Proposed Bradley County budget keeps same property tax

photo Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis stands at the Bradley County line.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - A proposed Bradley County budget with no tax increase but a small pay increase for county employees now is in the hands of county commissioners.

The 1.6 percent salary increase would be the first for county employees in three years.

County Mayor D. Gary Davis handed out draft copies to county commissioners Monday. The commission's finance committee will review the proposal Friday.

The county property tax rate is $1.79 per $100 of assessed value plus a fire tax rate based on location.

BY THE NUMBERS

Proposed increases by departments, excluding raises and insurance adjustments• $376,000 - County Justice Center• $152,000 - Sheriff's Office• $30,000 - Coroner/Medical examiner• $14,000 - Juvenile services• $1,500 - Juvenile detention• $1,000 - Emergency managementSource: Bradley County Mayor's Office

The proposed budget for the fiscal year 2011-12, which begins July 1, shows a slight increase in projected revenue.

"It's going to take time for the industrial growth we've seen in the past year or two to be transformed into revenue for the county," Davis said in a statement about the budget. "This is why my overall budget proposal reflects only a slight increase over last year."

If adopted as written, the general fund budget would be nearly $31.8 million, 2.4 percent above the current budget. It would meet the county's policy of maintaining a 10 percent reserve fund balance, according to Davis.

The county schools budget has a $1.8 million increase plus more than $1 million in state education funding, according to Davis.

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The proposed budget includes community development funds and capital projects as well as money to meet previous commitments made to Whirlpool, Wacker Chemical and the APD 40 interchange near exit 20 to Interstate 75.

Lynn Burns, finance director in the county mayor's office, said Wednesday the commission can make changes. Commissioners are scheduled to hear any appeals from county government departments on June 20. If any changes are made, new budget copies will be made June 27 and the proposed budget published on June 28.

The commission's calendar calls for a budget vote on July 5.

Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.

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