Reforming property taxes, requiring voters to declare a political party and changing the equation that determines how counties assess impact fees topped the wish lists Monday of residents addressing local lawmakers.

About a dozen residents spent nearly two hours during Beaufort County's Legislative Delegation meeting telling area lawmakers the changes they want to see made during this year's session.

The most repeated request was to find a way to provide property tax relief for homeowners. Specifically, several residents touted a plan that would change the way property is reassessed to a method called "point-of-sale." Under that system, property would be reassessed only when sold, inherited or a major improvement is made.

Edie Rogers, who represented Beaufort in the state House of Representatives from 1996 to 2002, called on the local legislators to rally support to require voters to declare their political party.

"Why should somebody who's not a member of a party vote in a party election?" said Lady's Island resident Jim Bequette.

Beaufort County Councilman Peter Lamb, who represents Bluffton, asked area representatives to work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to change the way counties can assess road impact fees. The fees pay for the cost of increased demands on infrastructure caused by development.

Other residents asked lawmakers to support legislation that would allow homeowners to pay their property tax bills in increments and to oppose a bill that would require local governments to pay billboard companies if they force them to remove the signs.