Hall Commmissioners deny Publix tax refund

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners Monday said no to Publix Supermarkets' request for an ad valorem tax refund.<br /> <br /> County Attorney Bill Blalock presented a denial resolution stating that the Board of Assessors followed correct procedure and Publix owes the taxes for 2011, 2012 and 2013.<br /> <br /> "Apparently at some point in their accounting they discovered they overlooked some vendor credits which would have reduced their inventory and their ad valorem taxes," Blalock said. "Unfortunately its way too late."<br /> <br /> Blalock said Publix was too late in filing their appeal on taxes amounting to $50,000 on $5.2-million inventory in Hall County.<br /> <br /> Blalock said Publix has filed for refunds in every county in Georgia where the grocery company has a store. Chief Appraiser Steve Watson said Publix is trying to change their evaluation method and get a 'refund on the back end.'<br /> <br /> "There are some accounting issues we don't agree with," Watson added. "Gwinnett County has already moved ahead to deny a refund down there."<br /> <br /> CHANGE THE PAY DAY<br /> <br /> Hall County employees would see pay day changes if county commissioners say yes to a proposal from Commissioner Scott Gibbs. Gibbs said it would save money to pay employees twice a month instead of every two weeks.<br /> <br /> "I would like to move toward 24 weeks, cutting out a pay cycle," Gibbs said. "It doesn't cut your check, you'll make the same thing, it's just you'll get paid on the 1st and the 15th." <br /> <br /> Gibbs said if approved he would like to see the new pay policy start the first of next year.<br /> <br /> Chairman Dick Mecum said he wants to see how the employees feel about the change before the Commission acts on it.<br /> <br /> OLYMPIC VENUE SUPPORT<br /> <br /> Mecum says he'll vote yes Thursday on the service agreement for the Olympic Venue at Clarks Bridge Park. Commissioners were urged to vote against the county's $150,000 share in venue support funds and Commissioner Craig Lutz said he would do just that, but not Mecum.<br /> <br /> "What you're looking at are the people who are coming here to see it," Mecum said. "We've got some national events getting ready to come in here; we're really beginning to build this program up."<br /> <br /> Mecum called the rowing venue at Lake Lanier an economic development 'gold mine' now that it has a manager and is run by the Gainesville/Hall County '96 Roundtable.<br /> <br /> BUSINESS LICENSE CHANGES<br /> <br /> Hall County Commissioners agreed to take a closer look at proposed changes to business occupation tax regulations.<br /> <br /> Commissioner Lutz said he would be against a revision if it unfairly penalizes business owners who follow the rules on reporting employment when others don't.<br /> <br /> "I don't want to put an additional burden on busineses because one or two firms out there aren't doing it right," Lutz said.<br /> <br /> The proposed change requires business owners to show proof of the number of employees.