Commission passes 2.68 tax rate

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Cannon County Commission passed appropriations and set a 2.68 tax rate for for 2015-16 during a special meeting Monday (Aug. 31).


The appropriations resolution passed 6 to 4. Voting in favor of the resolution were Commissioners Mark Barker, Todd Hollandsworth, James Holloway, Glenn Steakley, Richie Hunter and Adam Melton.


Voting against the measure were Commissioners Russell Reed, Karen Ashford, Jim Bush and Brent Bush.


The tax rate was approved by an identical 6 to 4 vote. Commissioner Barker moved for acceptance. His motion was seconded by Adam Melton.
Glenn Steakley, a member of the commission's budget committee, explained the need for a tax increase.

"While a member of the Cannon County Audit Committee, I began observing the financial woes of our county beginning in 2011. I watched as your county's General Fund was drained from $1.34 million in 2009 to a mere $106,000 at the end of the 2014/15 fiscal year, ending on June 30th," Steakley said.
That represented a 90+% reduction in the General Fund, he explained.

"The hole that has been dug is deep. But, all is not lost. This term has been quite challenging for this commission. I am confident that, with this new group of commissioners, we can get our financial deficiencies back on track," Steakley said.

"This proposed budget is the result of searching every avenue of cost savings and revenue distribution. I am of the belief that property tax is the most unfair tax that can be levied on a citizen," he continued.


The Budget Committee apparently felt the same and they agreed to first seek revenues from other areas before supplementing with a property tax including a wheel tax increase, he said.


See the Sept. 8 edition of The Cannon Courier for complete coverage of the issue.

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Members Opinions:
September 02, 2015 at 8:47am
Many rural counties find themselves with the same problem this year. It is a tuff decision for many to have to make. Wonder what percentage of county citizens really pay property taxes. Wheel tax buyers is probably much higher so the increase there may not have a good chance of passing.
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September 05, 2015 at 10:45am
Until the County Commission looks at, discusses and revises the ENTIRE county budget then no one in their right mind should vote to increase the Wheel Tax or the Sales Tax.

There are thousands of dollars that could be saved before we ever reach the point of increasing taxes just to simply pad the General Fund.

Everyone who thinks we will reduce the Property Taxes by 13 cents if a Wheel Tax and a Sales Tax increase pass needs to call me because I have some ocean front property you might be interested in!
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September 05, 2015 at 4:41pm
I agree Cory. You hit the nail on the head. Let's all get behind the commissioners that have the backbone to stand up for what's right, the ones that actually question this sketchy budget and show them our support. Also, I own some beach front property in Cannon County that I will have to sell if the taxes keep going up!!
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