A ‘Yes’ vote restricts boards from taxing beyond inflation
Volunteers met Saturday to inform and organize to push for a good turnout November 4 in hopes of passing a referendum to limit tax increases to the inflation rate. YesforTaxCuts.com is enlisting help to put out signs and raise awareness before election day.
Dr. David McKalip, a Cartersville neurosurgeon, is organizing the effort. He says public awareness is crucial because this is an off-year election where races focus on local or minor state elections rather than more well-recognized state or federal elections. Turnout is generally dismal for off-year elections but this referendum would affect every Bartow County and Cartersville property owner.
The ballot measure will be to limit local entities from raising taxes on residential properties to the inflation rate. That would save many hundreds, or thousands, of dollars, he said.
If this sounds familiar, it should. Georgia voters approved the referendum last year. However, the state referendum included an opt-out clause, allowing local governments and entities to ignore it and continue raising taxes as they wish. The Cartersville and Bartow County governments didn’t use the opt-out clause but city and county school boards did. Residents weren’t happy.
State legislators representing Bartow County drafted a new version for only citizens of Cartersville and Bartow County to vote on this election. The new version doesn’t allow for opting out and that is version on the November ballot.
Citizens Katt Tull and Ronny Pharr tell why they are helping to get out the ‘yes’ vote.
Early voting starts Oct. 14 and can be done at the Bartow County Election Office on Joe Frank Harris Parkway near Grassdale Road in the old Georgia State Patrol building. Those planning to vote on election day must go to their precinct.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.