CLEVELAND, Tenn. - For the third time since April, the Bradley County Commission has shot down a proposed tax hike, intended to fund debt service for rebuilding Lake Forest Middle School, for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
On Monday evening, a 10-cent property tax increase, proposed by Commissioner Thomas Crye, failed to receive a second motion to even put the matter to a vote in a packed courthouse where a number of people held up signs urging commissioners to vote against any property tax hike.
"If we can't support our children's education after everything we can for the animals and the prisoners, then we have a problem with our priorities," said Crye, who described himself as a "compassionate conservative, and not a radicalized conservative, like some in our midst."
Several commissioners voiced opposition to any tax increase, including Commissioner Dan Rawls, founder of the Tea Party of Southeast Tennessee, who issued a "legislative call to action" by email and social media last week.
Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, who did not include a tax increase in the budget proposal, has repeatedly told commissioners that a tax hike is not necessary at this time.
Even if construction begins next spring on a comprehensive makeover of Lake Forest Middle School, bond payments will not have to begin until the fall of 2016, he said.
In June, the Bradley County Commission voted 7-6 to approve a 10-cent property tax hike, which was also proposed by Crye. Eight votes were needed to pass the hike.
Bradley County's tax rate remains at $1.8721 per $100 of assessed property value. Increasing the rate to 1.9721 would amount to a bump of $37.50 a year tax on a a $150,000 home.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.