Oliver wants to avoid late tax penalty

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners expect to vote Thursday on twice a year tax bills, approved once again last Tuesday by the voters, but Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said at Monday's work session he wants to bypass the total 10 percent penalty if taxpayers can't pay on time.

The resolution placed before the commission by County Attorney Bill Blalock calls for a five percent penalty if payments are only one day late on October 1st and December 1st. Oliver wants to avoid that stiff late payment but it may take a local legislative act to change the law.

"I voted for the twice a year payments and I could support it if it's twice a year without the five percent penalty," Oliver said. "In today's economy a five percent next day penalty if not right. If you don't pay it you get slammed."

HIGHER BID, LOCAL TAX PAYER

Chairman Oliver and Commissioner Bobby Banks differed with the recommended low bid on the grading contract for the new Cool Springs Park in West Hall County.

The low bid came from Charles Sullivan Construction of neighboring Banks County for $654,161; Oliver and Banks said they preferred the second lowest bid, $660,896, from Simpson Trucking of Hall County. While Simpson's bid for $6700 more, Oliver pointed out that Simpson paid Hall County taxes.

"They pay property tax, nothing against anybody else but I think we have a chance to work with local people and I would encourage us to do that," Oliver said.

Commissioners are expected to decide who gets the contract during Thursday's voting session.

OLD JAIL REVENUE OPTIONS

Commissioners reviewed three options to turning old Hall County jail into a ready revenue source by selling it, accelerating the lease payments from Corrections Corporation of America, or issuing revenue bonds using CCA as the revenue source. CCA operates a holding facility for illegal immigrants.
Commissioner Billy Powell, who proposed selling the jail, said he liked the lease option.

"It would be less complicated with less law work to get into, less contracts, more status-quo, it's just a re-negotiated price, more up front," Powell said.

Powell added, however that bond rates with the accelerated lease option could paint a different picture if the rates are low.

"If bond rates are very, very low, the present value might be closer to the entire lease payment," he said.

Currently CCA leases the jail on Main Street for $2-million a year which increases at a half of one percent a year over the 20 year lease time period, with two optional five year extensions.