Lower Home Prices, Potentially Higher Taxes and a Crazed Zombie Attack

The metro Atlanta area remains one of the hardest hit in the nation right now in terms of home prices. The Dacula area has likewise suffered. The latest data indicates home prices in our area continue to fall with the average home value hitting $141,500 in April. What makes that number so shocking is the average home value in Dacula was $227,000 just five years ago (April 2007). That is a staggering drop. Hopefully, Dacula homeowners will eventually recover some of that lost equity.

When I first heard of “bath salts,” I did not really pay that much attention. It would never occur to me to ingest a substance labeled “not for human consumption.” Unfortunately, there are those so desperate for a high they will put anything in their bodies. Georgia classified bath salts as a controlled substance last year due to the dangerous nature of the drug. With the “zombie” attack in Florida, it is easy to understand why we need to keep this substance out of the hands of the chemically addicted.

As we head into budget season, city leaders are once again faced with the task of setting the millage rate for property owners. Due to falling home prices, the tax digest has shrunk resulting in less income for the City of Dacula and for Gwinnett County as a whole. In order to fund the proposed budget, city leaders need more revenue. If they choose not to seek more revenue, then they must find a way to reduce the budget. If you are concerned about your property taxes, now is the time to educate yourself and make your thoughts known to your elected officials.

Property taxes are one way money leaves our pockets, sales taxes are another. In July, Georgia residents will have the chance to decide whether or not they want to pay an extra 1 percent sales tax on every purchase to fund transportation projects. The City of Dacula plans to use their cut of the TSPLOST proceeds to accelerate work on their five-year transportation plan -- that is assuming TSPLOST passes. What happens if it doesn’t pass? Well, our state lawmakers have inserted a provision in the Transportation Investment Act that will penalize those regions that fail to pass the tax by causing them to pay a larger portion in matching funds for any projects involving state funds. What a choice.

I hope everyone enjoyed Monday’s parade. The weather was beautiful, the parade was awesome and it was just a great day to reflect on what it means to live in this great nation and how thankful we should be for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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