Dear editor: The Putnam County Commission is on track to give taxpayers the largest “backdoor” tax increase in the history of the county. It is “backdoor” because it is largely based on re-valuation of existing properties and not new growth. As advertised, the county is proposing a county-wide tax increase of over $2.3 million, driven by a proposed $5-million spending increase. But even that is not the complete story.
Taxpayers in the unincorporated area of the county are in the Special Service District, which has a separate property tax. For those taxpayers, the county is proposing a 190-percent tax increase – raising the millage rate from 0.165 mills to 0.40 mills. This would add another $465,000 to the proposed tax increase.
Why isn’t there a separate advertisement of the tax increase for the Special Service District and separate Public Hearings?
The City of Eatonton, which offers “enhanced services,” advertises their millage rate and holds separate Public Hearings. Shouldn’t the Special Service District do the same?
Steve Hersey Special Taxpayer