Our good friend David Fussell, chairman of the Duplin County Commission, has come out against the 1/2 cent local option sales tax and is still pushing for lower property taxes. Those of you going to the event this weekend will get a chance to meet Fussell at his Duplin Winery. Some great quotes:
“It’s another tax. I’m not sure that’s in our best interests.” – referring to the sales tax
“We have programs within the county that are non-essential and as
long as we continue to fund those, I think it is too much of a burden
to add another tax.
“I cannot vote for it if we continue to fund non-essential programs
not related to education, public safety or economic development.”
Commission Cary Turner made a comment that many other commissioners often make in NC that is simply not true. “We have people who come to this county and don’t pay anything (in
property tax).”
If you rent or own property or have a business, the price of goods and/or rental reflects the property tax burden. The vote of the commission was 5-1 in favor of supporting the 1/2 cent. But Sen. Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin) wanted a unanimous vote, without it, he pledged NOT to support the new tax.
