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To all HCPOA members. As you are well aware, the Board of Assessors sent all property owners their assessment notices for the upcoming tax year. Each piece of property (over 20,000) receives an assessment notice sent to the registered owner. You would not believe the number undeliverables. To all HCPOA members. As you are well aware, the Board of Assessors sent all property owners their assessment notices for the upcoming tax year. Each piece of property (over 20,000) receives an assessment notice sent to the registered owner. You would not believe the number undeliverable. This notice includes the value placed on your property: the piece of land, the improvements (house for residential), and ancillary buildings (could be docks). That value is then multiplied by 40% which is the state directed assessment level. The details of your property are covered on your property record card. At the bottom is estimated tax amount. While this amount is based on the value above, it is calculated using the current millage rates for school and county. There will be new millage rates set for the new tax year established after the complete digest is finished and approved by both bodies. A property owner has 45 days to file an appeal with the tax office. If you have any question about the assessment, file an appeal. Generally appeals are based on value. You can always withdraw. But in the meantime, get a copy of your property record card from the office. This is the official statement of your value. While Q public is easy to access, it is not always up to date or entirely accurate. You can file an appeal then. An email or fax can be used to file the appeal. Tax Office number is 706-376-3997. You can always make an appointment to talk with an appraiser; generally they can make obvious corrections on the spot. If you decide to appeal, an appointment will be set with the Board of Equalization at least 20 days after the appeals are all received, processed and sent. Late August would be the earliest hearings. Appeal strategy is a different ball game. We will address that starting with our July meeting on the 18th.

On Monday night the School Board had their monthly meeting at the Administration Building. This was Jennifer Carter’s first meeting as our Superintendent. As you can see there were many items on the agenda for the school board to consider. The one item that was of interest to property owners was addressed to the board from our own Bill Fogerty, President of the HCPOA. He requested to address the board in the public comment section at the beginning of the meeting. You must formally request this prior to the meeting to be called on. He only had 3 minutes, as that is the law of the school boards in Georgia, to only allow the community, to publicly address board. The questions were asked of the board to address in the days and weeks to come. How did the board conclude that it needed to buy land on Bowman highway? Was this discussed in the public sector before an offer was made? Was there any representation from a realtor, and was one involved in the transaction? What will the land be used for? With the high cost of building and real estate cost was this the best time to purchase this property. Who was involved in deciding that this was the property to purchase and why? Were there any other properties considered? What was the price agreed on to purchase? These were some of the questions that property owners of Hart County had and Bill was able to ask those the other night. Now we will see if the board addresses those questions in the coming days or weeks. Other items on the agenda were an update from David Seagraves the Facilities director. He reported on the SPLOST funds that have been coming in and how well they have exceeded, what was to be expected in the 5 years of collections. He was also proposing that there was plenty of money available for the next projects the school board decides on. Brooks Mewborn reported on the curriculum items that would be used for the upcoming school year. Many other issues were addressed in New Business such as Policy’s that were amended or revised concerning complaints, Parent’s Bill of Rights, and unstructured break times. There were other items under Consent Agenda, such as Surplus items, Facility use requests and Field trip request. The superintendents report included Nutrition Information, Risk Hazard Assessment, Safety and Security update, school supplies, new teacher orientation and convocation. The school board went into executive session to discuss personnel and students. The superintendent made recommendations of personnel and out of district students. The meeting adjourned around 7:00 pm

With all the news you're hearing about safety issues in our schools throughout the United States, this is a great time to hear direct from our Sheriff, Mike Cleveland and Stan Sayre, Acting Chief City of Hartwell. We always have a question and answer time with our guests that really helps to hear concerns that all have. (Maybe even some that you may have but are not comfortable talking publicly) We'll get started at 7pm and end at 8pm. Our meetings are comfortable at the Adult Learning Center Lower Level in the Hart County Library. See you all there....

The May meeting for HCPOA was a departure from our normal topics. We decided to go fishing! We invited Hartwell's own Captain Cephus McRae of Nuts and Bolts Fishing. And wow, was he good! He brought his own boat, his fishing dog Buck, lots of rods, equipment and lures. He provided a very complete and motivating power point video presentation deciphering the "nuts and bolts" of Lake Hartwell fishing. Focus was on strippers and bass; how to find them and what to do when you do. He also gave a good description of their habitats and habits. Water temperatures are key for our summer fishing. This was an extremely riveting evening; one which held the full audience enthralled and provided a good "Question and Answer" session afterword. It's hard to to miss his big white boat w/dual 250's and Shearwater on the sides. Stop him if you see him gassing up. He lives in the Reed Creek area. You can also catch him on HTC Channel 3 and Fox Sports or his website: www.NutsAndBoltsFishing.com.. A great meeting and energetic audience.

Ahoy boat owners! You may have missed this Coast Guard regulation change concerning fire extinguishers. Evidently it just went into effect April 20. 2022. For many years most of us have cruised after looking at the old fire extinguisher to see the arrow in green. That works AS LONG AS fire ext is not over 12 years old. Manufacturers date is on bottom or near the UL label. New extinguisher will be 5B, 10B, or 20B. 10 ABC meets requirements for boats under 26'. If your extinguisher is borderline, make sure it is serviceable. Get a new one!

