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Resident urges council to consider charter dissolution to ease local tax burden
Summary
At public comment, Al Phillips urged the council to pursue steps to dissolve the town charter and transfer services to the county to lower the town tax burden; the town attorney explained the legal paths (referendum or public hearings plus legislative amendment) and timing considerations.
During public comment, resident Al Phillips urged the Narrows Town Council to begin steps to rescind the town charter — a move he said could eliminate the town’s separate tax levy and reduce the tax burden on property owners.
"My name's Al Phillips," he said. "Our real estate values went up 58% this year, and the town tax rate is, as I calculate it, about 52% higher than the county seat — that's too much for many people paying week to week." Phillips recommended starting the statutory process to give residents a chance to vote on removing the town charter.
The town attorney explained two legal paths: a referendum ordered by the court or a council-initiated amendment that would begin with a council vote, published notice and public hearing; either route would then require local legislators to file enabling legislation because the charter is changed by act of the General Assembly. The attorney said the timing means the council would realistically be aiming at the 2027 legislative session if it began the work this year.
Councilmembers said they hear resident concerns and noted the upcoming budget work includes looking at ways to reduce the town tax rate. Some members urged patience and public outreach before starting a formal amendment or referendum. The council directed the town attorney to draft a resolution and to include the issue on a future agenda for initial consideration.
