Rutherford County manager proposes tax increase to fund schools, public safety; community urges full school funding

Summary

County Manager Steve Garrison presented a FY 2025–26 budget proposal that would raise the property tax rate from 45.4¢ to 56.9¢ per $100 of assessed value to increase support for education, public safety and employee wages. Members of the public urged commissioners to fully fund the school system’s requests.

County Manager Steve Garrison recommended raising Rutherford County’s property tax rate to 56.9 cents per $100 of assessed value to support a proposed fiscal 2025–26 general fund budget of $94,273,625 and increased appropriations for schools and public safety.

Garrison told the Board of Commissioners that the recommended increase — an 11.5¢ rise from the current 45.4¢ rate — is intended to sustain recurring support for education and public safety, cover rising insurance and personnel costs and preserve the county’s fund balance amid hurricane recovery work related to Hurricane Helene. “To be clear, their utilization of our general fund fund balance is not an option,” Garrison said during his presentation.

Garrison outlined specific education funding recommendations: a proposed appropriation of $25,767,592 for the Rutherford County School System, including $20,307,265 for general operations, a $2,020,000 line item intended for teacher supplements and $1,619,017 to fully fund school resource…

Rutherford County manager proposes tax increase to fund schools, public safety; community urges full school funding

Summary

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