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July 12, 2007
Hamilton County Passes 26-cent Tax Increase in 5-4 Vote (updated)
In a tension-filled recess session, the Hamilton County Commission narrowly passed the annual budget as submitted by County Mayor Claude Ramsey. The budget includes a $0.26 increase per $100 assessed value in the county property tax, which will be used to raise employee salaries and to augment the number of School Resource Officers requested by Sheriff Billy Long, among other measures.
Dr. Warren Mackey, commissioner for the 4th District, was the tiebreaker. As he cast his vote, a whispered but audible "dammit" came from an obviously perturbed audience member.
Dr. Mackey's prepared statement explained his vote with reason and balance. He was the only commissioner, by the way, to attend the anti-tax rally that was held this past weekend. He gets credit for listening to both sides before making up his mind. He also made a public pledge not to support any more tax increases "in the next two to three years."
By contrast, Commissioner Beck made no bones about wanting to have done this before now. County employee pay is his primary reason. As he is a former county employee, I guess he's allowed some perspective on that matter.
I'm still trying to figure out some of the others' reasoning. Chairman Larry Henry admitted, in his remarks, that he's been against (2004), then for (2005), and now against (2007) a tax increase. "Senior" Commissioner Curtis Adams is the most perplexing, though. A former Democrat, he joined the party of lower taxes (or so they say) after deciding that the Democrats had left him. However, I think his change of heart had much more to do with positions on social issues than with anything locally substantive.
The quote of the day comes from County Mayor Claude Ramsey: "I think that when you look at the whole process, you have to look at everything." That's a classic.
I'll update this post later with pictures and video clips. (Mr. Shaky Hand has to do a lot of editing.)
Ian Berry has a story up at the Times Free Press site as well. This wouldn't have happened a year or two ago. I'm happy to see it.
Channel 3 has a blurb as well.
Government | By joe lance | 11:53 AM