 406 00:17:49,039 --> 00:17:51,200 I would like to note we still have the 407 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:52,880 bill payment kiosk in front of our 408 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,799 building that those payments could have 409 00:17:54,799 --> 00:17:56,480 been made [cough and clears throat] 410 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:59,520 in the drive-thru and online. 411 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,720 The June personnel cost to operate from 412 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:06,640 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is my staff 413 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:12,390 and the guard was $4,42125. 414 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:14,720 And this does not include overtime 415 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:18,240 expenses or the utilities cost. That is 416 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:23,190 just the personnel. 417 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,360 July 26 418 00:18:25,360 --> 00:18:27,840 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the calls 419 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:32,080 were 3,000 for the total. 5 to 6 were 420 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,919 195 calls. The average calls from 5 to 6 421 00:18:35,919 --> 00:18:37,760 were nine. 422 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:42,320 Office visits were 180. from five to six 423 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,600 for the month 37 with an average of two 424 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,080 coming in from five to six. Bill 425 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:52,230 payments were 6,159 426 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,799 for the month that was from 8 to 6. Of 427 00:18:54,799 --> 00:18:58,240 that 351 for the month were paid from 5 428 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:02,080 to 6. An average of 16 payments. Again, 429 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,720 July personnel cost to operate from 5 to 430 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:11,990 6 was $4,59921. 431 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,600 August 2026, 432 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:20,320 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm, we fielded 3,16 433 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:22,320 phone calls. 434 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:27,360 5 to 6 were 69 with an average of three. 435 00:19:27,360 --> 00:19:31,039 Office visits 1,266 436 00:19:31,039 --> 00:19:34,799 for the month of that was 39 averaging 437 00:19:34,799 --> 00:19:38,559 two coming into the office from 5 to 6. 438 00:19:38,559 --> 00:19:42,870 Bill payments 5,52. 439 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:46,080 The total for the month was 259 with an 440 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,480 average of 12. 441 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,960 The a the August personnel cost was 442 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:53,760 4,42125 443 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:58,230 and that's for that one hour. 444 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:01,919 The benefits that I see of the adjusted 445 00:20:01,919 --> 00:20:04,559 operating hours, it'll improve retention 446 00:20:04,559 --> 00:20:07,840 concerns. It is difficult to have staff 447 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:10,320 that is willing to work till 6:30 in the 448 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,720 evening because if we close at 6:00, I 449 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:14,320 have to have time to cash out those 450 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:17,919 boxes. It'll improve morale, improve the 451 00:20:17,919 --> 00:20:19,760 quality of service that we provide our 452 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:22,320 customers. It'll remove the rotating 453 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:25,039 schedules, increasing operational 454 00:20:25,039 --> 00:20:27,840 efficiency. And what I mean by that is 455 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:29,679 at 8 o'clock I will have three people 456 00:20:29,679 --> 00:20:32,880 answering phones, not one for an hour 457 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:35,679 and then one coming on board after that. 458 00:20:35,679 --> 00:20:38,880 Um, same thing for signing up services. 459 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,520 Same thing for the customers coming into 460 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,640 the office. Improve customer employee 461 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:48,559 and employee safety at 6:30 in January. 462 00:20:48,559 --> 00:20:51,440 It is extremely dark in that garage and 463 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:53,919 that's for customers as well. It'll 464 00:20:53,919 --> 00:20:56,159 reduce our overtime expenses and our 465 00:20:56,159 --> 00:20:58,720 guard expenses. It'll increase the 466 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:00,960 utilization of the online services that 467 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,280 the city has already implemented for 468 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,919 payments, service contracts, etc. And 469 00:21:05,919 --> 00:21:08,320 it'll enhance the stewardship of city 470 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:12,630 resources. 471 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:14,799 And the way we can maintain this 472 00:21:14,799 --> 00:21:17,360 convenience and accessibility is we have 473 00:21:17,360 --> 00:21:20,400 247 accessibility of two outside bill 474 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:22,159 payment kiosk. one on the front of the 475 00:21:22,159 --> 00:21:24,159 building on Hill Street side and the 476 00:21:24,159 --> 00:21:25,679 drive-thru. There's one on the third 477 00:21:25,679 --> 00:21:28,000 lane of the drive-thru. The online 478 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,000 customer portal which allows customers 479 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,240 to view their bill, pay their bill, see 480 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:35,840 their usage, pay over the phone, our 481 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:38,080 online service contract and system 482 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,480 operations are readily available to 483 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,480 restore services to the remote meters 484 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:45,760 that were disconnected. 485 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:48,640 Section five, application for new 486 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,440 service. This was updated to define the 487 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,200 city's consistent treatment and 488 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,520 enforcement of all residential accounts 489 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,640 as combined utility accounts. 490 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:01,600 No opting out of residential services 491 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:03,679 unless all services are on maintenance 492 00:22:03,679 --> 00:22:07,510 disconnect. 493 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,640 Section 5.2 transfer residential 494 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,039 service. This was se this was a 495 00:22:13,039 --> 00:22:15,120 separated section regarding the transfer 496 00:22:15,120 --> 00:22:18,080 of service for residential services. Um, 497 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:22,159 it was not clear in the prior revision 498 00:22:22,159 --> 00:22:24,640 and we made it more clear with the 499 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:29,200 details of what's needed. Section 7.4 500 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:31,200 for the billing period and delinquent 501 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,159 statements. We increase the time in 502 00:22:34,159 --> 00:22:36,080 which customers can make payments from 503 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:40,480 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the due date 504 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:43,200 to avoid penalties and subjectivity to 505 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,440 disconnection. So that's given an 506 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:51,669 additional almost six hours. 507 00:22:51,679 --> 00:22:54,960 Section 8, payment options. The chart 508 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:56,960 was updated with graphics for easier 509 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,400 reading. Um it looks really good. TJ 510 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:03,280 helped me get that um revised. We 511 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:05,360 removed the Dropbox location because 512 00:23:05,360 --> 00:23:08,320 this service ended on 516 of 24 because 513 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,480 it was not a practical service that the 514 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:12,880 city was providing anymore. 515 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:15,440 We added the bill payment kiosk inside 516 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:17,440 of customer service. We added the bill 517 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:19,440 payment kiosk in front of one Griffin 518 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:22,559 Center. And we updated the hours for the 519 00:23:22,559 --> 00:23:27,520 office time closing at 5. 520 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,720 Section 8.3, the Dropbox locations. 521 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:33,600 Again, this was removed um May 16th of 522 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:36,559 2024 since hence we removed it from the 523 00:23:36,559 --> 00:23:39,750 policy. 524 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,960 Section 11, broken pipe policy. We 525 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:44,960 updated the broken pipe policy with a 526 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:46,640 structure that will be utilized to 527 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:48,640 calculate the broken pipe credit more 528 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:51,760 fairly when in the event the customer 529 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:53,919 has not been at the location for 12 530 00:23:53,919 --> 00:23:54,640 months. 531 00:23:54,640 --> 00:24:00,310 >> Wow. Okay. 532 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:04,159 » Section 13, energy assessments. We added 533 00:24:04,159 --> 00:24:06,640 this into our policy. 534 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,039 The energy assessments request to assist 535 00:24:09,039 --> 00:24:11,840 customers un in understanding their 536 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,559 household energy usage and identifying 537 00:24:14,559 --> 00:24:16,880 potential opportunities to reduce 538 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:21,269 utility cost. 539 00:24:21,279 --> 00:24:23,840 Section 18.2 540 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,320 health of a resident. We propose 541 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:27,919 increasing the health of a resident 542 00:24:27,919 --> 00:24:30,640 benefit from an additional one day which 543 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,520 it is currently to an additional 5-day 544 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:41,110 extension. 545 00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:45,120 This slide shows a comparison of 546 00:24:45,120 --> 00:24:46,799 the what we're proposing for the health 547 00:24:46,799 --> 00:24:49,840 of a resident. All customers, if the 548 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:53,919 bill date was August 28th, the due date 549 00:24:53,919 --> 00:24:57,440 would be September 14th. The last day to 550 00:24:57,440 --> 00:24:59,679 pay would be September 21st with a 551 00:24:59,679 --> 00:25:03,279 disconnection of September 22nd. 552 00:25:03,279 --> 00:25:05,760 Currently under our billing or our 553 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,400 policy, the bill date should it be 554 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:11,360 August 28th, the due date is September 555 00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:12,880 14th. 556 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:15,600 The last day to pay would be September 557 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:19,120 22nd. It's that one additional day and 558 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:20,640 the disconnection date would be 559 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:23,520 September 23rd. 560 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,480 What staff is proposing is that the last 561 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,320 day to pay would become Monday, 562 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:32,159 September 28th since Saturday the 26 the 563 00:25:32,159 --> 00:25:35,200 26th of the is on a Saturday and then 564 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:36,720 the disconnection date would be 565 00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:40,470 September 29th. 566 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:44,080 This and also I noted additional time is 567 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:46,720 also dependent on extreme weather 568 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:49,520 conditions for hot and cold weekends and 569 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,799 holidays. So just like the 26 was on a 570 00:25:52,799 --> 00:25:54,720 Saturday, there's additional days in 571 00:25:54,720 --> 00:26:00,549 there that's factored. 