A resolution calling for a 17 cent decrease in the new Greene County property tax rate has been submitted for next week’s meeting of the Greene County Commission.
The resolution, sponsored by Commissioners Larkin Clemmer, Chase Murray, and Lyle Parton, would set the tax levy at $1.48, instead of the $1.65 that was approved in July. The Commission approved the 30% property tax increase to fund raised for all county employees, except school system teachers and workers. The increase passed by a vote of 12 in favor, 9 against. All three sponsors of the new resolution voted against the increase last month.
The resolution says the County Commission should rescind the previous resolution and pass a new resolution to adjust and low the tax rate to help the 74,000 citizens of Greeneville and Greene County. The sponsors state in the resolution that their more modest tax increase would raise approximately $4.35 million, which would more than fund the allocated employee pay raises. The resolution also calls for moving $2 of the Wheel Tax to the Volunteer Fire Departments.
The proposal also calls for discussions on the remaining spending, and addressing them either through budgetary cuts or by using the General Fund balance, or a combination of both. The full tax increase last month raised around $7.9 million.
Those voting in favor last month were Commissioners Kathy Crawford, Robin Quillen, Brad Peters, Jason Cobble, Teddy Lawing, Hoot Bowers, Paul Burkey, Nick Gunter, Jan Kiker, John Waddle, Jeffery Bible, and Tim Smithson.
Voting against were commissioners Tim White, Larkin Clemmer, Pamela Carpenter, Bill Dabbs, Chase Murray, Josh Arrowood, Lisa Anderson, Gary Shelton, and Lyle Parton.
The County Commission meets Monday at 6PM at the Greene County Courthouse.
