Augusta taxpayers face new fees as they pay tax bills

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – With their tax bills in hand, they came to pay, but with new fees that could impact the family budget.

“Oh, yes a whole lot. It’s going to take a lot out of my pocket and out of my household,” said Beatrice Boles.

Going on this year’s tax bills, the commission approved fee increases for garbage and streetlights.

It has the phone ringing like it hasn’t in years at the Tax commissioner’s office.

“If you’ve been calling my office and had a hard time getting us on the phone, it’s probably because we had more calls than I remember over the past 13 years,” said Chris Johnson Richmond County Tax Commissioner.

$54 dollar increase for trash service, a new $45 dollar fee for people who have no lights on their street and as much as a $295 dollar street light fee for previously exempt properties.

Tasha Martin is now paying that new $45 dollar streetlight fee on top of the new trash fee.

“I know everything is going up but this is insane. It hurts, especially when we work hard for what we do have, and every year you see the taxes go up,” said Martin.

The new streetlight fees for churches, up to nearly $3,000 dollars, have pastors not feeling blessed.

“At this time I’m pastoring a small church who’s struggling now. It’s not going to be good for us because we’re already hurting,” said Reverend Larry Fryer.

But, like it or not, taxpayers have bills to pay and new fees to cover.

“Yeah, we are concerned but what can we do about it, you know? It’s the good old boy system. It is what it is,” said Anthony Williams.

They are paying for services but many without a smile.

In Augusta George Eskola, WJBF NewsChannel 6.