JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Voices were heard as members of the Whitwell community expressed their opinions regarding the city’s $.22 tax increase during June’s city meeting.
As the Board of Mayor & Commissioners further discussed the third and final ordinance before making their motions, several community members and attendees voiced their opinions pertaining to the proposed $.22 increase in property taxes, which the ordinance included for the upcoming fiscal year in the city budget.
Cory Pickett, Road Commissioner for the Marion County Highway Department, shared his concerns regarding the tax increase and its purpose. He noted how upon reviewing the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget, he noticed the absence of two city employees. He questioned Commissioner Mike Dillon regarding pay raises for current city employees, but also why the town lacks a city-based garbage pickup service.
Other members of the audience expressed their opinions about the $.22 tax increase, as some felt nothing beneficial would be gained for residents, while others felt city expenses could be utilized for community needs, such as maintaining town sidewalks and patches of city owned yards. Mayor Sandra Crabtree, of Whitwell, made a motion to have members of the Board vote on approving the tax increase, as further outcries against it were expressed.
Commissioner Dillon explained the reasoning for the tax increase is to help with the council’s financial upkeep of Orena Humphreys Public Library, particularly for the cost of rent each year, as the cost of rent adds up to around $30,000. He also added because of the costs of maintenance for city owned equipment rising with each fiscal year, in addition to in recent times having a lot of reported breakdowns, the tax increase would ultimately help the Board keep up with the major costs brought forth by both the library, as well as maintenance for city owned equipment.
“Every time we have a breakdown, it costs us twice as much as what it did this year. And next year, it’ll probably cost us twice more than what it did this year to fix anything,” expressed Dillon.
The third and final reading of Ordinance #376 was ultimately voted on a tie of 2-2 votes, with Mayor Crabtree and Commissioner Dillon voting for the ordinance’s passing, while Commissioners William Adams and Jim Nunley voted against it, leaving it to be further discussed and voted upon during a special called meeting hosted by all members of Whitwell’s City Council.