The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
According to our source, Rutherford County may have used COVID-19 relief funds to build six new public safety stations. “Hardened” facilities such as these that can be used for tornado shelters must be under the authority of the city where they are built and approved by the city council through a vote. Our source tells us that these facilities are being built or were built without any such approval.
Counties and cities have very separate responsibilities under state law. To prevent the needless waste of taxpayer money, the General Assembly put safeguards in place in order to prevent an unnecessary over taxation and duplication of services.
The Urban Type Public Facilities Act provides specific steps and guidelines a county must follow should they desire to expand urban type services into the rural sections of a county.
TCA 5-16-111 says that a county may not extend any public facilities within five miles of any part of the boundary of an incorporated city or town. TCA 5-16-101 through 5-16-112 has more detail regarding what is and isn’t allowed.
Rutherford County’s recent historic tax increase may be linked to this improper expansion of public services said our source.
The Rutherford County Commission voted 13-8 in favor of Mayor Joe Carr’s recommendation to increase property taxes in June, funding the county’s $849.8 million budget. After the Tennessee General Assembly voted against an impact fee of up to $5,000 on new residential construction within the county, Carr said the increase was the county’s best option for dealing with its $64 million deficit.
The tax increase of 16% is the biggest tax hike that residents have seen in nearly three decades. Rutherford County, now the fastest growing county in the state, last saw property taxes raised significantly in 1994. The county is currently ranked the 42nd fastest growing in the United States.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
