Sullivan County commissioners on Thursday approved the county's fiscal 2025'126 appropriations and set a total property tax rate of 1.6129 after extended public comment and several amendments.

The commission voted to adopt the appropriations resolution (item 2), the nonprofit funding resolution (item 3) and the tax-levy resolution (item 1) in separate roll calls. The final tax breakdown adopted by the body allocated 0.63377 cents to the county general fund, 0.03728 cents to solid waste, 0.09071 cents to the highway fund, 0.59514 cents to the county school fund, 0.05100 cents to county capital projects and 0.02500 cents to debt service, for a total rate of 1.6129.

Why it matters: The meeting followed weeks of public concern about a countywide reassessment that increased home values for many residents and prompted dozens of callers and speakers at the commission meeting to urge commissioners not to raise tax rates. The final vote preserved the county's ability to meet obligations while narrowing debate over how to distribute revenue among funds.

Public comment highlighted local hardship and opposition to additional taxes. "This isn't just a tax hike. It's a financial rip current that will sweep away the economic footing of thousands of your constituents," resident Eric Spicer told commissioners, referencing the reassessment numbers he said are affecting low-income families. James Kiser, speaking later, urged the commission to "hold you accountable to wise, moral, and fiscally responsible decisions." Several other residents described individual assessment increases and urged commissioners to reject any tax increase.

Commissioners spent significant time debating two budgetary changes that drew public and internal attention. One amendment removed an $800,000 line-item appropriation for tourism from the lump-sum presentation in the budget document; sponsor Commissioner King and county staff said the change was intended to require quarterly appropriation steps rather than leave a single, unspecified appropriation in the resolution.

A second, more contentious track concerned funding for a new county position described in the meeting as the economic and community development director. Commissioners debated an amendment aimed at clarifying where that position's salary and benefits would be paid from and whether the commission must confirm future mayoral appointments to that post. County Attorney Dan Street cautioned the body about statutory limits on micromanaging elected officials' personnel, saying, "You give the mayor so much money; he can hire five employees, he can pay them $20,000, or he can hire one employee and pay them $100,000." Street said the commission approves the amounts in the mayor's budget but that certain personnel changes may require later budget adjustments or resolutions.

Commissioner Zane Vanover proposed moving $75,000 from Planning & Zoning to the mayor's personnel budget to cover the new post while a job description and funding details are finalized. That proposed transfer failed in a roll call (9 yes, 13 no, 2 absent). The underlying appropriations resolution (item 2), as amended by its sponsor, passed on a roll call of 22 yes, 2 absent. The nonprofit funding resolution (item 3) passed by the same margin.

A separate amendment to set the tax levy was debated and refined on the floor before final adoption. Commissioner John Iverson proposed reducing the county's share (the general fund allocation) so the commission would adopt the certified total rate of 1.6129 while changing the internal allocation; that amendment carried and the overall tax resolution passed in the final roll call (22 yes, 2 absent).

Votes at a glance:
- Item 2 — Resolution authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2025'126 (amended to remove an $800,000 tourism appropriation and clarifying quarterly allocations): Passed, tally 22 yes, 2 absent.
- Item 3 — Resolution approving program funds for charitable/civic/nonprofit organizations for 2025'126 (as amended): Passed, tally 22 yes, 2 absent.
- Item 1 — Resolution fixing the 2025'126 tax levy (final adopted total rate 1.6129; general fund 0.63377): Passed, tally 22 yes, 2 absent.

What commissioners said: Commissioner King, sponsor of the appropriations resolution, said the amendment to remove the $800,000 line item was intended to "clarify" the use of tourism funds and to return quarterly allocation decisions to the commission. Commissioner Iverson urged caution on a tax increase and proposed the certified-rate allocation, arguing commissioners had already taken other revenue steps during the year and could hold the line on property taxes: "I don't think we should raise taxes. I think we have enough money to sit back and watch it." County Attorney Dan Street repeatedly advised the body on the legal distinction between approving budget amounts and approving specific personnel decisions.

Next steps and context: Several speakers and commissioners asked for written clarifications about the new economic and community development director position, its job description and funding source; Commissioner Glover requested a written explanation from the chair and the county attorney about why one of his proposed amendments was ruled out of order. Commissioners and department heads signaled a desire to finalize outstanding detail in coming weeks. The commission adjourned after completing the regular calendar.

Provenance: topicintro excerpt: "I make a motion to amend resolution 2025 dash o 6 dash 21 to remove the appropriation for account 5 8 1 dash 1 0 to, dash tourism to the amount of $800,000 as found on page 6 of the resolution." topicfinish excerpt (item 2 final vote): "22 yes, 2 absent."