Wednesday, September 11, 2002
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Wednesday, September 11, 2002 |
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Tyrone disappointed over proposed LOST redistribution
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
The Tyrone Town Council expressed disappointment about the Fayette County Commission's request in the renegotiation of Local Option Sales Tax at their monthly meeting last Thursday evening. Every 10 years the LOST must be renegotiated and the county has asked the cities to approve a 50-50 split instead of the current 47.5-52.5 split. According to Town Manager Barry Amos, the increase of the county's share would result in a loss of approximately $130,000 a year for Tyrone. "I don't understand the county's rationale for wanting to do this," said Amos. "It is very disappointing." Tyrone is not alone in this matter. Peachtree City would also face a reduction of funds should the request pass. In addition to the loss of funds, the cities and towns in Fayette County must set the property tax within 30 days and their budgets were prepared based on the current funds received from LOST. The only city that has to approve the request for it to pass is Peachtree City but Peachtree City Manager Jim Basinger has sent a memo out to the cities involved to keep the current LOST distributions. Amos supported that as well and recommended to council that they vote to side with Peachtree City and keep the distributions the same. Amos also told council that the existing certificate calls for an adjustment every year, and because Fayette County did not sign it, they were overpaid $3 million in funds while Brooks lost $18,763 during that time. Members of the Tyrone Town Council were very concerned about the county commission's request. Councilman Ronnie Cannon wondered what kind of a millage rate increase the citizens of Tyrone could expect in the future if the LOST request went through. Amos said that it would be an increase of about one mill, which on average would be an increase in taxes of about $35 a year. "This really sticks it to the cities," said Councilman Paul LeTourneau, who wondered if the county voted on this as a regular vote or in secret. A decision will have to be made soon but the LOST redistribution, if there is one, would not go into effect until January.
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