Washington Co., Tenn. Commission moves forward with proposed 30-cent property tax hike

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County, Tennessee Commission approved a notice of intent on Tuesday to raise the property tax rate by 30 cents per $100 of assessed value, following a countywide reappraisal and weeks of discussion.

After the reappraisal, the state reset the certified property tax rate to $1.4071 per $100 of assessed value. Tuesday’s approval by the County Commission signaled an expression of intent to set the new rate to $1.71, a rounded-up figure reflecting the 30-cent increase. That would amount to a 21% increase.

The county’s budget committee first voted 4-0 Monday to recommend the 30-cent increase to the property tax rate. That recommendation was then taken to the full commission, resulting in Tuesday night’s approval:

Washington County Mayor, Joe Grandy said many who spoke during public comment didn’t understand how the assessed value translates into actual property tax assessment. County officials helped clarify how in the meeting.

“And there were several other people, there were four of the people who spoke on the fact that A: it’s difficult times is, you know, the economy is challenging; it’s questionable in the future,” Grandy said.

For each $100,000 in a home’s value, the proposed change would increase the taxes by $75.

Lifelong Washington County resident, Richard Garst is upset about the potential raise. He said his house went from an assessment of $120,000 to $189,000.

“We’ve had a tremendous influx of people from out of state paying enormous prices for our houses,” Garst said.

“They [locals] are having trouble buying homes. It’s raised the price of the house. The income has stayed the same.”

Garst also said he is disappointed with the county’s handling of finances.

“We just have a lot of problems, and it’s all due to mismanagement,” Garst said. “And it’s time to say stop for a while. It’s time for the growth in this nation and this county to get to the point where we can pay our bills and live within our means and not jeopardize the people who are the most dear to us, which is our veterans and our seniors.”

Grandy said the main reason for this raise is an increase in salaries across the county, with the biggest being in public safety.

“The public safety sector, where you got our volunteer firefighters, our EMS people, our 911, our EMA and our sheriff’s department, you know, those are the folks that are really impacted by the growth in the community,” Grandy said.

The county will now publish the proposed FY25 budget and increased tax rate in a local paper, hold another budget committee meeting and public comment hearing, and then send the final proposal to the full commission. If no delays occur, the final budget meeting with public comment and the full commission meeting both would occur June 20.

Before that, the next public hearing on the property tax rate increase in Washington County will take place on June 13 at 5 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.