MAYOR STALLINGS ON FLOST

[n the spirit of good faith and with taxpayer savings in mind, the City Council and Board of Commissioners met on September 3rd to negotiate FLOST distributions.

Despite the City conceding 15% of its initial request. no agreement was reached. The Board of Commissioners, although committed to good faith negotiations, refused to move from their

original position. [n previous discussions, the Chairman of the County Commission offered to shake hands if the City would settle for a 33% distribution. Last night, however, they declined to accept even 30%.

The Mayor and City Council believe the Board of Commissioners· refusal to compromise

contradicts the spirit of good faith that was promised. As a result, the tax relief needed by all

taxpayers has been foregone. The City even proposed binding arbitration to ensure some measure of tax savings could be achieved, but that proposition was also rejected.

[t is not a negotiation when only one party is willing to negotiate. Taxpayers deserve better.

Despite the City's efforts, further concessions without the County's participation would be

financially irresponsible.

The City of Thomaston will meet today, September 4th at 12 pm, to set the millage rates for the 2025 tax year. The rate to be adopted will be the rollback rate, ensuring no tax increase.

Meanwhile, the Board of Commissioners has already voted to raise taxes.