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.”

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.

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

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.