City of Canton, GA 2021 Millage Rate and FY 2022 Budget

2021 Millage Rate & FY2022 City Budget City Manager’s Summary Report

Property Tax Rate History 9 8 7

8.5 7.5 6.8

6 5

5.966 5.4

4 3 2 1 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

City Tax Rate Comparisons Tax Rate Canton Woodstock Waleska Holly Springs Ball Ground 0

1

2

3

4 Tax Rate

5

6

7

8

9

Property Tax Calculation Example James Smith’s home assessment = $300K (FMV) Taxable Value is 40% of FMV = $80K (TV) Taxable Value x Millage Rate = Taxes Owed $80,000 x .0054 = $432

Example of Property Tax Impact Each $50K of Value Equals $108 in Property Tax Impact

Taxes $500K Home

$1,080

$450K Home

$972

$400K Home

$864

$350K Home

$756

$300K Home

$648

$250K Home

$540

$200K Home

$432

$150K Home

$324 $0

$200

$400

$600 Taxes

$800

$1,000

$1,200

The Value of Your Property Taxes A $300K home pays $642 or $1.78 daily for the following...

9 City Parks

120+ Miles of maintained roadways

Code Compliance

Development Code Compliance

Community Events & Activities

Historic Preservation

Sustainability Initiatives

Canton Theatre

Main Street Programs

Economic Development Services

Much More…

24/7 Police Protection

24/7 Fire Protection

Building & Safety Code Compliance Municipal Court Services

FY2022 Budget Highlights

New Personnel

• • • • • • • •

Housing & Residential Services Manager Economic Development & Tourism Manager Parks & Recreation Technician (2) Streets Technician (2) Team Clean Canton Technician Development Services Inspector Utilities Engineer Police Department Receptionist (PT)

Cost of Service Increases

• • • • • •

5 % COLA for Employees 5 % Benefits Increase No increase to Workers Compensation Insurance 5 % Property & Casualty Insurance Increase 2% Natural Gas Increase 2% in Electricity Increase

Operational Upgrades

• • • • • • •

Housing & Residential Services Office Economic Development & Tourism Office New Tasers for Police Department Fleet Services Lease with Enterprise Public Works Equipment for Cutting Services Citywide Transportation Study Technology Upgrades for Building & Safety Services Department

Continued Projects

• • • • •

Heritage Park to Boling Park Trail Connection Old Ball Ground Sewer Upgrade Harmon Park Improvements Archer Street Parking Deck & Solar Canopy Jones Building Sale & Redevelopment

Financing Canton’s Roadmap for Success The Capital Fast Lane Approach for Completing our Roadmap

The Canton Tenets: Guiding Principles for Our Future • • • • • • • •

Creating Great Neighborhoods Celebrating the Diversity of Our Community Advancing Regional Economic Success Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton Sustaining Our Natural Environment Connecting Citizens to Parks and Recreation Improving Infrastructure for Future Demands Leading with Excellence

Available Funding Streams for Capital Projects & New Programs

(Through 2024)

• • • • • • • • •

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)--$11.4M Impact Fees--$4.5M estimated SPLOST VII--$15.6M estimated SPLOST VIII--$5.8M estimated Tax Allocation District--$25M estimated Riverstone District--$432K estimated Hotel Tax--$1.25M estimated Rental Car Tax--$240K estimated Utility Financing/Bonds--$70M

TOTAL SPECIAL FUNDS=$134M estimated

Creating Great Neighborhoods

Safe, attractive, connected, and inviting neighborhoods are the foundation of Canton’s hometown appeal. All residents deserve quality housing that reflects our community character through thoughtful design and responsible development practices.

• •

Creating Great Neighborhoods • •

Establish an Office of Housing & Residential Services ($300K— ARPA) Establish a Canton Housing Trust Fund

• • • •

Home Improvement/Blight Remediation ($500K—ARPA) First Time Home Buyer Assistance ($500K—ARPA) Acquisition Fund ($500K—ARPA) RAD Conversion Assistance to Canton Housing Authority ($570K—ARPA)

Placemaking Improvements to Older Neighborhoods ($2.5M—TAD) Innovative Housing Concepts at Laurel Canyon Property ($30K—Rental Car Tax)

Celebrating the Diversity of Our Community

The diverse cultures and communities within Canton are vibrant and engaging. Economic, cultural, and social diversity is encouraged throughout the City.

•

Celebrating the Diversity of Our Community

Sunnyside & Exit 16 Community Improvements

• • •

• • •

Wayfinding Signage ($250K—TAD) Pedestrian Improvements & Trail Connections ($1.5M—TAD/CDBG) Replace Canton Creek Bridge ($2.9M—TAD & Impact Fees)

Translation & Community Outreach Services ($300K— ARPA) Minority Business Assistance Programs ($70K—ARPA) Culturally Impactful Events & Programming ($90K—ARPA and Hotel Tax)

Advancing Regional Economic Success

Utilizing existing business strengths in industry, healthcare, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Canton seeks to expand its economic footprint. Diverse and innovative business growth will support jobs, attract investment, and create tourism opportunities.

