Brett Harrell news archives

News archives for Brett Harrell, former mayor and state Representative in Georgia.

40 Under 40 Influential Georgians (Georgia Trend, October 1, 2000)

In support of Secretary Brad Raffensperger (Politico, February 24, 2022)

Over-taxing affordable housing (AJC, December 16, 2021)

Representative Brett Harrell

2015 Capitol Update Week 11 - Two days remain

Two days remain in the 2015 Session

Tuesday and Thursday this week are the final voting days of the 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Before mentioning what remains, please find a brief update on several items voted this past week.

On the way to the Governor these bills received final passage:

SR 287 and SB 133 proposed by Governor Nathan Deal provide via voter referendum a Constitutional Amendment to create an Opportunity School District to address chronically failing schools. I voted YES and in November 2016 you will have the opportunity to vote on this measure as well.

On Thursday the House and Senate Insurance Committees reached an agreement to provide Autism coverage for children age 6 and under. (Has not received final passage yet, however, should be on the way to the Governor next week.)

HB 1 passed the Senate and Governor Deal signed the bill into law on Friday beginning the process of providing medical cannabis oil for treatment of several debilitating conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial disease, and sickle cell disease.

HB 57 the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to generate solar power for their homes.

SB 63 the Beer Jobs Bill permits visitors to breweries and distilleries to leave with ‘souvenirs’ that may include up to 72 oz of beer or 750 ml of spirits. Brewpubs may choose to offer cans and bottles as well.

Remaining issues that may or may not make it to the finish line this year:

SB 129 the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act will be heard again Monday at 10 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 535 the Brunch Bill providing local governments the ability to expand Sunday sales hours for restaurants, brewpubs, and hotels.

Hey Dad, look who I met this week!

Former Atlanta Falcon greats Tommy Nobis (Mr. Falcon) and Jeff Van Note.

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As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.Thank you,

Brett Harrell

2015 Capitol Update - Week 5 - Solar Power and Education

Solar Power and Education bills unanimously pass the House

The House began this week of the session by unanimously passing HB 57, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act. Authored by Rep. Mike Dudgeon, this legislation makes it easier and more affordable for Georgians to fund solar power installations through third-party financing plans. Upon approval by the Senate and Governor Deal, this measure will increase options for residents to use innovative technologies to ultimately lower their power bills.

Education remains the priority for the General Assembly and the unanimous passage of HB 91 in the House this week makes it easier for some deserving students to obtain their high school diplomas. Gwinnett’s Rep. Brooks Coleman, Chairman of the House Education Committee, authored the bill that permanently eliminates the Georgia high school graduation test that has fallen out of favor and practice over the past several years.

Doctor of the Day

Lee Grose, M.D. – Doctor of the Day L to R: Brett, Dr. Grose, Speaker Ralston

It was my great pleasure to introduce Dr. Lee Grose, M.D. as our Doctor of the Day in the House this week. Dr. Grose is a graduate of the University of Georgia, former Medical Director at the Gwinnett County Detention Center and a resident of my District. Thanks for your service Dr. Grose.

Next week

The House Rules calendar is beginning to accumulate various bills that have passed through the Committee process and are available for consideration of a floor vote.

HB 49 that I authored provides for optional “paperless” property tax billing passed the full Ways & Means Committee on Thursday and may be before the Rules Committee on Wednesday. Gwinnett County estimates that voluntary participation may save over $140,000 per year in billing costs.

The Ways & Means Committee also accepted an amendment to HB 202 that I proposed to postpone charging interest on property tax bills until 60 days after the taxpayers has received notice of the final valuation and taxes due.

House Bills of Interest

Several citizens have asked about these bills that are making their way through the House legislative process:

HB 1  Medical Marijuana – I support concept, evaluating legality regarding the transportation and immunity for citizens.

HB 208  State Fair Tax – I support concept, oppose bill containing significant errors.

HB 218  Religious Freedom Act – Evaluating unintended impacts on business.

HB 220  Income Tax Credits for Low Emission Vehicles – I support ending the government subsidy for electric vehicles this year. As an interim position, I would support the phase out in HB 220 if unable to achieve full repeal this year.

HB 244  Safe Harbor – I support ‘safe harbor’, oppose bill as it expands government and mandates substantial fees on business.

If there is a bill or issue that is important to you or your family, send me a quick email at Brett@VoteHarrell.com and let me know your opinion.

Committee calendars

House committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?Chamber=House

Senate committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=senate

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.

2015 Capitol Update - Week 1

On Monday, January 12, 2015, I took the Oath of Office along with 179 other Representatives and 56 Senators as we began the 153rd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Governor Deal delivered his annual State of the State address in the House Chamber on Wednesday, January 14 and on Friday, January 16; the Governor released his budget proposals for the Amended FY 15 and FY 16 fiscal years.

In his address, Governor Deal detailed the exceptional progress Georgia is making creating 319,000 new jobs and increasing by 643 percent the state's rainy day fund over the last four years. Georgia's future is bright with companies like Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche North America solidifying plans to re-locate their headquarters to our state. Georgia is now the third largest state for the film industry generating over $5 billion in economic impact this past year.

The Governor's budget proposals continue his strong focus on education. Over $8 million will go directly to local school systems and an additional $35 million in grants to expand classroom access to broadband internet in the Amended FY 15 budget. In his Fiscal Year 2016 budget, Governor Deal allocates more than a half a billion dollars in new funding for Georgia's education system, including $280 million to specifically aid local school systems to increase instructional days, eliminate furlough days, and enhance teachers' salaries.

My colleagues and I will carefully review the recommendations during Joint Budget Hearings with the Senate next week. You may watch those hearings online at http://www.legis.ga.gov You may also watch the House in action, view live and archived committee meetings, and track legislation at the same website.

Committee Assignments and Legislation

Speaker Ralston and the Committee on Assignments have kindly allowed me to continue serving in the areas of my greatest passion and interest. I will remain Vice Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee as well as a member of the Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means Committees. I anticipate a very busy session with important legislation in each of these key committees.

In addition to the first week ceremonial matters, I introduce HB 49 that would authorize paperless property tax billing. Upon becoming law, should a Tax Commissioner choose to offer paperless billing, the taxpayer will have the option to select electronic delivery of their property tax bill. Gwinnett County estimates participation rates that would result in savings approximating $100,000 per year.

Committee calendars
House committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?Chamber=House

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov. 

  

 Thank you,

 Brett Harrell

At the Capitol

Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol.

Representative Brett Harrell
601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building

18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-0254
brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Committee assignments:

Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation,
and Ways & Means

Snellville – Time for a new Charter?

Since its’ adoption by the legislature in 2001, Snellville City Council Members have amended the City Charter through a sometimes questionable tactic called “Home Rule Ordinance” no less than a dozen times. Each modification appears to be little more than an attempt to gain political advantage. So, is the City Charter of Snellville the problem?

Depends. Do you believe the malfunction, bickering, lack of progress and accomplishment, and failure to lead by our Federally elected representatives is the result of a poorly written, ambiguous, outdated, and in need of replacing U.S. Constitution? After all, the U.S. Constitution is arguably the most litigated document ever written.  Is the problem the U.S. Constitution or those we elect that attempt to manipulate and interpret every word to their own political advantage?

As the primary author of the 2001 City of Snellville Charter, I am understandably concerned when elected officials suggest modifications to a document thoughtfully and deliberately crafted to serve the entire community to serve a particular purpose or person. The Charter is not and should not be about a particular person, party or faction. The City Charter is the guiding document serving all of Snellville and it should remain so.

You may recall a few years ago an outcry to change the Charter to prevent 3-3 tie votes. Some failed to recognize the value of tie votes and sought to gain a short-term advantage for one side of the divide by removing the Mayor’s vote (SB 258 – 2009). Fortunately, that effort failed and we hear nothing of that issue today as the community elected a solid majority. Had we (wrongly) changed the Charter, the minority opinion on Council today would have no voice at all.

The City Charter contains appropriate checks and balances. Unfortunately, elected have often failed to recognize or accept those provisions and have sought to exploit or ignore various sections for their own reasons and benefit. This tendency by elected results in nothing more than an added burden of legal costs, inefficient government, and poor publicity for those they represent.

So, is the City Charter of Snellville the problem? No. It’s the people not the paper – that’s the problem.

The elected in Snellville are good people, they have simply lost focus on what is important to those they represent and focus all too often on issues and positions that the vast majority of Snellville citizens and businesses care little about. Recently, the word I hear most often associated with the Snellville City Charter is “revoke”. If Council will turn their attention to providing a safe community, with employment opportunities and efficient delivery of limited government services, I suspect no one would mention the word “Charter” again. At least, as one citizen, that is my hope.

Brett Harrell is a former Mayor of Snellville and currently serves many Snellville citizens as the state Representative for the 106^th District.

It is legal – just un-American

I had another enjoyable opportunity to hear U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall speak recently at the Snellville Commerce Club lunch (a group of local business owners – most small businesses). The Congressman suggested our ire ought not be focused on the National Security Administration (NSA) for “spying” on Americans, rather, the U.S. Congress and President that enacted the law making their activities legal. He said the agency reports each year to Congress their activities and findings so our elected representatives knew or ought to have known of their actions. Therefore, the activities are legal, but legality does not necessarily mean wise or prudent. The same is true regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPAC) Act or “Obama Care”. It is the law of the land upheld by our highest court. It is legal; however, many would agree that a government take-over of nearly one sixth of our economy is anathema to our nation's free enterprise system.

For the past several years, I have been advancing an argument at the Georgia General Assembly that would prohibit local governments from billing non-tax fees on your personal ad valorem tax returns. Never have I suggested the practice was illegal – the Georgia Supreme Court has now confirmed it is legal; however, I do believe such an assault on one’s private property in the name of efficient government is unjust.

Recent local news reports several school systems, including Gwinnett County Public Schools, are installing cameras on school buses to aid in enforcing traffic laws. In as much as the school systems do not have traffic enforcement jurisdiction, local governments are necessary partners. Again, the legality is not in question; however, this is yet another encroachment by government into our lives at the same time creating a time and money distraction from the core business of school systems to educate our children. Yes, it is legal, but should governmental agencies continue the installation of cameras monitoring our every move?

Perhaps the most egregious to me, local news reports that Gwinnett County Police have unwillingly strapped one hundred citizens to a gurney, placed them in a headlock, and forcefully withdrawn their blood based on a Magistrate’s warrant to aid in securing what is most often a misdemeanor driving under the influence conviction. Yes, it is legal – just un-American.

Most would agree we must have a safe and secure national defense and providing a healthcare safety net for our poor and disabled is without question. Efficient government operations and citizens that pay their bills is required of all in a civil society. We all desire a safe environment to, from and during school for our children, and DUI’s are a serious offense. That said, our nation has grown and prospered in large degree because government has remained relatively limited in our lives. In my view, each of these seemingly well-intentioned government intrusions are rapidly moving our nation over the tipping point where government will dominate our lives and that most certainly is un-American.

2013 Capitol Wrap Up

2013 Session Wrap Up 

The 2013 Session of the Georgia General Assembly began late (January 14) and ended early (March 28) – usually indicating good news for taxpayers. The session was largely uneventful, addressing several major items and leaving others for discussion another day. I’ve listed some of the highlights below; please contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas, or suggestions you may have regarding our state.

HB 106 – Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
The FY 2014 budget is balanced at $19.9 billion in state revenues (a 2.8% increase) and $37.1 billion overall. Our investment in education greatly improved this year at 53.4% of state spending or $10.6 billion. HB 106 fully funds Quality Basic Education enrollment growth and Equalization Grants. The pre-K school year is restored to 180 days and Georgia Gwinnett College received the necessary funding to continue its’ strong growth. I voted YES.

HB 142 and HB 143 – Ethics Reform

These measures strengthen Georgia’s ethics laws by placing limitations on lobbyist spending, granting rule-making authority to the Ethics Commission, and ease the burden on local officials. The reforms also prohibit providing sporting event tickets or paying for recreational outings and establishes limits on travel expenses. I voted YES.

HB 178 – Georgia Pain Management Clinic Act

This bill addresses the abuse of legal pain medications by regulating and licensing pain management clinics. The GBI estimates that since 2010, the number of pain management clinics in Georgia has risen from 10 to 125. Passage of HB 178 requires all pain management clinics register with the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy and be owned by a licensed physician or hospital. I voted YES.

HB 242 – Juvenile Justice Reform

This bill implements many of the recommendations of Governor Deal’s Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform as it relates to juvenile offenders. The bill attempts to improve public safety, outcomes, rehabilitation of non-violent juveniles, and reduce the costs of services. I voted YES.

HB 372 – HOPE Grant Program for Technical Schools

The HOPE grant program is different from the HOPE scholarship program. The bill lowers the eligibility threshold to 2.0 for HOPE grant recipients and mandates that our Technical College System change from an enrollment-driven formula to an outcome-driven formula in annual budget requests. I voted YES.

HB 487 – Increases the Lottery Commissions supervision of Class B games

This is a comprehensive reform bill aimed at eliminating illegal gambling via coin-operated games often located within convenience stores. In addition to transferring oversight from the Department of Revenue to the Lottery Commission, this legislation also permits players to redeem coupons for lottery tickets – the only game method in Georgia that may legally offer cash payouts. I voted YES.

SB 24 – Provider Payment Fee

The “Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act” often referred to as the “Hospital Bed Tax” authorizes the Department of Community Health to establish a fee on hospitals to utilize to secure additional federal Medicaid funds that are returned to hospitals to offset costs associated with providing Medicaid services. The General Assembly retains the authority to override the DCH Board’s assessment and the bill is automatically repealed on June 30, 2017 unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. I voted YES.

SB 136 – BUI/DUI Alignment

SB 136 lowers the legal limit for Boating Under the Influence to .08 grams – the same as DUI in an automobile. I voted YES.

HB 99 – Homebrew Beer Competitions

This bill increases to 200 gallons (matching the federal limit) the amount of home brewed beer one may produce (in any home with two people of legal age), establishes legal transportation methods, and permits home brew beer completions. I voted YES.

Two measures that did not pass that will be considered again next session are:

HB 512 / SB 101 – Safe Carry Protection Act
This bill will greatly expand our personal freedoms for licensed weapons permit holders to carry a firearm of their choosing in more places including bars, churches, and campuses. Private property owners maintain their right to restrict firearms on their property.

I strongly support passage.

HB 159 – Property Protection Bill

This legislation simply states that taxes and only taxes appear on your property tax bill. Support continues to grow for this strong Constitutional private property measure that will remove non-tax fees from your property tax bill.

I am the author.

Legislation Authored or Co-Sponsored

Should you be interested in the legislation that I have authored or co-sponsored and the current status, you may review those bills here.

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  Now that we are out of session, you can reach me on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett@voteharrell.com

Thank you,

Brett Harrell

Stormwater schemes appetite outpaces revenue

Regrettably, my February 2008 comedic blog on Snellville’s implementation of a Stormwater Utility has come true and more horrific than I had anticipated. This horror story became worse at 7 p.m. on Friday night, June 29, when the City met to adopt a new budget fueling the monster’s appetite to greater heights of taxpayer carnage.

With the news from the U.S. Supreme Court this week that mandated health care coverage is indeed a tax, not a penalty or fee, we readily understand, as we always have, that mandated stormwater is also a tax, not a fee. So, the politicians that set up this segregated fund, established the tax, while promising not to raise your taxes treated you little better than the Feds. At least the Feds don’t threaten to lien your home, as the city does, if you fail to buy health insurance – at least not yet.

As anticipated at inception and suggested in my prior article on this subject, administrative costs are excessive, yet the City bureaucracy fails to efficiently execute the improvement program presented to justify the tax in the first place. The scare tactics used to justify this monstrosity packaged as an immediate need for $1.9 million in repairs have not been completed, nor has the City crumbled as a result. As feared, the program is growing as evident by the City's planned transfer of nearly $100,000 more from the General Fund in addition to the $530,000+ per year collected in the Stormwater Utility fund this year to feed the growing monster. [More reasonable heads prevailed and prevented the transfer, not the growth.]

Even more frightening is my prediction for where this monster will feed four years from now. I firmly believe the next sequel to this horror story will be a stand-alone Stormwater Department in the City with a Director level bureaucrat and full-time staff focused solely on spending those tax dollars funneled needlessly into their department. The Department will require more people, more benefits, more equipment, more fuel [Interestingly, staff nearly failed to budget fuel for the growth in equipment acquired this year.], more overhead, more office space, more tools, and much, much more of your money. Unfortunately, you’ll realize little difference in benefit as the result.

February 2008 article reprinted below:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008

Stormwater scheme spreads to Snellville

Our city fathers (and mothers) are set to adopt a Stormwater Utility Ordinance on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The consultant that prepared the research in support of the tax [I apologize, it is a fee. Well that certainly feels much better to my wallet.], will make a presentation at 5:30 p.m. in advance of the meeting.

I have many issues with these so-called stormwater fees and I've voiced my concerns to elected, staff, and consultants. Rather than rant on my philosophical objections to such a revenue scheme, I'll address a few issues specific to Snellville's proposal. My comments are in response to details contained in three documents available at the City of Snellville website titled Stormwater part 1, Stormwater part 2, and Stormwater part 3. They're quite similar to a horror movie with increasingly frightening sequels.

In Stormwater part 1, the monster first appears in the grotesque form of stormwater runoff. Our hero, the City responds, however, not by attacking runoff, rather by taxing [darn it, sorry again, levying a fee on] impervious surface (that's the roof above your head). What is really scary is that the fee is determined by adding up staff time (the City Manager will spend three times as much time on stormwater issues than the Public Works Director if you believe the research - I don't), administration and regulatory costs, operations and maintenance, and capital investment (that doesn't increase a cent from existing investment according to the initial proposal). Stormwater part 1 concludes with a most frightening scene claiming 55% of fees go to capital investment, operations and maintenance. The remaining 45% of fees going to overhead, regulatory compliance, and bureaucracy that sustains the creature to terrorize again.

And terrorize he does. In Stormwater part 2, we are frantically attempting to escape failing pipes, damaged catch basin lids, sinkholes, and illegal dumping. This monster we've created requires an estimated$1.9 million in immediate repair or replacement. See, isn't it getting scarier?

As our terrorizing trilogy ends, Stormwater part 3, scares the beejeebees out of me and I haven't gotten beyond the title yet, "Future SWMP Funding Strategy". This monster is planning future expenditures that will mandate future fee increases [I did not say tax increases - I'm catching on to the lingo now]. Most horrific is that the scheme raises only $271,000 more than current revenues to address the immediate needs as it dangerously replaces existing general fund investment in public works with the new stormwater utility fund thereby increasing the monster's appetite by over$400,000 for new general fund spending on as yet unaware victims.

One thing is for sure, this Stormwater Utility Ordinance is scary stuff and not for the "little ones."

My home is my castle and I need a wider moat because government is scaling the walls.

Increasing burdens of taxation and dramatic expansion in regulation have become the most common tool of government to restrict, and in some cases eliminate, our Constitutional Rights to Liberty and Private Property. More recently, governments have expanded into areas of storm water and solid waste regulation and instituted fees [read taxes] as the means to restrict those rights. Most egregiously, these fees are levied via our property tax bill thus creating a situation that, at the extreme, may result in the forcible taking of one’s home and property.

Some politicians will tell you they’ve never raised taxes, yet these same politicians instituted a new “fee” system that resulted in a single-year, non-deductible 15% increase in the average Snellville property tax bill [see illustrative tax bill below]. Additionally, by including the non-deductible fee, without explanation, on the property tax bill, they have increased the possibility of the filing of thousands of incorrect income tax returns – an IRS auditor’s dream – that, although rarely, may result in significant fines and forfeitures. Further, they did so without consideration of the potential impact to your mortgage payment and escrow account.

Some of these same politicians claim to be defenders of your private property rights, yet by including these new regulatory fees on your property tax bill they have, in actuality, expanded the ability of the government to seize your home and property. Again, at the extreme, should you own your home free and clear, yet fail to make full payment – including amounts for disputed storm water and/or solid waste services – the local Tax Commissioner will consider your entire property tax bill delinquent and subject to foreclosure, forfeiture, and forcible government taking.

That’s why we need to build a wider moat around our castles. While I favor a wholesale and comprehensive review of all taxes in Georgia, in the meantime, I propose that property taxes and only property taxes be included on my property tax bill. Radical, I know, but, if government is to attempt to storm my castle, at least attack during the light of day, rather than tunneling under in the cover of darkness by attaching non-tax fees to my tax bill.

Click to view a 2009 Snellville Property Tax bill

Former City Attorneys endorse former Mayor for State House

Former Snellville City Attorneys Michael Byrne and Thomas Mitchell today endorsed former Mayor Brett Harrell for State Representative, District 106.

Byrne says, “Brett Harrell served with caring and compassion while maintaining a steadfast adherence to the rule of law and defense of the city. I served with him during the greatest tragedy to ever impact Snellville, the 2001 billboard collapse, and witnessed a man possessing tremendous faith, fortitude, and leadership.” Byrne adds, “We need more people like Brett Harrell in elected office, he is truly a public servant, a statesman, and a gentleman.”

Mitchell agrees, saying, “Brett gets the job done without regard for who gets the credit. He is interested in solving problems and doing so efficiently, effectively, and judiciously.” Mitchell continues, “Brett Harrell has a unique ability to see the big picture, to envision solutions others miss, and to build alliances to accomplish goals. Brett Harrell simply delivers.”

Harrell says, “I have been fortunate to work with many professionals over my career. I have learned from all of them – perhaps no others more so than Michael Byrne and Thomas Mitchell.” Harrell concluded saying, “With the support of the citizens of District 106, I will continue to listen and seek wise counsel as their representative at the state Capitol and I will continue to deliver for our community.”

Harrell served as mayor of Snellville from 2000 until 2003. During his tenure he cut property taxes every year and reduced the overall burden of government by 52 percent while expanding the police force, preserving over 100 acres of permanent green space, and establishing the vision that led to a new Recycling Center, Senior Center, and City Hall.

Most recently, Harrell served as the executive director of the Evermore Community Improvement District (CID), where he managed the day-to-day operations of a self-taxing business district comprised of 469 commercial property owners and 1,585 businesses providing over 16,000 jobs. While managing the CID, Harrell successfully advanced over $130 million in projects, including vital transportation improvements like the Hwy. 78 improvements.

Harrell is running for state representative for District 106 to succeed Melvin Everson, who is running for Labor Commissioner. District 106 includes the City of Snellville and parts of unincorporated Grayson and Lilburn in Gwinnett County. ###

Former Chief and former Manager endorse former Mayor for State House

Snellville’s former Chief of Police Jimmy Davis and former City Manager Jeff Timler today announced their endorsement of former Mayor Brett Harrell for State Representative for District 106.

Chief Davis (retired) said, “Harrell and I were change agents for the City of Snellville. We modernized internal systems, made the tough decisions, and set the city on a path for future progress. I was proud to serve with Brett. He is not afraid to fight for what is right and he delivers for his constituents.”

Timler added, “Brett is a visionary leader that inspires others to reach new heights. His collaborative working attitude resulted in significant improvements within his four short years as mayor. He challenged staff to deliver more for less and to always keep our citizens and business owners at the forefront of whatever task we engaged in as he always reminded us our position was one of service. Simply put, Brett always rolled up his sleeves and delivered for Snellville, and I know he will do the same in the State House.”

Harrell said, “I am sincerely gratified to have the support and endorsement of those that I’ve worked with so closely in the past. Personally, the greatest rewards I have ever received for my prior service is the continuing relationship I maintain with so many staff and citizen’s I’ve had the honor to serve.”

Harrell served as mayor of Snellville from 2000 until 2003. During his tenure he cut property taxes every year and reduced the overall burden of government by 52 percent while expanding the police force, preserving over 100 acres of permanent green space, and establishing the vision that led to a new Recycling Center, Senior Center, and City Hall.

Most recently, Harrell served as the executive director of the Evermore Community Improvement District (CID), where he managed the day-to-day operations of a self-taxing business district comprised of 469 commercial property owners and 1,585 businesses providing over 16,000 jobs. While managing the CID, Harrell successfully advanced over $130 million in projects, including vital transportation improvements like the Hwy. 78 improvements.

Harrell is running for state representative for District 106 to succeed Melvin Everson, who is running for Labor Commissioner. District 106 includes the City of Snellville and parts of unincorporated Grayson and Lilburn in Gwinnett County.

Thank you Susan

I am exercising a point of personal privilege today and posting a message that may mean little to many, but means much to me and those that have had the privilege of learning from Susan Weiner. Susan has led the Coverdell Leadership Institute since its' founding in 1995.

Dearest Susan:

I apologize for not standing and delivering these comments last evening. I was too concerned that I would not complete my thoughts, facing you, without losing composure. That would surely have disappointed you and that is something no Coverdell graduate would ever knowingly do.

That said; this is what I should have said:

Good evening.

My name is Brett Harrell, Class of 1999, Gwinnett County.

A decade ago, I walked into a classroom at Callaway Gardens and met a white, Yankee woman, from New York City no less, who spent a career in performing arts, and also happened to be Jewish. She said she was a Republican.

She told our class an incredible story. A story of stereotypical contradictions no fiction writer could imagine. A story of this foreign woman, a woman of sincere conviction, beliefs, and values that traveled to the most Southern of cities – Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah was a city steeped in Southern tradition, none too welcoming of any Yankee, especially not a New Yorker, most especially not a woman, and most certainly not a Jew. She told a story of persistence, outreach, determination, and steadfast reliance on core values that she knew would resonate with all people of goodwill.

She told a story of constant outreach and absolute transparency to all interested individuals regardless of creed, color, or ideology. She told a story of a “good ole boy”, male-dominated, Bible-belt community comprised of significant Democrat and minority populations and strength.

Her story ended after battle, after battle, after battle, with her successful election. A white, New York, Jewish, female, artistic, Republican elected Mayor of the most Southern of southern cities – Savannah, Georgia.

But, as we all know, that wasn’t the end of her story, rather the beginning of ours. We all know how Susan infects our minds, she gets under our skin, but most importantly, she is infused into our hearts.

As she concluded her story in Callaway Gardens, she said she would teach us how to do the same. How to change our communities for the better – no matter the obstacles before us – maintaining a steadfast adherence to core beliefs and principles, armed with the tools necessary to persuade and communicate, we too, could change our communities.

I was inspired. So, in 1999, a decade ago, based on the principles and guidance provided by Susan Weiner, I assembled a team and set out to change my community. Future CLI graduates including current City of Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and current State Representative and soon to be Georgia’s first Republican Labor Commissioner Melvin Everson joined me in a campaign to oust a 28-year incumbent Democrat administration and set our City on a path of positive future progress.

We succeeded. Based on Susan’s tutelage, we captured four of six seats on City Council including my election as Snellville’s first Republican Mayor. We set out a bold vision and agenda that positively changed our community for generations to come. Five successive property tax millage rate cuts – beyond the roll-back rate – expanded Police Personnel, improved pay and benefits for all City employees, expanded Park services and over 100 acres of permanent greenspace, a new City Hall, new Senior Center, and state-of-the-art Recycling Center. All of these improvements with improved efficiency and lower cost to our taxpaying citizens and businesses. None of these successes would have been possible without Susan Weiner.

So, on behalf of the twenty-thousand citizens of Snellville, that today enjoy an improved quality of life, improved City services, and lower burden of government, and will never know your name; but, most especially, on behalf of Jerry, Melvin, and me, that will never forget your name – thank you Susan, for none of this would be possible without you, we love you.

Brett Harrell
CLI Class of 1999

It’s a tie vote – you win!

Much discussion, deliberation, and unusual interest of late on the issue of tie votes by various governing bodies and boards. Largely, a tie vote is a non-issue, the system works, and generally the governed win in a tie. Certainly, tie votes by local boards are not comparable to issues of national significance such as those pending before the U.S. Supreme Court or other courts of law. Regardless, the local community is most often the best determinant if tie votes are negatively affecting the community.

So, my first thought is why is a State Senator who professes a governmental philosophy of local control and personal responsibility inciting the issue? Should tie votes rise to the level of negatively affecting a community, the voters will most assuredly rectify the situation. Our Declaration of Independence establishes that the people, “will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed.” It is the community of people, subject to the board casting tie votes, which should originate change, if change is necessary, not the lofty elected further removed from the citizenry in the governance food chain.

One “solution” proposed is to remove the vote from the presiding officer; thereby, reducing the likelihood of ties votes and eliminating personal responsibility and accountability for the non-voter. At the recent town meeting the newspapers quoted a former mayor proudly stating, “I had the job for 26 years, and I voted twice and got in trouble both times.” The mayor, chairman, or whatever title assigned to a governing body or board should hold that position as a leader, establishing vision and direction for the body, and he should lead by example, that example is his vote. The leader must also be accountable to those that chose him to lead and his voting record provides that accountability. I assure you, in the present form of government in my community where the mayor votes, that position has much, much less power and influence than our previous form of government when the mayor did not vote.