572 00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:04,240 Section 22, customer communications 573 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:06,480 changing from the allotted time for a 574 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:08,400 representative to resolve a customer's 575 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,840 issue from 48 hours to 24 hours. If we 576 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,240 are all on staff at 8:00, there's no 577 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,080 reason that we can't get an answer but 578 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:20,523 within 24 hours. 579 00:26:20,533 --> 00:26:23,269 » [clears throat] 580 00:26:23,279 --> 00:26:26,559 » Section 22 complaint procedure. We 581 00:26:26,559 --> 00:26:28,320 change from the written complaint may be 582 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:30,240 filed with the appropriate utility 583 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:33,279 director or design to the assistant city 584 00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:35,760 manager of utilities and the final 585 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:43,269 escalation remain the city manager. 586 00:26:43,279 --> 00:26:45,840 Section 24, the prospective adopt 587 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:49,600 adoption date would be Octo October 13 588 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:53,909 of 2026. 589 00:26:53,919 --> 00:26:55,039 » Any questions? 590 00:26:55,039 --> 00:26:57,120 >> Thank you. Any questions from board 591 00:26:57,120 --> 00:26:58,159 members? 592 00:26:58,159 --> 00:26:59,919 >> Yes. I will start just by saying thank 593 00:26:59,919 --> 00:27:01,679 you to you and your team because good 594 00:27:01,679 --> 00:27:03,279 customer service can solve most 595 00:27:03,279 --> 00:27:04,880 problems. So, thank you for the work you 596 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,440 do. But I do have several questions 597 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,320 regarding the the proposed language. So, 598 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:12,960 first on page six in the definitions, 599 00:27:12,960 --> 00:27:16,320 the due date still says statement must 600 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,039 be paid by 6 pm. 601 00:27:19,039 --> 00:27:21,440 Does that need to be corrected to 11:59? 602 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:22,480 >> Yes. 603 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,440 >> Okay. And then on page eight, 604 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:26,640 >> Commissioner Fer, that was in 605 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:27,919 definitions. 606 00:27:27,919 --> 00:27:29,760 >> Yes, ma'am. 607 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:34,000 On page eight, it mentions a return trip 608 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,320 fee, but there is no such thing in the 609 00:27:36,320 --> 00:27:38,480 definitions. Does that need to be added? 610 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:39,760 We could. 611 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:41,760 >> Okay. 612 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:43,919 Uh, in the definitions it says 613 00:27:43,919 --> 00:27:45,760 connection fee, but for the rest of the 614 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:47,200 document when it's mentioned, it's 615 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:49,840 called a connect fee. If that's 616 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:51,840 something that potentially wouldn't hold 617 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,320 up in court, could we get that one or 618 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:55,200 the other? 619 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,200 >> Okay. 620 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:00,159 >> And then I can point out the sections 621 00:28:00,159 --> 00:28:02,000 where I found that if you'd like, but I 622 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:03,120 don't have to. 623 00:28:03,120 --> 00:28:04,880 >> I can I can. 624 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:09,440 >> Okay. And then the other thing I have is 625 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:13,039 there are two or there are two instances 626 00:28:13,039 --> 00:28:16,720 I found of his or her being used whereas 627 00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:18,960 the rest of the document uses there or 628 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,120 they. So once again if we could get that 629 00:28:21,120 --> 00:28:22,799 consistent preferably with the 630 00:28:22,799 --> 00:28:25,600 genderneutral they or there. And then my 631 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,799 last thing is a question about the grace 632 00:28:28,799 --> 00:28:31,760 period just to check. So, the extended 633 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:35,120 time um from 6:00 to 11:59 is on the due 634 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:36,320 date. Correct. 635 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:36,960 >> Right. 636 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:40,080 >> But note uh late fee is charged until 637 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:42,480 after the 7-day grace period. 638 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:44,960 >> The next d the next day after the due 639 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:45,440 date. 640 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:47,039 >> The next day after the So, what is the 641 00:28:47,039 --> 00:28:49,039 grace period for? 642 00:28:49,039 --> 00:28:51,200 >> The grace period keeps them from being 643 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,120 disconnected for seven days. 644 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:54,240 >> Oh, okay. Good. 645 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:56,960 >> Yes. penalty occurs the next day after 646 00:28:56,960 --> 00:28:59,440 the due date, but the grace period is to 647 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:01,919 withhold disconnection for seven days. 648 00:29:01,919 --> 00:29:04,480 >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification. 649 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:05,919 >> Thank you, Mr. Per. 650 00:29:05,919 --> 00:29:08,000 >> Um, Mr. Wright, 651 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:09,679 >> have we thought about this staying open 652 00:29:09,679 --> 00:29:12,000 one day a week till 6? Have you thought 653 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:14,000 about that just because of people who 654 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:15,919 work wouldn't have to take so much time 655 00:29:15,919 --> 00:29:22,070 off if they needed to come in? 656 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:24,720 I think that could be in consideration. 657 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:26,480 Um 658 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:30,399 but again the in office traffic is two 659 00:29:30,399 --> 00:29:32,240 an average of two per day 660 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:32,720 >> right 661 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:35,520 >> and that that has not changed. Um I went 662 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,919 back three months and and consistently 663 00:29:37,919 --> 00:29:40,960 and and often it's the same two 664 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,120 >> right if it's two if it's two every day 665 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:44,799 if you only open one day 666 00:29:44,799 --> 00:29:45,200 >> right 667 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:47,440 >> it would be 10 if you actually got them 668 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:49,200 all in. 669 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:51,279 just a consideration to see if you could 670 00:29:51,279 --> 00:29:54,240 see what that would do to your 671 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:55,120 situation. 672 00:29:55,120 --> 00:30:02,789 >> Sure. 673 00:30:02,799 --> 00:30:04,880 » Any other questions or comments? 674 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:07,039 >> Great job. 675 00:30:07,039 --> 00:30:08,399 >> And again, thank y'all for y'all's 676 00:30:08,399 --> 00:30:11,039 exceptional service. Um, y'all make a 677 00:30:11,039 --> 00:30:12,559 difference every day and make our lives 678 00:30:12,559 --> 00:30:14,399 a whole lot easier than it used to be. 679 00:30:14,399 --> 00:30:15,120 So, 680 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,520 >> thank you. And mayor, just a point of 681 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:18,480 clarification, [clears throat] these 682 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:20,080 policies will be on the agenda for the 683 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:22,000 13th, as well as some of the contracts 684 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,480 to approve us to form. Um, so if there's 685 00:30:24,480 --> 00:30:26,000 any comments or concerns that you want 686 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:27,679 us to address between now and 13, please 687 00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:29,120 let us know. 688 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:31,039 >> Thank you. 689 00:30:31,039 --> 00:30:32,960 All right. Uh, last item is to discuss 690 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:34,960 proposed 2026 mill rate. City manager 691 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:43,669 Jessica Connor will address. 692 00:30:43,679 --> 00:30:45,520 Okay, it's that time of year again where 693 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:47,360 it is time to set our millage rate. And 694 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:49,120 unfortunately, this year has been a 695 00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:51,600 little bit um of a challenge. If you'll 696 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:53,520 remember correctly, we had our House 697 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:55,679 Bill 581. We've talked about Senate Bill 698 00:30:55,679 --> 00:30:57,600 33. There's been a lot of things at the 699 00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:59,360 state legislature that has come up that 700 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:01,760 has created some concern um for 701 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:03,760 localities, specifically ours, because 702 00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:06,399 we did not opt out of House Bill 581, 703 00:31:06,399 --> 00:31:08,559 but the county did, as did the school 704 00:31:08,559 --> 00:31:10,480 system. So the tax commissioner has had 705 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:12,399 some issues as long as well as the tax 706 00:31:12,399 --> 00:31:14,399 assessor in calculating the millage 707 00:31:14,399 --> 00:31:16,000 rates for this year which is why we are 708 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:18,159 a little bit behind on that. Um but I 709 00:31:18,159 --> 00:31:19,840 would like to present to you the millage 710 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:21,760 rate discussion for today and then 711 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:24,559 adoption on October 13th as well. If you 712 00:31:24,559 --> 00:31:26,880 look at the historical millage rates um 713 00:31:26,880 --> 00:31:29,120 starting in 2016 so 10 years ago you 714 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:32,159 were taxing at a rate of 7.771. 715 00:31:32,159 --> 00:31:34,640 Um as of today we are recommending a 716 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:37,360 millage rate of 5.609 609 which is the 717 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:40,559 roll back rate. Um that's 900s of a roll 718 00:31:40,559 --> 00:31:43,519 back from last year's 2025. So that 719 00:31:43,519 --> 00:31:47,519 overall decrease is 2.702 mills or 34% 720 00:31:47,519 --> 00:31:50,960 of the tax rate. 721 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:54,000 The 2025 digest versus the 2026 digest. 722 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:55,519 You can see some growth within that 723 00:31:55,519 --> 00:31:58,799 digest at 945 million last year compared 724 00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:01,519 to 952 and a half this year. um 725 00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:03,519 reassessments and other digest changes 726 00:32:03,519 --> 00:32:05,919 remained about the same at 15 million. 727 00:32:05,919 --> 00:32:07,600 So that does give us that roll back rate 728 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,679 of 5.609 when also calculating loss. So 729 00:32:11,679 --> 00:32:13,279 if you look at property tax revenue, 730 00:32:13,279 --> 00:32:16,000 what we budgeted this year for FY27 is 731 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:17,919 6,200. Yes, sir. 732 00:32:17,919 --> 00:32:20,320 >> On on page one, because I'm I heard you 733 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:22,399 and I thought I was hearing you right. 734 00:32:22,399 --> 00:32:24,799 You said 5.069 735 00:32:24,799 --> 00:32:26,240 and then on 736 00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:29,519 >> Okay. On the next page is 5.60. Okay. 737 00:32:29,519 --> 00:32:31,279 >> 5.609. 69. 738 00:32:31,279 --> 00:32:31,760 >> Okay. 739 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:33,200 >> No, Commissioner Fuller caught that. So, 740 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:34,480 I changed it this morning. So, you 741 00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:37,519 should have the updated 5.609. 742 00:32:37,519 --> 00:32:39,360 >> On my on my computer, it doesn't say 743 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:40,880 that, but that's fine. It says 744 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:41,600 >> not updated. 745 00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:43,039 >> It's not updated on this. That's 746 00:32:43,039 --> 00:32:44,159 >> I'm sorry. It's in the 747 00:32:44,159 --> 00:32:45,760 >> So, it's 5.609. 748 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:47,919 >> 5.69. 749 00:32:47,919 --> 00:32:50,799 >> Um, so the roll back rate is 5.609. If 750 00:32:50,799 --> 00:32:52,720 you look at the current rate, uh, the 751 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:54,320 property tax revenue budgeted for fiscal 752 00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:58,870 year 2027 is 6,281,735. 753 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:00,320 You have to remember for the city that 754 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:01,440 we actually have three different 755 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:03,600 property tax funds. We have our general 756 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:05,919 fund and then we have TAD 1 and TAD 2. 757 00:33:05,919 --> 00:33:07,360 So if you look at that together, there's 758 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:10,470 5,349,735 759 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:13,360 budgeted for general fund, $41,000 for 760 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:15,440 TAD 1, which is the downtown district, 761 00:33:15,440 --> 00:33:19,519 and then 531,000 for TAD 2, which is the 762 00:33:19,519 --> 00:33:21,039 district over by Kroger, where we still 763 00:33:21,039 --> 00:33:22,799 have Kroger bonds that we are paying. 764 00:33:22,799 --> 00:33:24,159 You can see the difference in what was 765 00:33:24,159 --> 00:33:27,840 budgeted for FY26. we actually did um 766 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:29,760 increase the amount that we budgeted. 767 00:33:29,760 --> 00:33:31,200 And so if you look at keeping the 768 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:33,039 current rate, what that 100% collections 769 00:33:33,039 --> 00:33:35,200 would be for the general fund um is 770 00:33:35,200 --> 00:33:37,840 right at sort of the what we budgeted if 771 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:40,000 you collected 95% which we're somewhere 772 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:43,039 in between 90 and 95% each year. Um we 773 00:33:43,039 --> 00:33:45,360 it's a little less with that uh current 774 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,760 rate. So if you look at the roll back 775 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:49,120 rate, of course, that does sort of 776 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:50,480 decrease the amount that we would 777 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:52,559 receive. Um when you look at property 778 00:33:52,559 --> 00:33:55,600 tax revenue budgeted for FY26 it shows 779 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:58,799 you there and FY25 that roll back rate 780 00:33:58,799 --> 00:34:01,120 um for general fund at 100% collections 781 00:34:01,120 --> 00:34:02,960 will be 5.342 782 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:07,600 at 95% collections it would be 5,75,647. 783 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:09,200 So it will be a little less than what is 784 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:11,520 budgeted. Um but I still think it is it 785 00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:13,119 is doable for what we've been able to do 786 00:34:13,119 --> 00:34:15,760 the last several years. So I just need 787 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:17,919 to know from you all um what you would 788 00:34:17,919 --> 00:34:19,919 like to do because we have to advertise 789 00:34:19,919 --> 00:34:21,760 and depending on what our choice is 790 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:24,079 either the current rate uh an increase 791 00:34:24,079 --> 00:34:25,839 rate or the roll back rate would depend 792 00:34:25,839 --> 00:34:28,000 on how many times we have to advertise 793 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:29,520 and how many hearings we have to have 794 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:31,919 >> and our lost revenue continues to 795 00:34:31,919 --> 00:34:33,359 outperform what we 796 00:34:33,359 --> 00:34:34,960 >> Yes. Our lost revenue brings in a little 797 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:36,879 over $6 million now. So more than 798 00:34:36,879 --> 00:34:38,159 property tax. 799 00:34:38,159 --> 00:34:39,280 >> Roll it back. 800 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:40,320 [clears throat] 801 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:41,760 >> Roll it back. 802 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:42,320 >> Roll back. 803 00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:42,960 >> Okay. 804 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:44,240 >> All right. That makes it easy. Please, 805 00:34:44,240 --> 00:34:49,510 we'll have one public hearing. 806 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:52,399 » I mean, roll back. Jesus. 807 00:34:52,399 --> 00:34:56,879 >> Oh, okay. Well, then we will have one um we'll advertise it in the next 808 00:34:56,879 --> 00:34:58,000 couple days and then we'll be able to 809 00:34:58,000 --> 00:34:59,280 have one public hearing in the adoption 810 00:34:59,280 --> 00:34:59,920 on the 13th. 811 00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:01,919 >> Perfect. All right. All right. 812 00:35:01,919 --> 00:35:02,560 [laughter] 813 00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:04,000 >> Is there anything else that you need to 814 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:05,280 discuss with us this morning? 815 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:06,079 >> No, sir. 816 00:35:06,079 --> 00:35:07,680 >> Do we have anything from any commission? 817 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:09,520 >> Oh, yes, we do. I'm so sorry. We have to 818 00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:11,040 tell you about the land bank and their 819 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:13,359 requests. 820 00:35:13,359 --> 00:35:16,240 Yes. So, uh 821 00:35:16,240 --> 00:35:17,760 we're going to get a slide up for you 822 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:19,200 guys. It should be very very brief. I 823 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:21,119 know it never is when I'm up here. Um 824 00:35:21,119 --> 00:35:23,760 but I did want to address we have an 825 00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:25,920 interlocal um agreement an amendment to 826 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:27,119 our interlocal agreement that 827 00:35:27,119 --> 00:35:30,800 established the land bank um that was uh 828 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:35,599 presented and kind of negotiated over the last year. Um for the most part 829 00:35:35,599 --> 00:35:38,000 staff has very few concerns uh that 830 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:39,760 would be relevant to the commission. And 831 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:42,400 a lot of it is is back of house uh you 832 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:45,520 know uh how we're going to to change a 833 00:35:45,520 --> 00:35:47,440 few commas uh and things of that nature. 834 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:50,560 But um there is a request uh under 835 00:35:50,560 --> 00:35:53,910 OCGA48-4-110C 836 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:56,320 in that proposal that they have drafted 837 00:35:56,320 --> 00:35:59,520 um where that state law allows LBA with 838 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:01,119 the agreement from the city and county 839 00:36:01,119 --> 00:36:03,119 to take a percentage of the property 840 00:36:03,119 --> 00:36:06,240 taxes collected from properties that LBA 841 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,560 sells for a specific term following the 842 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:10,560 sale of that property. um it does 843 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:11,920 exclude state and school district 844 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:13,760 property taxes and in the proposal that 845 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:17,200 they have submitted um LBA would retain 846 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:20,720 up to 75% of city county property taxes 847 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:23,040 for a period of 5 years from the date 848 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:26,079 that they convey the property. Um I had 849 00:36:26,079 --> 00:36:27,839 hoped to actually present numbers to you 850 00:36:27,839 --> 00:36:30,160 guys to be able to show you uh an 851 00:36:30,160 --> 00:36:32,560 example of how this uh would impact us 852 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:34,320 using the most recent sales that that 853 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:36,880 LBA has conducted. Um I'd also hope to 854 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:39,040 have an answer on how the sidelot 855 00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:40,720 program would impact this. So as you 856 00:36:40,720 --> 00:36:42,640 know the sidelot you know may be merged 857 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:44,800 in with another parcel. Um and those are 858 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:46,880 given for free. So um you know would 859 00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:48,880 that then would they be expecting to 860 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:50,480 retain the property taxes for that 861 00:36:50,480 --> 00:36:52,880 entire parcel uh as opposed to the 862 00:36:52,880 --> 00:36:54,960 portion that you know is no longer 863 00:36:54,960 --> 00:36:57,280 separate uh that was conveyed by LBA. 864 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:58,880 I've not received an answer to that 865 00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:01,440 portion and because of the delay that we 866 00:37:01,440 --> 00:37:03,280 had in getting our digest information I 867 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:04,720 wasn't able to present full numbers to 868 00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:06,880 you. Uh but I will candidly say that 869 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:08,480 from a staff perspective I have concerns 870 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,160 about this in light of the property tax 871 00:37:10,160 --> 00:37:11,920 changes that are happening within our 872 00:37:11,920 --> 00:37:16,000 state. Um and you know there it is up to 873 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:18,560 75%. So if you would like to propose an 874 00:37:18,560 --> 00:37:20,560 alternate percentage uh that is 875 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:21,680 something that we could go back to them 876 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:22,960 with or if you want to let them know 877 00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:25,440 that you would like it to remain at 0%. 878 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,079 Um I think their main rationale here is 879 00:37:28,079 --> 00:37:31,760 that LBA would like to eventually uh be 880 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:33,680 independent. uh they would like to be 881 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:35,280 financially independent and not have to 882 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:36,720 take contributions from the city and the 883 00:37:36,720 --> 00:37:38,880 county. Um I do know that it was 884 00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:40,880 presented to the county yesterday. For 885 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:43,280 whatever reason, they did not have uh a 886 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:45,520 draft presented at their working 887 00:37:45,520 --> 00:37:47,359 session. Um but they also voiced 888 00:37:47,359 --> 00:37:49,119 concerns and I think some of them noted 889 00:37:49,119 --> 00:37:51,040 that uh the development authority, for 890 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:54,160 example, uh was not self-sufficient on 891 00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:56,079 its own uh was something that was 892 00:37:56,079 --> 00:37:58,880 mentioned. So, they had concerns for 893 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:00,640 that that sort of being the the logic 894 00:38:00,640 --> 00:38:02,880 here enough to rationalize giving 75% of 895 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:05,200 those of those property taxes. So, uh 896 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:06,720 but I wanted to present it to you before 897 00:38:06,720 --> 00:38:08,800 we