Rhea County Commissioner Ronnie Raper.DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County commissioners will balance their new budget without a wheel tax or solid waste fee, but those revenue sources may appear later, commissioners indicated.
Meeting in a workshop session Monday, commissioners heard from Budget Committee Vice Chairwoman Emmaly Fisher that the panel recommended a $26 wheel tax, with revenue going to the county’s fund balance, and a $12 solid-waste fee to offset costs in that area.
Finance Director Bill Graham said the proposed budget has a $677,000 deficit, which would be covered from the county’s fund balance. Without more revenue, the fund balance would drop to about $389,000 by the end of the year, he said.
Commissioner Ronnie Raper suggested commissioners adopt the balanced budget and later consider steps to increase revenue.
“I’m not comfortable with $26 [wheel tax] because he [Graham] is not comfortable with it,” Raper said.