Medina mayor talks tax rate decision, more in public meeting
MEDINA, Tenn. — One local city talks new business and their upcoming budget.
Monday night’s meeting opened with public feedback from Medina residents regarding the possibility of increase in taxes. However, Mayor Scottie Betts says he’s considering what’s best for residents for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
“We did not raise our tax. We went down roughly a dollar and nickel per hundred assess, we went down to .9959 with the reassessment of the property,” said Mayor Betts.
When deciding this year’s budget Mayor Betts shared that he and his board listened to the recommendation of the state.
“You don’t have to go by that, but we felt it was most fair to do for our citizens to not to give a tax increase–people are struggling now,” said Mayor Betts.
Although inflation is affecting everyone, Mayor Betts says he didn’t want an increase in taxes to be another concern for his residents.
“Everything’s gone up; we just didn’t want to put anymore burden on our citizens than we had to just to operate, and give them the same level of or a better service than they have had in the past,” said Mayor Betts.
Along with no increase in taxes, residents can expect a new park in the coming years.
“I spoke with JEA. It’s a potential they are going to donate that to the city. Over the next few years, we can build it up and have a recreational area for our citizens. Not everybody plays ball or sports, maybe [they] want to go out and read a book or go catch a fish,” said Mayor Betts.
The mayor hopes that park will welcome fishing rodeos, a hiking trail and more attraction for residents and West Tennesseans to enjoy.
The Medina Police Department is also celebrating a milestone.
“The police department is now full staffed that’s the first time in quite awhile I think the police department has been full staffed. We have a new chief, a new direction and the board has been very supportive,” said Mayor Betts.
Mayor Betts says he welcomes anyone wanting to move to Medina to make it their home.
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