Story Update:
Video 1: Bryan Delius on taxes
Video 2: Part one of County Commission Meeting
Video 3: Part two of County Commission Meeting
Video 4: Part three of County Commission Meeting
Video 5: Part four of County Commission Meeting
Video 6: Part five of County Commission Meeting
Video files are large and may take some time to download.
The County Commission gathered at a special meeting on Monday night to debate and vote on increasing area property taxes.
After hearing an impassioned plea from a local resident to not raise the tax, the commission asked School Superintendant, Jack Parton, to speak on the impact of not raising the tax.
Parton stated, "...the school system would be in a dire situation..." without the additional funds that would come from the tax. He went on to say that, "...immediate layoffs would be required..." if the tax did not pass.
Seymour area commission Bryan Delius challenged his colleges to find a more suitable source of funds for the school. He proposed a mineral tax; additionally, Delius argued in favor for a wheel tax to help fund the school budget.
After debating the issue of raising the tax, the county commission voted in favor of raising Sevier County property taxes from $1.34 per $100 in assessed value to $1.54 per $100 in assessed value. This .20 increase will bring an estimated $2.3 million into the county coffers.
After voting to increase the property tax, the county commission then voted to approve $1.6 in non-profit donations from the county to area non-profits.
The current budget shortfall is largely due to the new BEP2.0 formula recently approved by the General Assembly.