Walker County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield has advertised a property tax increase for the upcoming fiscal year, with bills coming out this fall.
The proposed increase varies depending on whether you are in the incorporated or unincorporated areas. Residents in incorporated areas will see a 2.189-mill increase, which is a 20-percent bump. Meanwhile, people in unincorporated areas will see a 2-mill increase, which is a 25-percent bump for them.
Whitfield will hold three public meetings for residents to voice their opinions on the issue:
- Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library
- Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Walker County Civic Center
- Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker County Commissioner's Office.
Last month, the county audit revealed that the local government is about $70 million in debt. This includes an $8.7 million bill to Erlanger Health System, based on a loan the hospital made to Hutcheson Medical Center made in 2011.
The county's current budget takes in about $22.5 million, with no money set aside for savings. Of that money, about $12.4 million currently comes from property tax revenues.
"We have a very high level of debt compared to our revenue stream, and our most recent audit shows we also have a negative fund balance of $7.5 million," Whitfield said in a statement this morning. "If we don't change course, it will take us decades to pay off these obligations, burdening our children and grandchildren with the missteps of the past."
Whitfield is also considering putting a sales tax referendum on the ballot. If passed, the funds from this 1-percent tax would be dedicated to road paving and other transportation projects.