Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

County executive defends property tax increase




 

 

I have read the political rhetoric that has followed our County Commissions 15 to 7 decision to invest in our countys future by increasing the county property tax rate with several emotions.

First, I cant imagine any elected official who was remotely engaged was unaware of the discussions for more than a year regarding the tax rate and possibility of a tax increase. It was even discussed prior to the primary elections in May and used in many political mailers, so its really hard to convince me that it was a surprise to anyone; especially someone who ran for office.

Second, I cant understand the argument promulgated by some against the increase that it was unlawful. The ads were placed in the paper according to state law. The tax rate was discussed in at least four commission meetings and committee meetings between May and November. Commissioner Vaughn conveniently left out the fact that he didnt attend meetings in August and September because of a vacation and a dinner with his wife. Maybe thats why he felt uninformed because he wasnt at the meetings the people elected him to attend.

Last, several commissioners voted to approve the County and School Budgets but didnt vote to approve the tax increase. Its always easy to vote to spend money, but extremely tough to generate the revenue. Washington is full of people who do the same thing every year and that type of fiscal irresponsibility landed our great country in the greatest recession in history. I may be a simple, country guy but I believe if you pass a budget that spends money you should be willing to pay for it.

I realize no one likes a tax increase, especially me. But responsible government means making decisions based on what you know is the right decision for the long-term health of the county you were elected to serve.

I don’t believe that any of our County Commissioners wanted a tax increase or sought to be elected specifically for that purpose. They all sought election to help our county government make sound, fiscally responsible decisions and invest in the long-term growth and health of our county.

During their November 3, 2014 meeting, the majority of our Commissioners reviewed the financial commitments the previous County Commission had already made with approved budgets and assessed our countys long-term needs. They realized that increasing the countys revenue was the only option that made long-term fiscal sense.

We did not want to have to go through another round of impossible choices of deciding what services to cut, reduce or eliminate all together. Instead, we made the difficult decision to increase taxes in order to invest in our countys needs.

This is not an unnecessary increase intended to create a blank check for our county government and for our School Board to spend. Commissioners were told how every single penny would be spent prior to their Nov. 3 vote.

Anthony Holt is the current Sumner County executive. He was reelected to a four-year term in August.

The first six cents of the increase are necessary to address the revenue problems created by our tax assessors inexplicable reduction in property values. The State Board of Equalization has referenced Mr. Isbells work on the reappraisal as unprecedented. The state board was unanimous in finding that. Mr. Isbells changes in reducing property valuations lacked any documentation.

The additional pennies on the tax rate will be used to cover gaps in funding the county budget adopted by the previous County Commission, school budget needs, financing the operating costs of a new elementary school already under construction, and funding necessities such as additional School Resource officers and a new Judge. Also, money was allocated to debt service to enable the county to issue bonds for the construction of new school buildings and capital projects to serve our ever expanding population.

The majority of these expenses were budgeted and committed to by our previous fiscally responsible County Commission with no attempt made to increase revenue or make corresponding reductions in the countys budget, leaving our newly elected Commissioners holding the bill.

Lastly, I want to address the false assertion that the vote to set the tax rate was somehow taken unethically or in secret.

This vote was taken during an open public meeting that was properly noticed in accordance with state law and county procedures. The decisions made during our November 3, 2014 meeting were the results of months of discussions that were had in numerous public meetings of our County Commission and its committees.

In addition, the school district and county budgets had previously been approved and were readily accessible online.

Any Commissioner who says this vote was sudden is being politically opportunistic or has simply not been paying attention over the past year.

To say a decision that you simply disagree with was made unethically or illegally is not just an irresponsible attempt at sensationalism, it is simply a lie.

I want to thank all the County Commissioners who cast their vote to invest in the needs of our county. They were faced with a very difficult choice and they ultimately chose to make the right decision for our taxpayers and for our future here in Sumner County.

I am proud of what we are doing in our county government and the opportunities we are creating here in Sumner County for all our great citizens.

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