We have our next public meeting for residents of Hart County scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2022 at 7pm. Our meetings last for one hour and are held at the Adult Learning Center, lower level at the Hart County Library.... Its always a relaxing and informative meeting that you will hear updates on things happening around Hart County and this week, some information from Capt. Cefus McRae on fishing for Stripers and Hybrid Bass in Lake Hartwell. Don't Miss It!!

To all who follow or may be somewhat interested in the May 9th meeting. The first 30 minutes was dedicated to recognition of teachers of the year for each school. The "meat" of the meeting followed. ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) results continue to exceed all expectations. April figures were $486,986; the average is $370,000 against the original $300,000 monthly projection. For the first 27 months of the ESPLOST term revenue is over by almost $2,000,000. This year Jan was $480,000; Feb $417,000; March $422,000. That means ESPLOST will expire probably in 2023. Mr. Floyd presented the budget for 2023 for approval in June; year starts July 1. Anticipated local revenue is $13,900,000 State revenue will add $22,000,000 for a total of $35,995,300. These are estimates since the digest is not finished. State figures are firm and include a "put back" of the last $750,000 Covid cut. Two local revenue producers the TAVT or vehicle tax doubled to $1,400,000. Real estate transactions doubled from $85K to $195K; good indication digest will increase. Mr. Floyd suggested that if the current revenue trends continue, the board could offer a millage reduction from the current 12.569. Total fund equity for the system is $13,213,000. As you might guess there was no discussion of the budget in any area whether staff, maintenance, admin etc. Supposedly this had been approved by the BOE before. As the current chair has said on various occasions, "we have talked about this among ourselves." Wonder why all of us missed that?

The April meeting of the HCPOA featured Alan Powell, our State Representative. He recounted the significant events and issues from the recently completed legislative session. Among those were the constitutional carry bill, the various bills and combinations on election integrity and chain of custody, and mental health issues. It would seem that there could be additions or modifications to the election integrity package, all depends on politics. For seniors in Hartwell, the increase in the homestead exemption of $5000 for seniors over 65 will be on the November ballot. Much credit to Rep. Powell for getting that done.

The next public meeting for the Hartwell Property Owners Association which is for all residents of Hart County, GA, is scheduled for 7pm on April 18. This meeting lasts for one hour and is featuring a discussion with Alan Powell, our State Representative. We will have a questions and answer time so bring your questions for Alan Powell. The meeting starts promptly at the Adult Learning Center which is the lower level at the Hart County Library. We look forward to seeing you there.....

2021 Hart County Property Owners Association - Annual Report

The March HCPOA meeting highlighted an energized presentation on Electric Cars, Energy, and Power Generation by Mike Buckel. Mike is a well practiced, experienced engineer. That showed in his comprehensive research on multiple phases of energy from solar, nuclear, fossil fuel, electrical and battery. While many of the current arguments for battery seem to focus only on output (meager in some cases), Mike highlighted the costs in resources, particular minerals and land, and infrastructure as well as comparable energy outputs. One of his most telling exhibits was his first photo dated around the early 1900's, which showed numerous Detroit electric cars stalled and off the road because of snow: those were all electric. The single moving vehicle was gas powered chugging down the road because of its superior power. We had a good turnout and a very supportive audience with great questions. Mr. Fogerty, HCPOA President, summarized current ESPLOST yields for February 2022 at $417,000, with a 25 month average of $383,000. Early estimates were around $325,000 per month. This means we may reach the legally established cap of $18,000,000 in ESPLOST funds before the end of 2023, rather than December 2024. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a tax holiday for all of 2024. The revenues to the system would be the same as predicted: $18,000,000. By the way, do any of our members know what those funds are for? Property issues: April 1st is the deadline for submitting your application for Homestead Exemption, if you have not already qualified. You must be a full time resident over 65. Also, it’s time to update your property records for the Property Appraiser’s consideration in establishing a value. Our membership team of Connie Hamilton and Pat Ranels were very active with new and renewed members. Please join. Membership and Renewal were a pre and post meeting focus. Dues remain at $20 per year for individual and family memberships.

I have attached the plans as of now. Though, they do not look bad on paper, they have not followed any of the City Approvals for the development. They are still looking at 4 attached units where the City approved 8 separate units. Not all bad, but then they are going to do septic tanks rather than tap into the City Sewer. That is not so bad except, what was the point of going to the city to get annexed. Now whoever buys those townhouses will pay city and county taxes with no city amenities. Just does not make sense and seems to be poor planning. Charlene Lee is now waiting to see if the health department will approve the septic tanks. Also this will need to go back to the city planning board for approval since it is different than what was approved by the city. Also, this is Charlene Lee, the realtor who is supposed to be the builder and who is helping Sharif Farhan, owner of Downtown Cafe’ and the owner of the property on Woodlake landing.