Crossville resident Darrin Stryker said the city’s proposed property tax hike is unfair to residents dealing with difficult economic times.
Stryker was the lone speaker at Tuesday night’s public hearing on the budget. As currently constructed, the budget includes a five-cent property tax increase.
“To stick it to the people of the city of Crossville and say ‘hey, we need yall to make up this money’ when they’ve gone through the same exact thing that all the businesses have gone through here, is the wrong time,” Stryker said.
Stryker said the city should use some of its $12 million rainy-day fund to make up this year’s budget shortfall.
“If what we have been through is not considered a rainy day, I’d like to know what is,” Styrker said.
City Manager Greg Wood said $5.5 million has already been cut out of the budget. Wood said the city’s risks its long-term health by putting off a property tax increase.
“When you don’t do it, you’re just continuing to kick things down the road, projects that need to be done have been delayed, Wood said.
Wood said the average taxpayer would see an increase of about $2 per month.
Council members approved a second reading of the new fiscal year budget and the tax rate Tuesday. A third-reading of the budget must be completed before the end of the month. Mayor James Mayberry said discussion will continue among staff and council members.
