Well, actually, I don't tax anyone. The county commissioners, the school board and the city commissions do that. As appraisers and Assessors all we do is seek out legally taxable property and value it fairly and equability.
There has been talk in Georgia of doing away with property taxes. If that were to happen, we would be at the mercy of the state for money, they would decide when and how much our local governments would get, and at the local level, there would be little say so in managing our own affairs. I suspect most of the money that would be destined for us would be siphoned off for lawmakers pet projects and locales that they "felt" needed it.
Biggest problem with property taxes are exemptions that the state's lawmakers create. Personal property laws are riddled with special interest exceptions and special considerations for different businesses and groups, at the expense of others who have to pay their way. Real property goes the same way. Lawmakers vote in special exemptions that takes money away from the counties and cities, not the states coffers. In essence, they give away something that really is not theirs to give away, local revenues. If there were no special exemptions, every one would pay fairly and evenly and probably not near as much. Fact is, it takes a certain minimum amount of dollars to run a local government. If you don't get it from everyone, and only collect it from those who are unlucky enough to not qualify the burden is heaviest on them, while others skate.
Off the soap box..............
Charles
