By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—After review of the 2017-2018 budget, the Henry County Commission recessed its Monday night meeting until next week for formal approval to allow proper public notice of a proposed three cent property tax increase. The next meeting is set for 7 p.m. June 29, at the courthouse.
As presented by County Mayor Brent Greer, the tax rate would increase from the current $2.0621 per $100 of assessed property value to the new rate of $2.0921. Greer said all of the three cent increase will be applied to the county’s general fund, which would be a little over $12M.
Greer noted that the average Henry County residential property is assessed at $90,000. He said that average homeowner would be paying $7.51 more in taxes under the tax increase.
According to the budget review, the other county departments, including county schools, debt service, highway department and solid waste, will stay at the same tax rate they are currently.
Greer said the proposed budget was recommended by the county budget committee, a task it did not enjoy. “The budget committee does not enjoy bringing a budget to us calling for a tax increase, but sometimes it’s just necessary,” he said, noting that he has been forecasting the possible need for a tax increase at the past several commission meetings.
“I’m confident this is the right thing to do,” he said.
In other business during the commission meeting:
— The panel set a new public records policy that requires any open records requests go through the County Mayor’s office, which will direct them to the proper agency or department.
–The commission also conducted first reading on the list of non-profit organizations which will be receiving county funds. The total amount is some $100,000.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin
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