Friday, July 6,
2001
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Robbing Peter to pay Paul I am pleased that upon the recommendation of the director of finance, the Board of Commissioners "rolled back" the millage rate reserving a small amount (3.5 percent) of the increase in the tax digest for inflation. I was disappointed, however, with the quality of the debate. There is a difference between the "millage rate" and a "tax increase" and we know it. The millage rate is about EXPENSES "taxes" are about REVENUES. In setting the millage rate, the government asks one question: In light of the bills to be paid, that is, the costs to deliver MANDATED services to citizens such as sewage treatment plants, children's shelters, mental health centers, police and fire services, what is the total amount of revenues we must collect? How much to respond to a federal court order demanding a clean-up of the County's jail? How much for the prevention and treatment of AIDS, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases? How much to re-open sewage treatment plants in north Fulton recently shut down by the state for violation of environmental rules and regulations? Although Fulton County's expenses have exceeded its revenues for many years according to the finance director, we never considered raising taxes this year or any other year I have been a member of the board. We have "balanced the budget," as required by law, by "robbing Peter to pay Paul," setting aside a sufficient amount each year for emergencies and to satisfy Wall Street. Responsible debate would have focused upon the fairness (and accuracy) of property assessments and reassessments, mandated vs. non-mandated services, or land-use policies. (Some commissioners have never seen a 350-homes subdivision they didn't like even if it takes two hours on Ga. 400 to get there!) So what is all this talk about "raising taxes," "bells and whistles," "laundry lists" and "Ocee Library?" One north Fulton commissioner even cited population numbers by county districts as if rights guaranteed to American citizens under the 14th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution are dependent upon the citizen's address! A certain amount of faking, fluffing and fabrication is expected of politicians. But when we tell seniors we can return dollars we don't have and don't tell them we cannot do it without (further) drastic cuts in mandated services including senior transportation and meals on wheels, "politics" has gone too far.
Emma I. Darnell Vice Chairman
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