Supervisors debate 69¢ tax rate, approve freeze on nonessential purchases through June 2026
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Summary
Wise County supervisors debated a proposed new tax rate of '69' and approved a freeze on nonessential purchases through June 30, 2026; board members warned that even at that rate county employees and services could face cuts if revenues do not improve.
Wise County supervisors debated a proposed new tax rate and approved a near-term freeze on nonessential purchases during a meeting in which several supervisors warned the county faces layoffs and service reductions if revenues fall.
A supervisor moved to set the county's new tax rate at "69"—recorded in the transcript alternately as "69%" and "69¢"—and asked for a second. "I have a motion for the new tax rate, 69%," said Supervisor (Speaker 3). The motion was seconded and followed by a detailed statement about fiscal constraints.
"Even at 69¢, county employees are gonna lose their jobs," Supervisor (Speaker 2) said, urging colleagues to follow the financial team's recommendations for either a 65¢ or 69¢ scenario and to pursue deep, sustained expense reductions. Supervisor (Speaker 2) told the board they "can't be timid" and must "sharpen your pencils" to implement cuts.
As an immediate step, Supervisor (Speaker 2) moved to "freeze all nonessential purchases or expenditures, including but not limited to office supply purchases, travel, training, and seminars through 06/30/2026." The transcript records vocal responses of three "yes" and one "no" to that motion; the board approved the spending freeze as recorded in the meeting audio, but the transcript does not provide a full roll-call mapping of each vote to a named member.
The transcript does not record a final vote on the proposed 69¢ tax rate. Board members framed the tax discussion as part of a multi-step budget process: whatever rate the board ultimately adopts, they said, staff must follow the financial team's expenditure charts tied to that scenario.
The meeting closed with supervisors thanking attendees and the sheriff's department for their attendance. The board directed staff to proceed with the spending freeze and to return with detailed implementation steps tied to the financial team's guidance; no additional deadlines or dollar amounts for cuts were specified in the transcript.