While the Conyers City Council has postponed a controversial decision to rezone 308 acres south of Interstate 20, zoning matters were still the primary focus Wednesday as a brief council meeting resulted the establishment fees for certain zoning applications. The council also approved the city's lean $13.35 million budget for the coming year and announced property values may not have fallen as much as was anticipated.

The city is predicting a millage rate increase for the second time in nine years due to a projected 15 percent decrease in property assessments, according to Councilman Vince Evans. A millage rate hearing will be held in July after the county's digest, which includes city property, is completed.

In discussing the budget, Councilman Gerald Hinesley said there are no pay increases for the second consecutive year, 11 vacant positions will remain frozen and the city has eliminated all travel, included the council's annual trip the Georgia Municipal Association conference. Earlier discussions hinted at a millage rate increase from the current 9.9 mils to 14.9, but between the tightened budget and a less than expected drop in values it is unlikely to reach 14.9.
"We have talked about what we might expect from the county as far as assessments, and I don't think it is going to be as bad as we earlier expected," Hinesley said following adoption of the budget. "If we do see an increase (in property values in the future), historically we take it back when we can do that."

Conyers planning and zoning officials have worked to tighten the city's zoning ordinance over the last year and amendments to the ordinance approved Wednesday incorporate non-refundable fees ranging from $500 for one acre to $5,000 for over 100 acres for all applicants seeking amendments to the zoning map and comprehensive plan.

With the city cutting back in every department over the next 12 months, actions such as incorporating zoning fees are necessary to make up for the short-fall created by falling property values in the city and a steady decrease in permitting fees.

"There was a significant amount of money we could be collecting, and every dollar we don't collect are dollars we have to transfer into property taxes," Evans said.

With license and permit fees expected to contribute only $143,000 to the city's general fund over the next year, the new zoning fees will fill a gap created by a decrease in building permits in recent years. Fees are now set for subdivision regulations and erosion sedimentation pollution control as well as for amendments to the zoning map. Fees for sign permits were also increased during Wednesday's meeting.

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(June 19) IN BRIEF: While the Conyers City Council has postponed a controversial decision to rezone 308 acres south of Interstate 20, zoning matters were still the primary focus Wednesday as a brief council meeting resulted the establishment fees for certain zoning applications.

Conyers planning and zoning officials have worked to tighten the City's zoning ordinance over the last year and amendments to the ordinance approved Wednesday incorporate non-refundable fees ranging from $500 for one acre to $5,000 for over 100 acres for all applicants seeking amendments the zoning map and comprehensive plan.