NEWNAN, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – Property owners in Coweta County filled the county commission chambers Tuesday for the second of three public hearings on a proposal to increase the tax rate.

It was originally proposed to increase the portion of property owners’ property tax bills that goes towards maintenance and operations by 39 percent. Due to some adjustments made by the county government, this portion has now been reduced to 28 percent.

Still, the tax increase would mean several hundred dollars more per year for most property owners in Coweta County.

“If the current tax base is truly insufficient to support what we are doing, we cannot do it,” Coweta County resident Tammy Stubbs told commissioners during the public hearing.

“If you want to do something, do it like any other working-class citizen and find out what is available to you,” said taxpayer Brandon Hobby.

Retirees on fixed incomes said there was simply no room in their budgets for higher tax bills.

“Costs are exploding everywhere,” said Richard Weiser, a county resident. “They’re exploding in the grocery store. Medical costs are insane.”

County officials said the increase was necessary to keep county services running smoothly. Longtime resident Cynthia Bennett spoke in favor of the proposal, recalling how disappointed she was a few years ago when residents forced a reduction in the tax rate.

“It was less than four months before we began receiving complaints about poor service, reduced library hours, limited animal protection, restricted access to theme parks, potholes and rarely used rights of way, among other, more serious complaints,” she said.

A final public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by a vote by the commissioners.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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