Sullivan County commissioners weigh tax levy, employee raises and targeted program funding; 5¢ amendment proposed

Sullivan County commissioners spent the meeting debating how to balance the proposed fiscal 2025—udget and whether to lower the county d valorem tax rate, while protecting highway maintenance, a planned county-wide 5% employee pay increase and a $15,000-per-department boost for contracted first-responder payroll.

The discussion, led by Commissioner King and agency staff, centered on three options: reduce the proposed tax rate and draw more from the county—und balance; target department-level reductions (the sheriff nd highway departments were repeatedly raised as large line items); or preserve the budget committee raft while accepting a modest tax-rate decrease. "I think we could do a budget with a 5¢," Commissioner King said, and he told the commission he would offer a 5¢ amendment for a vote next Thursday.

Why it matters: the county—udget sets property tax rates and pays for core services — public safety, road maintenance and employee pay. Commissioners said they want to lower the proposed rate (discussed in the meeting as roughly 9¢ in the draft) without creating midyear shortfalls. Several speakers urged using fund balance and expected department turnbacks to reduce the levy; others warned about long-term…