In recent years, the channel along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) has deteriorated in many places due to insufficient dredging and maintenance. A couple of week ago I attended a meeting at the Georgia Depart of Natural Resources (DNR) that addressed the issues of our valuable natural resource. There was a presentation given by the DNR based on a study co-sponsored by U.S. Representative Jack Kingston and the DNR. The Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia, conducted the study. Results clearly outlined the negative impact as a result of the deterioration of the ICW channel through Georgia.

Faculty and staff at the Vinson Institute designed two surveys to collect data that could be used to address the issues of the ICW.

They surveyed owners of registered boats on their current use of the

ICW and the amount they spent in the Coastal area and elsewhere. A separate survey went to businesses in the Coastal Counties to determine the extent to which they rely on the ICW for their business enterprises and the effect the deterioration of the channel has had on their revenues. 1,004 boaters and 42 businesses responded. The results of the data are summarized below.

• Approximately 21,000 of Georgia's registered boaters with crafts 16 feet and longer used the ICW in the past 12 months.
• An estimated 1,871 out-of-state boaters used the ICW in Georgia over the same period.
• Survey results suggest those boaters took more than 137,000 outings on the ICW in the past 12 months.
• Boaters spent an estimated $213.2 million on those outings (past 12 months).
• Boaters spending could fall by nearly $89 million if the ICW channel continues to deteriorate.
• The total estimated economic impact of that reduction in spending is $124.5 million annually.
• More than 2,100 jobs with $54 million in personal income could be lost as a result of reduced use of the ICW.
• Nearly $15 million in state and local government revenue (sales and property taxes and business licenses could be lost due to reduced spending by boaters).
• More than 24,000 commercial vessels use the ICW between Virginia and Florida each year.
• The ICW serves as transportation infrastructure for coastal businesses and for the harbors at Savannah and Brunswick, where more than 34 million tons of goods were handled in 2006.

I most recently sponsored a resolution (#R-31-11) which carried unanimously by the Glynn County Board of Commissioners, to support the dredging and maintenance of the ICW. If the ICW is to be saved and maintenance through Georgia we must continue our efforts to encourage our local State Senate and House Representatives and our Federal House District 1 Member (Jack Kingston) to exert a concerted effort to find funding for this much needed project.

Bob Coleman

Glynn County Commissioner At Large

Post 2

Glynn County Tax Commissioner- Office Staff

The Glynn County Tax Commissioner is responsible for receiving and safeguarding the County's tax revenue. Policies and laws dictating the actions of the local Tax Commissioners Office are held by the Georgia Constitution and local ordinances.

The team of 17 employees is responsible for the collection of various State, County, City and local School Board taxes that then distributed to the proper organization. Tax receipts processed through the Tax Commissioner are vehicle & mobile home sales tax, property tax (both real & personal), timber tax and motor vehicle tax to include title, tag/ad valorem and vehicle sales by a dealership. Last fiscal year, the Glynn County Tax Commissioner's Office collected a total of $111.9 million in taxes from the collective receipts.

The Tax Commissioner's Office is also the place where County residents can file for exemptions, which they may qualify for under state and county law. The homestead exemption, which allows property owners a tax break on their primary residence, is probably the most well known exemption but there are more available in our county. Deadlines for filing for exemptions in Glynn County April 1. Property tax bills are issued by the Tax Commissioner's Office on or about September 15 with payment due by November 15 of each year. An online payment option is available for payment of property taxes and vehicle tag renewals. 

Each year the Tax Commissioner works with the County's Property Appraisal Office and Finance Director to prepare the tax digest for submission to the Georgia Department of Revenue. During this time, the millage rate or the amount per $1,000 that is used to calculate taxes on property, is set by the Board of Commissioners. This process has just taken place and Glynn County's millage rate will remain at 5.673, which is the 13th lowest of the 159 counties in the State of Georgia.  

For a full listing of allowable exemptions in Glynn County visit our website.    

The newest addition to North Glynn Recreation Complex will be open to the public within the next few weeks. A one mile walking trail, fishing pier and kayak/canoe launch will be free and open to the public.  

Fishing pier on the lake overlooking a 13 acre lake stocked with a variety of fish.

• Glynn County schools will be back in session beginning Thursday, August 11. The Police Department asks that motorists be cautious as increased bus traffic and pedestrians return to the roadways and sidewalks. 
• Beginning the week of August 15^th, Glynn County Recreation & Parks Department will reduce its coverage of life guarding at the beaches to Saturdays & Sundays thru Labor Day (including Monday, Labor Day).In addition, the Neptune Park Fun Zone pool will be closed on Tuesday & Wednesday starting the week of August 15 and continuing thru Labor Day. For a detailed revised schedule for Neptune Park Fun Zone visit their website at www.glynncounty.org/funzone.  
• The next Board of Commissioners Work Session will be held on Tuesday, August 16  at 9:30 a.m. at the W. Harold Pate building. The public is invited to attend. 

What Can SPLOST Do For You?  

GCPD vehicles purchased with SPLOST funds

 

What does improved drainage, new public safety vehicles and countywide road resurfacing have in common? Yes, they are all projects that are vital to maintaining a safe and prosperous environment for citizens, but they are also items being proposed for the 2011 SPLOST referendum.

On November 8, 2011, Glynn County voters will be asked to approve a special 1 percent sales and use tax known as SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). In the past, SPLOST in Glynn County has been exceptionally beneficial in funding much needed projects and capital purchases that local governments rely on to deliver necessary services to the community. 

SPLOST will also allow us to fund transportation infrastructure, public safety assets and public facilities needs through non-residents either working in or passing through Glynn County. Because the money is collected through a sales tax applies to everyone making purchases (not just residents) it is a way to share the expense with those who use our local resources, but do not pay other taxes in our county.  

If approved, funding from SPLOST will go to projects to support  Glynn County Board of Commissioners, the City of Brunswick, Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission, Jekyll Island Authority and Glynn County Airport Commission. 

W. Harold Pate Office Building Renovation completed in 2011 with SPLOST funds.

DID YOU KNOW?

• It is estimated that the 2011 SPLOST will raise $89,200,000 for the completion of the proposed list which is available HERE. 
• A portion of revenues from SPLOST come from non-residents buying goods and services in our county. Because Glynn County benefits from an influx of tourists attracted to our coastal locale and local amenities, many visitors from near and far come to Glynn to shop, dine and enjoy our services.
• The 2011 SPLOST project list is lean and essential. Each project was publicly discussed in at least 3 meetings and was carefully scrutinized by your county commission. 
• SPLOST represents the truest form of transparency, accountability and local control for taxpayers. It allows the citizens of Glynn to decide how they want dollars for infrastructure, transportation, public safety and parks to be spent, and lists projected cost of the projects.