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Commissioners say annex, health department buildings won’t be paid with property taxes
Summary
Commissioner Andy Beck told the public the county will not raise property taxes to pay for a proposed annex or the purchased health department building, saying the health facility was paid from tipping fees and the annex is needed because the courthouse is overcrowded.
Commissioner Andy Beck opened the May 4 Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting and directly addressed rumors circulating in the community that the county planned to raise property taxes to pay for a new annex and a health department building. Beck said, “The county was not raising property taxes to pay for either building,” and urged residents to visit the courthouse to see space limitations that support an annex.
County Attorney Jim Ensley clarified the funding source for the health department purchase, telling the board that the county’s share of landfill tipping fees can be spent on certain capital needs and that this purchase is an allowable use. Beck and Ensley emphasized the distinction between the annex need (to relieve courthouse crowding) and use of tipping fees (not property tax revenue). Commissioners did not take a separate vote on financing during the meeting; Beck indicated some projects will still require Council approval when funding transfers are requested.
