Well we all know the county isn't just going to lower property taxes, especially in the finacial times we are seeing now. However, they are talking about raising property taxes to pay for the $530 million in school bonds we all voted for this past May. This money has to come from somewhere, so the thought is, if we can raise the sales tax by a 1/4 of a cent this can reduce the overall tax burden of all Guilford County residents because about 40 percent of the current revenue raised from sales tax is paid by visitors who DO NOT live in Guilford County. The 1/4-cent increase can potentially raise $15 million annually to pay the bond debt. The 1/4-cent sales tax would be paid by ANYONE who shops, eats, travels in Guilford County, not just Guilford County residents (it will NOT affect gasoline prices, prescription medication prices, or unprepared food prices.) If the sales tax increase is not passed, the alternative the County Commissioners have come up with is to pass the "buck" to property owners in Guilford County, and potentially increase our property tax rate by nearly 4 cents or more!! Let's break it down, many people who do not own real property in Guilford County were still able to vote FOR the school bonds, but they would not have any additional tax liability in paying for them.
I don't claim to know everything, but I would much rather pay a little bit more each time I go shopping than to pay a substantial amount more in property taxes.
Please, please, please remember to vote on November 4, 2008. See you at the polls!
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
For more information on voting visit: http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/index.html
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