Budget Committee Ponders Property Tax Hike

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Could there be a 5 or 10 cent increase in property taxes as a way to raise revenue? That's one of the ideas the Cannon County Budget Committee came up with Thursday night in order to raise County revenue.

After looking at the estimated ending fund balance of $14,714 for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, Chairman Mark Barker asked the committee if felt like they had been doing their job if they let the fund balance run down to $14,000.00 or should the committee address it here one year in advance and adjust the revenues some more.

Committee member James Adkins said, "I think that we're down to the point that any more cuts will cause the people here in Cannon County to hurt."

Barker added, "People want some amount of services, but they don't want extra services."

Barker then asked if there was any more cuts that could be made. The Pool and Community Center was mentioned as a possible cut, but after pointing out that it was a service to the community, it was decided that it just needs to be evaluated as to the hours they are open, and establish what the usage fee is for the public and adjust accordingly to get a better balance.

Raising the property tax 5 cents would bring in an additional $100,000 in revenue.

The ambulance service was mentioned as a concern. The two main issues with the Ambulance Service is the mileage costs that are billed to Medicare, and the number of calls the Ambulance Service is used is less than in other counties.

The Committee then looked at the Solid Waste Sanitation Department Budget.

Estimated Revenues through total local taxes came out to $396,865.00. Total Charges For Current Services totaled $18,500.00.  Solid Waste Grants for Waste Tires will be $2900 with total monies from other government and citizens groups at $50,000, bringing the overall total estimated revenues at $468,265.00.

Estimated Expenditures for the 2011-2012 fiscal year is $519,292, which means the County will be in the negative of $51,027.00.

County Executive Mike Gannon will look at Solid Waste and see what changes can be made.

The Cannon County Budget Committee will meet again on Tuesday at 6:00 at the Cannon County Courthouse to review the budget of the School System.

They will also meet Thursday of next week to make up their minds on what they are going to reccommend to the Cannon County Commission.  

Chairman Barker said that he appreciated the Committee's work on trimming the budget.

"It wasn't easy," he said, "but we've got it trimmed down for what I feel like it's the best we can do."

Barker asked the committee to be thinking within the next week what they can recommend to fund the budget.

The final act of the evening had the committee putting the funding back in the budget for the extra two guards requested in the jail department of the Cannon County Sheriff's Office.

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Members Opinions:
July 02, 2011 at 6:52am
Hey let's have a "SHOP IN WOODBURY FOR TAXES DAY" and just like the 'tax free back to school'

Just might help all of us to come home to shop.

Sarah Womack
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July 02, 2011 at 9:38am
Checking all license plates to make sure only those from Cannon County can dispose of their waste at the dump would be a good start. Every time I drop off a trash barrel, I see plates from Warren and Dekalb counties :/ Also, why is the county still allowing that trash pickup service from outside of Cannon County to dump their trash at the CC dump? Tell them to drive to Murfreesboro and pay! By lowering the amount of trash that leaves Cannon County by truck, that will lower the cost of sanitation disposal. Which means much more emphasis on explaining to people about the importance of recycling. If you eliminate food waste from your garbage, that will cut 25% of what gets hauled away! Composting your food scraps, recycling all your cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and steel cans as well as household tools would save this county alot of money in fees they pay to haul trash away. Plus, the compost could be used for making local gardens to encourage healthier eating habits while combating the 40% obesity rate our county is dealing with through increased health care costs. We need to think creatively to solve the municipal waste issues!!
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July 02, 2011 at 11:46am
We need a Wal Mart...We also need more recycling bins at the dump, Plastic is s biggie think about milk jugs, drink, water, and juice bottles, laundry detergent bottles, downy and bleach bottles. RECYCLE!!
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July 02, 2011 at 10:13pm
All of these ideas sound great. I am glad to see creative thinking from our Cannon County citizens. Maybe some action items put in a plan to curtail county expenses?
July 03, 2011 at 9:01am
If you want higher taxes, move to Murfreesboro.
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July 03, 2011 at 11:46am
Needs and wants are two different things. If you need a Walmart, you can drive to Mcminville, Smithville, Murfreesboro and shop there. Having a Walmart in Woodbury would destroy what little commercial business the downtown square gets and would close up most of the stores in town. It's important to support small local businesses which keep this county going (and this newspaper- with advertising). Chain stores and fast food places may provide jobs, but they also send all their profits out of town to their corporate headquarters. Have you noticed where the majority of trash along the highways around the county comes from? Your local favorite fast food place. :(
July 04, 2011 at 7:26am
Try raising court fees and fines to all those meth producers caught. Woodbury being a small town with mostly older families living on limited incomes will be hurt by higher taxes. Raise fines for littering and fine anyone found dumping garbage from out of county. Check the garbage and I bet you will find mail identifying the culprit. There should be a code of violation forillegal dumping and criminal trespass to charge those identified. Also have someone recording tag numbers when seen dumping from out of county residents. Be inventive and don't hurt those loyal to shopping in Cannon county.
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July 04, 2011 at 8:02am
those hurt WHEN these taxes ARE raised will be property owners.

these are great ideas. Blooeyes I have heard the discussion on checking plates and two points were brought up: first some people from out of county visit elderly family members in Cannon County and carry off their trash for them while here and secondly, if you refuse someone to dump they aare likely to litter our highways with garabage. I dont really agree with these senarios but do see their point.

There have been MANY issues with the dump. Maybe it is time to consider changing management to make it greener and more efficient. Run it like the half a million dollar business it is!
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