Lamar County Judge Brandon Bell asked commissioners at a Tuesday afternoon meeting whether the court might consider a trial in 2023-2024, but received no affirmative response. A budget year with no new revenue as a starting point for this year’s budget hearings.
“We hear a lot of concerns about the rising valuation,” Bell said, referring to concerns raised by Lamar County Republican Commissioner Scott Hommel during the public forum portion of the previous meeting.
At the earlier meeting, Mr. Hommel mentioned the burden of increased valuations resulting in an increased tax burden for the public. He petitioned the commissioners to do what the court could do to remedy the situation.
“That’s something I thought I should mention,” Mr. Bell said of the possibility of adopting a tax rate that doesn’t generate new revenue — a lower rate that is directly related to an increase in the county’s real estate valuation. .
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that all property owners will get tax breaks,” Bell said. “Some real estate could see a significant increase in value.” For property owners, the lower tax rate is not expected to reduce taxes. ”
However, a revenue-neutral tax rate would limit the county’s ability to meet the increased costs of continued inflation and potential salary hikes. In a brief discussion, the commissioners argued that it would lead to poor service.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” said commissioner Kevin Anderson. “Everything we buy will cost more. We’re going to need more income just to cover the additional costs.”
Commissioner Ronnie Bass also agreed, noting that county rates account for only a small percentage of a taxpayer’s total tax bill, which includes city and school district taxes.
“I don’t know how they’re going to survive and serve because they’re already running on a bare budget,” Bass said. “People come to us complaining about taxes and still want the roads fixed. It’s getting more and more expensive to fix them.”
After agreeing to keep in mind the possibility of a tax rate cut, commissioners began scheduling budget hearings, with hearings continuing throughout the week and more hearings to come. Meetings will be held until the 2023-2024 budget is decided in late August.
As another measure at Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioner gave permission for the Paris 8U All-Star baseball team to post flyers advertising fish fry scheduled for June 9 at Drake’s Party Barn in Powderley. gave Proceeds from the event will be used for a possible return to the World Series, scheduled for July 27-August 27. In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he finished third in the tournament the team won last year.
The court also approved a request for proposals for engineering and building services to build an estimated $4 million training and office building and storage facility approved earlier this year on newly acquired land north of Main Street.
https://theparisnews.com/news/lamar-county-begins-budget-hearings/article_a88d46ca-0096-11ee-b03a-371e7e11f6fb.html Lamar County Begins Budget Hearings | News