• Local politicians explained in detail how tax revenues are used to finance important services such as road maintenance, public safety and infrastructure.
• The aim of the session was to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application of taxes.
• Watch the video to see what students learned about taxes.

PROGRAMME SCRIPT

Over the past few weeks I have been following the tax changes in the Thomasville area.

Now, leaders in the region are making sure the next generation of taxpayers understands how the system works.

I get an insight into an important lesson that every student needs to know.

Bishop Hall High School students weren’t busy with textbooks today, but rather with a hands-on workshop on how taxes affect their community.

“I always thought taxes were stupid, but they’re not. They’re important, and without taxes you can have practically nothing,” Wiggins said.

Autumn Wiggins, a 17-year-old from Bishop Hall, says the workshop helped her understand the importance of taxes.

“Taxes finance many things that you don’t even think about. The most common tax you have to pay is on the purchase of food,” says Wiggins.

“Students often have no understanding of the institutions of government and the fact that they impose taxes on us for various reasons,” Rich said.

Jeremy Rich, a history teacher and county commissioner, tells me the workshop began three years ago when his students asked questions about taxes in his class.

This presentation explains how our local governments are funded by taxes, covering everything from schools to public safety and infrastructure.

“These things are critical to our development as a community. They impact our quality of life and standard of living, and they are also an important indicator of which major companies would be willing to move to Thomas County,” Rich said.

The students were surprised when they learned the actual costs, such as the cost of building a road or buying a fire truck.

“People think it’s a lot less than it actually is. But it’s just hundreds of thousands for the fire truck alone,” Grizzard said.

Blake Grizzard, a 16-year-old student, tells me that it’s about the everyday things we take for granted.

“If we didn’t pay taxes, you wouldn’t be able to pick up the phone and dial 911,” Grizzard said.

But most importantly, this workshop prepares students to be proactive and informed when it comes time to pay taxes themselves.

“When you move out of your parents’ house, you are not completely unprepared to have to pay taxes. When you know what you are paying, you don’t just look at your paycheck, see money gone, and wonder where it went,” Grizzard said.

Neighbors, if you are curious about how Thomas County government works, you can sign up for the Thomas County Citizens Academy. Registration is now open and the program begins each January.