Franklin Co Tax Commissioner Says Tax Revenue From Industrial Park Agreement Diminishing

Franklin County Commissioners are expected to vote next week on whether to turn over a revenue check from Hart County for the County’s share of property tax revenue for the Gateway Industrial Park.

The Gateway Industrial Park is primarily in Hart County but part of it is in Franklin County and the complex uses Franklin County and Lavonia services through a 21-year old intergovernmental agreement with the Joint Development Authority.

At their work session Tuesday evening, Franklin County Commissioners were given a report by County Tax Commissioner Bobby Martin.

Martin told the Board initially, disbursement checks from Hart County were being sent to the Board of Commissioners’ office but are now being sent to the Tax Commissioner’s office.

However, Martin said his office has not yet received one check sent to the County Commission office in 2012 in the amount of $10,791.

Another issue, according to Martin is the tax revenue disbursements from Hart County.

Martin said the original Joint Development Authority intergovernmental agreement had Franklin County receiving 25% of the tax revenue from the Gateway Industrial Park businesses but as of the last disbursement from Hart County in 2016 the percentage of Franklin County’s share has dwindled from 25% to 9.2%.

Martin said all of TI Automotive is in Franklin County,  and part of Fenner of Dunlop as well.

Martin said he contacted both the Hart County Tax Commissioner and Hart County Administrator Terrell Partain to find out exactly what the disbursement should be.

Martin said Partain is looking into the disbursement percentages.

Martin tells WLHR News it’s not clear if at some point the Franklin County BOC made a decision not to contribute in the park as it grew or if the County BOC was not given the opportunity to do so.

County Commission Chair Jason Macomson suggested the Board clear up the first issue with the disbursement check from 2012.

Commissioners agreed that money should be sent to the Tax Commissioner’s office for proper disbursement.

They also agreed to have the County attorney look into the disbursement agreement and its history.

Commissioners plan to vote on the 2012 check disbursement at next Monday’s regular meeting.