Centerville council warns county revenue thresholds could erode services in small towns

Centerville — At a sometimes-frank discussion during the Oct. 28 Centerville work session, council members raised alarm that county revenue-sharing rules tied to a population threshold — discussed in the meeting as 3,500 residents — could shift revenue and responsibilities from small towns to the county.

S3, speaking for the council, said smaller jurisdictions could lose funding that supports local services. "If our fire department goes down for 1 thing, your property tax is gonna go or our insurance is gonna go up," S3 said, urging colleagues to consider the downstream effects on residents and businesses.

Councilors noted Centerville’s volunteer fire department and park upkeep as examples of services that could be at risk if revenue were reallocated. Participants described the practical consequences: fewer local personnel to maintain parks, additional pressure on volunteer departments and higher costs for homeowners and businesses.

The council discussed comparative population thresholds and asked why towns just under the 3,500 threshold would be treated differently from slightly larger communities. "What makes us different... than the people that sold in the 35? I don't understand that," S3 said, characterizing the question the council expects to bring to county and state officials.

No formal vote on policy changes occurred. Council members agreed to take the figures and concerns to their state legislators and to continue tracking the issue. S3 and others asked staff to keep the council informed and to provide figures that can be used when discussing possible legislative changes.

Next steps Councilors asked for follow-up research and the preparation of materials to present to legislators. No change in local policy or revenue-sharing formulas was adopted at the work session.