Business tax

rates will stay the same in Coweta County this year, but next year could

be different.

The Coweta

County Commission unanimously approved keeping the rates Tuesday, but

said it would be willing to sit down and talk with the municipalities

and business community about the issue.

The issue set

off a firestorm of controversy last year when the commission doubled the

rates and raised the cap on the maximum tax bill from $3,000 to $12,000.

During Tuesday's

meeting, Joe Crain Jr. from the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce addressed

the board and asked the commission not to use the business tax money to

offset the operation of the government.

Crain said

he represented 680 business and it was getting tougher and tougher to

compete in the economic development field.

Commissioner

Vernon "Mutt" Hunter agreed there should be some equity in what

the cities and county charge, but said that would have to be addressed

next year.

"We've

gone to far in the budget process to do anything this year," he said.

Hunter said

he would welcome comments from the business community next year when the

issue is addressed with the cities.

Commissioner

Leigh Schlumper said she believed the commission rushed into a decision

last year when it doubled the rates, and is anxious to work with the cities

and business community next year on a compromise solution.