Henry County supervisors reject tax increase

Henry County supervisors have rejected a proposed real estate tax increase in favor of delving into the county’s reserves to cover education-related expenses.

The board of supervisors made the decision Tuesday night following a public hearing on raising Henry County’s 55.5-cent tax rate to 62 cents to cover the county’s share of its schools budget. The proposed tax hike followed the state’s decision to pass an education budget higher than Henry County had expected, which meant that the local match would be higher than projected.

During their June 11 meeting, supervisors had considered three options to provide the larger-than-expected local match: dipping into reserves, transferring funds from other parts of the budget and increasing taxes. One of those, moving funds specifically from the public safety budget, was considered a non-option among supervisors. County staff also warned against taking too much out of reserves.

Although supervisors eventually decided to hold a public hearing to consider a tax increase, they became less open to the idea after receiving feedback from constituents.

Supervisors expressed concerns about raising taxes so close to the county’s scheduled tax reassessment, which staff believes will result in higher tax bills for residents.

“Henry County reassesses every four years, so when you receive your tax bill in the next year or two, it will look a little different and in most cases the assessed value of your home will probably go up — and so will your tax bill,” Supervisor Debra Buchanan said. “I do not see … putting somebody through two rounds of possible tax increases within a two-year period.”

Supervisors kicked off Tuesday’s public hearing concurring with Buchanan’s sentiments on raising taxes.

“I’m happy to report that I don’t think there is a single board member tonight that will support a tax increase,” Chairman Jim Adams said. “I know that might come as a little bit of a shock to some of you.”

Instead supervisors, in a 5-1 vote with Supervisor Garrett Dillard dissenting, will draw $975,845 from reserves, which is the bare minimum needed to cover the county’s education allocation.

Dillard said the board opting for the bare minimum was the reason he voted against the measure.

“My [opposition] is not about giving the school system its money. It’s about not giving the school system enough money,” he said.

Prior to the vote, Dillard said that the board’s comments about the importance of the school system don’t match the decision that was made. He said he believed that previously discussed amounts of $1.5 million or $1.8 million for the school system were more appropriate.

“This is basically just what the state requires us to give, based off of the new funds that the school system received,” Dillard said, later adding, “As a youngster, I was always told to put your money where your mouth is. I think we have to go back and reassess some of those comments about the importance of school and how schools bring folks into the community.”

Tuesday’s decision is the culmination of the county and school board’s efforts to balance the education budget. With Tuesday’s decision, Henry County’s education budget totals $115.5 million, a $12.9 million increase from the current fiscal year. The county’s total contribution to this amount is $22.6 million.

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