Douglasville Ga.-April 18, 2008: James Bell, Director of the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) (www.DouglasTaxes.com) asked the Douglasville, Georgia City Council to move the proposed property tax bond vote from Tuesday September 16 to November’s General Election date.

Bell made his views known at the Thursday night city council work session in response to agenda item 8.1 to adopt a resolution on for a referendum on a General Obligation Bond to pay for the proposed “Public Safety and Municipal Court Building”.

Bell reminded the council that the Georgia General Assembly had just passed a law to limit special elections and is pending Governor Perdue’s signature. The law would not take effect until 2010.

“I asked the Council to do the right thing and wait a few weeks until November, so that 60 to 70 percent of voters will vote rather than the 5 or 10 percent expected in a special election”, Bell said. “When you ask property owners to increase their taxes it seems fair to hold the election when the largest number of citizens vote. If we can elect the President of the Untied States in November we can hold tax votes then also”, Bell continued.

Bell accused local governments of exploiting voting habits and fatiguing voters with special elections knowing that referendums stand a better chance of winning when fewer voters turn out. SPLOST and bond votes pass about 85% of the time, except when there is organized opposition.

Bell also cited concerns about the cost of holding a special election when a scheduled election is only weeks away.

HB-296 would limit special elections to the following dates.

·  In odd-numbered years: Third Tuesday in March; or Tuesday after the first Monday in November (General Election);

·  In even-numbered years: In conjunction with the presidential preference primary (if one is held); or the date of the general primary; or Tuesday after the first Monday in November (General Election).

House Bill 296 will save Georgia taxpayers millions each year. DCTC encourages voters to call the Governor’s office in support.

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