Finance Committee recommends tax increase to fund raises; public split at June 8 work session

The Bradley County Finance Committee voted unanimously in committee meetings to recommend that the full commission consider an 8.5-cent increase in the county property tax rate to fund across-the-board raises for county employees, and to increase both fire tax rates to 25.5 cents to provide raises for fire personnel.

Commissioner Milan M. Blake told the June 8 work session that the committee amended the mayor's proposed budget to include pay raises of 15% for employees earning less than $75,000 and 12% for employees earning $75,000 or more, with a proposed effective date of Oct. 1. The committee recorded unanimous votes (5-0) in the finance packet and forwarded the recommendation to the full commission.

Public comment at that work session reflected both support and opposition. Residents named in the record who urged the commission to approve the pay increases included Katelin Arceri, Will Carter, Guinn Green, Eduardo Choate and Dan Rawls; residents recorded opposing the tax increase included Deborah Gleason, Maria Lavestacova, Amber St. Anna and Alan Nerren. Several commenters urged the commission to explore other funding options or to review negotiation practices with industry before increasing tax rates.

The recommendation is advisory until the full commission takes up a formal tax ordinance or public hearing. Finance staff and the finance director are expected to present the required analysis and a proposed ordinance at an upcoming meeting; the commission scheduled follow-up items and deferred some matters to the July 13 work session for additional staff attendance.