RINGGOLD, Ga. – The Catoosa County Commission voted Wednesday night to increase property taxes by about 10 percent.
The elected officials voted 4-1 to approve a $1 million increase in the budget, bringing expenses and revenue up to $25 million for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The one holdout on the budget vote, Commission Chairman Keith Greene, did not explain his reasoning.
For someone owning property in the county worth $125,000, the new budget will cost them an extra $31 a year, assuming he or she has a homestead exemption. School taxes in the county are remaining the same this year.
The biggest increase in the budget comes from the opening of a state court that will handle misdemeanors and some civil cases. The court, which is supposed to speed up the judicial process for the whole county and save money on jail expenses, will cost the county about $500,000.
The commissioners also approved a cost-of-living increase for county employees that will cost about $310,000. In addition, the county is giving the fire department about $200,000 more, allowing a new chief to potentially add more full-time firefighters when he or she steps in next year.