Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1479628
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 | maconmagazine.com 31 W e sat down with Mayor Lester Miller to get the 411 on the Other Local Option Sales Tax (OLOST). If approved by the voters of Macon-Bibb County, the OLOST would add a penny on the dollar for purchases and help fund government services such as public safety and emergency services, road repair, street cleanup, park maintenance and more. What is an OLOST? OLOST stands for Other Local Option Sales Tax, and it's a 1 percent sales tax that can be used for operating the government. By law, we would have to roll back the millage rate — thus reducing property taxes — by an amount equal to what was collected. It becomes revenue neutral. Will we be paying higher taxes? No. With an OLOST, your property taxes for the consolidated government will be reduced by an estimated 7-8 mills, or about 40 percent. Since it's a sales tax that everyone pays, whether or not they live here, the tens of thousands of people who come to our county every day for work, entertainment, food, gas, shopping and more — and use our services like roads, public safety, sidewalks and parks — will help pay for those services. LOCAL BUZZ LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OLOST Since we live here, will we still pay more of that sales tax than visitors? No. A study conducted in 2009 using Department of Revenue figures showed that more than 70 percent of a penny sales tax comes from people living outside of Macon-Bibb County. With an OLOST, you'll be getting a reduction in property taxes and paying only 30 percent of the same amount collected. How will the funds be used? The money we get from an OLOST will help support public safety with the new annual incentive program, and provide funding for new and successful initiatives like Clean Streets Matter, Blight Fight, Macon Mental Health Matters and more. When can we vote? The vote for the OLOST to reduce our property taxes is Nov. 2. Early voting begins Oct. 12. Check the Georgia Secretary of State's website for details and updates: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do Besides lowering our property taxes, what will the OLOST do for us? By having one of the lowest millage rates in the region, Macon-Bibb will be more competitive for businesses to open and hire more people, new industries to locate here and attract more people to live here. Why haven't we had this option before? In Georgia, an OLOST is only available to consolidated governments. Becoming Macon-Bibb County in 2014 opened this up to us, but then a public vote to have one is only possible if the state legislature allows it. This has been discussed for the past several years, but this year our Commission unanimously supported asking the legislative delegation for this chance. As a new administration and Commission speaking with one voice, that earned trust that we would follow through on our promises. What about people who rent? A study of Columbus-Muscogee County rent rates since it adopted an OLOST showed that, over time, rent rates dropped. If we're charging the property owners less on their millage rate, that would free up funds to make improvements on those properties and allow them to reduce rates. How do we know property taxes will be reduced? State law already required a rollback of property taxes for a penny sales tax like this, but it was strengthened in the legislation passed for us to vote on an OLOST. Early voting begins Oct. 12. Contact Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections for locations and information. Check voter information here: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do M acon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) has been nationally recognized for its organizational effectiveness, transparency and accountability in economic development. MBCIA received an exclusive accreditation by the International Economic Development Committee (IEDC) and is one of only 67 organizations in the United States that has the honor of being an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Earning the status comes after a comprehensive peer review process consisting of two phases by IEDC — a documentation review and an onsite visit. Becoming an AEDO reenforces the dedication and commitment of every employee, board member and strategic partner of MBCIA to make Macon-Bibb County a competitive and successful environment for new and existing industry. Georgia is the number one state to do business for seven years running, and Macon works to make it possible for industries to grow by maintaining relationships with stakeholders on the local, state and national levels, attracting new business investment to Macon-Bibb County. MBCIA and strategic community partners create a business-friendly climate that results in an increased tax base for the county. Catalyzing job growth and strengthening corporate infrastructure at its various industrial parks are vital elements to its successful economic development record. MBCIA celebrates 60 years of making opportunities in 2022. LOCAL BUZZ MACON-BIBB COUNTY INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY ACCREDITED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL