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Robertson County commission approves 2011–12 budget, sets property tax rate at $2.89 after amendment
Summary
After debate and a brief recess, the Robertson County Board of Commissioners approved an amended appropriations resolution and adopted a $2.89 per $100 property tax levy for fiscal year 2011–12; the amendment raised the levy 28 cents for debt service and included provisions to avoid layoffs and debt restructuring.
The Robertson County Board of Commissioners approved its fiscal year 2011–12 appropriations and set the property tax rate at $2.89 per $100 of assessed value following debate and a roll-call re-vote at a special session Aug. 29, 2011. County Mayor Howard R. Bradley presided.
Commissioner Ray presented Resolution 082911074, the county’s appropriations measure for the year ending June 30, 2012, and moved its approval. During discussion, several commissioners asked questions about revenue and line items; Commissioners Bowens, Bryant, Dorris, Dugger and Gregory disclosed that they or a family member were employed by the county.
Commissioner Adcock moved to amend the proposed budget to match the published budget and to “raise property tax 28 cents for debt services,” which would set the countywide rate at $2.89 per $100, prohibit employee layoffs, avoid restructuring debt and withdraw Article Section 14; Commissioner Vogle seconded that amendment. Jody Stewart, the county’s director of finance, answered commissioners’ questions about how the proposed rate change would affect revenues and debt-service funding.
Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Haley seconded, to make Dan Whitlow, Director of Schools, a member of the commission for the purposes of the vote; that procedural motion passed by voice vote. Whitlow said funds could be returned to debt service if approved by the school board.
A first roll-call on the Adcock amendment was recorded in the minutes and labeled as failed. After a five-minute recess the commission returned and Commissioner Dorris moved to take another vote on the same amendment; Commissioner Jones seconded. The roll-call re-vote approved the amendment 13–10–1, and the main appropriations resolution was adopted as amended by the same tally.
The commission then considered Resolution 082911075 to establish the property tax levy for fiscal 2011–12. Commissioner Bill Gray moved the levy resolution and Commissioner DiOrio seconded. The board approved the property tax rate of $2.89 on each $100 of assessed value by roll call, with the revenue distribution specified as general fund .94, sanitation .06, school 1.05 and debt service .84.
Recorded tallies appear in the session minutes for the relevant roll calls. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner DiOrio.
Why it matters: The adopted appropriations and the 28-cent increase dedicated to debt service lock in revenue and levy allocations for county operations, schools and sanitation for the 2011–12 fiscal year and include a recorded commitment not to implement layoffs or restructure debt as part of this amendment.
