At Thursday night’s Chattooga County Board of Education meeting the Board will consider the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Jared Hosmer to approve the SPLOST Referendum for the March 24, 2020 ballot.
The Referendum is posted below:
A RESOLUTION TO REGULATE AND PROVIDE FOR THE CALLING OF AN ELECTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPOSITION, LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN CHATTOOGA COUNTY, TO FUND CERTAIN CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE CHATTOOGA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE TOWN OF TRION SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF SO AUTHORIZED; TO DETERMINE THE ISSUANCE OR NON-ISSUANCE OF CHATTOOGA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT (GEORGIA) GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $12,000,000; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DATE AS OF WHICH SUCH BONDS SHALL BE ISSUED AND THE MAXIMUM RATE OF INTEREST THAT SUCH BONDS SHALL BEAR AND THE SCHEDULE OF MATURITIES OF SUCH BOND ISSUE; AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES:
WHEREAS, as provided in Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution, because a majority of the students enrolled within Chattooga County, Georgia are enrolled in the Chattooga County School District (the “Chattooga County School District”), which embraces all of Chattooga County, Georgia, with the exception of the area within the corporate limits of the Town of Trion, as determined by full-time equivalent (“FTE”) count, the Board of Education of Chattooga County (the “Board”) is authorized to call for a referendum to impose, levy, and collect a sales and use tax for educational purposes of the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District, conditioned upon approval by a majority of the qualified voters residing within the limits of the county voting in a referendum thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Board, charged with the duties of contracting debts and managing the affairs of the Chattooga County School District, has caused to be made a thorough canvass and study of the outstanding debt of the Chattooga County School District and of the school buildings, equipment and facilities of the Chattooga County School District, and such investigation discloses the necessity of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles; (ii) making payments on outstanding bonded indebtedness; and (iii) paying expenses incident thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Town of Trion (the “Trion Board”), charged with the duties of contracting debts and managing the affairs of the Town of Trion School District, which embraces the corporate limits of the Town of Trion (the “Trion School District” and collectively with the Chattooga County School District, the “School Districts”), has caused to be made a thorough canvass and study of the outstanding debt of the Trion School District and of the school buildings, equipment and facilities of the Trion School District, and such investigation discloses the necessity of (i) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, safety and security equipment, text books, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles; (ii) making payments on outstanding bonded indebtedness; and (iii) paying expenses incident thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Board deems it necessary for the best interests of education in the School Districts to provide for the educational needs outlined above from a sales and use tax for educational purposes; and
WHEREAS, because of the continuing need to improve the educational standards and opportunities, and to meet the increased demands on the facilities of each of the School Districts, the Board deems it necessary for the best interests of education in each of the respective School Districts to provide for such needs; and
WHEREAS, it appears to the Board that the most feasible method of obtaining such funds is by the imposition, levy and collection of a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes pursuant to an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia (1996 Ga. Laws p. 1668), as amended, and the laws of the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Board that a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes should be imposed, levied and collected for a period of time not to exceed five years and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 for the above stated purposes; and
WHEREAS, the distribution of funds generated pursuant to the one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes between the Chattooga County School District and the Trion School District shall be according to FTE count, as provided in Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution; and
WHEREAS, as of October, 2019, the FTE count of Chattooga County School District is 2,589 and of the Trion School District is 1,307; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to submit to the qualified voters residing in Chattooga County the question of whether or not said one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes should be imposed, levied and collected; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Board that general obligation bonds should be issued by the Chattooga County School District in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000 (the “Bonds”) for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles; and (ii) paying expenses incident thereto; and
WHEREAS, all of the Bonds shall be at an interest rate or rates not to exceed 6.00% per annum, until paid, and with the principal maturing (or subject to mandatory sinking fund redemption) in the years and amounts as follows:
Year
Amount
Year
Amount
2028
$1,080,000.00
2033
$1,210,000.00
2029
1,100,000.00
2034
1,240,000.00
2030
1,130,000.00
2035
1,270,000.00
2031
1,155,000.00
2036
1,300,000.00
2032
1,180,000.00
2037
1,335,000.00
WHEREAS, it is necessary to submit to the qualified voters residing in Chattooga County the question of whether or not said one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes should be imposed, levied and collected, and whether or not the Bonds shall be issued;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CHATTOOGA COUNTY AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SAME, that there be and there is hereby called to be held in all the voting places in Chattooga County, on March 24, 2020, an election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of Chattooga County a question relating to the imposition, levy and collection of a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes, for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000, and the issuance of the General Obligation Bonds for the Chattooga County School District described above in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000, said tax to be levied and collected for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District
(1) Constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles.
