Requests for funding increases by county officeholders together with additional monies for public agencies, the school board and for “debt service” would increase Washington County’s tax rate by 37 cents. These figures were presented to the County Budget Committee Monday as the process to set a property tax rate for 2008-09 began in earnest.
“What the Commission will come back with will be based upon what constituents are telling us,” Budget Chairman Pat Wolfe said after the meeting. “We have to fund the 10 cents for debt service. Beyond that, the budget will be what 13 commissioners can vote for.”
Wolfe’s comments came after county officials presented figures that placed the county budget $2,038,167 out of balance with last year’s figures. The prior budget was funded with a $2.35 per $100 real estate tax rate. To cover the deficit, another 10 cent property tax increase would be required. In addition to this deficit, committee members listened as an additional $414,259 was requested by public agencies, mandating an additional two cents on the tax rate. These agencies whose total requests for funding amounts to $4,245,819 include the county’s volunteer fire departments, libraries, economic development and tourist agencies as well as support services for children and the elderly. More...
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