FCS seeks ELOST project managers
Floyd County Schools moves toward starting a new Pepperell Middle and Armuchee High modernization.
Floyd County Schools is currently looking to bring on construction managers to finalize plans alongside architects and determine maximum prices for the system’s two major ELOST 5 projects in the construction of a new Pepperell Middle School and modernization of Armuchee High.
During its Tuesday meeting, the Floyd Board of Education approved a bond resolution and signed a bond purchase agreement. The system is seeking to generate $30 million in a six-year bond issue to get a jumpstart on these two projects. The closing date on the bond sales has been set for March 20.
An additional resolution the board approved authorizes the bond proceeds to be moved into an LGIP — local government investment pool.
A new Pepperell Middle has been estimated to run the system around $20 million, and the modernization of Armuchee High is expected to cost somewhere in the area of $25 million. These projects will primarily be funded through an extension of the 1-cent education local option sales tax voters approved in November.
Superintendent John Jackson said the first work to be done at Armuchee High will be a new roof and HVAC system — both are state capital outlay projects, which the system will be reimbursed a certain percentage of the total costs. The system is eligible to receive $2,038,568 in reimbursement funds from the state.
A location of where a new Pepperell Middle will be built has not been determined. There are two sites being looked at, Jackson said, but one of them is “highly tentative” and he did not want to publicize it. The other site is a on a 5.39-acre tract adjacent to the current school already owned by the board.
“That is one we’re are definitely looking at,” Jackson said.
An exact time on when work will begin on both projects has not been determined but is likely to begin at some point during or after September, when the board would approve state capital outlay funding, which both projects are slated to receive. The general assembly has to allocate this funding during the current legislative session. Deputy Superintendent April Childers said construction cannot start until at least September.
Also, the board approved a resolution to withdraw an application for state capital outlay funding for projects at Pepperell Middle, Garden Lakes Elementary and Alto Park Elementary. The resolution is aimed at freeing up more funding for the system’s two major projects, Jackson said.
Work at Pepperell Middle had been included in the application, but by taking it off, the system is able to file an application later for the entire project of a new school. Also, the system needs to remove the application to go forward in phasing out the school, a move to generate more state funding by “taking it off the books,” Jackson said.
Instead of requesting state funding for installing air conditioners at the Garden Lakes Elementary and Alto Park Elementary gyms, the system is going to use ELOST 4 funds.
Georgia law requires you to make a return on all real estate and on all personal property (boats, motors, inventories, equipment, mobile homes, airplanes, etc.) All returns are made to the Floyd County Assessor’s Office in the Historic Courthouse at 4 Government Plaza, Suite 203, Rome, Ga. 30161-2803. If you have made any changes to your property (new construction, additions, etc.) whether it is 100% completed or partially completed and have not previously reported to the Assessor’s Office, you must notify the Assessor’s Office by April 2, 2018. JANUARY 1 THROUGH APRIL 2. Failure to properly apply for Freeport annually constitutes a waiver of the exemption. PROPERTY OWNERS THAT HAVE LAND DEDICATED TO AGRICULTURE USE OR TIMBER LAND MAY APPLY FOR CONSERVATION USE EXEMPTION OR PREFERENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXEMPTION FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH APRIL 2.
Applications for Homestead exemptions may be made in the year of the property becoming the primary residence up to and including April 2 of the following year. A) Requirements: (1) own your home and reside in it on January 1 of the year in which you apply for the exemption. There are no age or income requirements. B) Amount of the exemption: Up to $2,000 of assessed value of the property for state and school purposes and up to $5,000 of the assessed value of the property for county purposes. If over 65, 100% on Homestead Residence and up to to 10 contiguous acres of land and $4,000 on balance of value for state purposes. C) Time for applying: January 1 until April 2 of year of application. D) Where to apply: Floyd County Assessor’s Office
2) Floating Homestead Exemption - Age 62
A) Requirements: (1) own your home and reside in it on January 1 of the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 62 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) Federal adjusted income of both spouses and any other family member living in the residence (such as son, daughter, or other relative) cannot exceed $30,000, including social security and pensions. (4) GIVE UP ANY EXISTING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES BUT NOT SCHOOL TAXES. IN MANY INSTANCES THE GRANTING OF THIS EXEMPTION WILL INITIALLY AT LEAST INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TAXES LEVIED ON THE PROPERTY. B) Amount of Exemption: The difference in assessed value of the base year (previous year assessment from the year of application is made) and current year assessment on the primary residence and no more than 5 contiguous acres. C) Time for applying: January 1 until April 2 of year of application. D) Where to apply: Floyd County Assessor’s Office.
3) School Tax Exemption - Age 62
A) Requirements: (1) own your home and reside in it on January 1 of the year in which you apply for the exemption. (2) Owner must be at least 62 years old on January 1 of the year of application. (3) total income of both spouses and any other family member living in the residence (such as a son, daughter or other relative) cannot exceed $25,000 from all sources, including social security and pensions, or net income of both spouses only cannot exceed $10,000 excluding social security andpensions up to an amount set each year by the state. B) Amount of Exemption: the greater of $10,000 or one-half of the assessed value of your homestead residence and one acre of homestead land for total income or, in case of the net income requirement, $10,000. C) Time for applying: January 1 until April 2 of year of application. D) Where to apply: Floyd County Assessor’s Office.
4) School Tax Exemption - Age 65