The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

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August 9, 2008

Budget needs work

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners has cut its property tax rate in five of the past six years. Board members should cut them again this year.

Some board members said this week they did not believe the county should roll back its general government tax rate — currently 5.242 mills — to offset any gains from reassessments. State law declares that to be a tax increase.

With no property tax rate rollback, the county expects to collect $16.86 million in property taxes. With a property tax rate rollback, the county expects to collect $16.28 million.

Board members face pressure to increase the services they deliver. Many residents want more parks, better fire protection, more sheriff’s deputies on patrol. And those things cost money.

But we don’t need to point out that economic times are hard. The United States may not be in an technical recession now, but the housing downturn has hurt Whitfield County. Many local companies have cut back. Families are giving up many luxuries. Many citizens are making do with less.

The Dalton City Council has set a standard, slashing its property tax rate to 3.002 mills from 3.66. The Downtown Dalton Development Authority and Murray County commissioner Jim Welch have also cut taxes, and the Whitfield County Board of Education has announced a tax cut.

The Board of Commissioners should take a hard look at its $55.04 million budget. Some of us, with much smaller budgets, have found ways to cut spending. Is there nothing in the county budget that can’t be cut? Nothing that can’t be put off until times are better? No services that can’t be contracted out?

If not, the commissioners should explain why.



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