Citizens criticize planned tax increase | CovNews.com

A handful of residents held signs outside the Historic Courthouse Tuesday opposing a planned tax increase by the Newton County Board of Commissioners and later spoke during public comments, urging the board to reconsider its plans before the official budget vote scheduled for the July 16 meeting.

The county will hold a public hearing on the millage rate, which is set to increase from 10.91 to 11.59, and the fiscal year 2014 budget at 6:30 p.m. on July 16, just before its regularly scheduled meeting. The majority-supported budget is $45.95 million, up from last year’s $44.89 million budget.

Aaron Brooks, who came with his whole family, said budget increases shouldn’t be placed on the “backs of property owners” and told the board he believes additional taxes would hurt the county’s development instead of aiding it.

“If you want more of something, subsidize it; if you want less of something, tax it. So the question becomes, does this commission want less people investing in real property in Newton County?” Brooks said.

While acknowledging other surrounding counties had higher rates, Brooks questioned whether new Baxter employees would choose to live in Newton County or Morgan County, which has a lower county millage rate of 8.99, according to documents passed out previously by Chairman Keith Ellis.

Brooks said a millage rate increase would place Newton County near Gwinnett County’s 11.78 millage rate.

“Can we expect to receive the same benefits Gwinnett County’s residents receive?” Brooks asked.

Jessica Wright, with the Newton County Campaign for Liberty, said she has gathered many signatures against the tax increase and vowed to remember which commissioners vote for it.

via Citizens criticize planned tax increase | CovNews.com.