Taxpayers showed up in big numbers for Tuesday evening’s joint public hearing on proposed property tax increase at the City-County building.
Taxpayer Lisa Colbert was especially critical of Southeast Community College’s proposed tax hike, “53% increase. That is what my taxes will be.” Colbert added, “It’s irresponsible. You are getting a windfall on our tax increase because our market values have gone up. You should be decreasing your spending to no more than 10% increase of revenue. We aren’t getting 10% when we get annual raises. Figure it out. ”
Earlier this week a broad coalition of business and commodity groups issued a statement about the proposed increases for several taxing entities. Those concerns and details are available here.
The public hearings were required under legislation passed in the last Unicameral. Elected boards and officials will no be tasked with making final budget decisions.