LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Homeowners living in Gwinnett County are going over finances, trying to come up with some extra cash after commissioners voted Tuesday to increase property taxes. It will cost homeowners about $13 to $25 more a month.

It is money homeowner Cheryl Garrett simply doesn't have.

“There will be no Christmas this year, no Christmas cards, no holiday celebrations whatsoever,” said Garrett.

Garrett is a 61-year-old widow living on a fixed income. She's already tightened her spending, and without being able to find a job, says the additional $13 a month will cripple her.

“When you're on a fixed income, that's a lot of money; it means you have to make a decision between buying your prescription drugs or groceries or gasoline for the car,” said Garrett.

Garrett has survived breast and colon cancer. She pays her mortgage and insurance with the money she gets from her late husband’s Social Security check. Utilities and groceries come out of savings.

“Every penny that gets taken out by taxes hurts me individually,” said Garrett.

The money raised by the tax hike will allow the county to return services to 2008 levels, increasing the number of police and keeping libraries and parks open. Garrett is all for that, but not at her expense.

“I don't know what I'll do when I have to pay my taxes next year. I don't know where that extra money is coming from,” said Garrett.

There is a public hearing on the 2010 budget next week.