Hall County Commission takes public comment on proposed budget

GAINESVILLE, GA - The Hall County Commission allowed citizens to give their input on a proposed $90.6 million budget for fiscal year 2015.<br /> <br /> The one common theme: asking the commission to lower the millage rate. Nobody took the podium who was in favor of keeping the current millage rate of 6.25.<br /> <br /> According to Commissioner Craig Lutz's unofficial count, 11 people spoke in favor of lowering the millage rate to 5.989.<br /> <br /> "There is no reason to keep the millage rate where it is," said Douglas Aiken of Murrayville. "Just put 20 or 30 dollars back in people's pockets."<br /> <br /> Property owners can appeal the appraisal of their property, which several members of the crowd said they have done on an annual basis.<br /> <br /> Ron House is a teacher at Chestatee Academy, and he said he's appealed his property's appraisal value successfully two years in a row.<br /> <br /> "I have a dock on my property that the appraiser added into the value of my home," said House. "That dock is mobile, and if I decide to move I can take it with me. It doesn't stay with the home."<br /> <br /> Other items he owns that he says were included in the value of his property included a swimming pool and a gazebo he bought at a hardware store.<br /> <br /> The commission will take input at its meetings on June 23 and 26.<br /> <br /> COMMISSION RECOGNIZES DEPUTY<br /> <br /> Deputy Travis Turner was recognized for his outstanding work on domestic violence cases.<br /> <br /> He received a standing ovation from the audience.<br /> <br /> COMMISSION DECLARES OLYMPIC DAY<br /> <br /> The Commissioners declared June 14 as Olympic Day in Hall County.