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Health & Fitness

Property Tax Increase Likely - The Money has already been spent!

Property Tax Increase Hearings: Tuesday July 9th - 10:00am & 6:00pm and July 23 – 10:00am.

Why did Douglas County Commissioners approve a $14 million increase in the 2013 budget when they knew revenue from property tax would not support it?

The county’s finance director said $3.1 million is earmarked for healthcare, worker’s compensation and the employment retirement plan. And another $1.4 million for road projects and cost of living increases for employees. That’s $4.5 million.

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According to Commissioner Mike Mulcare they approved and spent $6 million on road projects they did not have. The excuse is there were state and federal matching funds available so they HAD to spend the money to get it. That sounds great if the county had a reserve fund to spend on road projects.

According to news reports, two of the commissioners have attempted to push back on any tax increase. I applaud their efforts to bring the issue to public attention. I encourage them to continue speaking up.

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In government, it is not enough to just oppose a plan. You must provide information and viable alternatives. How can the budget be cut? What is necessary and what is discretionary spending? What projects can be moved into next year’s budget. What is just wasteful spending?

One commissioner said he would vote for a property tax increase if the commissioners would place a revenue bond on a special ballot in November. This is one dirty game of politics. The two issues should be considered separately, after all who has determined that a revenue bond was even needed?

So now we have a pending property tax increase – a proposed multi-million dollar revenue bond and in 2014 the commissioners will be back asking us to vote to approve yet any other SPLOST sales tax worth about $120 million.

I encourage citizens and property owners to stand up and speak out about these tax increases.

The hearings will be held on Tuesday July 9th - 10:00am & 6:00pm and July 23 – 10:00am. This is your opportunity to tell the commissioner how you feel about taxation. If you can not attend, please call their office at 770.920.7266.

As we all recover from a sluggish economy, Douglas County should contiune to find ways to cut spending and give taxpayers a little relief and not increase spending.

Have mercy on us!

James Bell





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