Gwinnett taxpayers have won a reprieve from higher tax rates. County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister announced Thursday he will move to postpone a vote on raising property tax rates by 25 percent.
"We have heard the message sent to us by the citizens and property owners of Gwinnett County," Bannister said.
At a news conference at the courthouse in Lawrenceville, Bannister said the outcry from residents at two public hearings Tuesday and from other private conversations has convinced him to look harder at budget cuts.
"I have held office in this county for 34 years, and every year I've served, I've done so as a conservative Republican," Bannister said. "During all those years, I've voted only once for a tax increase — and that was for a tobacco tax."
More than 400 people turned out for the two public hearings held at the courthouse. Nearly all spoke out against the rate increase.
A third public hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse. The commission will vote on the measure at 2 p.m.
Bannister said the county's $1.7 billion 2009 budget already reflects some $40 million in cuts.
"Any additional cuts we make will have significant visible and tangible impacts on county services," he said.
Another problem facing the county will be reconfiguring a mill levy while negotiating a service agreement with its cities. Currently, the county and its 15 cities are under a court order to negotiate which services it will provide to cities and how much city residents should pay in county taxes. But those talks have stalled. How it plays out will determine how much the county can expect in revenues.
In his remarks Thursday, Bannister alluded to the need for county and city officials to come together in this crisis.
Those words were not lost on the two mayors in attendance.
Lawrenceville Mayor Rex Millsaps said he was "glad the county finally came to its senses and listened to the people."
Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer said he was glad to hear negotiations may resume in the service agreement.
"I'm glad to see we're going to have more meetings," he said. "We've walked back from the brink."
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
