While the City of Crossville budget for the upcoming year still remains in flux, the council has approved two of three required readings listed as “in title only” and a final vote to decide on a possible property tax increase is scheduled for June 29 in a special called meeting.
The Council held their public hearing on the budget/tax rate June 9th before their regular June meeting and one local businessman Darrin Stryker spoke out against the increase. Stryker pointed out that city taxpayers, and especially business owners have had a very difficult few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also pointed out that the city currently has a $12 million rainy day fund. “If this isn't considered a rainy day, I'd like to know what is,” he commented.
Stryker said he represented United Country Real Estate and the Chestnut Hill Winery, both businesses in the city.
Following Stryker's comments, City manager Greg Wood explained that he had cut $5.5 million out of the budget. He added that the reason the tax increase is in there is that a study showed that city employees were paid 61 percent below what they should be paid, and that increase was not funded. Wood explained that originally a 10 cent increase was proposed but that was scaled back to 5 cents.
The council approved the tax rate and budget during the regular meeting agenda. The council will be meeting with a bond consultant later in the month as they consider borrowing some funds for capital improvements and to ease the cash flow giving them some breathing room.
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