Franklin County hears opposition and support at public hearings on budget, proposed property and meals tax increases

Franklin County held three statutorily required public hearings Thursday on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, advertised property tax rates and a proposed increase in the county meals tax, drawing roughly two dozen public speakers who sharply disagreed on whether to raise revenues.

The hearings featured a staff summary of the advertised budget and tax options and more than an hour of public comment. Brian Carter, deputy county administrator and chief financial officer, said the version advertised this spring would raise the real-estate tax rate by up to two cents from the current rate and increase the county meals tax from 4 percent to 6 percent; he also said a change in the county's health insurance plan will reduce costs by roughly $1 million. Carter said the baseline figure in the original proposed budget was about $185.2 million and that each penny on the real-estate tax produces about $1 million of revenue.

The debate cut along familiar lines: teachers, school staff and some residents urged modest tax increases to retain employees and maintain services, while small-business owners and other residents argued the increases would disproportionately harm low-income households and local restaurants.

Why it matters: the board is required by code to hold the hearings and wait seven days before adopting tax rates or the budget; no final action was taken at the meeting. The hearing is the central public opportunity to comment before the board votes at its next meeting.

County presentation and options

Carter told the board the…