I served with the former mayor quoted in the newspapers and the media made much of our great battles and disagreements. Truthfully and factually, however, I voted 92% of the time in agreement with that mayor’s position. As I understand it, the current number of tie votes in my local community remains at nearly the same percentage – 8%. To the best of my ability to discern, the vast majority of those tie votes are on issues of little import to daily lives of citizens and businesses.

Yes, sometimes governance is ugly and divisive, but over time, it generally works. Our nation’s founding was an ugly time in our history. Were it not for the personal integrity of General Washington our nation today may be a monarchy rather than a democratic republic. My community endured one form of government for over a quarter of a century then deliberately, systematically, and cautiously made change. Our new form of government is youthful and while locally driven improvements continue, should be free from usurpations of the powerful.

What does it really mean when a governing body or board casts a tie vote? It means the issue was not compelling enough to gain a majority and therefore, you win. It does not mean the issue is dead. The advocate must simply go back to work, improve the proposal, and present it again – you win again.

Finally, if tie votes rise to the level of impeding the successful operation of an organization, without prodding, those governed will become well aware of the divide and will certainly rectify the situation at the ballot box as our forefathers intended.

Cost of City Life - part deux

Last October, on the eve of a City election, I wrote how changes over the past decade in Snellville had impacted me personally. My cost to live in Snellville had declined 42% while services had improved. [http://brettharrell.blogspot.com/2007/10/cost-of-city-life.html]

Today, after agreeing to adopt an increased millage rate and on the eve of the City's adoption of a new budget and stormwater utility fee, I reflect again on the tremendous improvements over the past decade as well as the negative trend over the past year. The numbers below are real, they are the actual taxes and fees I personally pay to live in the City of Snellville.

A decade of accomplishment

Beginning with 1998, as my baseline, and comparing those costs and values to 2008, my home in Snellville has increased in appraised value by 48% while my property taxes paid to the City, including the 1/2 mil increase proposed for 2008, have decreased by 5%. The tax millage rate over that time is down by 31%, again, including the proposed increase in 2008.

In 1998, I paid an additional $148 fee for trash collection - that fee was eliminated fully in 2001. The new stormwater utility fee, as proposed, will add $94.50 per year to my cost of living in Snellville. So, over the decade, fees have been reduced from $148 to $94.50 - a 36% reduction.

Including the 2008 millage rate increase and new stormwater fees, my after tax cost of living in Snellville remains 13% less than in 1998 while my home is valued at 48% more. Great job Mayor, Council, and City of Snellville!

A disturbing trend more recently

Let's hope the cliche "all good things must come to an end" isn't true for Snellville, however, recent decisions have me increasingly concerned.

Beginning in 2005, the Council returned to the age old practice of fixing the millage rate and holding it constant, year after year, without regard for actual need for adjustment - up or down. While politically expedient, it isn't the best way to govern a City. [By adjusting the millage rate annually, in support of an adopted City plan, large swings may be minimized.]

With the proposed 1/2 mil tax increase in 2008, the millage rate is increasing 14% in a single year while my home's reappraisal is up only 13%. Taxes rising faster than values is never a good sign most especially in the current economic environment.

Add to the rising tax rate, the imposition of a new stormwater utility fee and my cost of living in Snellville will increase by 50% in 2008 versus 2007. By addressing stormwater via a fee system rather than including the cost in the property tax digest, my after tax cost of living in Snellville is increasing even more - up 58%. On an after tax basis, I paid $332.81 to live in Snellville in 2007, I'll pay $525.84 for the same pleasure in 2008. [By including the stormwater fee in the tax digest and increasing the millage rate further, most would actually pay less on an after tax basis.]

Before you recall the tremendous improvements in Snellville - new City Hall, Senior Center, Recycling Center, additional Police Officers, pay increases, etc. - and suggest the reason for tax increases, know that the proposed budget has no new hires, below inflation employee raises, and benefits tremendously from SPLOST capital investments not available at the beginning of the decade.

Any way you cut it, it's been a great decade, but it appears the party's over - unless . . . our new City Manager, Dr. Treadway, gets the party started again!