Lee County Commission approves tax increase by 3-2 vote
By Danny Carter, The Albany Herald, Ga. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The vote came after a 90-minute public hearing attended by about 50
According to figures from County Manager
Duffy was the most vocal commissioner in his opposition to the tax increase.
"I believe this tax increase is totally unnecessary and unfair to the taxpayers," Duffy said. "I believe it (the budget) could have been balanced without a tax increase."
Roland voted against the increase, but said he understands it takes more money to meet a growing list of needs and to catch up on funding for maintenance and equipment.
"My biggest problem is there is no fairness in the taxes," Roland said. "I've heard it said this is a public safety budget, but I don't think it's fair for my 85-year-old mother to be paying two to three hundred more in taxes and get nothing for it. ... She has no fire protection."
Roland said the county needs to look at setting taxes according to the level of services provided, an idea that Muggridge says deserves consideration.
In response to comments from Duffy, Frich said, "The easy thing would be to keep the millage rate where it's at."
However, Frich said he believes the projects that necessitate the rate increase are "must-do" projects. Further, he said a lack of SPLOST funding prevents the commission from dipping into those reserves.
Rabun earlier announced that sales tax revenue from SPLOST V, which ended this past calendar year, resulted in collections of only about two-thirds of what was anticipated.
"There's no more SPLOST V money," Frich said. "There are
Rabun previously noted that the SPLOST V shortfall was because of the economy and not because of any actions by the commission.
"I offered to help with the budget problems, but no one has taken me up on that," Williams said.
Most of those speaking out Thursday night did not express specific reasons for their opposition to the new budget but were against a tax increase of any size for any reason.
"One thing in common with government people is there is never enough money or enough people," Rehberg said.
Rehberg said he became skeptical "when someone like
He also encouraged the commission to look at adding some tax exemptions in the future to provide an incentive for people to continue residng in the county. He pointed to several
"For some reason, government doesn't understand it's not their money. ...With personnel, we've got a lot of waste," Johnson said without providing any specifics.
She said the government has veered from its basic role of providing protection, infrastructure and education.
"I don't think it was ever intended for a recreation department," Prince said. "I believe if there is a need, people will find a way to pay for it."
Rabun said the budget increase is mostly due to increases in cost for health care for county employees, increases in cost for county infrastructure and projects, and obligations in public safety, law enforcement and fire services.
Specifically, the budget includes a
The commission added
The commission also decided to allocate
Other areas of increased spending include
The new expenses total
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