As of Wednesday, May 9, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE — One Gwinnett County commissioner wants voters to decide the future of what he called the beginnings of a small-scale Fair Tax. Another commissioner, however, feels it could be a case of pre-election promises.
During a strategic planning meeting in Buford on Tuesday, Commissioner Mike Beaudreau talked about the possibility of a local option sales tax for the November ballot.
On Wednesday, Beaudreau elaborated on the idea.
“We’re still kind of fleshing out the details,” he said. “the biggest issue is trying to shift the overarching burden of taxes from strictly property owners to more of a consumption-based tax. It’s a localized version of the fair tax.”
If approved in November, voters would pay a higher sales tax on purchases of new goods and services with some relief from property taxation. Beaudreau said the establishment of the 1-percent sales tax would help fund county operations. Residents in Gwinnett County currently pay a 6-percent sales tax.
Fellow Commissioner John Heard said it’s a real can of worms.
“When you start trying to overhaul the tax system, it’s an undertaking that must be preceded by caution,” Heard said. “The sales tax has a lot more volatility than property taxes.”
Heard added that he “question(ed) the legitimacy” of his colleague’s plans. “Mr. Beaudreau’s been in office for a long time now, and I hope this is not just an election-cycle event that he’s coming up with to get reelected.”
Heard said he feared that even if voters approved the measure, the property tax “could never be removed in perpetuity.”
If approved by voters, Beaudreau said the shift in property tax collections would “take much of the burden off the backs of property owners.”
The idea came up at the county’s strategic planning session at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, during which Chief Appraiser Steve Pruitt said the county tax digest would likely decline by 8.6 percent within the year.
The local option sales tax measure would be strictly a voter-approved action. The board could only approve a referendum to put it in the hands of the voters.
Commissioners could discuss the idea at an upcoming board meeting.
According to its website, the Fair Tax is a sales tax “that treats every person equally and allows American businesses to thrive” by establishing an equal sales tax on purchases of new goods and services.
More like this story
- BANNISTER: One-penny sales tax is an attractive option ( February 27, 2010 )
- Green announces tax reform plan ( June 16, 2008 )
- Green unveils relief plan<br/> Candidate wants to replace property tax with sales tax ( June 17, 2008 )
- BOC takes revenue plan to legislators ( February 3, 2010 )
- Voters countywide to consider Sunday sales in March 6 primary ( November 15, 2011 )
Comments
R 1 year, 1 month ago
Good idea to market it as a Fair Tax approach, topical and pithy, got to be an election cycle…
Putting it on the ballot is a good idea and text locking the county out of FUTURE property tax increases (by mill or rate) as long as the sales tax is in place, would put a lot of weary taxpayers at ease.
Just one little item though, when will the additional accumulations of 1 percent taxes tip the scale against our county and resulting the reduction of consumers willing to travel? The current rate is 6 so what wiould be the cutoff 8, 9 or 10 percent?
Unless the TSPLOST fails it’s a 1 percent increase, we already carry the ESPLOST at 1 percent and then there is always additional rates for the school system...
richtfan 1 year, 1 month ago
i'd want to have a permanent reduction in the millage rate in exchange for such a sales tax.
glenn_s 1 year, 1 month ago
Oh, they tried that before!! When ol' Wayne Hill gave us the SPLOST, he promised a roll-back in the property tax, but guess what, they raised it right back up and we still have the SPLOST. Don't kid yourself.....with this lying bunch and their sneaky deceitful CA and deputy CA, they are just looking for more money and the 1-year bonus that comes from passing a LOST before they have to roll-back the millage rate.
Dubbin 1 year, 1 month ago
I may be wrong but I think in order for the county to go up another percent on the sales tax it would take action from the state legislature. That being the case no way it goes on the November ballot. I remember Bannister and Green having versions of this proposal in the 2008 election so this is hardly an original idea on Beaudreau's part.
Dubbin 1 year, 1 month ago
Google "lorraine green fairtax" and you'll see the idea was in play four years ago. Funny but I don't remember Beaudreau endorsing the idea then. Oh, wait, it wasn't his idea then was it? Guess what, it isn't his idea now either. Can you say say plagiarism?
kevin 1 year, 1 month ago
Ms Greene would have been an excellent commissioner. Too bad everyone follows the money trail instead of thinking for themselves. Then they all complain.
R 1 year, 1 month ago
The source of Trash plan 1.0 not so fast there skippy...
FordGalaxy 1 year, 1 month ago
The actual "Fair Tax" involves an elimination of income taxes. Since this plan does not do that, then Beaudreau is just exploiting the "Fair Tax" name.
R 1 year, 1 month ago
So Dubbin, does this make Mr. Beaudreau “Charles Bannister light”?
Dubbin 1 year, 1 month ago
I don't know. I do think Beaudreau will do anything to get elected though including taking credit for other's ideas. I guess that means he has something in common with Bannister.
BufordGuy 1 year, 1 month ago
Election ploy. Funny Commissioner Heard jumped on him. He must be wanting a replacement in District 3. Wonder who his crowd is backing?
CD 1 year, 1 month ago
Here we go again: the Gluttonous Republican Delegation talks about raising taxes when we need to discuss ways to further reduce spending.
Besides, this would not affect the school tax. I see this is merely another "plus, plus" proposal from the heathens.
CUT SPENDING.
Don 1 year, 1 month ago
Once this gets voted in we will never see and end to it! Just another revenue stream for the BOC to keep spending!
If Beadreau runs again it better be on the democratic ticket. Between this and the trash debacle he is more a demo than a republican.
Cut spending become efficient. School tax is over fifty percent of my total that I pay and nothing will affect that.
How about cutting some of the funding to the chamber and make them a stand alone organization? Oh, I forgot they need the funding to pay their 400K for the Gwinnett Braves Stadium!
jack 1 year, 1 month ago
If people have been stupid enough to vote tax increases upon themselves in the past, why not continue the ploy? Then the politicians can run for reelection on a record of never having raised taxes.
Never, ever vote to raise your taxes; hold your elected officials accountable.
Reason 1 year, 1 month ago
A headline for later this year ? Taxed Want A Commissioner Shift.
BufordToo 1 year, 1 month ago
Here's a novel idea to cut spending . . . eliminate the personal use of the County's Police cars. Let's see, I'm not sure where it's been written into the officer's contract that they are entitled to drive to and from work at the expense of the taxpayer. Say, the average officer works 240 days a year, 15 miles round trip per day, that's 3,600 miles a year, at 12 miles per gallon, that's 300 gallons of gas at an average price per gallon of $5.50, that's $1,650 in tax payer money for EACH officer's personal car use. Okay, take the $1,650 and times that by say 500 officers, that's $825,000.
Now, take that same equation and apply it to the other County department's and the number could be more than $5.0 million in reduced expenditures. Note to Commissioners: since we live in the world of entitlements, can I borrow one of your cars for my personal use too? Seems fair to me.
rextim 1 year, 1 month ago
I like this game where we just make up numbers and put them across as facts. It makes sense that someone from Buford would create that kind of a post.
gwinnettresident1 1 year, 1 month ago
This one must be a cop.....
R 1 year, 1 month ago
“Cops with cruisers” should be left untouched as long as priority is given to police actually living within Gwinnett County. It’s a small perk for a rough task and as long as they drive them in Gwinnett, we get additional “coverage” in return.
Now cars to those NOT required to respond to 911 calls, TOTALLY different ballgame. If you won’t show up on my porch at 2AM on a holiday, drive yourself - those out here in the public do.
gwinnettresident1 1 year, 1 month ago
They took the job...Just like you took your job. I had a company car with a large company....I was on call 24 hours a day. Some nights i never went out but i still had to pay to commute in my car...(even if i were on vacation) I took the job and liked it...Didnt mind doing my part....
pcjohn 1 year, 1 month ago
BufordToo - Good idea! And here's another --- let's get the cops to turn over all their "asset forfeiture" money and property and put it into the general fund. Right now it's being wasted on buying these guys unnecessary toys. That money is acquired while they are in our employ and the rewards should accrue to the taxpayers .
teelee 1 year, 1 month ago
Everything is a can of worms to Commissioner Heard. He is also opposed to expanding Briscoe Field and all of the potential added tax revenues and economic benefits it could generate for the entire county. Here is an opportunity to lower home owners property taxes in the county with the highest home foreclosure rate in Georgia. I like the fact that Gwinnett County residents would be allowed to chose with a referendum once all of the facts are in. I have attended many commission meetings over the years and Commissioner Beaudreau has always been a voice of reason on controversial issues.
jljustis 1 year, 1 month ago
This so-called commercial proposal seems to be an obvious scam and skim operation. Giving outrageous and unachievable job numbers to scam the Gwinnett Government and then skimming from contracts and expenditures for a venture that has no chance of succeeding. If this is such a great deal, why aren’t we working with a few major airlines to set up a commercial airport? It would be pocket change for the airlines; and, you think they would jump at the chance for such a great venture. If this passes, we need to press for a State and Federal investigation of each commissioner who votes and see what they are getting for their vote. They cannot be so stupid as to believe that the proposal has any chance of achieving what the proposers (posers for short) are selling.
R 1 year, 1 month ago
Well worms and BS do go together...
166LZU 1 year, 1 month ago
Teelee - Are we talking about the same Commissioner Beaudreau and Briscoe Field here? The Mike Beaudreau I know has voted as follows on the Briscoe Field Airport;
May 3, 2011 In favor of 2011-0414 Approval of a Resolution providing for guidelines for any request for proposal relating to the potential privatization of the Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field.
August 23, 2011 In favor of 2011-0761 Approval to clarify the actions previously approved by the Board of Commissioners on May 3, 2011 and May 17, 2011 related to the proposed privatization of Briscoe Field.
The only 2 Commisioners who are on record against expansion of service at Briscoe field are Nash & Heard and they voted against those resolutions.
Everthing suggests so far that Beaudreau is pushing pretty hard for Beaudreau Regional Airport (BRA). I hope it suits him well, because it's not a good fit with the general public.
mikekorom 1 year, 1 month ago
The Fair Tax is a tax program that replaces the current federal income tax system. It alleviates the bureaucracy while this plan will increase it. So if TSPLOST passes and this SSPLOST passes that would put our county at an 8% sales tax rate. Now, if I want to purchase a large ticket item and I can save 1% in an adjacent county where am I going to buy it? This doesn’t seem to be a good way of attracting business and businesses to Gwinnett County.
We have ample waste in our county government. Businesses that have survived this recession have done so because they made solid decisions during the boom years and grew while also conserving. Decisions like Cool Ray Field, SDS litigation, cell phone tower litigation, improper and shady land deals, Collins Hill Golf Course, and administration of a trash plan amongst others have cost us millions. The county would certainly be in a better financial position today if we had made more prudent conservative decisions in the last eight years.
I agree with Commissioner Heard. The property tax could never be removed in perpetuity. In fact, odds are, it would be back in no time and then we would simply be left with a tax increase.
Here’s the solution. The county needs to tighten its belt once again like we’ve all had to do. Find the waste and reduce it. It’s there.
Mike Korom Candidate- District 3 County Commissioner - Vote July 31 www.mikekorom.com
GregRodgers 1 year, 1 month ago
I like this ALOT!!
kevin 1 year, 1 month ago
I like this idea but the issue remains the same. The BOC should live within its means and NOT be given more and more of our money to spend on what they want. Let the people make their own spending decisions by buying at places they support. This is what spurs business, not politicians spending on what they want to in order to make them look good. Everyone agrees Gwinnett housing values are down, unemployment is still too high, the economy is still in shambles. So why then do we need more cops, fire, public facilities, etc. With less population, businesses are already hurting and the need for more services should be decreasing. I do believe that Beaudreau is using this as a re-election ploy since a former commissioner candidate had suggested it years ago. Beaudreau is a SUPPORTER of the airport expansion and he knows the voters do not approve of this expansion.
OrganicGrl 1 year, 1 month ago
The only way this will work if you greatly reduce the millage rate for property owners. I will not continue to pay 2600 for property taxes and pay 8 percent just to shop in my county. Let the renters pay more in sales tax and that can be a fair trade with me.
R 1 year, 1 month ago
Then like the others say - this won't really reduce taxes at all but RAISE them. Because then they have 2 paths into your wallet instead of one.
Linda 1 year, 1 month ago
I am in favor of people who live in Gwinnett that are not property owners pay for the services provided by the property owners. But however I do not trust the BOC.
CD 1 year, 1 month ago
@ Linda: renters should be considered in two categories:
1) Those that "rent" a home. In that case, the ultimate property owner does pay property tax; most likely, at an absurd valuation as many other homes in Gwinnett so that the profligate spending of the gluttonous heathens can be sustained.
2) Apartment dwellers. Here, the complex does pay property tax, but I would be willing to bet my own money that the valuation of the complex for tax purposes is artificially low. I have no evidence of this, but the gluttonous heathens were all too happy to approve the apartments and no doubt lined their pockets or at least accrued a few "retirement benefits" payable directly or in kind from the developers.
The bottom line is that any talk of tax increases must first be met with a lengthy, exhaustive list of spending cuts. The cuts need to be deep and across the board. I agree with a previous poster that they should start with the Chamber subsidy at a 100% cut. I personally agree with, and am willing to pay for, off-duty police to drive their cars home, but I do see a large number of BOC vehicles roaming the streets. I have no doubt that a few cuts can be made there.
A revenue suggestion: access any bank-owned property sitting vacant with a "fire, theft, vandalism and security" surcharge. Make the surcharge stiff so that the banks have a reason to get off their rear ends and approve the short-sale offers they are sitting on. You could put Bannister and Kenerly back in their Crown Vics and let them roam the streets, looking for candidates, while earning a lawful--for a change--percentage. After all, scum knows scum/filth/slime when they see it and they should be drawn to it by instinct.
BufordGuy 1 year, 1 month ago
I say cut spending, live within your means. Isn't that what those of us that elected you knuckleheads have to do?
Say_that_again 1 year, 1 month ago
Oh! That is brilliant! We don't need those roads repaired. Cut the police force: we are going to have crime whether they are here or not. Close half of the fire stations and reduce the firemen and equipment - just let those careless people burn down their houses. Cut building inspections, If buildings collapse, let those injured sue the builder. Ow what great sense this makes.
BufordGuy 1 year, 1 month ago
You're brilliant. No wonder these nuts get elected over and over.
R 1 year ago
I'd settle for an ordinance that prevented any more projects like the Gwinnett stadium from being considered until the tax digest rises above 2002 levels for 3 years or more in a row
gwinnettisgreat1 1 year, 1 month ago
Time to vote for Tommy Hunter. Less taxes my friends. Hey hey, ho, ho it's time for Mike to go!
rco1847 1 year ago
Get rid of this guy. He has illusions of the county airport being named after himself. He can't accept that he works for ALL the people and not just his idiologically like -inded friends.
rco1847 1 year ago
Republicans promoting a tax? Nawwwwwww not possible. It's gotta' be revenue enhancement.
Gwinnettborn_raised1 1 year ago
It's time for Mike Beaudreau to GO!! This guy will do anything to get reelected. I'm so tired of Gwinnett's politicians selling us the tax payer out. Here it is close to primary time, and Mr. genious comes up with this. He was part of the socialized garbage plan, and the airport exspansion. I have been doing all the research I could do recently, and the only cnadidate that has a clear message in district three is Tommy Hunter. There are some very CRITICAL issues that the county faces. I have looked at all three of them running against Beaudreau, and to me Hunter is the only candidate that has a clear grasp with whats going on inside the county. Remember folks there is more to being a commissioner than being against the airport exspansion. Thats what worries me with the other two. After the airport deal goes away what we will be left with....
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