continue to um proceed with this 898 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:11,280 draft. Once that is completed and the 899 00:38:11,280 --> 00:38:12,720 county has approved whatever version 900 00:38:12,720 --> 00:38:13,920 they're willing to approve, we would 901 00:38:13,920 --> 00:38:15,440 present it back to all of you. 902 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:16,800 >> But we're right now we're getting 903 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:18,640 property tax when the property sells if 904 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:21,040 any back tax is owed. 905 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:23,920 >> Um they it extinguishes. So, so land 906 00:38:23,920 --> 00:38:26,400 bank exists to be able to extinguish. So 907 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:28,000 what 908 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,000 >> right now when they sell the property to 909 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:31,599 a private property owner for home 910 00:38:31,599 --> 00:38:33,760 ownership um that property goes back 911 00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:35,760 onto the tax roles this would make it 912 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:36,320 where 913 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:37,119 >> in the future 914 00:38:37,119 --> 00:38:40,079 >> yes 5 years following that sale lb would 915 00:38:40,079 --> 00:38:43,839 retain 75% of those taxes 916 00:38:43,839 --> 00:38:45,359 for the property that went back onto the 917 00:38:45,359 --> 00:38:47,119 tax roles 918 00:38:47,119 --> 00:38:49,359 >> and the city would only obtain 25%. I'd 919 00:38:49,359 --> 00:38:50,560 rather have our own money and then be 920 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:52,720 able to distribute money back to the 921 00:38:52,720 --> 00:38:54,800 land bank authority 922 00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:56,411 >> for 923 00:38:56,411 --> 00:38:56,960 [cough] 924 00:38:56,960 --> 00:38:58,160 I [clears throat] mean like like the 925 00:38:58,160 --> 00:38:59,839 system is now we get the property tax 926 00:38:59,839 --> 00:39:01,680 anyway and then reimburse but whatever 927 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:02,480 staff 928 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:03,040 >> okay now 929 00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:06,400 >> staff staffing before we go any further 930 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:08,480 >> the land bank said yesterday that we 931 00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:11,119 already talked about giving them 25%. 932 00:39:11,119 --> 00:39:13,119 No, what we had talked about and I 933 00:39:13,119 --> 00:39:14,480 believe that that was presented by John, 934 00:39:14,480 --> 00:39:16,000 right? Um I had a phone conversation 935 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,160 with John and I asked, you know, we 936 00:39:18,160 --> 00:39:19,839 would present and say, would the board 937 00:39:19,839 --> 00:39:22,079 be willing to give less less than that? 938 00:39:22,079 --> 00:39:23,920 So that's why I noted that it was up to 939 00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:26,800 75% and we could discuss with them the 940 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:29,040 potential for doing less than that. Um 941 00:39:29,040 --> 00:39:30,880 but I was very candid with them to to 942 00:39:30,880 --> 00:39:32,320 make note that staff had concerns about 943 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:33,760 it, especially in light of our state 944 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:35,680 property tax concerns right now. So 945 00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:37,760 considering that if they want to be 946 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:40,000 self-sufficient, wouldn't that give them 947 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:44,480 more money maybe to be able to actually 948 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:46,240 clear the land instead of having 949 00:39:46,240 --> 00:39:48,000 somebody else clear land so it make it 950 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:51,200 easier to get rid of? 951 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:53,440 >> Being very candid, right now they have 952 00:39:53,440 --> 00:39:55,680 plenty and what we give them is not 953 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:56,880 always being used, 954 00:39:56,880 --> 00:39:57,599 >> right? Absolutely. 955 00:39:57,599 --> 00:40:00,240 >> So I think them having more money is not 956 00:40:00,240 --> 00:40:01,760 going to solve the problems that I think 957 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:03,760 Lamb Bank has had operationally. They've 958 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:05,200 made great strides. 959 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:07,440 >> Um, but I I personally would like to see 960 00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:11,680 more progress before I think staff could confidently recommend to you for 961 00:40:11,680 --> 00:40:13,599 you to give them property taxes for a 962 00:40:13,599 --> 00:40:15,119 5-year period after a sale. 963 00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:16,640 >> But if we give them the property tax, 964 00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:18,320 that would cut out what we give them 965 00:40:18,320 --> 00:40:20,640 every year. That's the that's the 966 00:40:20,640 --> 00:40:21,440 ultimate goal. 967 00:40:21,440 --> 00:40:23,520 >> The that would be their ultimate goal. 968 00:40:23,520 --> 00:40:25,520 Yes. Uh but you would also lose the 969 00:40:25,520 --> 00:40:27,119 ability to have oversight if that 970 00:40:27,119 --> 00:40:31,359 process was not working. So there is a 971 00:40:31,359 --> 00:40:33,920 um a benefit to you holding the purse 972 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:36,000 strings. There is a check uh sort of a 973 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:38,480 checks and balances as there is with any 974 00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:41,920 legislative authority. Um so you would 975 00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:43,839 be handing them the opportunity to go 976 00:40:43,839 --> 00:40:45,359 and kind of make their own destiny at 977 00:40:45,359 --> 00:40:50,640 that point. Um whereas currently uh we approve their budget every year and 978 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:52,000 we would tell them how much we would be 979 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:55,920 willing to contribute. Um, but they 980 00:40:55,920 --> 00:40:57,359 would have a portion that would be 981 00:40:57,359 --> 00:41:02,720 within a uh a fund balance for them to utilize if they desire. 