Red Bank commission approves budget with proposed tax increase; separate hearings set for tax rate

The Red Bank Board of Commissioners voted to approve the city—udget and a proposed tax increase on second and final reading, but officials said the commission will hold separate public hearings and votes on the actual tax rate on July 15 and Aug. 5.

The vote, announced from the dais, carried on the budget and proposed tax increase. "Motion carries on second and final reading. Please note that this is not an actual vote on our tax rate because we do have to have a public hearing and separate votes on the tax rate because of the, the certified tax rate coming after we could publicly notice it properly," the mayor told the room.

The discussion drew extensive public comment. Several residents said the timing or size of a tax increase would hurt fixed-income households, while others urged investment in maintenance and capital needs. "I think y'all could balance it as it is without a 5% increase," said a registered nurse during public comment. Another resident, Brooks Jolley, said he supports investments tied to capital improvements that he expects will draw businesses and sales tax revenue in the future.

Commissioners and staff described long-running budget work and emphasized constraints and prior reductions. A commissioner noted that municipal commissioners receive $200 a month and that the process involves multiple departmental reviews and trimming of initial requests before final proposals reach the commission.

Staff clarified the funding source for stormwater work after public questions: "Residents, homeowners pay $70. It's a flat rate per year. That goes into the stormwater fund, and that is funding the stormwater supervisor position. It is not coming out of our general fund where taxes come from," Director Johnson said during the public hearing.

Commissioners and staff outlined reasons for proposing additional revenue, citing deferred maintenance across municipal infrastructure and the need for capital planning. Officials said the city has added staff in recent years to handle planned capital projects, stormwater mapping and other responsibilities; one staff figure cited in discussion was a current headcount near the mid-80s, up from an earlier starting point the commission referenced as 74 during remarks.

Commissioners repeatedly pointed to county actions on property reassessments as a driver of the municipal conversation about revenue. Several speakers urged residents to direct some concerns about value reassessments to the Hamilton County Property Assessment Office; commissioners said municipalities cannot control the county's reassessment process.

The commission included tax-relief measures in the proposed budget, and the mayor told residents that some property owners—ould still see an overall tax bill decrease under the proposed rate, though she cautioned that was not universal. The actual tax rate decision will follow public notice and separate hearings as required by state and local rules.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote and scheduled the tax-rate hearings for the dates announced from the dais.