Claims about HOST

I spent last evening at several wonderful city 4th of July celebrations.  Our cities provide Gwinnett with some wonderful 'identities' and many are doing fantastic work with revitalization.

However, at one celebration, a commission candidate was present and discussing my HOST tax proposal with constituents.  Some of the claims I heard were so outlandish I had to take a moment this morning and respond:

Claim #1.  - The HOST proposal will bankrupt the Cities - The HOST proposal will have no effect on city (or school) finances at all.  This only effects the county portion of your tax bill.  There will be no revenue increase or decrease from this proposal for the cities.

Claim #2. - This proposal will do away with Cities and create on large tax district in Gwinnett - This one really brought a chuckle.  There is nothing in this proposal that would affect cities at all.  Period. Nope.  Our cities provide vital services to the citizens they serve.  We need our cities and value their contribution to Gwinnett County.

Claim #3 - This proposal will lead to high density apartments - Exactly the opposite is true!  Apartment owners will not get the break on property taxes - only resident homeowners.  And apartment renters will still have to pay the additional sales tax.  They receive no break.

Claim #4 - The HOST leads to lots of cheap housing - Again, FALSE. - The HOST will actually raise the price of the home a family can afford as less will be going towards the tax payment, more can go to the actual mortgage payment.  So, HOST will lead to an INCREASE in the price of a home someone can afford, thereby raising the bar once again.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July.

Lorraine

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