Which Southeast Tennessee counties fritter away residents’ money most recklessly? Which area counties spend tax dollars most responsibly?
In order to answer those questions, the Free Press determined the per capita county government spending for 14 counties in Southeast Tennessee using numbers obtained from current county budgets and U.S. Census Bureau county population estimates.
After the data was compiled, one reality was clear: No Tennessee county in our area spends more money per person than Sequatchie County. The rural county of about 14,000 residents is on target to spend more than $36.2 million this fiscal year — more than $2,500 per person. Roane County, the county with the next highest per capita county government expenditures, spent almost $500 less per resident annually than Sequatchie.
The revelation of Sequatchie County’s exorbitant spending comes at the same time that leaders there are presenting residents with an ultimatum: Either vote to implement an annual wheel tax of $20 per vehicle or face a property tax increase. Astonishingly, Sequatchie County Executive Keith Cartwright and many county commissioners apparently don’t believe the county spends enough money currently and needs more in the future — an absurd claim given that Sequatchie’s government spends 48 percent more per person than the average Southeast Tennessee county government.
Counties fill their coffers in a number of ways, including various county taxes and fees, state grants, school funding and road money, and even various federal handouts. They also have plenty of ways to spend the local, state and federal tax dollars they bring in, ranging from necessities like schools and public safety to discretionary expenses including grants to charitable organizations and corporate welfare giveaways.