Tax increase seems like a done deal
I live in Red Bank and I just (I am ashamed to say) attended my first city commission meeting. The main topic was the resolution to raise the property tax rate by $0.16 per $100.00 of assessed value. This follows an increase in 2023 of 54%, when the rate went from $1.10 to $1.67. Then in 2025 all real estate was reappraised so the rate remained at $1.67. After, the tax rate was set at $1.13 per $100 of the new appraisal. Now commissioners have just set the new rate to $1.29.
The thing about having these meetings to receive input is, these meetings are held after department heads have already turned in their budget for 2027. After all of the number-crunching has been approved, the commissioners come to citizens for input on the new rate.
At this point in the process, does input from the citizens of Red Bank mean anything? The rate has already been set.
One other important fact. Out of all the residents of Red Bank, less than 25 showed up to the meeting. Of the six or seven that spoke, only one spoke for the rate increase. No wonder the board knows they can do anything they want and no one will protest.