Image Credit: Hawkins County News / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Hawkins County Commission passed their finalized budget for 2024-2025 on Monday after it was delayed due to concerns over proposed property tax increases.
Hawkins County Mayor Mark DeWitte says the new budget does include a property tax increase of .2299, just under 23 cents, instead of the 34-cent increase that was originally proposed.
The increase amount was lowered after opposition from several county commissioners, as well as residents and community organizations.
Also included in the budget is $1.5 million allocated to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office for salary increases. Sheriff Ronnie Lawson requested $1.7 million in funding earlier this month in an effort to retain employees.
He noted that he already had 11 unfilled positions and it was difficult to prevent employees from leaving for neighboring jurisdictions who offered higher pay.
According to DeWitte, a new position in the accounting and finance department and another in the emergency management department were cut in order to amend the budget.
He stated that the majority of the pay for those two positions would have come from eliminating part-time employee positions.
One Response
WHY do they always raise TAXES on property owners, and just look at who sets property rates. WHY should people keep paying more every year for the property they own, did the property grow is size. THIS IS a local government scam that has been going on for years.