Two of the three Hamilton County commissioners representing the East Hamilton area will hold community meetings to discuss the county’s proposed 49-cent tax increase.
District 8 Commissioner Tim Boyd will hold the first of four planned public meetings at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at East Ridge City Hall, 1517 Tombras Ave. Dates for meetings in East Brainerd, the Belvoir area and Missionary Ridge will be announced later, Boyd said.
Boyd has invited District 8 school board member Tucker McClendon to join him at the meetings.
The school board approved a budget on May 9 that requires $34 million in additional funding.
On May 7, County Mayor Jim Coppinger said the general county government, including the sheriff’s office, needs an estimated $15 million in new funding.
County Commission Chairman Sabrena Smedley and School Board Chairman Joe Wingate, both of District 7 in East Brainerd, will co-host a related community meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 28 at Shelter Church, 9516 East Brainerd Road.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with my constituents and getting their opinion and feedback,” Smedley said. “The majority of those I have heard from so far have expressed a true concern for shouldering the burden of another tax increase this soon.”
In September 2017, the County Commission raised taxes to fund $100 million in capital improvements.
District 9 Commissioner Chester Bankston said he has heard from and talked with many constituents, and he does not plan to hold a meeting.
“I haven’t heard from anybody who wants to talk about it, because they are all against it,” said Bankston.
Coppinger is expected to present the combined budget on June 7.