HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Hall County commissioners got it from both sides at a public hearing Tuesday as they considered hiking property taxes to pay for an $11.5 million budget shortfall.
"Now you're asking the taxpayers of Hall County to bail you out," tax hike opponent Jeff Waldrip told commissioners. "And if they don't bail you out, you're asking the employees of Hall County to lose their jobs. We expected better leadership than this."
More than 100 people attended the public hearing at the Georgia Mountain Center on Tuesday night. Just two weeks ago, Hall County announced that without a tax hike, it would have to cut more than 100 jobs, eliminate two ambulances and close most of the county's parks and libraries.
Under this newly proposed budget, which includes the 1.41 mil increase, the county will still have to eliminate some jobs, but many of the parks will stay open and residents won't lose the two ambulances.
Ashley Tumlin asked commissioners to raise taxes because she wants those parks to stay open.
"Raise the taxes, we'll pay it," she said. "Raise the taxes. Suck it up. It's $11 and some change a month to save real people's jobs."
Commissioner Ashley Bell told Channel Two's Richard Elliot he's on the fence but wants to find ways around a tax hike.
"I think we've got some good ideas out there of ways we can try this without a tax increase," said Bell. "I want to explore all those options."
Commission Chair Tom Oliver has already come out in favor of the tax increase.
Commissioners will hold two more public hearings at the Georgia Mountain Center next week, then will vote on June 30.
WSBTV
