Shelby Co TN: Tax hike clipped to 25 cents (it's for the children barf alert)

Shelby County commissioners shaved a proposed property tax increase to 25 cents Monday - a move that could leave government officials as well as taxpayers unhappy.

By a 7-6 vote, commissioners approved the tax rate on the second of three required readings.

The commission also approved the second reading of a plan to use rural school bonds to pay for a new high school in Arlington.

Those bonds, approved by a separate 8-5 vote, are expected to add another 5 cents to the tax increase for property owners outside the Memphis city limits.

Because the proposed tax rate is lower than the one discussed last week, Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton said painful spending cuts would be necessary for some essential government services.

Last week, the commission's budget committee discussed a 32-cent overall tax increase, plus the 5-cent school bond increase.

The reduction endorsed Monday would remove four cents previously earmarked for education and three cents for general government operations.

The superintendents of both the city and county school systems lobbied against the reduction of school funding. Both said their systems are already facing formidable budget deficits for the upcoming fiscal year.

"My purpose is not to lay a guilt trip on anybody," said city School Supt. Johnnie Watson.

On the other hand, commissioners also heard from citizens who considered the 32-cent increase too high.

One citizen, Claude Burdikoff, said county government could save money by eliminating expenses like grants provided to nonprofit organizations.

The overall county property tax rate would increase from $3.79 per $100 of assessed value to $4.04 per $100 of assessed value. (MY NOTE Shelby Co property tax is the HIGHEST in the state.)

With the school bond charge included, the new rate for non-Memphis residents would be $4.09.

The combined tax rate is lower than one agreed to last week in a deal struck between the commission's Democrats and Republican commissioner Tom Moss. Moss's support for the higher tax rate drew a harsh response from the leader of his political party. (My NOTE: Moss is a builder and OWNS 35 vaccant lots in the area the new HS will be built)

Before Monday's vote, the chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party sent an E-mail chastising Moss for joining Democrats in support of the 32-cent increase at last week's meeting.

Kemp Conrad, the party's chairman, said the E-mail, which went out to more than 1,000 addresses on the party's mailing list, was intended to pressure Moss into reconsidering his position.

Moss made the motion Monday to shave 3 cents from the proposed increase. After the vote, Moss said he was more concerned about striking the right balance between the county's needs and available revenues than political pressure from his party.

"It's certainly easy to take a position that 'I don't know any details, but no new taxes.'"

Conrad said the commission's ability to easily reduce 7 cents demonstrates how "loose and inefficient the budget process is."

Conrad said he's not sure whether a 25-cent increase is the best county officials can do.

Shelby Co TAX REVOLT

We have two week to work to get these commissioner minds right about a tax increase, and let them know we do not want a tax increase when there is no reason for one, since Shelby County take in over 900 million and only will spend 680 million.

Make copies of this list of numbers and give to friends and neighbors also e-mail the document to friends that will help stop this tax.

we need two commissioner to change there minds about a property tax increase, tell your friends and neighbors to call them night and day, let them know we had enough of there tax and spent philosophy, and we will not be taxed out of our homes. Remember its your money they are taking. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

county commission main number 901-545-4301

AC wharton mayor wharto-a@co.shelby.tn.us

Commissioners Addresses, Phone number

Marilyn Loeffel D.1 N 2017 Crown Cv. Crodova 38018 (901) 756-8396

Linda Rendtorff D. 1 519 S. Edgewood Apt 106 (Condo) 38104

John Willingham D.1 N 6189 Heather Dr. (901) Phone 682-0100 Cell 848-7427

Walter Bailey D.2 Y 50 N. Front st # 640 (901) 575-8702

Julian Bolton D.2 Y Magnolia Mound (901) 527-4222, 38103 119 S. Main (901) 312-5524

Office (901) 523-1222 E- Mail bollaw@aol.com Fax (901) 523-1999

Deidre Malone D.2 NS 533 N. Avalon st (901) 725-1013 Fax 278-0081

Joe Ford D.3 NS 1791 Netherwood Business (901) 948-7755

Michael Hooks D.3 NS 2143 East Parkway Business ((901) 278-1122

Cleo Kirk D.3 NS 1245 Semmes 38111 (901) 743-2233

Joyce Avery D. 4 N/Y(4%) E- Mail joyce @joyceavery.com Phone 377-3197

8465 Highway 70 Arlington tn.

David Lillard D.4 N/Y(4%) 8396 Briarcreek Germantown Law Office (901) 524 –5176

Tom Moss D. 4 commission office (901)-545-4301 Phone 754-0247 and 756-0277 Fax 754-0247 Cell 301-2923 2029 woodchase cordova

Bruce Thompson D.5 commission office (901) 545-4301

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.