Lumpkin County is pleased to introduce Greg Walker as the Parks and Recreation Director.

Mr. Walker came to Lumpkin County Parks & Recreation Department in 2013 with considerable Parks and Recreation experience within the state of Georgia & Tennessee. During his career, he has served over 22 years as Director of Parks & Recreation for 4 Georgia Counties: Wayne County (Jesup, Ga.), Ware County (Waycross, Ga.), Pickens County (Jasper Ga.) and Hall County (Gainesville, GA). He also served as the Athletic Director for the Kingsport Parks & Recreation Department in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Mr. Walker graduated high school in 1978 from KDS-DAR High School in Grant, Alabama.  In June of 1986, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from California State University and holds Professional Certifications in the field as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) as well as a Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA). Mr. Walker started his career in recreation in 1982 while an undergraduate working in the Intramural Recreation Department at California State University, San Bernardino. He also worked as Assistant Coach for the Women’s NCAA Fast Pitch Softball team at the University upon graduation for 3 years (1987 – 1989).

He has served on various Park and Recreation Association Committees including the Georgia Recreation & Park Association State Athletic Committee (1991-2008 & 2011), serving as District 2 Athletic Chairman (1992-2004), State Athletic Committee Chairman (2006), Leisure Career Foundation Board of Governors (2002-2011), Leisure Career Board of Governors Chairman in 2008 and Georgia Recreation & Park Association Board of Trustees (2008 – 2011). He also served as the National Recreation & Park Association Georgia Representative on the Southern Regional Council for GRPA (2008 – 2011).

He and his wife, Paula, have two children, daughter Kaycee Lee and son Ripken Aaron.

We welcome Greg and his family to Lumpkin County!

The next tax sale is scheduled for August 6th, 2013.  The sale will take place in front of the Lumpkin County Justice Center located at 325 Riley Road.  For a listing of sales, please visit the Tax Commissioner’s page and see the “August 2013 Tax Sales Listing”.

In December of 2012 Lumpkin County enacted an Energy Excise Tax Ordinance which became effective on January 1, 2013.  A copy of the intergovenmental agreement and ordinance are attached.  Should you have additional questions, please contact the Lumpkin County Clerk at 706-864-3742.  Energy Excise Tax

The 2014 Proposed Budget is available for review on the County’s website in the following locations:  under the Commissioner’s page download section and on the Finance Department’s download section – 2014 Budget.  The budget is also available for review in the County Clerk’s Office located on the second floor of the Administration Building. 

Attached you will find a brief summary of the proposed 2014 budget.2014 proposed Budget presentation website

If you have not already signed up for Code Red call Lumpkin County Emergency Services at 706-864-3030 to sign up for these important alerts.   Code Red alerts you in the event of a tornado, thunderstorms or flooding in your location.  At the time of sign up you can select any or all of the alerts.  Sharon Johnson at Emergency Services can sign you up in a matter of minutes.  She will need your name, address and the phone number of the location where you want to be alerted.   This can be a cell phone number.

Following are other important changes that will go into effect on March 1, 2013: 

• Vehicles transferred from another state to Georgia will be subject to the title ad valorem tax in two installment payments, in addition to the title and registration fees that they were responsible for in the past. 
• Leased vehicles will still be subject to a use tax on the monthly lease payment. The dealership is responsible for paying the title ad valorem tax and may include this cost in the term of the lease. 
• Vehicle titles transferred between family members, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents or grandchildren, will be handled as follows:

o  Vehicles owned prior to March 1, 2013: The family member who is titling the vehicle has the option to pay the full title ad valorem tax or continue to pay the annual ad valorem tax under the old system. 

o  Vehicles purchased on or after March 1, 2013: The family member who is titling the vehicle is subject to a 0.5% title ad valorem tax. 

• Title applications must be processed in the county where the vehicle is to be registered. 
• Salvage vehicles and vehicles donated to charities will pay a reduced title ad valorem tax at a rate of 1%. 
• Certain veterans who were exempt from annual motor vehicle ad valorem tax will also be exempt from the title ad valorem tax. 

For more information on the new title ad valorem tax, go to www.etax.dor.ga.gov and click on “Motor Vehicles” and then the “Tax Calculator” button or  www.accg.org and click on “Motor Vehicle Tax Reform.”

End of Release

The Lumpkin County Senior Center has an urgent need for volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound individuals. Please contact
Rhonda Bailey at 706-864-2358 for more information.