Fountain Green council approves 15.07% property tax increase

Fountain Green — The Fountain Green City Council voted to approve a 15.07% increase in the city's property tax budget during its July 9 meeting, council members recorded.

The council approved the increase by recorded vote. Councilmembers Allison, Carrie, Kim and Rod voted "yes," and the motion passed. City staff and council members said the increase is the second half of a previously agreed-upon adjustment and will appear on property tax notices later this year.

City officials told residents the measure completes a two-step increase the council began last year at residents' request. Under the plan described at the meeting, the full increase would translate to about $38.34 per year on a $415,000 home; city staff noted the actual change varies with property classification and county valuation. Officials also explained that the property-tax change applies to real property only and that county assessors determine property valuations used to calculate tax bills.

At the meeting, staff and council members fielded questions from residents and small-business representatives about how property and business taxes are assessed. Officials clarified the city collects revenue only on property located inside Fountain Green city limits and that sales-tax receipts are allocated based on where taxable activity occurs, not necessarily where a business's corporate office is located.

Council members and staff framed the increase as completing a previously planned step rather than a newly introduced tax. City staff said the increased levy will be reflected on tax notices sent to property owners between now and the end of the year. No further public hearings or county-level actions were described as required during the meeting minutes and discussion.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote, including project- and grant-related briefings by county staff and city department reports.