Supervisor says future tax hikes may not be needed
By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
September 13, 2004
A first-term member of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors said today he is optimistic about future spending plans for county government.
District 1 Supervisor Eddie Harper told members of the Council of Governments that while county residents could see a 6.9 percent increase in their taxes this year, similar increases may not be needed next year.
Lauderdale County officials are expected to meet today to discuss a proposed 6.9 percent property tax increase for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. Officials could propose a lower, 5 percent increase.
Lauderdale County supervisors have been working for several weeks on the county's $41.9 million budget for the next fiscal year. Supervisors are expected to approve the budget this month.
Supervisors have scheduled a public hearing on the budget and the possible property tax increase for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Raymond P. Davis courthouse annex of the Lauderdale County courthouse.
County officials have said a 6.9 percent tax increase would generate about $1.2 million. The board of supervisors is still facing about $2.5 million in added expenditures for the next fiscal year.
District 3 Supervisor Craig Hitt defended the county's proposed increase in property taxes and told COG members that much of the increase is out of supervisors' hands.
He said that state funding for bridges has been cut, the state has mandated employee pay raises that the county must fund and that county officials will have to fund an extra pay day for its employees.
Harper agreed. And he said he believes the 6.9 percent tax increase, along with the Lauderdale County School Board's proposed increase, would cost the average taxpayer about $14 extra next year.
