Thursday, July 29, 2010
FORSYTH COUNTY – Fowler Park still has a chance of opening in 2011 after the Board of Commissioners adopted a millage rate hike to raise taxes enough to cover increases in mandates such as the $2.1 million increase in health care benefits required by federal legislation.
"We have to have something we can live with, but allow us to provide the basic services of the county, but no frills," said Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse. "People have said 'Don't raise my taxes, cut my services.'"
Before the commissioners even entered into this discussion, they held a public hearing on the millage rate, listening to a number of county residents. Most spoke against a millage rate increase, but some supported a hike to provide required services and to maintain Forsyth's quality of life.
He said the county hasn't cut services, but instead left the burden on the shoulders of the employees.
"I don't believe the employees can bear that much more," Laughinghouse said. "If citizens don't want a tax increase, let's decide what services they don't get."
Commissioner Patrick Bell said that sounds good today, but it will destroy the economic development opportunities for the county.
Laughinghouse made the motion to increase the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) millage rate by 0.9 mills.
The net effect to a tax bill on a home valued at $200,000 would be a increase of approximatley $62.80.
It was the third motion to raise the rate. Commissioner Jim Boff moved to raise the rate by 0.6 mills, but his motion was defeated. Commissioner Brian Tam moved to raise the millage rate the full amount advertised, 1.595 mills. That also failed. And another motion he made for a 1.15 mill increase after a short recess so staff could get numbers together also failed.
"Well, it looks like we are between .6 and 1.15," Tam said.
Bell said he couldn't see adopting a millage rate to operate a park without restoring some of the employees' benefits. He suggested a millage rate that either doesn't open Fowler Park and funds basic services, or one high enough to open Fowler Park and restores at least some benefits.
Before the decision, Dan Wolf asked the commissioners not to raise the millage rate.
"I would beg you not to increase the taxes," Wolf said.
Wolf told the commissioners they need to reduce spending just like businesses and households have to do. He said other residents made relevant comments comparing what goes on in Washington, D.C., to what was proposed in Forsyth County.
"And we don't want to copy that model in any way," Wolf said.
Rick Lee, a Cumming CPA, said he appreciated the effort the county commission made. But he challenged them to dig deep in the budget. He's said he had to advise clients to stop matching employees' 401(k) contributions otherwise they would have to layoff employees or even shut down their businesses.
Chris Pike of Evans Farm was another CPA who spoke at the public hearing. While the millage rate didn't change last year, his taxes went down. Pike said he was still paying less in taxes than he did several years ago. And he said the presentation comparing taxes paid on a $200,000 home last year and what they would be for 2010 wasn't a good comparison.
"I would challenge you that's not the same $200,000 home. Last year that $200,000 home is only $180,000 this year," Pike said. "A lot of properties have gone down, causing revenues to go down."
Pike asked commissioners to consider economic development.
"Stop paving roads, stop hiring deputies to match the growth, stop improving our parks and greenspace and see what happens," he said. "And if you don't believe me, just look at Clayton County."
After many layoffs in recent years, Pike suggested the commissioners should not take its employees for granted.
It would be easy to do nothing. He asked the commission to spend what is needed, and nothing more.
--- Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff North Fulton County REALTORS Vanderhoff Real Estate (770) 331-1206 --- Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale --- Labels: foreclosed homes for sale, foreclosure, Forsyth County, millage rate, Taxes
# posted by Brian Vanderhoff @ 9:35 AM
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Milton faces old problem: taxes vs. services
Milton officials face a dilemma, a conflict between the founding principles of better services and lower taxes. One citizen, Mark Hanley, has raised the specter of Milton imposing a cap on taxes derived from higher property assessments, similar to one that the legislature established for Fulton County in 2004. Under that law, property tax bills can only go up by 3 percent or by the consumer price index, whichever is lower, regardless of assessments. In 2006, when the community of Milton weighed whether to incorporate and assume delivery of services from Fulton County, supporters argued the city would be able to improve services and keep taxes low. A quick analysis by city staff estimates that would result in a $265,000 loss in revenue. Mayor Joe Lockwood said the City Council will have to decide which route would best benefit the city’s 20,000 residents. “You can argue it both ways,” Lockwood said. “There’s the negative of someone passing more taxes, but is it enough to make a difference if we return it. It could mean cuts in services that people would see.” Many residents saw their tax bill go up last year, not because the city raised its property tax rate, but because Fulton County reassessed their property at a higher value. Some residents view that as a backdoor tax increase. The City Council has asked for more information before deciding what to do. “I’ll reserve judgment,” Hanley said. Labels: city of milton, Georgia, Taxes
# posted by Brian Vanderhoff @ 3:06 PM
Monday, December 31, 2007
IRS: Tax Fix Delays Refunds
More than 3 million people will have to wait until February to get their tax refunds because of Congress' late fix to the alternative minimum tax, the IRS said Thursday. Congress put a one-year freeze on growth of the alternative minimum tax last week, shielding many middle- and upper-middle income taxpayers from first exposure to the tax. But Congress' late action means the IRS won't be able to start processing five AMT-related forms until February, delaying potential refunds for those people until that month. Between 3 million and 4 million people filed in January of last year using those forms, with many of those people expecting a refund, the IRS said. The average refund in 2007 was $2,324, the agency said. Labels: IRS, Tax Refund, Taxes
# posted by Brian Vanderhoff @ 12:33 PM
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Homestead Exemption application form is available here. Dear Milton Residents, Several types of homestead exemptions have been enacted to reduce the burden of ad valorem taxation. To qualify, property owners must own and occupy their home as primary residence as of January 1, 2007. Property owners already receiving the Basic Homestead Exemption from Fulton County need not reapply for the city’s exemption unless there is a change in ownership or the owner is applying for a different exemption. Applications for the Basic Homestead Exemption are to be filled out through the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office, and property owners must adhere to the deadlines established by Fulton County. In order to be eligible for 2007 City of Milton Senior Homestead Exemption, property owners must file with the City of Milton between January 1, 2007 and May 31, 2007. Applications received after May 31st will become eligible for the following year. The following exemptions are offered by the City of Milton: Basic Homestead Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of your tax bill filed for through Fulton County. Senior Basic Exemption of $15,000 is available to residents’ age 65 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Additional Senior Homestead of $10,000 is available to homeowners who meet certain income requirements and are 65 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Full Value Exemption is available to residents 70 or older on or before January 1st of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Certain income qualifications apply. Homestead exemption applications for Senior or Disabled citizens must be filed with the City of Milton Treasurer’s Office by May 31st at 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 100, Milton, GA 30004. For additional information on eligibility of proper method of applying, contact the City of Milton at 678.242.2500. Sincerely, Carol R. Wolfe, CGFM, SPHR City of Milton City Treasurer/Director of Operations Labels: Homestead, Homestead Exemption, milton, Property Taxes, Taxes
# posted by Brian Vanderhoff @ 1:42 PM
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