Questions Still Rise as to Franklin County’s Share of Gateway Tax Revenue

Franklin County Commissioners have voted to send a check to the County Tax Commissioner’s office from the 2012 Gateway Industrial Park tax revenue disbursement.

Tax Commissioner Bobby Martin told the Board at the November work session that the check in the amount of $10,791 had been sent to the County Commission office but never forwarded to his office.

The Board unanimously at their December meeting last week to forward that money to the Tax Commissioner’s office.

Questions also arose from Martin as to why the percentage of the County’s share of the tax revenue from the GAteway Industrial park has diminished from the initial agreement in 2000 of 25% to 9.2%.

The Gateway Industrial Park is primarily in Hart County but part of it is in Franklin County, specifically, all of TI Automotive and part of Fenner Dunlop.

Franklin County and Lavonia have contributed services and infrastructure through a 21-year old intergovernmental agreement developed by the Joint Development Authority.

At their December meeting, Martin said a survey of that property was done for the County in 2008 that showed where the county line lies.

Martin told the Board the County has a responsibility to the taxpayer to get the tax revenue percentage issue resolved.

Commissioner Eddie Wester agreed and said Franklin County needs answers as to why they’re not getting the 25% in tax revenue that was agreed upon.

Macomson said the County will get the County attorney involved to research the initial agreement and the county lines to see what part of the tax revenue Franklin County should be receiving from the Gateway Industrial Park.