Janice Casteel
Cleveland Councilman Charlie McKenzieCLEVELAND, Tenn. – Cleveland’s state-certified property tax rate increased by 6 percent as a result of a state-mandated reappraisal.
City taxpayers also will pay an additional 12 percent increase to pay for more law enforcement and firefighting personnel, provide a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for city employees and maintain existing levels of service.
The two increases raised the property tax rate from $1.4904 per $100 of assessed value to $1.7655. The owner of a home appraised at $100,000 now will pay $441 per year, compared with $372 previously.
The Cleveland City Council approved the increases in a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Charlie McKenzie opposing.
“It’s just not the right time for an increase,” said McKenzie. “Most of my district is on Social Security, and the others just can’t afford it. The city is lucky to be where it’s at.”