Greene taxpayers may face tax increase next year
Greene County Commissioner Farley Toothman said taxpayers could see an increase in county property taxes next year because of more than $1 million in additional spending that the county will incur in 2004. “We’re trying to manage it responsibly, but we’re not magicians,’ said Toothman, referring to the spending increases as “pressure talking points.’
Toothman said several additional significant impacts will affect the county next year. They include $86,000 for a general obligation payment for Meadow Ridge Industrial Park; $456,000 in coal value adjustment; a $300,000 increase in health insurance premiums; $175,000 for the county’s pension fund account; $25,000 increase in property insurance; $30,000 for capital improvements for the Ben Franklin Building; $30,500 for software for the treasurer’s office and personnel and $125,000 for comprehensive and airport planning. The total of new money includes $1,227,500.
Toothman said that he hasn’t calculated any amounts for additional items that should be funded, such as water and sewage projects or fire departments.
The county’s current millage rate is 5.42 mills, which is broken down as 4.77 mills for the general fund, .59 mills for the payment of debt service and .06 mills for the county’s libraries. Following a reassessment, the commissioners opted not to raise taxes last year.
This year may be a different story, said Toothman, noting the commissioners have to either “slash the budget by laying people off and cutting services or increase the millage.”
During Wednesday’s agenda meeting of the Greene County commissioners, a motion was approved by Toothman and Scott Blair to place approval of the 2004 budget on today’s agenda. Chairman Dave Coder was absent due to another commitment.
However, following the meeting, Toothman said he anticipates that the budget will not be voted on today. He said the budget meeting will probably be recessed until 9 a.m. on Dec. 9, to give the commissioners additional time to complete the county’s 2004 spending plan.
Coder is the only current commissioner who will be returning for another term. Blair lost a bid for re-election and Toothman opted not to seek a third term. Coder and incoming commissioners Pam Snyder and John Gardner will have to option of reopening the budget early next year.