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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Nearly a year after Washington County officials implemented an increase to the current tax rates, county residents are now circulating a petition requesting it be reversed as they say its effects have been crippling.
The Washington County budget committee unanimously recommended the 30-cent increase in June of 2024 to help offset costs of increasing county expenses due to growth.
The implementation resulted in a 21% increase in property taxes after it was approved by the county commission, but residents had already been hit with an increase as residential appraisal values had risen over that year, making the additional increase that much more burdensome.
According to the county, the tax increase will generate more than $15 million for the general budget, though many residents seem to be dissatisfied with the management of county funds, as Washington County was one of the most severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024 and some citizens are still fielding the aftermath.
Karen Nelson, a signer and advocate for the petition, said, “We just feel like that tax was very much over the top. It was 21%, plus they doubled the appraisals on homes at a time when we were already struggling from the flood.” She elaborated, “Everyone I spoke to tells stories of how their house payments went up, the elderly, how you know, it’s just too much for them to try to do and that’s why I’m a voice for them. My hope is that we can come together as a county as counties and work together on this for the betterment of all the people.”
Petition sponsor and mediator Keven Vrotney believes that helping to control overall spending would help realign priorities so the tax rate can be reduced.
“If we can reduce the spending, we can get rid of the frivolousness and get it more efficient we can bring things back down and we can reduce the tax rate,” Vrotney said.
Not only is petition is asking for the tax reversal, but the document also requests a cap on all future tax increases along with several additional provisions including:
– Stopping unnecessary spending of tax dollars on unneeded projects to subsidize developers and inflate property values.
– Proposing an “environmental impact” fee of 5% on new homes to help pay for the expansion of county infrastructure and services.
– Using independent auditors to establish a Washington County DOGE.
State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City- District 3) added his name to the over 1,200 signatures the petition has gathered, though he clarified he was not supportive of the entire document as it stands.
In a written statement to News 5 he said, “I’m certainly not in agreement with all that is stated in the petition, but I did join my fellow Washington County neighbors in expressing my disappointment in the increase in property tax. I know it was a tough decision for our commissioners, but it comes at a time when real estate is sky high and has risen, I think, unreasonably in many cases.”
Crowe further expressed that he has received more concerns over the tax increase than any other issue this year.
A group of supporters plan to plead their case at the next upcoming county commission meeting.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
I wish them success.
If you are unfortunate enough to also live in Johnson City, you received another huge property tax increase to match the county’s. Over 40% total.