Freezing adjustments won’t solve anything
Without fail, most all reports and stories on property taxes (currently Fulton County) focus on the valuation of the property. Folks intending to live out their lives in the home they now enjoy would prefer the value to stay the same or drop. Those more-mobile folks like to see their home values rise, creating increased potential profit upon selling. The government agency, Fulton County in this case, needs a certain amount of revenue to operate. If “A” equals the property value digest, “B” equals the millage rate and “C” equals the budget for the revenue required, then “A” times “B” equals “C.” Assuming the valuations (A) are accurate even if significantly increased for some, and the revenue required (C) is somewhat constant, to balance the formula, reduce the millage rate (B). Those whose property value remained the same or dropped would see a reduction in taxes, those with increased property values would see an increase less than it would have been if the millage rate had not been reduced. This does not address the sharp rise in values due to the gentrification of the inner city. A cap in property value increases could help, but freezing the entire digest just makes the inevitable adjustment tougher.
PETE DAWKINS, DUNWOODY
Bullying behavior is outrageous, sad
I have always taught my children to stand up to bullies. I remind them that words matter, and I urge them to never stand by and allow cruel or discriminatory talk to go unchallenged if they hear it at school or on the playground. I hope they will carry this lesson with them as they grow into young adults and encounter people who use words to belittle or, worse, incite hate toward another person or group.
What a sad time it is when the President of the United States of America is Exhibit A in this life lesson. I am more than embarrassed. I am outraged as a mother and as a citizen.
SUSAN WALKER GOICO, DECATUR
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