Tuesday, September 16, 2008, Douglasville voters will make a decision that will affect their property taxes for the next 20 years.  

Voting YES on this $23 million property bond will increase your city property taxes. The total cost of 20 years of principal and interest has not been publicly revealed.

Why did the mayor and the city council place such an important tax vote in a special election ballot where few people will know of the issue and turn out to vote, rather than the in the November general election?

Additionally, this special election will cost thousands of extra tax dollars.

This tactic of calling special elections for tax issues has been outlawed by the Georgia General Assembly, but the law will not take effect until 2010.

In May of 2007, the Douglasville mayor and city council determined that $4.6 million was adequate for “Public safety facilities, including one or more administrative buildings, and related equipment.”

In May of 2008, the price jumped to $17 million.

Just a few weeks later, at a Jekyll Island retreat, the same mayor and city council again jacked-up the price, this time to $23 million.

How was the $23 million price tag determined?

Douglasville city officials allowed their consultant, The Facility Group, to name its price. The Facility Group’s top three executives have pled guilty to felony counts for influence-buying of public officials.

When asked by a reporter about the felony indictments of The Facility Group and staff, Mayor Thompson was careful to say there is no guarantee that The Facility Group will be selected to build the $23 million facility if the Sept. 16 referendum passes. However, he gave no guarantee they will not be selected.

Public officials should guarantee the fairness, honesty and integrity of all public business.  Corrupt companies must not be rewarded with tax dollars.

In 2006, Douglasville had an opportunity to pay for this building project with a sales tax. The mayor and city council refused to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the county. This helped to defeat the SPLOST.

In 2007, the city again had an opportunity to use SPLOST funds to build this project, but their priority was a $17 million YMCA swimming pool and gym. This generated considerable opposition and was a major factor in the defeat of the SPLOST.

Currently, the city debt for every man, woman and child in the city is more than $120,000, not including interest and other liabilities. This 20 year bond would add even more to your debt account.

The original $4.6 million facility was reasonable. The current over-priced building project is not worthy of your support.

By voting NO Sept. 16, you can assure that your property taxes will not increase, cut wasteful spending and promote a more fiscally responsible government.

James Bell

Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition

404-452-4668