Bluff council hears mixed response to proposed property tax to fund part‑time emergency coordinator

Bluff Town Council on June 2 reviewed a tentative FY2026–27 budget that includes a proposed property tax increase intended to fund a part‑time Emergency Services Coordinator and routine emergency‑services maintenance.

Mayor Josh Ewing said the proposal would raise the town's certified tax rate from 0.000545104 to 0.00113663 and generate an additional $50,000 in ad valorem revenue, for a total proposed collection of $83,186. He told the hearing that, if approved, funds tied to a property tax increase could not be spent until the Truth‑in‑Taxation process is complete.

The hearing drew sharp but split public comment. Linda Sosa, a property owner, urged the council to reject the increase, questioned whether a job description and implementation plan exist and summarized the fire chief's letter as “give us money, we have no plan.” Several business owners and former officials expressed concern about timing, saying local commercial properties were recently hit with higher appraisals and that the town should explore alternatives such as using surplus funds or delaying action.

By contrast, Kate Aitchison, a business owner and Bluff Volunteer Fire Department member, said the volunteer model for emergency response has changed and argued the town should invest to maintain service: “This position will allow the fire chief and other volunteers the time to focus on responding to calls and training,” she said, adding that regulatory, insurance and equipment costs make volunteer firefighting more demanding.

Other speakers—including former council member Luanne Hook and resident Jim Hook—asked that the council pause and develop a strategic plan involving firefighters and residents before creating paid positions. Resident Marx Powell warned that paying one role while leaving others volunteer could alter Bluff’s community model and suggested greater county support is already in place for Fire/EMS.

Mayor Ewing said he would not read all written public comments aloud during the hearing, citing volume and the three‑minute verbal limit; the council committed to reading submitted written comments and invited additional feedback. The deadline to submit written comments is June 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The council will discuss feedback at a work session next week and aims to consider final budget approval at its June 16 regular meeting. A Truth‑in‑Taxation public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bluff Community Center and via Zoom.

All Town Council members voted in favor of a procedural motion to end the public hearing and return to the regular council meeting; the hearing adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

The budget presentation materials and a recording of the May 19 open house were referenced during the hearing; council members directed staff to continue accepting written input and to follow the statutory Truth‑in‑Taxation steps before spending any revenue tied to a property tax increase.