Friday, April 5, 2002
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Friday, April 5, 2002 |
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Commission lowers business tax rate By JOHN
THOMPSON
Coweta's business owners got a break Tuesday as the Coweta County Commission decided to impose a cap on business tax rates. Business owners will now pay a maximum fee of $12,000, which is a far cry from some of the bills businesses received earlier this year. Late last year, the Coweta County Commission removed the cap for business occupation tax rates. Previously, businesses would pay a maximum $3,000 bill. But when the commission decided to figure the bill based on gross receipts this year, the complaints started. During a County Commission meeting last month, Richard Westerfield of Yokogawa Corporation of America asked the board to consider raising the tax rate in increments. Last year, the large manufacturer paid its $3,000 and budgeted for the same bill this year. But when officials opened their bill in January, they discovered the amount owed was $104,000. The commission reiterated the county's business tax rates were still the lowest in the region. Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said the company has actually received a tax break over the last few years. But Tuesday, the board decided to implement the $12,000 cap and instructed staff to study the issue further. "I have felt uneasy about this from the beginning," said Commission Chairman Jim McGuffey. Commissioner Robert Wood agreed. "I think there should be input from the business community. Whoever is using the services should pay on the assessed need," he added.
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