2019-2020 budget unveiled
County residents could see 18.25-cent increase in property tax rate
It’s been speculated about and fussed over and fidgeted with.
Anderson County Budget Committee held a public hearing to unveil the 2019-2020 county budget Monday night before the monthly Anderson County Commission meeting.
Overall those who spoke Monday night, spoke in favor of the proposed tax increase with the caveat, “Do it for the kids” and increase funds for education.
The two who spoke against the proposed increase suggested the county needs to make more cuts rather than raise taxes.
Eugene Chaney of Andersonville said the county needs to “sell the Ford building” and have deputies write more speeding tickets — especially in the Andersonville area.
The 2019-2020 plan calls for a 18.25-cents property tax increase, setting the property tax rate just shy of $3 ($2.9728) per assessed $100 in value.
If the budget passes as presented it will be the first property tax increase in three years.
The General Fund estimated revenue and other sources is $29,031,170.
Th estimated expenditures and other sources is $29,913,426.
The General Fund budget is balanced by taking $853,256 from fund balance reserves. The Budget Committee warned, however, that drawing from reserves is not sustainable over a long period of time.
Notable increases:
• 6.75-cents for the Sheriff’s Office which will fund five new deputies and 12 new positions at the Anderson County Detention Center;
• 6-cents for schools that will be used for capital outlay projects and employee raises.
• 3-cents will be used for cost of living increases for county employees.
• 1-cent to the Solid Waste fund, which will fund two full-time employees and help with increase in costs for waste management.
If the proposed property tax increase passes Anderson County Commission property owners would see a $46 increase per assessed $100,000 in valued property. At the current tax rate ($2.7903) property owners pay $697.48 per $100,000 assessment.