After a summer of false choices (raising taxes vs. public safety and libraries) it appears Gwinnett’s County Commission is going to raise taxes. Last night outgoing Commissioner Kevin Kenerly proposed a 2 mil tax increase, less than the 3 mil proposed earlier this year by Chairman Charles Bannister, but still a significant tax increase. Couple this increase with the $200 – $300 pop property owners will take because of the unfunded State property relief grant (and the Commission’s refusal to cut it’s budget to compensate) and Gwinnett homeowners are in for a rough time. The tax increase seems all but certain to pass as four of the five Commissioners expressed support for the plan.
Bannister and Kenerly say the tax increase is necessary to keep Gwinnett Great:
“Bold action is needed to keep Gwinnett County a preferred place to live, work and raise a family. I would ask the Gwinnett families to sacrifice with me.”
Chairman Charles Bannister said extra revenues are needed to continue the county’s quality.
No word on whether this will save the “Gwinnett Is Great” water tower. Of course Bannister and Kenerly barely batted an eye when the budget for the baseball stadium doubled, and had no problem paying inflated prices for land we didn’t need. No, Gwinnett’s families need to “sacrifice.”
Meanwhile the Gwinnett Library Board is urging citizens to ask Commissioners for more money even as they continue to cut services. I’m told the Library Board has ignored many good money saving suggestions (such as transferring one employee from each library to the new Hamilton Mill library rather than closing the 3yr old Dacula library) and have forced one Board member to file a freedom of information act request to get his hands on the system’s budget.
If Democrats in Gwinnett are smart, they’ll run candidates for the two Commission seats up for grabs next fall. Some Dem. who can fog a mirror just might win those seats in a landslide.
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Defense attorneys are expensive, Buzz.
Darn lawyers.
The BOC is just playing a political game that politicians play when they don’t get their tax increase. They cut back essential services and make it as hard on the electorate as possible in hopes they can bring the tax payers in agreement with a tax increase.
I have spoken to many people that have said they have completely lost faith in the BOC.
The big question I have is that if a 3 mills would have been enough to substain a pay increase for county employees and increase spending by 8% then why do they need 2 mills with all the cutbacks?
Either they were irresponsible in calculating what the 3 mill would allow, or are just playing a political game.
The BOC was informed when the original tax increase was proposed that there would be no objection to a smaller increase if they cut back government and acted responsibly. I am not sure they have done that. We need greater transparency before we just carte blanche support a 2 mill increase.
We should demand that the BOC detail what the new mill rate increase would be used to fund.
There are many ways to generate revenue without raising taxes.
Cut back on library hours and use volunteers to staff the libraries. Start charging a small admission for everyone except players and coaches to games at parks. Have the athletic associations be responsible for maintaining the grounds.
Sell the first born male child of the unwed mothers into Chinese slavery … that might raise a few dollars in Gwinnett.
This could be the nail in the coffin for some small businesses that were already just barely getting by.
Gwinnett – where success used to live.
Don’t forget the doubling of future water bills to pay for new intakes and pipes and pumps. It could cost each household thousands to maintain water service.
The demographics in Gwinnett are changing such that it’s only a matter of time before it won’t be necessary to “fog a mirror”.
It’s close now. Good thing for some of the crazier GOP reps that redistricting is coming again after this election cycle and their buddies in the legislature will try to protect them.
“Gwinnett County pulled, on average, 13 million gallons daily from the Chattahoochee at that time [1977]. The county now averages about 88 million or 89 million gallons a day [from Lake Lanier], Frank Stephens, Gwinnett’s water resources program manager, said last week.
http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/water-wars-threaten-gwinnett-103761.html
All Alabama and FLA should care about is the NET loss ………..how much is not returned as sewage. Evaporation and leaks…………..so much for lawns, ball fields, any non closed loop usage……….thank goodness no power plants in Gwinnett.
One flush per day per occupant and one bath per week…………out houses make a come back everywhere.
Rain barrels: 27,000 gallons of water per acre from just 1″ of rain.
Gwinnett is Great
“The 38,000 acre lake is in Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Gwinnett, and Lumpkin counties, split about 60%, 30%, 5%, 4%, and 1% respectively.”
So Gwinnett county with 4% of the lake area gets more than 50% of the withdrawn water……………I’d be pissed if I was Hall…………Forsyth is about correct ratio 30% 25 %.
Based on rain fall over previous county lands.
But that’s too scientific for voters.
Look out when they start talking about “bold action”. I don’t usually like “bold action” from politicians, f.y.i. I like timid cowering servile men/women who tremble at the feet of the voter. And forget this “leader” crapola. That stuff ain’t for me. They must prove their worth by bringing home a few Harkonen scalps.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Debbie Dooley
FREEDOMWORKS AND CITIZENS FOR RESPSONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
TO HOST SECOND TOWN HALL OCTOBER 29TH
FreedomWorks voices strong opposition of proposed 2 mill tax increase at this time
Lawrenceville, GA – FreedomWorks and Gwinnett Citizens for Responsible Government will host another Town Hall meeting on October 29th at 7 PM at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium.
Among the topics sure to be discussed is the latest comment by Commissioner Kevin Kenerly who stated the county will need a tax increase of 2 mills in order to meet the budget needs and reduce cut-backs.
FreedomWorks grassroots coordinator Debbie Dooley stated, “After all the spending cuts, Commissioner Kenerly, who is not seeking re-election, requests a 59 million dollar or 2 mills increase. The Board of Commissioners needs to clearly and in detail define exactly what programs that will fund. We also request a detailed accounting of what programs have been cut and the amount of the cut. ”
She added, “Far too often when government is denied a tax increase, they will try to cause pain for the tax payer by cutting essential services and other services that the taxpayer considers a priority (retaliatory cuts.) They do this in hope that the tax payer will agree to the tax increase.
We do not believe all the budget cuts have been responsible nor do we believe that all options have been fully exhausted before requesting a tax increase. We urge the public to send their suggestions for cost savings and ways to generate revenue to gwinnettbudgetcuts@gmail.com These suggestions will be discussed at the Town Hall on October 29.
Gwinnett property owners already saw a $200 – 300 increase in their property tax bill because of last fall’s unfunded State homeowner’s property relief grant. Gwinnett homeowners can not afford an additional $168 increase in this economic down turn. The Board of Commissioners, to their credit, has demonstrated that they will listen when the tax payers speak loudly and enmasse. We urge them to listen to alternative suggestions from the Gwinnett County tax payers before raising taxes by 2 mills.
The fact is we have every right to ask these questions. Every member of the BOC ran their elections based on lower taxes and responsible spending. The seats belong to the tax payers. We are their employers and they are accountable to us.”
She added, “I hope all concerned citizens will show up at our Town Hall on October 29th and voice their concerns to Chairman Bannister and the other panel members.”
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