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September 3, 2010
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Burgess warns of tax bill in House
Published March 10, 2010
SOCIAL CIRCLE — Homeowners could be forced to foot a bigger share of a city’s tax burdens if lawmakers change the state Constitution, Mayor Jim Burgess warned.
House Resolution 1 bans property tax hikes of more than 3 percent in any year and is pending in the House Ways and Means Committee. The measure began this week — the midpoint in the General Assembly session — with a subcommittee hearing.
Burgess, who also lobbies for Savannah and MEAG Power in Atlanta, said corporations would save money that would be sent out of state if the resolution passes.
He worries if the rate of growth on commercial properties is capped, “you would have a shift back to residential properties.”
That, he said, would hurt local governments and the citizens.
“It would create uncertainty in your tax digest,” he said. “It could affect the credit quality of our bond digest. It would benefit out-of-state companies.”
Burgess said most cities receive more money from commercial property taxes than from residential property taxes.
“Our tax rate here is a little less than 8 mills,” he said. “In Decatur, where I have a condo, our millage rate is 40 mills.
“Of course, my homestead is here, so I can’t get an exemption there, but I pay between six and seven thousand dollars a year on just that condo. It just kills you. That’s more tax than I pay on the 60 acres of land here, plus a house, and it’s just amazing.”
Burgess said the biggest difference between Social Circle and Decatur is the DeKalb County city’s comparative lack of industry.
“You’ve got to have a heavy mix between industry and residential,” he said. “Most residences don’t come close to covering the cost of the services delivered to them.”
Sponsoring the bill are reps. Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta; Jerry Keen, R-St. Simons; Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla; Bob Bryant, D-Garden City; Burke Day, R-Tybee Island; and Kevin Levitas, D-Atlanta.
The bill passed the House in 2009 before being reconsidered. Both of Walton County’s House members — Reps. Jeff May (R-Monroe) and Len Walker (R-Loganville) — voted for it the first time it reached a floor vote.
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