Committee recommends new budget proposal with 23.346 cent property tax increase

The Hawkins County Commission’s Budget Committee voted Monday to recommend approval of the 2024-25 fiscal year budget and charitable contributions with a 23.346 cent property tax increase.

The only change to the budget as a result of Monday's meeting was an increase in spending of approximately $19,000 to move the two county building maintenance employees from 35 to 40 hour weeks.

County Mayor Mark DeWitte asked the Budget Committee to reverse a July 1 decision to move 10 employees originally budgeted on the 2,080-hour pay scale to the 1,820-hour pay scale, at a savings of $73,500.

On Monday, however, the two building maintenance employees, who were among the 10 affected by that change, told the Budget Committee they are accruing too many comp hours under the 1,820 hour pay scale. They said that they can’t buy groceries or pay their bills with comp time, and they need to be paid for the hours they work.

DeWitte said the other eight employees have the same issue, and are working hours they don't get paid for every day because they're on a 7 hour schedule.

Some Budget Committee members agreed that it is a problem, but they were more sympathetic to the lower paid maintenance staff.

Although the committee rejected DeWitte’s request to add all 10 employees to the 2,080 hour pay scale, it did voted 6-0 to put the maintenance staff back on there, at an addition cost of approximately $19,000.

Commissioner Danny Alvis made a motion to delete two new full time positions from the budget — one of which which benefit the county mayor’s office and one for the EMA director. The motion, which would have saved about $40,000 when taking into account the elimination of part time funding to offset the cost, failed for lack of a second.

The proposed budget with the 23.346 cent property tax increase (setting the proposed rate at $2.5593) will go before the full County Commission on July 22 for final approval.

For a residential property valued at $200,000, a 23.346 cent property tax increase will cost an additional $116.73 per year on their 2024-25 county property tax bill.

Last month the County Commission was presented a budget with a 34.67 cent property tax increase. The commission agreed to postpone consideration to give the Budget Committee another chance to make cuts.

Among the new cuts were 8 cents that was intended to help cover the cost of the new Goshen Valley Bridge.

The Budget Committee voted on July 1 to reduce the $1.7 million in new funding for the Sheriff’s Office by $246,000, which amounted to approximately 2.61 cents on the property tax rate. They also cut 15% for travel and office supplies in offices that are not restricted by maintenance of effort laws.

The latest version of the budget resolution, charitable contribution resolution, and and tax increase resolution each passed the Budget Committee with one dissenting vote cast by Alvis.