The Governor's office hold on the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant could cost the average Hall homeowner an additional $250 in property taxes.
The grant reimburses counties and cities money they lose on the homeowners tax exemption. The total cost to Hall is $2.5 million and the board of education could lose $5 million to soften the state's budget shortfall.
"This is the easiest way for the state to take money. They take it from the homeowner," County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said. "It does not cost the state anything, it reverts back to the homeowner."
Oliver said the county is not going to adjust the tax bills, but the county could end up with a total $7.5 million shortfall.
Oliver said taxpayer should be aware of this; they should also contact their state representative about it. He said there are other ways to address the budget shortfall without hurting the taxpayers.
Statewide the hold on the tax relief grant would cost local governments and homeowners $450 million.
State Rep. Carl Rogers said it's a funding suspension, not a cut.
"The Governor can only hold it until Dec. 31," Rogers said. "He has to release it and the House leadership has been brainstorming on how to make sure they can find the funds to release it."
Rogers said former Gov. Roy Barnes started the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant in 1998.
Rep. Carl Rogers at Wed. meeting
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212138