By Daniel L. Bamberg
The Bibb County Commission recently composed a plan that according to Centreville City Attorney Mike Hobson will take away revenue, which comes from real estate tax from Centreville, Brent and West Blocton.
This will not affect Woodstock due to the town not having an ad valorem tax (tax based on the value of real estate and personal problem).
Hobson explained that the operation of the tax assessor’s office is apportioned to the county in the general fund under the current law. Meanwhile the tax assessor’s salary is covered by the proceeds rather than by the county itself.
Bibb County has proposed local legislation to prorate the operation of the tax assessor’s entire office. Hobson explained that the Act, which proposes this, was written and delivered to local state legislators. It will be placed on the agenda for the next session.
“If this passes it will cost the City of Centreville about $5,000 to $6,000 per year,” stated Hobson. “This money would then go to the county to help offset the costs of the tax assessor’s office.”
Hobson stated that the city needed to contact state legislators about their stance on the matter. He explained that the law could not be changed without required local legislation. This means it would not require a vote of the people.
Mayor Bamberg expressed great concern over this issue.
“I find it quite strange that the cities were not even contacted by the county about this matter” said Bamberg. “I have already contacted Senator Ward and he said we needed to also contact April and let her know where we stand.”
“The citizens of Centreville and the other cities or towns of Bibb County are also citizens of Bibb County,” explained City councilman Ken Cottingham. “Their tax money is paid to the county just as the citizens who don’t live within the country. They are already paying taxes to the county to do these things. This is double taxing the citizens who live within a city or town and is very unfair to them.”
Cottingham and the Mayor both suggested that citizens who were not pleased with this idea of “double taxing” should contact their individual commissioners to express themselves.
“You can contact the County Commission office by calling” (205) 926-3114 “ask for the County Administrator form information on who your commissioner is and how to contact him,” stated Bamberg.
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