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Bluff residents split as council hears public comment on proposed property tax to fund emergency services
Summary
At a June 2 public hearing, Bluff residents urged the council both to reject and to approve a proposed property tax increase that would raise roughly $50,000 to fund a part‑time emergency‑services coordinator; the council took public comment and will discuss the budget again at a work session before a vote in two weeks.
The Bluff Town Council heard more than a dozen public comments on June 2 about a proposed property tax increase that officials say would generate roughly $50,000 to support emergency services and other town needs.
At the outset, the town manager, Aaron Nelson, and the chair explained the timing: the council must adopt a balanced budget by the end of June, and a separate truth‑in‑taxation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5. Nelson said any revenue from an adopted tax increase must be set aside until the truth‑in‑taxation process is completed.
Opponents argued the timing and economic context make a tax increase inappropriate. Linda Sosa, introduced as a former council member, told the council, “I am against this increase in property tax and ask the council to vote against the proposed budget,” and urged the town to consider hourly (rather than salaried) positions and to provide more planning before committing recurring funds. Mark Powell warned the town cannot sustain paid EMS positions and said the proposal “does basically one thing. It will provide a salary for one part‑time person at a starting rate of $40,000 per year,” arguing most services remain volunteer and the town should explore other options.
Business owners emphasized economic strain from recent county appraisal increases and reduced tourism. Liza Doran, who said she has run a store in Bluff for 40 years, said council should “find the money” from other places or surpluses rather than raise taxes now; Kelly Markman of Sweetwater Market gave similar testimony about impacts on small businesses.
Supporters said modest, targeted revenue could shore up emergency services and help retain volunteers. Kate Acheson, a volunteer firefighter and business owner, said the volunteer model has changed and argued for paying for administrative and compliance work so volunteer responders can focus on calls: “This position would be a way to continue to grow extremely necessary and fundamental services,” she said.
Several speakers, including former and longtime volunteers, urged the council to pause and develop a strategic plan before committing to a tax. Jim Hook, speaking online, said, “I think we should table your tax, do some planning on your strategic thing, get some input from residents and all firefighters,” and warned that taxes “never go back down again.”
The council closed the public hearing after hearing comments and scheduled a work session to review written comments and public testimony before a final vote in two weeks. The manager said the deadline to submit written public comments is Friday, June 12 at 5 p.m.
