The Walker County Board of Education announced on Friday; they will not opt out of House Bill 581. In a release the school board said that House Bill 581 Floating Homestead Exemption was passed by Walker County voters in November with 71% of the vote. The homestead exemption will impact property tax revenue for the school district. The bill limits the increase on property tax assessments to the inflation rate of the previous year. It can reduce funding for the school district in future years. House Bill 581 allows districts to opt out of the homestead exemption. School officials are not clear what the impact will be on school funding. The calculations don’t include the impact of new construction or future home sales where the fair market value would revert to the new buyer.
Stacey Meeks will be vacating his position on the Walker County School Board. Meeks was elected in November to represent Post 4. Meeks is moving to another part of the county and will not be able to continue to serve on the school board. According to state law the school board must appoint someone within 45 days. That person will serve until someone is elected in the next general election to fill the remaining term of Mr. Meeks. The deadline to express interest in the vacant seat is Friday.
The city of LaFayette lifted the boil water advisory on Saturday. The DAF system installation was completed on Friday at the Lee School Road Water Treatment Plant. Turbidity levels fell to within the acceptable range for the first time since January 10th.
The city of LaFayette has called a public meeting for tomorrow. The city is seeking a grant of more than a million dollars from the state. The money would be used to replace aging sewer lines in some areas of the city. Those impacted would be residents of Chestnut Street, Parnell Court, Smallwood and Magnolia Streets. The public hearing for tomorrow includes details of the project, funding and community input. The meeting is happening tomorrow at 5:30pm at the LaFayette Walker County Public Library.
Two felony arrests in Walker County on Saturday. 29-year-old Holly Faith Qualls was booked on charges of felony fleeing, DUI and two misdemeanor obstruction charges. 41-year-old Stephanie Lynn Johnson was arrested on possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.
After two cases of bird flu have been reported in a commercial poultry flock in Georgia, the state has announced the suspension of poultry activities. The suspension stops the sale of live birds at auctions, flea markets and all other type of live stock markets. It also suspends gatherings involving live birds including exhibitions, meet ups, swaps and shows. You will still be able to buy poultry meat and eggs at the grocery store. Poultry processing will continue to take place. Private sales between individuals on private property are also not affected.
Congratulations to the LaFayette High School girls wrestling team. In just their second year of competition the ladies won the region championship. They will now head to Dahlonega to compete in the Elite 8.