(2) Paying a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $5,666,850.
(3) Paying a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,479,800.
(4) Payment of a portion of the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,000,000.
(5) Payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
The estimated cost of the projects specified in paragraph (1) above to be financed from funds raised by this tax is $1,814,850. The maximum amount of the payments on the Series 2016 General Obligation Bonds of the Chattooga County School District specified in paragraph (2) above to be paid from funds raised by this tax is $5,666,850. The maximum amount of the payments on the Series 2018 General Obligation Bonds of the Chattooga County School District specified in paragraph (3) above to be paid from funds raised by this tax is $2,479,800. The maximum amount of the payments on the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District specified in paragraph (4) above to be paid from funds raised by this tax is $2,000,000.
For the Trion School District
(A) Acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing schools district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, safety and security equipment, text books, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles.
(B) Paying a portion of the principal and interest due on the Town of Trion’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,165,920.
(C) Payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
The estimated cost of the projects specified in paragraph (A) above to be financed from funds raised by this tax is $3,872,580. The maximum amount of the payments on the Series 2016 General Obligation School Bonds of the Town of Trion specified in paragraph (B) above to be paid from funds raised by this tax is $2,165,920.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that conditioned upon approval by a majority of the qualified voters residing within the territorial limits of the Chattooga County School District voting in the referendum called as herein set forth, the Chattooga County School District shall be authorized to issue general obligation debt in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $12,000,000 (the “Chattooga General Obligation Debt”). The proceeds of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt shall be expended for the projects of the Chattooga County School District described in items (1) and (5) above and for payment of a portion of the interest on such debt. The maximum interest rate on the Chattooga General Obligation Debt shall not exceed 6.00% per annum, and the amount of aggregate principal to be paid in each year during the term of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt is:
Year
Amount
Year
Amount
2028
$1,080,000.00
2033
$1,210,000.00
2029
1,100,000.00
2034
1,240,000.00
2030
1,130,000.00
2035
1,270,000.00
2031
1,155,000.00
2036
1,300,000.00
2032
1,180,000.00
2037
1,335,000.00
The Chattooga General Obligation Debt may be issued in one or more series, and on one or more dates of issuance as the Board may approve; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of such Chattooga General Obligation Debt shall not exceed $12,000,000. The Chattooga General Obligation Debt may be made subject to redemption prior to maturity, to the extent permitted by law, upon terms and conditions to be determined by the Board. This paragraph shall constitute a statement of intention concerning use of the proceeds of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt as required by O.C.G.A. § 36-82-1.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if the Chattooga General Obligation Debt is issued by the Chattooga County School District as contemplated herein, the Chattooga County School District shall cause to be levied a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax upon all the property subject to taxation for school bond purposes within the boundaries of the Chattooga County School District, as the same now exist and within any extensions thereof, sufficient to provide funds required to pay the principal of and interest on the Chattooga General Obligation Debt as same becomes due and payable, to the extent such principal and interest is not satisfied from other available funds of the Chattooga County School District.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the proper officers and agents of the Chattooga County School District are hereby authorized to take any and all further actions as may be required in connection with the imposition of such special sales and use tax, the acquisition, construction and installation of the Chattooga County School District projects, and the issuance of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Chattooga County School District declares its intent to use proceeds of such General Obligation Debt to reimburse its General Fund for moneys used to pay expenditures related to the capital outlay projects described in this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ballots to be used in said election for the voters in the Chattooga County School District shall have written or printed thereon substantially the following question:
____ YES
____ NO
Shall a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 to be distributed between the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District according to the FTE count, as provided in the Georgia Constitution, with such taxes to be used for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District, for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $1,814,850; (ii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $5,666,850; (iii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,479,800; (iv) payment of a portion of the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,000,000; and (v) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
For the Town of Trion School District, (a) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, text books, safety and security equipment, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $3,872,580; (b) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Town of Trion’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,165,920; and (c) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
And shall Chattooga County School District be authorized to issue general obligation debt in the principal amount of $12,000,000 for the purposes of the Chattooga County School District described in items (i) and (v) above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on such debt?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ballots to be used in said election for the voters in the Trion School District shall have written or printed thereon substantially the following question:
____ YES
____ NO
Shall a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 to be distributed between the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District according to the FTE count, as provided in the Georgia Constitution, with such taxes to be used for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District, for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $1,814,850; (ii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $5,666,850; (iii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,479,800; (iv) payment of a portion of the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,000,000; and (v) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
For the Town of Trion School District, (a) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, text books, safety and security equipment, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $3,872,580; (b) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Town of Trion’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,165,920; and (c) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the date of the election be and it is hereby set for March 24, 2020, in the polls in each election district of Chattooga County, Georgia, that said polls be opened at 7:00 A.M., and closed at 7:00 P.M., and that the election be held by the same persons and under and in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia, and that the returns of said election be made to the Superintendent of Elections for Chattooga County, Georgia, who shall, in the presence of and together with the several Managers of the Polls who shall bring up the returns, consolidate said returns and declare the results of said election in the manner required by law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Elections Superintendent is hereby authorized and instructed to publish the Notice of said election in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia in the newspaper in which Sheriff’s advertisements for Chattooga County, Georgia are published, for a space of at least 30 days prior to said election, and the Notice of said election shall be in substantially the following form, to-wit:
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NOTICE OF SALES AND USE TAX AND BOND ELECTION
TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF CHATTOOGA COUNTY
Notice is hereby given that on March 24, 2020, an election will be held in Chattooga County, Georgia, at which time there will be submitted to the qualified voters of Chattooga County, Georgia for their determination the question of whether or not a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes should be continued for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 for the purposes described below, and whether bonds shall be issued by the Chattooga County School District in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000 (the “Bonds”) for the purposes of the Chattooga County School District described below.
Said Bonds, if so authorized, shall be at such interest rate or rates not exceeding 6.00% per annum in any year, with the principal of said County Bonds to mature (or be subject to mandatory sinking fund redemption) in the years and amounts as follows:
Year
Amount
Year
Amount
2028
$1,080,000.00
2033
$1,210,000.00
2029
1,100,000.00
2034
1,240,000.00
2030
1,130,000.00
2035
1,270,000.00
2031
1,155,000.00
2036
1,300,000.00
2032
1,180,000.00
2037
1,335,000.00
The ballots to be used at such referendum for the voters in the Chattooga County School District shall have written or printed hereon substantially the following:
____ YES
____ NO
Shall a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 to be distributed between the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District according to the FTE count, as provided in the Georgia Constitution, with such taxes to be used for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District, for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $1,814,850; (ii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $5,666,850; (iii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,479,800; (iv) payment of a portion of the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,000,000; and (v) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
For the Town of Trion School District, (a) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, text books, safety and security equipment, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $3,872,580; (b) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Town of Trion’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,165,920; and (c) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
And shall Chattooga County School District be authorized to issue general obligation debt in the principal amount of $12,000,000 for the purposes of the Chattooga County School District described in items (i) and (v) above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on such debt?
The ballots to be used at such referendum for the voters in the Trion School District shall have written or printed hereon substantially the following:
____ YES
____ NO
Shall a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 to be distributed between the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District according to the FTE count, as provided in the Georgia Constitution, with such taxes to be used for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District, for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping a new elementary school, constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school system facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, and acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $1,814,850; (ii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $5,666,850; (iii) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,479,800; (iv) payment of a portion of the general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,000,000; and (v) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
For the Town of Trion School District, (a) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, and acquiring technology equipment, text books, safety and security equipment, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, with the estimated cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $3,872,580; (b) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Town of Trion’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $2,165,920; and (c) payment of expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
The voting polls will be open at 7:00 o’clock, A.M., and will close at 7:00 o’clock, P.M., on the said date fixed for the election, and the place for voting will be at the regular places for holding elections included in Chattooga County. Those qualified to vote at the election shall be determined in all respects in accordance and in conformity with the laws of the State of Georgia.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-224(b)(2), the registration deadline for taking applications from persons desiring to register to vote in this election will be at the close of business on the fifth Monday prior to the date of this special election February 24, 2020, or if such Monday is a legal holiday, by the close of business on the following business day.
