The Root of the Property Tax Burden

For months, residents across Tallapoosa have voiced their frustration and confusion over one issue that affects nearly everyone, the sharp increase in property taxes. Many families have felt the strain in their monthly budgets, and small business owners have seen their costs climb without a clear answer as to why.

The truth is, the root of this problem is actually very simple.

The Real Reason Taxes Keep Rising

Every city must generate enough revenue to fund essential services, police and fire protection, road maintenance, parks, utilities, and day-to-day operations. For Tallapoosa, that money primarily comes from two groups: residents and local businesses.

When our city grows, when new families move in, when local businesses expand, and when investors choose to build here, the cost of running the city is spread across a larger group of taxpayers. That’s how cities keep property taxes stable and affordable.

But when growth slows or stops, the opposite happens. The same services still need funding, yet the number of taxpayers doesn’t grow. That means the financial burden falls on the same group of people year after year, you.

And that’s exactly what’s happened in Tallapoosa.

How “Brett’s Building Codes” Made It Worse

Many residents have asked, “What do Brett Jones’s 2021 Building Code changes have to do with my property taxes?”

The answer: Everything.

When these codes were adopted, they drove up the cost of building, remodeling, and even maintaining properties in Tallapoosa. Builders, developers, and small business owners quickly realized that it was cheaper and easier to build elsewhere, in places like Bremen, Buchanan, or Carrollton, where the same projects cost far less to complete.

As a result, Tallapoosa missed out on four years of growth. That means four years of new homes that weren’t built, four years of businesses that never opened, and four years of additional tax revenue that could have helped offset the city’s expenses.

The outcome is simple: fewer taxpayers sharing the cost, and higher property taxes for everyone left footing the bill.

Growth Doesn’t Mean Building New

It’s important to understand that fixing this problem isn’t just about new construction or massive developments. Growth doesn’t always mean building something new.

We can generate the same revenue, and in many cases, even more, by restoring and revitalizing what we already have.

Empty storefronts, neglected buildings, and underused properties can be brought back to life. Every time a vacant property becomes active again, whether it’s a renovated home, a reopened business, or a revitalized downtown space, it strengthens our tax base, supports local jobs, and helps reduce the burden on everyone else.

A city that focuses on smart restoration and responsible growth can thrive without losing its character or small-town charm.

The Cost of Short-Sighted Leadership

The 2021 Building Codes were more than just a policy mistake, they were a major setback for Tallapoosa’s future. They discouraged growth, hurt small business owners, and increased costs for residents.

When leadership fails to see how these decisions connect to the city’s financial health, the result is what we’re living through today: higher taxes, fewer opportunities, and stagnation.

It’s not enough to manage the city year-to-year; Tallapoosa needs a plan that looks ahead, one that invites opportunity, improves efficiency, and makes better use of what we already own.

The Choice on November 4th

Before you step into the voting booth on November 4th, ask yourself:

Can Tallapoosa afford another four years of Brett Jones as Mayor?

Because if we keep repeating the same mistakes, the outcome will never change , and property taxes will keep climbing.

It’s time for new leadership that sees the full picture. Leadership that focuses on growth, revitalization, and responsible management of city-owned assets. Leadership that works to make every tax dollar count.

Together, we can strengthen our city, restore our foundation, and reduce the burden on Tallapoosa’s families and small businesses.

Joe Glass for Mayor

The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth.