Published: September 12, 2007 09:12 am         

EDITORIAL: Increase doesn’t benefit the tax payer

The proposed increase in both the collection of city, city school and county school taxes is just plain wrong. It’s that simple. Basically, it’s another tax and the last thing we need is another tax.

Attala County Tax Assessor/Collector Kempe Hodges, who has been collecting the city and the city school taxes since 1999, wants to raise the bar and go from two percent to five percent or in the county schools’ case from zero to five percent.

And why does he want to do this. Hodges wants a building to move his office into and wants to get raises for his employees.

Yes, he is too cramped and yes, the building is old and we’re sure his employees do need raises. If that’s the case, it’s the duty of the Board of Supervisors to supply him with adequate space.

In talking with other tax assessors around the state, most agree that they don’t know how Hodges could try to pull something like this off. While it may be “legal” to get a commission from the county schools, very few do.

Because who wants to be person who takes five percent from schools, who are already financially strapped as it is.

As for the city, if there is an agreement in place, Hodges should honor it.

If the city is willing to renogiate Hodges’ fees, then that’s their business.

But in the end, this is just a bad idea.

While Hodges may be well intentioned in his proposal, we suggest he find another way.