Gwinnett Residents Rally Against Taxes

The battle over a proposed property tax increase in Gwinnett County is far from over despite a vote on the issue being tabled. Hundreds gathered in Suwanee, Ga. to make sure their voices are heard.

The rally was against a 25 to 30-percent increase in Gwinnett County's property tax for homes and businesses. It followed a public hearing at the county's headquarters which led the tax commissioner Chairman Charles Bannister to table the vote on the tax increase.

However, that didn't stop the crowd from voicing their opinions about the tax.

"Who ends up paying the increase in taxes – the business owner. Now, who's going to pay after that -- the consumer," said business owner Kevin O'Brian.

"I believe there are services you have to pay for. I believe that there are sometimes when you do have to raise taxes. I don't believe this is the time," said county resident Alison Caine.

Caine and her mother have been Gwinnett County residents all their lives. They said the county needs to take another look at where they can cut money from the budget, including not adding county uniformed police officers in areaa of the county where there are already city police officers present.

"It's going to create a problem and a complete duplication of services to patrol cities that are already patrolled," said Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams.

The rally included local mayors and big-name Georgian politicians such as Republican Gubeatorial candidates John Oxendine, Karen Handle and Eric Johnson.

Chairman Bannister faced his harshest critics on staging saying that cuts are going to be necessary and hard choices are going to have to be made.

"I won't deny that there's a slim possibility or any possibility of having additional taxes. But by the same token, I'm not saying that there will be," said Bannister.

The last of three public hearings was scheduled for Tuesday moing, June 2 at Gwinnett County Administrative Headquarters.

Chairman Bannister said that's when the property tax increase proposal will be officially tabled.