Will
Cagle
WILL CAGLE IS PROMOTING SMART GROWTH, A TERM USED BY THE ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC) TO JUSTIFY HIGH-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT.
WILL CAGLE OWNS TWO PARCELS OF UNDEVELOPED LAND TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 109 ACRES; DOES HE PLAN TO DEVELOP HIS LAND WITH SMART GROWTH?
CHEROKEE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX – LIENS
Georgia Secretary of State – Business Registration – Record shows that his company was Administratively Dissolved for failing to file his annual registration in 2017. In 2018, he filed his registration and his company was reinstated. In 2019 he failed to file his annual registration again and his company was administratively dissolved. He continues to operate Cagle Masonry Group according to his financial disclosure. Did he stop filing his company registration to avoid paying state taxes? If he cannot keep up with filing simple forms to keep his company in good standing with the state; how can he possibly manage a $414 million dollar budget?
Statements made by Will Cagle
Protect the Senior Property Exemption
A referendum on May 21st, 2024, resulted in the approval of the Senior School Tax Exemption by 92% of voters. To change it, the state delegation must vote to have another referendum on the ballot, and the majority of voters must vote in favor of it. The senior exemption for school taxes cannot be changed by the County Commissioners.
Less Traffic, More Roads
No solutions offered by Cagle for how to address the issue.
Funding is a barrier to implementing road improvements. Before 2010, the majority of commissioners supported growth, ignoring the land use plan, leading to a 50 percent increase in the county population before 2010. The infrastructure needs are unsustainable to keep up with at that level of growth. The growth rate in the county is less than 2 percent, but the cities keep approving growth that brings the overall percentage to 5 percent. The only way to catch up on road improvements is by increasing taxes. Forsyth County voters approved a $200 million transportation bond several years ago to address their backlog of road improvements. The Cherokee County Commissioners are considering giving voters the chance to vote for a transportation SPLOST of one cent for five years, which would generate around $200 million.
Reduce Property Taxes
Cagle does not offer any solutions for lowering property taxes.
In 2008, the commissioners approved a floating homestead exemption, also known as a tax freeze, for the M&O portion of property taxes. Your exemption was increased to offset the increase in value resulting from your assessment increase. If you were to look back at prior tax bills, you would see very little, if any, change to the M & O portion of your property tax bill, even though most homes have more than doubled over the last 5 years. The floating homestead exemption doesn't apply to the fire tax, and as the fire department has expanded to support the increase in population, taxes have risen. The fire department was able to achieve an ISO rating of 2 with the addition of personnel and equipment, resulting in a reduction in your homeowners' insurance rate.
Millage Rate History – Last 10 Years
Average Home in Cherokee County (actual home) – County Property Taxes for 10 Years
As you can see, this home more than doubled in assessed value yet the M & O portion of the property tax only increased by $37.63.
Will Cagle owns three properties to include his residence and a total of 111.100 acres of land. His total property tax liability for 2024 was $1,041.40. Is he paying his fair share? How much lower is he seeking?
Finish Current Parks
An additional funding issue! No solution offered.
In 2008, voters approved a $90 million 20-year bond for parks. The county was able to save considerable amounts of money by purchasing large parcels of land throughout the county due to the economic downturn shortly after the parks bond was approved. It was a great investment to save land for future generations. Many new parks and updates to existing ones were completed as a result of the parks bond. The parks bond's proceeds have been spent. Impact fees and a portion of the county's 1-cent SPLOST are the only sources of funding for completing additional parks at present. The park bond will be paid in its entirety in 2028. The decision to support another park bond for increased funding lies with Cherokee County voters.
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