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Senators hear ideas on property tax reform Edgefielddaily.com web posted August 24, 2005  At issue is the obvious problem of higher and higher property taxes as counties and towns create revenue to provide services through property taxes and fees. Some complained that in addition to rising taxes, legislators create fees, which is just another tax, to increase funding. “I can grow a garden to save at the grocery store to cut back,” said Edgefield County resident John Morgan, “I can buy cheaper cars to save, but once I buy my house it is all out of my hands.” He said that the taxes and fees continue to rise and he cannot stop the rise. “If someone builds a million dollar house next door to me my taxes go up,” he said. Others complained that looking at the pattern of taxes it would not be long before people will not be able to afford their homes due to the taxes. They claimed the elderly, who have paid for their homes all their lives and paid the taxes for all those years, would be the first hit. Bob Denton, who retired and bought a home on Edisto Island, said he was worried that property owners would be driven from their ocean front property via taxation in order to make way for resorts and high-rises, “You can say good-bye to the beach,” he said. Mr. Denton said he and his wife took great strides in finding their retirement home and the way things were going between taxes and zoning the homeowner was going to be driven out and replaced by large developers who can pay more money. Several speakers from around the state in attendance stated they wanted to see the passage of Senate Bill S 880 which would replace property and school taxes with an additional three cent sales tax. Walter Dahlgren of SCnotax said that sales have continued to grow at a steady rate since 1980 and that should provide incentive for passing a sales tax system rather than property taxes. Another gentleman who said he supported the sales tax is worried after hearing some of the comments because counties and towns would just turn around and start using “fees” for increased revenues, “If you do this you need to make sure you block the use of fees,” he said. The next hearing will be held tomorrow night at Greenville Technical College, J. Verne Smith Auditorium, in Greenville, S.C. Among the many dignitaries present was Sen. Tommy Moore (D) Clearwater. We asked what his view on Bill S 880 was and he said, “it was introduced late in the last session and I haven’t had time to fully review it yet,” and that he intends to become better informed on the matter before taking a position. Asked how his announced candidacy for governor was going he simply said, “It’s a big state. It may look small but it’s big.” What is at issue: PROPOSALS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM 1. Limitations on property tax assessments a. limit increases in assessments to the % of inflation or the wage-index b. limit property tax reassessments to 1% of the fair market value of property 2. Limit or rollback the property's taxable value to defer increased property taxes until the property is sold, gifted, devised or has significant improvements made to it 3. Eliminate property taxes totally or partially by: a. increasing sales tax by possibly 2 '/a cents, 3 cents, or more b. replacing educational expenses paid by property taxes 4. Cap property tax millage rates and prohibit increasing millage rates without a public referendum 5. Other proposals? CONSEQUENCES TO BE ADDRESSED 1. How should local governments pay for services for an increasing population? a. Property taxes? b. Impact fees? c. Some other method? 2. Should property tax relief be dependent upon a person's income? 3. If a sales tax is used to replace property taxes: a. How should the state distribute it among the counties? b. What should happen to current sales tax exemptions? c. Should sales taxes include some services?
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