Red Bank commissioners flag certified tax-rate error, call for tighter cross-checks

Commissioner Fairbanks Sarcie said the city must respond after auditors identified an incorrect certified tax rate, and she and other commissioners urged more internal review to prevent similar errors.

The error was disclosed after auditors Johnson, Wright and Murphy reviewed the city's budget and the certified tax rate. "I should have been more vocal and questioned the 0.8968 certified tax rate after the submitted increased budget," Commissioner Fairbanks Sarcie said. She said the city assessor's office, the county assessor and the state board of equalization all share responsibility for better cross-checks.

The discussion came during the commissioners' reports portion of the Oct. 21 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Red Bank. Commissioner Fairbanks Sarcie described the discovery of the mismatch as "deeply disappointing and frustrating" and said the city will work with staff and the city manager to "navigate a way to manage this adversity." Commissioner Holmes added, "I am confident Red Bank can get through this," and praised city staff as experienced and able to help the commission make adjustments.

Commissioner Fairbanks Sarcie said she had earlier questioned why the tax bill projections were so low and that the city's budget had been raised; she urged a "double and triple check approach" among the State Board of Equalization, the Hamilton County assessor of property and the city to better align revenues and projections.

City Manager Branham and others were thanked for their forthcoming work on adjustments; no formal motion or vote on tax settings occurred at the meeting. Commissioners said staff will examine spending and revenue lines and return with options for the commission to consider.

The remarks did not include a numeric remedy or a date for a follow-up decision; commissioners said they expect staff to present recommended adjustments in coming weeks.