Proposed property tax increase stirs controversy in Lexington, mayor responds
FOLLOW UP: Lexington residents voice concerns over property tax increase (6/10/24)
FOLLOW UP: Lexington, Henderson Co. residents protest a proposed tax increase
LEXINGTON, Tenn. — Tuesday, May 28, the Lexington Board of Aldermen held their budget meeting.
One of the biggest concerns from community members of Lexington was the vote that was held to propose a tax increase. This would increase the property tax rate from 1.04 to 1.78, which is more than a 70% tax increase.
Residents of the community have reached out to us ready to tell their opinions on if this happens.
“Lots of places they could cut, but they never say cut,” one Lexington resident stated. “In any situation, they never say, ‘Well, we will cut spending” on anything! We gotta try to get a grant right now for an $800,000 fire truck and they’re about to raise property taxes.”
This is not the final vote. The property tax increase has to be voted on again a second time at the board meeting on June 24.
We spoke to one of the Alderman, Jimmy White, who stated “This is a large tax increase for the people and I don’t blame them for being upset.”
White, along with Tim Rhodes and Gordon Wildridge voted against the proposed increase, while Aldermen Fred Ellis, Sandra Wood, Gabe Williams and Roger Loftin voted yes for the increase.
Henderson County resident Richard Thompson spoke on his concerns with the vote.
“I feel like the biggest leverage that you have against any type of elected official is just to let them know that this is their way out,” Thompson said. “That they’re not to be re-elected back in office if they go against the will of the people, if it gets this big. They’re obviously ignoring the will of the people, because there’s pictures of them in the meeting. They’re not even making eye contact with the citizens that are up there pouring their heart out to them. That’s what makes me sick the most.”
We reached out to the Mayor of Lexington, Jeff Griggs, who released a statement stating in part “We acknowledge the community’s expectations of local government and are committed to meeting these expectations. At the same time, the city has a responsibility to be stewards of public funds and to spend those funds responsibly.”
Andrew Amburn, another resident of Henderson County, shared his thoughts on the matter.
“My impression from that meeting is that, to me, it’s not a taxation problem, it’s a spending problem. And it’s been a pattern over time,” Amburn said. “Regardless of where the general fund stands, if the City of Lexington is continually out spending its budget, we have a problem. It’s not a lack of taxation, it’s too much spending.”
Residents plan to hold a peaceful protest at court square Saturday at 10 in the morning.
Click here to see the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
For more news in the Lexington area, click here.
