TO THE EDITOR

The BOE tax rate is up 0.871 mills (5.85%) to 15.748 mills. The county government tax rate is maintained at 9.7 mills. Add in the Development Authority (1 mill) and the state (.25 mills) and you have the total tax levy of 26.698 mills shown in the tax bill you recently received.

These tax decisions were made in the context of a 6% reductions in the county's net taxable digest, lower sales tax revenue, less income from state sources, and budget and expenditure reductions at the county level. Citizens concerned about taxes in this county should pay attention to the details of these changes!

The governor and other state leaders seem to be predicting further reductions in the state budget this fiscal year. With the economy in a bad condition, and with slow growth prospects for Lincoln County, strong pressure will be on both the BOE and the BOC to increase taxes and/or cut budgets. I believe the boards should be making current budget and related decisions in recognition of probable further reductions. Isolated, one-byone, last minute decision-making is not adequate.

In this vein, I believe the BOE has a special challenge with the costs of the new school building. Some illustrations follow:

The payment on the new school bonds this fiscal year, which is the first year of "full payment," is $1,404,855. While it was previously indicated that revenues from the SPLOST tax approved by taxpayers were expected to pay for the new school, plus a possible 1 - 1.5 mills local tax increase, SPLOST revenues for this fiscal year are estimated to be only $772,573. The balance will apparently be handled by a carryover of SPLOST tax revenues from previous years, before the full bond payment began. Such carryovers will not exist in coming years. Hence, higher taxes? Shop in Lincoln County.

Maintenance and operating costs for the new building will also be a budget requirement soon.

Initial plans indicated that the new facility would serve high school/ middle school. What will be done with the existing high school? If it continues to be used, how much will property taxes go up? Why is so much additional space needed with no growth in student body?

What are the additional staffing and other costs?

Hopefully the school board will soon answer these questions, and in the taxpayers favor!

JB MATHEWS