The 34-cent property tax increase included in Mayor Jim Coppinger’s proposed 2020 budget drew a plethora of residents to speak to the Hamilton County Commission for the second week in a row.
At Wednesday’s agenda planning meeting, 10 citizens spoke to the commission during public comments, pleading for or against the tax, which will be voted on in two weeks. The crowd, which consisted of educators, members of the clergy and property owners from the county, had varied responses, with seven in favor of the tax and three opposed.
Passionate pleas came from principals of three area schools, a former teacher, a pastor and concerned parents, including Suann West, the parent of a Soddy Elementary School student with autism.
“My son has flourished because of special education staff and through being integrated in a general education classroom,” West said through tears, describing how the integration program at Soddy had helped her son communicate and even sign a Mother’s Day card for her for the first time.
“Currently children with special needs are being bused long distances because their home school does not offer a trained special education staff. The budget increase will ensure that all special education students can attend a home zone school and their needs will be met through a trained special needs staff and integration in a general ed classroom.”