HOST Explained at Forum, Draws Criticism
Although Chairman Buzz Ahrens and other officials explained the potential benefits of the 1% sales tax, opponents still believe it is a double tax that will hurt many Cherokee residents.
Local and state officials hosted an open forum on Cherokee County's proposed 1% HOST tax which will be voted on during the Nov. 6 election at the Cherokee Conference Center Tuesday morning. Cherokee Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens gave the presentation on the proposed tax, and was supported by Clint Mueller, Legislative Director of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, an non-profit instrument of county government. Ahrens confirmed that if the homestead exemption and sales tax are approved (and both must be approved for the measure to take effect), all of the proceeds from the tax will go directly towards easing the property tax burden of Cherokee County property owners. The tax will allow the county to phase out Maintenance and…
In this Article:
Frank Jones
11:14 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I do not support the HOST tax for the following reasons: 1. The law requires only 80% be used to offset M&O property taxes and while that Commissioners have passed a resolution to use 100% to offset taxes, they can easily pass another resolution taking the amount back to 80%. 2. The law requires that taxpayers receive the 1st property tax break in 2015. The Commissioners are indicating that they'… more ›