In accordance with Section 36-82-1(d) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended, any brochures, listings, or other advertisements issued by the Board of Education of Chattooga County or by any other person, firm, corporation, or association with the knowledge and consent of the Board of Education of Chattooga County shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of said Board of Education concerning the use of the proceeds of the Bonds and shall be binding on the Board of Education of Chattooga County in the expenditure of any such bond proceeds or interest received from such bond proceeds which have been invested, unless the Chattooga County School District uses such bond proceeds for the retirement of bonded indebtedness, in the manner provided for in Section 36-82-1(d) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended from time to time.
_____________________________________ ____________________________________
Chairman, Board of Education of Superintendent of Elections
Chattooga County Chattooga County, Georgia
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE AUTHORITY AFORESAID AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SAME, that prior to the date of the election there be appointed proper Election Managers to supervise and hold said election and thereafter in the presence of and together with the Superintendent of Elections for Chattooga County, Georgia and each of the Boards, they will consolidate the returns of said election, in accordance with the law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should said imposition, levy and collection of a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes and the issuance of the Bonds be authorized by the requisite number of qualified voters, the Boards shall impose, levy and collect a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes upon all sales and uses subject to taxation for such purposes within the territory constituting Chattooga County for a period not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $18,000,000 for the purposes stated above.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chattooga County School District and Trion School Districts may use such other funds as may be lawfully available to pay the costs of capital outlay projects outlined above which exceed the maximum amount financed from this tax.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that to the extent available, each of the School Districts intends to combine its available State funds with one percent special purpose local option sales and use tax revenues and other local moneys to fund the projects of such School District contemplated hereby.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that funds generated pursuant to the one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be distributed between the Chattooga County School District and the Trion School District according to FTE count, as provided in Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution, and that as of October, 2019, the FTE count of Chattooga County School District is 2,589 and of the Trion School District is 1,307.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Board is hereby directed to deliver a copy of this Resolution to the Superintendent of Elections for Chattooga County, Georgia with the request that the Superintendent of Elections for Chattooga County, Georgia join in this call of election.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 36-82-1(d) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended, any brochures, listings, or other advertisements issued by the Board of Education of Chattooga County or by any other person, firm, corporation, or association with the knowledge and consent of the Board of Education of Chattooga County shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of said Board of Education concerning the use of the proceeds of the Bonds and shall be binding on the Board of Education of Chattooga County in the expenditure of any such bond proceeds or interest received from such bond proceeds which have been invested, unless the Board of Education of Chattooga County uses such bond proceeds for the retirement of bonded indebtedness, in the manner provided for in Section 36-82-1(d) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended from time to time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper officers and agents of the Chattooga County School District are hereby authorized to retain the services of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, to provide placement agent or underwriting services, and the law firm of Stewart, Melvin & Frost, LLP, Gainesville, Georgia, as bond counsel, with regard to the proper issuance of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt authorized hereby. Such officers and agents of the Chattooga County School District are hereby further authorized to take any and all further actions as may be required in connection with the impositions of such sales and use tax, the acquisition, construction and equipping of the projects and the issuance of the Chattooga General Obligation Debt as herein provided.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any and all resolutions in conflict with this resolution this day passed be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
This 21st day of November, 2019.
__________________________________________
Chairman, Board of Education of Chattooga
County
__________________________________________
Secretary, Board of Education of Chattooga
County
(SEAL)
STATE OF GEORGIA
CHATTOOGA COUNTY
I, Jared Hosmer, Secretary of the Board of Education of Chattooga County, do hereby certify that the foregoing pages of typewritten matter constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by said Board at a duly called meeting of said Board open to the public on the 21st day of November, 2019, in connection with the imposition, levy and collection of a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes, and the issuance of Chattooga County School District General Obligation School Bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000, the original of which resolution has been duly recorded in the minute book of said body, which is in my custody and control.
Witness my hand and official seal this 21st day of November, 2019.
__________________________________________
Secretary, Board of Education of Chattooga
County
(SEAL)
907585-3