Mount Juliet commissioners cut proposed tax hike to 44¢; FY2025-26 budget passes first reading amid debate over staff cuts

Mount Juliet Board of Commissioners approved the city's fiscal 2025-26 budget on first reading June 9 at City Hall, setting the property tax rate at 44 cents per $100 in assessed value after commissioners amended a staff proposal that would have set a higher rate.

The move came after more than four hours of public comment, with residents urging the board both to restrain a sizable proposed tax increase and to preserve some positions the administration had recommended cutting. The budget passed first reading with a recorded majority; commissioners recorded the first-reading vote as 4-1.

The adopted first-reading package reduces the tax increase the city's finance staff originally presented. City staff had recommended a higher rate; after board discussion Vice Mayor Trevitt moved to set the rate at 44 cents and the commission adopted that figure for first reading. City Manager Kenny Martin and Finance staff said the 44-cent rate keeps the city at a minimal fund-balance threshold required by policy while leaving less cushion…