Alan Reed

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Acting on a recommendation from the Trigg County Budget Committee, the Trigg County Fiscal Court voted on Monday to accept a compensating tax rate to keep most tax rates similar to present rates in the upcoming year.

During the Budget Committee Meeting, County Judge/Executive Stan Humphries said that the County had two choices, accepting the compensating rate with little change to taxes, or accept an increase of four percent to the total revenue. He added that the figures came from the state later than usual this year, explaining the delay in the budget.

“I have a belief that with the current economic situation in the county and the region that it would be difficult to look at an increase in the tax rate,” Humphries said.

The Judge noted that while the county still experienced a growth in new properties, the figure dropped from the year before. The figure fell from $31 million last year to $18 million in fiscal year 2007-2008. He cited a downward economic trend for the decline, while remaining thankful for some growth.

“Christian County has a 15.4 percent tax on new property which is about double ours. Caldwell is close to that and Lyon is higher too. The rates in the surrounding area are possible reasons we are still seeing growth when they are not,” said Budget Committee Chair Doug Taylor.

Humphries noted that other counties have taxes, including payroll levies that Trigg County does not.

“I concur that we should seek the compensatory rate to keep taxes the same. It’s a prudent move as servants of the people,” said Taylor.

Find out why your county taxes will not be going up in The Cadiz Record.