Comments on several legislative proposals from Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox show the city's top officials in favor of Open Records Act amendments and a regional transportation authority, but against state interference in property tax calculations.

Lenox last week sought the concurrence of the City Council on letters to Gov. Roy Barnes concerning Senate Bill 57, House Bills 278 and 279 and Senate Bill 177. The council approved sending the mayor's letters to Barnes as a consensus of opinion (Jim Pace was not at the meeting).

Lenox's letter about the Georgia Regional Transportation Act (SB 57) says the council recognizes that "transportation issues involved may temporarily constrict residential growth and economic development," but feels that "further inaction threatens our quality of life and will inflict more far-reaching damages to Georgia's prosperity."

Lenox said he was not necessarily thrilled about a "superagency" to deal with regional transportation issues, but "right now there is no agency with authority" to do anything about cleaning up the region's air. He said he had seen the members of the Atlanta Regional Commission condemn a project which would contribute to air pollution, "and then go back into their own jurisdictions and approve it."

Council member Annie McMenamin said that she too normally would not support "another level of government," but immediate action is needed.

"I think we should dismantle the dysfunctional parts of the (transportation planning) process, too," she added.

OPEN RECORDS

All four council members present also expressed strong support for Gov. Barnes' proposed amendments to the Open Records Act (HB 278 and HB 279). Lenox explained that the bills would "tighten the loopholes" and solve some of the problems with the present act, and the new legislation is in line with Peachtree City's own administrative regulations about "trying to be as open as we can be."

"The public business should always be in public," Lenox added.

PROPERTY TAXES

The council agreed with Lenox that "determinations regarding local taxation and property assessments (should) remain under the purview of the local officials elected to make these decisions." Through Lenox's letter, the council will be on record as opposing Barnes' proposals that any property reassessment resulting in increased revenue will have to be matched by a millage rollback of an equal amount, and that tax increases require three public hearings.

The letter stated, "Ultimately, accurate reassessment offsets the expanded cost of doing business. With the removal of this balancing revenue source, local elected officials will be forced to raise taxes merely to maintain existing levels of service."

The mayor also pointed out that Peachtree City has been able to reduce its millage rate three times in a decade, from 4.5 mills in 1990 to a steady 4.06 mills in 1997 and 1998.