Stalnaker: SPLOST Extension Could Lower Property Taxes | News

Houston County's Commission Chairman says if voters extend a penny sales tax in March, there's a "good chance" property taxes will be lower in the future.

Tommy Stalnaker said that at a meeting of the Warner Robins Rotary Club Tuesday.

As the guest speaker, Stalnaker told the group that the estimated $155 million sales tax collection could pay for some of the projects currently paid for with property taxes.

He said voters shouldn't expect to see taxes go down immediately. After a few years of collections, Stalnaker said he will do everything in his power to lower the property tax rate.

He said, "I think that's important. I think people would like to see government tighten it's belt. Were asking people for a continuation of a tax. Were not asking people for a new tax. Their saying you want this continued. You need to do everything you can to maintain the level of service at the costs you currently have. Therefore, we in Houston County feel like we have tightened down and pulled the belt up. Were willing to continue to tighten it."

Stalnaker also said that Houston County has not been competitive in past years, when it comes to attracting industry. He said the extension of a penny sales tax in March could level the playing field.

Waving a newspaper from Jackson, Georgia showing that area's job growth, Stalnaker said Houston County has missed out.

He said Houston has not had the land or infrastructure to compete with other Georgia County's to attract large industry.

Stalnaker said about 19-percent or $29 million from the 2012 SPLOST would fund economic growth.

He said, "We have got to have larger industry here. We have got to get industry in here that has 300, 500, 700, 800 employees and all. We have got to do that. We have not had the mechanisms in the past due to the lack of funding to be able to do that."

The agency in charge of attracting industry to the County, the Houston County Development Authority, does not currently have an executive director. Former executive director Morgan Law took a job as President of the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Stalnaker says the Houston Development Authority Board is doing a nationwide search for a new executive director. He says they plan to have the position filled within the next 60 days.

Houston voters can decide on the penny sales tax extension March 6th. It's supposed to raise an estimated $155 million during six years.