The Gainesville City Council will begin hearing annual budget presentations when it meets Thursday for a work session.
Council will receive budget requests from Keep Hall Beautiful, the Elachee Nature Science Center, Gainesville/Hall ’96 and an economic development partnership with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
Departmental budget presentations will follow in the coming weeks.
City Council meets at 9 a.m. Thursday in room 301 of the administration building, 300 Henry Ward Way.
SPLOST meetings set this week before vote in March
After public input meetings on SPLOST VII last year were a bust, several more forums have been scheduled at neighborhood and community centers, churches and the local chamber of commerce over the next month.
Hall County residents will have the chance to vote March 17 on the 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax.
If approved, collections on SPLOST VII would begin July 1. The tax is projected to bring in $158 million over a five-year period.
The next meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:
9:30 a.m., Saturday, at the Citizens Advisory Roundtable at Fair Street Neighborhood Center, 715 Fair St., Gainesville.
11:30 a.m., Feb. 17, during the Gainesville Kiwanis Club meeting at First Baptist Church Banquet Hall, 751 Green St., Gainesville.
Tax Commissioner seeks taxpayers for refunds
The Hall County Tax Commissioner is looking to refund thousands of dollars to taxpayers.
Stemming from tax years prior to 2013, these refunds originated from motor vehicle and property tax overpayments or from changes in property values.
“We believe it is right to actively find the owners of these tax monies before sending it to the State of Georgia Unclaimed Property Division, as required for unclaimed funds,” said Commissioner Darla Eden.
More than 100 letters were mailed to taxpayers to notify them of unclaimed monies. About 50 have responded, claiming over $22,000, according to the tax commissioner’s office.
If you believe you are due a refund from the tax commissioner’s office for tax years prior to 2013, contact the Tax Commissioner’s office by phone at 770-531-6950; online at tax.hallcounty.org; by email at tagoffice@hallcounty.org; in person at the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville; or by mail at P.O. Box 1579, Gainesville, GA 30503.
Joshua Silavent covers government issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him: