Name:   Otter - Subject:   Tallapoosa Property Tax Increase? Date:   3/1/2016 5:57:53 PM

I apologize for my first post not being more researched and factual, but, I had lunch with an individual today who has historically been accurate on tax issues in Tallapoosa County.  So, this is what I was told.  The county commission either has or will petitioned the Alabama general assembly requisting an increase in the county millage rate that would have the effect of about a 10% increase in property taxes.  As always, the reason being given is for the schools, which is the same reason used to justify the recent 1% increase in the county sales tax.  The person who shared this with me also said that he thought Mark Tuggle supported this increase, as "Tuggle will not be running again and has supported higher funding for the schools in the past."  I know that Mark Tuggle has publicly supported Common Core so it would not surprise me if the speculation that he supports this increase is correct.

I've seen statistics in the past regarding the disproportionate amount of property taxes from lake homes (on a unit basis), but, a 10% property tax increase will hurt everyone, even the majority of off lake properties and is one of the more regressive taxes out there.

For those that make the argument that our property taxes are low compared with other parts of the country, I respectfully think that those that buy into this argument are missing the point.  People with money retire to Alabama and Lake Martin in no small part to the relatively low property taxes.

I also don't buy into the argument, that will be made forever with no end, that the schools need more money.  My wife taught in the public school system  for several years till we removed our children to home shool them.  She can testify, as others with actual experience, how inefficiently and wastefull our public shool system is.  It has always been that way and always will be that way.  Always.  In fact, there are numerous studies, some very recent, that show an inverse correlation between money spent per student and educational outcomes.  The more money spent, the worse the outcome.  Seems to be a government law of nature.

And anyone who believes that the county spends our tax dollars effeciently, well, how does one even start a logical conversation with someone who holds that view?

I'm hoping that someone can shed some factual light on this issue.  Is the fix already in or is there still time to inform and mobilize to try to defeat this property tax increase?