Town expresses frustration with sales tax distribution, touts eSports league

DOBBINS HEIGHTS — Dobbins Heights Town Council members expressed continued frustrations about Richmond County’s switch from a per capita sales tax distribution method to ad valorem, which cost the town a large chunk of their sales tax revenue.

The town joined with the five other municipalities in the county earlier this month in signing onto a joint statement that detailed the large gap between the impact the county said would come from this change and the actual change, and called on the county to reverse their decision. In eight months, the county saw roughly three times the revenue they said they would receive annually under ad valorem, and all of that new money came out of the municipalities’ pockets.

“We all know the tax situation was wrong,” said Mayor Antonio Blue. “We’re waiting for them to give us an answer.”

The data showed that instead of the $675,000 in new county sales tax revenue predicted by County Manager Bryan Land, the county received $1,975,879 in just eight months, and is projected to receive $2,952,206 in a year since the April 2020 decision, according to the municipalities. These projections were produced by municipal officials in cooperation with Ken Anderson, who conducted the audit for each municipality in Richmond County.

“Please call your county commissioners and tell them to stich back to the old tax system so we can get on to business as usual,” Blue urged those in attendance.

Dobbins Heights will lose about $175,000 this year, according to Blue.

Mayor Pro Tem Tyre Holloway also encouraged individuals to reach out to the county commissioners office.

“Let them them know that we need these sales tax distribution values changed immediately,” Holloway said. “Immediately, for us to perform our services as a town.”

NBA 2k21 gaming league begins

The inaugural season of an eSports league for 8 -11 graders in Dobbins Heights was praised by city council members.

It’s organized by S.W.E.L.L. (STEM Wellness Empowering Lifelong Learners).

“We look forward to getting that going,” said Holloway. “It’s something that they do already, and being able to compete world wide is an awesome adventure.”

It will help address academic shortcomings and be used as a learning opportunity for the youth. Holloway said this age group is the most slighted, where they’re too old for similar activities but too young to be an adult, and will benefit the most from this event.

Blue said the gaming league will be a valuable tool.

“It’s a great opportunity and it will help keep the youth off of the streets and give them something to do that is constructive,” Blue said.

The league will have an information session on March 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Dobbins Heights Community Center.

Tax update

Assistant clerk and tax collector Reba Dille reported that Dobbins Heights has collected $73,896 in principle 2020 taxes. That’s 89% of what they budgeted.

Dobbins Heights has billed, compared to actually collected, 71.6% of its budget.

Dille said what they’ve collected in principle total and interest, which includes 2020 and the past two years, is $99,286.