Gwinnett reconsiders tax hike for core services

By Patrick Fox

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

He said it would hurt.

Now, three months after Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister announced a drive to slash budgets to stave off a tax increase, people appear to be yelling.

Commissioner Kevin Kenerly called on county staff Tuesday to find out how much money it would take to restore the public safety and community services that were eliminated from the budget this year.

“It has become crystal clear to me in recent weeks that we are cutting badly needed programs – services our residents rely on – and that those cuts are hurting families,” Kenerly said.

He recommended the county consider raising property taxes by an average of $14 a month to help restore the quality of life residents have come to rely on. The current budget cuts, which include elimination of 53 police officers, are "damaging our community," Kenerly said.

Kenerly's comments come on the eve of the first meeting of Engage Gwinnett, a group charged with identifying core county services and recommending methods to fund them. The panel's report was to be used in formulating the 2011 budget, but commissioners have indicated some ideas may be incorporated earlier.

Already, county departments are facing 10 percent budget cuts for next year in order to keep county property taxes from rising.

If the county does move to increase taxes, commissioners could face protests similar to those that occurred in June after the board initially proposed a 30 percent increase in property taxes. That measure failed 5-0 after angry residents swarmed to public hearings.

Commissioner Bert Nasuti said his constituents would not stand for a 30 percent increase in taxes, but they may accept a modest increase in order to preserve core services.

Bannister supported Kenerly's request to have the county staff  report back in a week with the cost to restore the services that have been cut in libraries, parks, police, fire, sheriff and courts – and to keep the correctional facility open.

“I know this won’t be popular in some circles, but it’s the right thing to do for our community,” Kenerly said.