982 00:41:02,720 --> 00:41:06,790 >> Okay. 983 00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:08,240 » Anyone else have anything? Do you have a 984 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:08,880 consensus? 985 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:10,560 >> I just think it should remain zero. 986 00:41:10,560 --> 00:41:10,880 >> Okay. 987 00:41:10,880 --> 00:41:12,880 >> I do know that there's um other things 988 00:41:12,880 --> 00:41:16,000 that the land bank can do to recoup 989 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:18,000 money too. I s I was doing some research 990 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:19,599 on that. So, is there there's some other 991 00:41:19,599 --> 00:41:22,960 ways they can actually put in uh 992 00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:26,160 penalties more on businesses that we can 993 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:29,440 do like um if the property 994 00:41:29,440 --> 00:41:31,839 sits vacant for more than 180 days, we 995 00:41:31,839 --> 00:41:33,839 can start finding them. 996 00:41:33,839 --> 00:41:36,480 >> We have a a 997 00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:38,400 registration, a vacant property 998 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:40,000 registration that's on the ROS, but that 999 00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:41,920 would be the the the city is the 1000 00:41:41,920 --> 00:41:44,560 enforcing authority for that. Um and 1001 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:47,200 it's only that they have to register. So 1002 00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:50,000 it it there's not a a penalty factor um 1003 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:53,440 for it being vacant. Um they also and 1004 00:41:53,440 --> 00:41:54,640 this was one of the county's main 1005 00:41:54,640 --> 00:41:55,920 concerns. Something that they wanted to 1006 00:41:55,920 --> 00:42:01,599 see is what is the land bank doing um to be able to claw back property if 1007 00:42:01,599 --> 00:42:03,440 someone sells it to someone who is not 1008 00:42:03,440 --> 00:42:04,800 uh who's not going to reside there, 1009 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:06,720 who's not a homeowner. Um they have 1010 00:42:06,720 --> 00:42:08,240 created policies and procedures. Those 1011 00:42:08,240 --> 00:42:10,160 have been adopted by the land bank. And 1012 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:12,400 um I think that John did a a kind of a a 1013 00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:13,599 great job explaining that to them. And 1014 00:42:13,599 --> 00:42:14,640 if you all would like to see those 1015 00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:17,280 policies, we can. Um, to me, I think my 1016 00:42:17,280 --> 00:42:19,760 main concern is really the the the 1017 00:42:19,760 --> 00:42:22,480 actual tax allocation itself. Um, but 1018 00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:24,960 the land bank, their ability to be able 1019 00:42:24,960 --> 00:42:26,560 to make money is to sell properties for 1020 00:42:26,560 --> 00:42:27,839 a greater cost. 1021 00:42:27,839 --> 00:42:30,240 >> Um, so right now they, you know, they've 1022 00:42:30,240 --> 00:42:32,000 established through those policies what 1023 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:35,040 their uh sales rate would be and that 1024 00:42:35,040 --> 00:42:36,240 would be how they would potentially 1025 00:42:36,240 --> 00:42:38,400 generate income. Um but many of the 1026 00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:40,240 properties they possess have significant 1027 00:42:40,240 --> 00:42:42,560 leans from the city uh for nuisance 1028 00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:45,520 abatement that we receive 75% paid back 1029 00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:46,400 to us right 1030 00:42:46,400 --> 00:42:48,880 >> for those costs. Um so one way for them 1031 00:42:48,880 --> 00:42:50,800 to have more would be for us to tell 1032 00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:53,920 them they can um remove our leans. Uh 1033 00:42:53,920 --> 00:42:55,359 and that is something that's under their 1034 00:42:55,359 --> 00:42:56,880 proposed interlocal agreement as well 1035 00:42:56,880 --> 00:42:58,079 that we could consider doing an 1036 00:42:58,079 --> 00:42:59,359 agreement for that. But right now, we 1037 00:42:59,359 --> 00:43:01,680 have an agreement in place with them um 1038 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:03,760 through a a prior board that the city 1039 00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:05,839 has paid back at a rate of 75% for any 1040 00:43:05,839 --> 00:43:07,119 proceeds that they receive at the sale 1041 00:43:07,119 --> 00:43:08,400 of property. 1042 00:43:08,400 --> 00:43:10,640 >> Okay. But we do like to see the policies 1043 00:43:10,640 --> 00:43:13,839 because I know that the county got them. 1044 00:43:13,839 --> 00:43:15,280 I know they were talking about it last 1045 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:15,760 night. 1046 00:43:15,760 --> 00:43:18,160 >> They had not received them. Um John John 1047 00:43:18,160 --> 00:43:19,440 was recommending that if they would like 1048 00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:21,760 them then they asked we can provide 1049 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:23,119 them. 1050 00:43:23,119 --> 00:43:24,720 >> I was expecting him to be here because 1051 00:43:24,720 --> 00:43:26,400 he said he was going to be here. 1052 00:43:26,400 --> 00:43:29,920 >> So, okay. Any other questions or 1053 00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:31,520 comments? 1054 00:43:31,520 --> 00:43:33,760 >> Is the consensus that remains zero? 1055 00:43:33,760 --> 00:43:34,960 >> Leave it alone. I don't I'm not 1056 00:43:34,960 --> 00:43:36,319 interested in giving any of our 1057 00:43:36,319 --> 00:43:39,440 authority away to this board more than 1058 00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:40,560 what they already have. 1059 00:43:40,560 --> 00:43:40,880 >> Okay. 1060 00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:42,720 >> I'll be in agreement with that. 1061 00:43:42,720 --> 00:43:43,119 >> Okay. 1062 00:43:43,119 --> 00:43:44,720 >> Anyone else? 1063 00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:45,280 >> All right. 1064 00:43:45,280 --> 00:43:48,160 >> Thank you all very much. [clears throat] 1065 00:43:48,160 --> 00:43:48,319 I 1066 00:43:48,319 --> 00:43:49,520 >> think that's our agenda for this 1067 00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:51,200 morning. If we don't have anything else, 1068 00:43:51,200 --> 00:43:52,720 entertain a motion to adjurnn. 1069 00:43:52,720 --> 00:43:53,920 >> Make a motion. 1070 00:43:53,920 --> 00:43:56,240 >> Second. Uh, Commissioner Murray, 1071 00:43:56,240 --> 00:43:59,040 seconded by Commissioner. All fify by 1072 00:43:59,040 --> 00:44:02,040 raising