Bluff hearing on tentative FY2026–27 budget spotlights proposed property-tax increase to fund emergency services coordinator

Mayor Josh Ewing called Bluff’s June 2 public hearing on the tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget to order and reviewed the timeline for approval, saying final adoption is scheduled for the June 16 regular meeting and that a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing is set for Aug. 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. He also announced that the council will read submitted written comments but declined to read aloud all roughly 25 pages during the hearing, citing fairness to those speaking in person and logistics of the meeting.

The town presented specific proposed property-tax figures: the certified tax rate would rise from 0.000545104 to 0.00113663, producing roughly $50,000 in additional ad valorem revenue and a total proposed collection of $83,186 — an approximate 151% increase in Bluff’s ad valorem revenue. Town officials said the new revenue would fund a part-time Emergency Services Coordinator position and support routine maintenance and expenses for emergency services, and emphasized that any increased revenue could not be spent until the Truth-in-Taxation process is complete.

Public comment at the hearing was sharply divided. Linda Sosa, a property owner, urged the council to reject the increase and said Bluff’s leaders lacked a clear plan for the proposed position, telling the council that the letter from the fire department "can be summed up as, 'give us money, we have no plan.'" Ann Leppanen commended the council’s handling of budget procedures but asked for a slower, deeper analysis of the net impact on commercial businesses, noting heavy appraisals on local businesses two years ago and urging better access to public materials for residents without reliable computers.

Several business owners and long-time residents urged postponing or tabling the proposal. LuAnne Hook, a former council member and member of the fire department, warned that compensating one volunteer role could create pressure to pay other volunteers and suggested putting the question to voters. Marx Powell called it a "misconception that if we don’t agree to this tax, we will lose EMS services, completely untrue," and cautioned that Bluff could not fully sustain a staffed program without creating economic hardship for many residents.

Other speakers urged the town to find alternative funding before increasing property taxes. Liza Duran, a 40-year business owner, and Kelly Martin told the council that businesses were "slammed" by prior tax changes and that this was a poor time to add new local levies. They recommended using budget surpluses or other revenue sources and starting any new positions on an hourly basis rather than committing to salary expenses.

Advocates for the proposal framed it as a necessary investment to sustain emergency services in changing conditions. Kate Aitchison, a business owner and member of the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, said "volunteerism looks different than it did when BVFD first formed," and argued a part-time coordinator would help meet modern training, equipment and regulatory demands, reduce risks to volunteers and support recruitment of younger firefighters. She said inflation has eroded the town’s tax base and that failing to adapt could create larger financial and safety costs down the road.

Multiple speakers urged that any hiring proposal be accompanied by a clear job description and a strategic plan. Jim Hook thanked volunteers and asked the council to develop a strategic plan with firefighter and resident input before committing to new recurring expenses. Mayor Ewing said council members and staff will review public comments at an upcoming work session before the June 16 budget decision.

Procedural notes: the council set the deadline for written public comment at 5:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026; it also reported that the County Assessor’s timeline affects certified tax-rate calculations. After the public-comment period the council voted unanimously to return to the regular meeting agenda at 4:55 p.m.

The council did not take a final vote on the proposed property-tax increase at the hearing; the matter is expected to return for formal consideration on June 16 and remain subject to the Truth-in-Taxation process scheduled for Aug. 5, 2026.