Walker County Community Update - March 2023

Brownfields Grant Program Gets Underway

Walker County, in partnership with Terracon Consultants, hosted a town hall meeting in February to inform the public about brownfields and efforts to protect the environment.

A brownfield site is a property thats full use is hindered by fears of environmental contamination. These sites can range from an old dry cleaner or abandoned gas station to a former factory or illicit dump site.

Walker County recently launched a new program to identify and develop clean-up plans for up to 30 brownfield sites in the community. Funding is available to conduct a non-intrusive assessment of environmental conditions at a potential brownfield site, and, if needed, develop a plan for clean-up. The EPA awarded a $500,000 grant to the county and cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette and Rossville to assess sites for hazardous substances and petroleum.

"It's not that the federal EPA wants to invest $500,000 into our community and walk away," said Shannon Whitfield, Chair, Walker County Board of Commissioners. "They want to invest $500,000 and then come back and help us implement the clean-ups that are needed in the community, so they get value from that initial seed investment."

Property owners who wish to be considered for assessment can download an application online and then submit their site for consideration. One of the benefits for land owners to take part in this program is to address the due diligence needed to sell or redevelop the property. Assessments review the history of the site, what is there presently, how sites around it are affected, and potential environmental recognized conditions.

Phase One of an environmental assessment covers inspection of property, an interview with the property owner and neighbors, a review of environmental records and a review of historical records. Phase Two involves a collection of samples at the site, an assessment to determine if the site is contaminated, and a determination of if the suspected contaminates are present at concentrations above regulated levels.

After a potential brownfield site is identified and assessed, a remediation or clean-up and reuse plan is developed. "We want to be able to show you sites that were brownfields and now here's what it looks like after its been cleaned up and revitalized and here's how we got here," said Whitfield.

To learn more about the Walker County Brownfields Grant Program, visit the Brownfields Grant page (walkercountyga.gov/brownfields). on our website.

It's Back. Tire Amnesty Day Returns!

After a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Walker County's Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day returns to the Walker County Landfill on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Additional details, including the time for the event, will be released later this month on the county's website and in next month's newsletter. This will be our 5th Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day event. The previous four resulted in 22,681 tires being recycled!

Homestead Exemption Application Deadline Fast Approaching

Did you know a little bit of paperwork could save you a lot of money? The deadline for property owners to apply for the Standard Homestead Exemption this year is March 31st, since April 1st is on a Saturday.

Under the Standard Homestead Exemption, the owner of an occupied home used as a primary residence may be granted a $2,000 exemption from county and school taxes each year. The $2,000 is deducted from the 40% of assessed value for tax purposes.

The only catch is you must apply for the exemption in order to receive it. The easiest way to apply is to contact the Walker County Tax Commissioner's office at 706-638-2929 and schedule an appointment. First time homeowners will need to bring a copy of their warranty deed to insure their application is filed correctly. 

The application rule holds true for over a dozen other exemptions, many of which become available as you get older or your income level changes. For example, individuals 62 years of age or older may claim an exemption for school taxes if their income from non-retirement related sources is less than $10,000. Another $4,000 exemption kicks in for homeowners at age 65, based on income level. When applying for an exemption, make sure to bring your most recent income tax return to verify your income status.

Some of the other exemptions available include:

- Homestead exemption for a disabled veteran or surviving spouse
- Homestead exemption for a surviving spouse of a U.S. service member
- Homestead exemption for a surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter
- Age 70 exemption (income based and non-income based)
- Income based age 75 exemption on school taxes

Property owners interested in lowering their tax burden must apply for an exemption by March 31st to be eligible in 2023. Remember, you will need to supply a copy of your income taxes and/or other documentation when you visit with the team at the Tax Commissioner’s office to verify your eligibility.

Sheriff's Office Traffic Tip of the Month

With the school year in full swing, you will undoubtedly come across a school bus letting children off at different stops.  When the school bus gets ready to stop and allow children off the bus, they will activate amber lights first to provide a way of cautioning motorists that the bus will soon be stopping.  During this time, motorists should use caution and anticipate the bus stopping.  When the school bus activates its red lights and engages the stop sign arm, motorist should know and do the following:

On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions (behind the school bus and the opposite direction of the bus) are required to stop when the bus has activated the red lights and stop sign arm. (Image on the left)

On a multi-lane roadway with no physical separation (such as a four-lane roadway with a central turning lane) all motorists traveling behind or in the opposite direction of the school bus are required to stop when the bus activates its red lights and stop sign arm. (Image in the middle)

On a divided highway with a physical separation between the opposite lanes of travel, such as dirt, grass, or a barrier median, the vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus do not have to stop when the school bus activates its red lights and stop sign arm, but the vehicles behind the school bus are required to stop. (Image on the right)

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA 40-6-163) states the following in regard to passing a school bus:

a. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching such school bus when there are in operation on the school bus the visual signals as specified in Code Sections 40-8-111 and 40-8-115, and such driver shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated.

b. The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways that are separated by a grass median, unpaved area, or physical barrier need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on the separate roadway or upon a controlled access highway when the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

Upcoming Railroad Crossing Work

Travel in the following areas will be impacted in early March for railroad crossing work:

Thursday, 3/2:
Williams Road between Westbrook Drive and Mission Ridge Road
Fisher Road off of Lytle Road (This is a dead end)

Friday, 3/3:
Jenkins Road between Travis and Lytle Roads off of
Wilder (CR 948) private crossing dead end

Saturday/Sunday, 3/4 - 3/5:
Lytle Road between Lytle Road and Hill Drive
Adams Road between Lytle and Lytle
Lytle Road between Plaster Drive and Adams Lane

Motorists will not be able to cross the railroad tracks at these locations while work is being done.

Animal Services Steps to the Plate with Mini-Adoption Event

Walker County Animal Services held an informational and adoption event recently during a softball tournament at the Rossville Recreational Ballpark. Our team set up a tent to answer questions about the Walker County Animal Shelter and Animal Control, handed out free microchip waivers, and signed residents up for spay and neuter services.

There was also a binder available to showcase all of the animals at the shelter for folks to set up meet and greets. Three shelter dogs were brought to the event and two ended up being adopted before the end of the day!

Daylight Saving Time Begins March 12

It's that time of year again. During the early morning hours of Sunday, March 12, we jump an hour ahead, as we move from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time (DST).

You may have heard that the U.S. Senate approved the Sunshine Protection Act last year, which would keep the country on DST year-round. While that did happen, the U.S. House has never taken a vote on the measure, nor has it been put before a President to sign, so there has been no change.

DST runs from Sunday, March 12 to Sunday, November 5.

Spring Weather Increases Flooding Dangers

The changing of the seasons from winter to spring can often produce unsettled weather. Since flash flooding is one of the most dangerous weather-related issues impacting our community, now is the time to plan ahead.

Do you know the difference between a Flood Warning and a Flood Watch? A warning means “Take Action Now!” because flooding is imminent or already occurring. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. A watch means “Be Prepared” because flooding is possible within your area. Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Learn your risk level for floods by entering your address at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search.

One way you can prepare today is by signing up for emergency alerts and notifications from Walker County's SirenGPS app. Smartphones will receive a weather alert notification or text message. Don’t have a smartphone? Register online at secure.sirengps.com//register or call the Board of Commissioner’s Office at 706-638-1437 and ask for Tina. Landlines will receive an automated call.