Madison County board sends binding tax‑rate referendum to November ballot
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Madison County Board voted 25–1 on June 17 to place a binding referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters whether the county’s maximum general‑fund tax rate should be set at 0.18% (down from 0.20%). Supporters said voters should decide; opponents warned the move could 'handcuff' future boards amid COVID‑19 uncertainty.
The Madison County Board voted 25–1 on June 17 to place a binding referendum on the Nov. 3, 2020 general election ballot asking whether the county’s maximum general‑fund tax rate should be established at 0.18 percent of equalized assessed value instead of 0.20 percent.
The measure, proposed by the Finance and Government Operations Committee and read into the record by committee members, included estimates of levy impacts: the county said the maximum levy extendable under the current rate is $10,718,535.26 and would be $9,646,681.73 under the proposed rate. The resolution included an example household impact — a single‑family home with a $100,000 fair market value would see a reduction in maximum allowable tax from $66.67 to $60.00 under the proposal.
Supporters told the board the question belongs to voters. "We need to allow the voters to decide what their maximum tax rate should be," said Ray Wesley, a county board member. Don Moore, citing Finance Committee review and available fund balances, said the committee believed the county could absorb a modest revenue reduction.
Opponents warned lowering the legal ceiling could restrict future boards' options during an emergency. Matt King said the proposal risked "handcuffing our future boards," pointing to possible sudden revenue losses from industry or emergency spending tied to civil unrest or pandemic response. Mike Parkinson argued the advertised savings to taxpayers would be minimal and cautioned against framing the referendum as a large cut.
Board members who supported the referendum said the measure affects only the general fund (one of several levies on property tax bills) and that the county maintains reserves. "This gives the voters a chance to decide," said Chris Guy.
The resolution passed by roll call vote: 25 ayes, 1 nay (Michael Holliday). The text adopted directs the Madison County Clerk to place the binding referendum on the November 3, 2020 ballot and includes statutory citations used to authorize submission.