If Alpharetta City Council has its way, homeowners will get another $10,000 in homestead exemptions, raising the total allowed on city property tax assessments to $40,000.
Due to the current economic situation, council decided to phase the $10,000 in exemptions over two years, starting in 2010.
"We need to take this one step at a time," said Mayor Arthur Letchas.
The next step after council voted Monday, Feb.16, to bring it before the city voters is to ask local state Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, to introduce a bill in the state General Assembly allowing the city to put the homestead exemption on the ballot for the general election Nov. 3.
Each $5,000 in exemptions cuts about $250,000 in potential property tax revenue to the city — so about $500,000 by 2012, according to the plan. Property taxes levied by the county and school board will not be affected by this city action. It pertains to city taxes only.
Meanwhile, the City Council still opposes action in the Legislature trying to cap property tax assessments and eliminate franchise fees assessed by the cities and counties. Council passed a resolution stating their objections to a franchise fee. Alpharetta passed a similar resolution Jan. 20 opposing property asssessment caps.
Councilman David Belle Isle said the Legislature is prodding its nose in the affairs that are clearly those of the cities.
"This [new exemption] should be a message to all of those under the Gold Dome who believe Alpharetta will not enact tax relief. Here's the proof. This is how we run our government," he said. "Left to our own devices, we will do the right thing."
Councilman D.C. Aiken said this was the way that the mayor wanted the council to drive tax relief to its citizens.
Labels: 10K additional, Alpharetta, Homestead Exemption
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 3:45 PM
