Measure on fall ballot would provides property tax relief
A local grassroots group is urging Bartow County citizens to head to the polls in November for a tax relief do-over. Dr. David McKalip chairs the group Yes For Tax Cuts to promote a ballot initiative to cap residential property tax in Bartow County to rise no more than the rate of inflation.
“Cartersville and Bartow school boards decided they wanted to take as much tax money from you as they possibly can for the rest of your lives in the home, so they opted out,” McKalip said.
Relief bills Georgia Senate Bill (S.B) 83 and S.B. 77 will be on the local ballot in November to address the problem with voter-approved tax relief that went into effect this year. House Bill (H.B.) 581, approved as Amendment 1 by voters last November, guaranteed local government tax increases wouldn’t exceed the rate of inflation which typically is around 2 percent. The problem was the bill also contained language allowing local governments to opt-out, meaning they could still raise taxes beyond the rate of inflation.
Local entities around Georgia opted out, making the legislation useless in certain areas. Cities in Bartow County and the county government chose not to opt out, abiding by the tax restriction. However, the Bartow County and Cartersville boards of education did opt out to continue to raise millage rates.
S.B. 83 and S.B. 77 reinstituted the restriction in Bartow County without an opt-out provision, putting both school boards under the limitation. S.B. 83 addresses county schools and S.B. 77 pertains to Cartersville schools. The local legislation was sponsored by Sens. Chuck Hufstetler and Ed Setzler in the state Senate and Reps. Matthew Gambill and Mitchell Scoggins in the state House.
McKalip’s group has been at many public events from the Cartersville Farmer’s Market to the Fourth of July parade to spread word about the upcoming vote. He said it’s concerning that most people don’t vote in local elections but McKalip wants this year to be different.
“Voter turnout is critical,” McKalip said. “A lot of you voted last time because it was a presidential year. There were a lot of things to vote on. It was a big turnout but this year, we need a big turnout as well.”
McKalip said it isn’t surprising the opt-out provision was included in last year’s bills because there are many negotiations that happen to get bills to the floor. Gambill in previous interviews said the opt-out provision was to accommodate rural school systems likely to suffer under the measure.
McKalip said the public cry over tax assessments this year shows citizens just how bad residential property taxes can be. He said the vote is one way citizens can control how much property tax they pay in the future. Those who want to learn more can go to YesForTaxCuts.com for more information.
In addition to this local referendum, election of Public Service Commission (PSC) board members will also be on the ballot. Early voting begins in October with election day on Nov. 4. You can see Dr. McKalip’s entire video here.