Friday, February 9, 2001
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Friday, February 9, 2001 |
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Seniors want tax breaks By JOHN
THOMPSON
Coweta's senior citizens let the County Commission know Tuesday that it wants tax relief. The problem, though, is they want relief from the school board's maintenance and operation tax, which the county does not govern. Bill Griggers, who has gathered petitions in his drive to get tax relief, started out his presentation to the county with an unusual statement. "I don't think I should be here," he said. Griggers said he has been trying to get a referendum on the ballot that would eliminate the maintenance and operation taxes for residents 65 and older and was starting to feel like a dog chasing his tail. He has brought his proposal to the school board, but did not get a response. After talking to the local state legislators, he got the impression that either the school board or the county commissioners would have to agree with his idea before legislation could be introduced. But the commission told Griggers that state legislators could introduce any type of legislation they wanted without a local government blessing. "We're just trying to put it to the voters. It would only cost the citizens about $25 a year," he said. While the board sympathized with Griggers and voiced personal support for his idea, they could not give it a county endorsement. "Board of Education taxes is Board of Education business," said Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter. Griggers thanked the board for listening and said he would contact the local legislators again about bringing a referendum to the voters.
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