Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Georgia Special Council On Tax Reform And fairness Meeting
Meeting held for public input in Savannah
1. Ruth Lee from Effingham County testified on behalf of a group called "We The Taxpayers"
She expressed disappointment that property taxes are exempt from study by the commission
She stated that property taxes keep going up despite the fact that property values keep going down
She expressed concern that some of the original Salzburgers (Austrians, I believe) who originally settled Effingham County are losing their property.
2. Pete Lakakis, Chairman of the Chatham County Commission testified
He read a written statement
He expressed concern about utility franchise fees
Utility franchise fees are collected from customers throughout the counties, including non-incorporated parts of the counties. However, the funds are then submitted to the municipalities, and not the county governments
He also expressed concern about the counties picking up much of the tab for state prisoners housed in county jails
3. A spokesman for the American Cancer Society testified
Spoke in favor of a $1.00 increase in sales tax on cigarettes
4. Mike Bell from Rayaneer testified
Stated that his company employs 1800 individuals world wide
Stated that his company is the second largest land owner in Georgia
Stated that sales tax exemptions are critical to his industry and company
Stated that Savannah is the second fastest growing port on the east coast
He emphasized the need for sales tax on energy to be exempted
5. Jeff Graham with Georgia Southern University testified
He testified that the state needs to train older Georgians on technical skills
He works with the unemployed and military spouses training them for employment
6. Bill Oakley with Goodwill Industries, Coastal Georgia testified
Spoke in favor of restoring the sales tax exemption for charitable organizations including Goodwill Industries
7. Jim Strickland testified in favor of sales tax exemptions for farmers
8. Paula Chrysler testified on behalf of Healthy Savannah
She spoke in favor of increasing the sales tax on tobacco
9. Chris Hopkins, a young farmer from Toombs County testified
He started his farm with no inherited land or equipment – very rare
He spoke in favor of sales tax exemptions for farming
10 Billy Trapnell, 1st VP of GMA testified
He expressed concern that sales tax on many purchases not being remitted to the state
Spoke in favor of allowing cities to increase taxes through MOSTs (Municipal Option Sales Tax) without approval of the legislature
11. The Mayor of Kingsland testified
Spoke in favor of allowing cities to increase taxes through MOSTs (Municipal Option Sales Tax) without approval of the legislature
12. Tripp Tolleson from the Chatham County Chamber of Commerce testified
He spoke in favor of the Regional Transportation Tax
RETURN TO SPECIAL COUNCIL PAGE