In this time of economic recession and other financial stresses, obviously no government at any level should be seeking any tax increase.
So Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey commendably and realistically sought to cut a little spending here and there to accommodate a few desired spending increases, with the result of avoiding higher property taxes this year.
Mayor Ramsey said, “This is a no-tax-increase budget.”
That’s the way it should be.
The current county tax rate per $100 of assessed value is $2.7652.
The proposed budget calls for spending $638 million during the coming year.
Well over half of that – $371.9 million – will go to county schools. That’s the county’s most important responsibility.
There are many functions that local government must provide. It’s not easy to cover all desired spending in a time when the economy is not flourishing.
Hamilton County is fortunate that it has much industrial growth coming in the months ahead. We all should appreciate our economic growth, which will help provide greater tax collections without increasing tax rates.
We commend our county officials for their difficult, reasonable efforts to handle county finances.