• •

Advancing Regional Economic Success

• • • • • •

New Business Assistance Programming Partnership with Cherokee Co. Chamber of Commerce ($210K—ARPA) New Partnership with Cherokee Office of Economic Development ($210K—ARPA) Establish an Office of Economic Development & Tourism ($300K—ARPA) Citywide Marketing & Outreach ($250K—ARPA) Small Business Support Programs ($100K—ARPA) Investment in Cultural Arts ($300K—ARPA, Hotel Tax, Rental Car Tax) Small Business Innovation & Expansion Grants ($100K—ARPA) Property Acquisition for future Economic Development

Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton

Preservation, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community-centric activities are cornerstones of economic development within Downtown Canton. Benefiting the entire City, downtown redevelopment creates jobs, attracts investment, increases property values, and generates tourism.

•

Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton

• • • • •

Improve Downtown Infrastructure

• • • •

Eliminate Overhead Utilities ($3M—TAD) Matching Grants for Utilities/Facades ($150K—TAD) Downtown Traffic & Pedestrian Study ($150K—TAD) Downtown Traffic, Parking & Pedestrian Improvements ($2M— TAD)

Archer Street Parking Deck & Solar Project ($2.5M—SPLOST) TAD Consulting Services ($40K—ARPA) Canton Theatre Upgrades ($160K—ARPA) Main Street Economic Development Programming ($160K—ARPA, Hotel Tax, Rental Car Tax) Downtown Staffing for Safety & Beautification ($400K—Hotel Tax, Rental Car Tax, General Fund)

Sustaining Our Natural Environment

Canton residents appreciate our natural beauty, proximity to the mountains, ample green spaces, and the Etowah River. Projects in the City will promote interaction with nature through sustainability, stewardship of resources, and innovative design.

• •

Sustaining Our Natural Environment

• • • •

Fleet Conversion & Inclusion of Electric Vehicles Water Treatment Plant Improvements ($1.3M—Water System) Natural Resources Study & Programming for Etowah River ($75K—Water System) Contract for Certified Arborist & Native Landscape Assistance ($75K—General Fund) Public Facility Improvements ($1.5M—ARPA) Automated Meter Reading Implementation ($3M—Water System)

Connecting Citizens to Parks & Recreation

A healthy community provides access to nature.

Residents should be connected with local parks through trails, sidewalks, and additional transportation options. Recreational opportunities should be available to and inclusive for all.

• •

Connecting Citizens to Parks & Recreation

• • • • • •

Outdoor Plyometric Fitness Gym at Heritage Park ($150K—Impact Fees) Harmon Park Improvements

• • •

CDBG Upgrades ($140K—CDBG & SPLOST) Mini-Pitch Field ($125K—Grant, Donations & SPLOST) Overall Park Expansion ($1.25M—Impact Fees & SPLOST)

Additional Parks & Recreation Asset Acquisition Riverstone Pedestrian Improvements ($2M—Special District) Boling Park Tennis & Basketball Upgrades ($100K—SPLOST) Etowah River Trail Heritage to Boling Connector & Sewer Upgrade ($8M— Water System) Playground Upgrades, Added Accessible Equipment ($300K—SPLOST) Parks & Recreation Masterplan ($200K—Impact Fees)

Improving Infrastructure for Future Demands

Citizens, businesses, and visitors need access to the Canton infrastructural network to succeed in their goals. Transportation, power supply, gas availability, water and sewer, and digital connectivity are part of building a great network for success.

• •

Improving Infrastructure for Future Demands

• • • • •

Water Pollution Control Plant Expansion to 7MGD ($70M— Water System/Bonds) Purchase Additional Water Capacity, Improve Connections with CCWSA City Transportation Plan ($250K—Impact Fees) SR 140 at Marietta Highway Design ($300K—Impact Fees) SR 140 at Reinhardt College Parkway Design ($500K— Impact Fees) Right of Way Acquisitions Paving Maintenance Program for City Streets ($3M— SPLOST & LMIG)

Leading with Excellence

City Council, Staff, and Citizen Boards will foster civic participation and serve ethically, transparently, responsibly, and efficiently.

• •

Leading with Excellence

• • • •

Local Government Internship Program ($75K—ARPA) Town Hall Meetings & Community Outreach ($40K— General Fund) Training & Leadership Development Programs ($32K— General Fund) One Time Essential Service Worker Add-Pay for Pandemic Support ($160K—ARPA) Retirement System Realignment Merit Contingency for Talent Retention ($120K—General Fund)

• Complete bulk of Roadmap Goals within the next 4-5 years

Conclusions on the Fast Lane Approach

• Utilize one-time funds for one-time projects • Gives staff the ability to plan and work through multiple fiscal years

• Meets the requests for services and programs from residents

• Effectively plans for future SPLOST, Impact Fee and potential grant funding streams