Lanier Tea Party Patriots join opposition to proposed Hall tax increase

GAINESVILLE - The Lanier Tea Party Patriots has joined the chorus of opposition to the proposed Hall County property tax increase.<br /> <br /> In doing so it declared Tuesday "A recent reappraisal of a certain class of Hall County real estate, 'lake property,' has resulted in an unequal tax burden for the citizens of Hall County, Georgia. Many lake property owners report that their property values have doubled, certain valuations increasing by as much as 585%. Obviously certain factors are terribly overstated in the computation of these valuations." <br /> <br /> The Lanier Tea Party Patriot leadership says it opposes any attempt to single out certain property owners for additional taxation, while exempting others. <br /> <br /> "LTTP believes that in absence of clear evidence to the contrary, the inequitable manner in which these valuations have been determined constitutes a clear violation of the equal protection provisions of the 14th Amendment," the organization said in a statement released Tuesday. "LTPP therefore urges the Hall County Commissioners to embrace the principle of equal protection, placing these appraisals on hold until further study and full disclosure of the appraisal methods undertaken is completed."<br /> <br /> The group goes on to urge the county commission to support a millage rate that would "maintain the tax revenue of Hall County at no more than its current level."<br /> <br /> The Hall County Republican Party announced its opposition to the proposed tax increase a couple of weeks ago. (See earlier story. Second link below.)<br /> <br /> Though the tax rate might stay the same, the extra money that would be generated because of the property reappraisals would constitute a tax increase, according to County Administrator Randy Knighton. "...if the county were to consider maintaining it's current tax rate at 6.25 mills, that is considered a tax increase, by law, and has to be advertised as such," Knighton said earlier this month. (See earlier story. Third link below.)<br /> <br /> You can find more information at the Lanier Tea Party Patriots website www.LanierTeaPartyPatriots.org or you can visit their Facebook page. <br />

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/6/276157