Overton County’s skyrocketing property values will likely mean a property tax decrease in the new country budget.
Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said rates will drop to $1.337 per $100, down nearly 90 cents from a year ago. Barlow said this year’s budget was much easier than last thanks to the state reappraisal rate. Barlow said the county hopes to be good stewards of the revenue.
“It’s our responsibility to spend it wisely, not only on what we need to help our county thrive and survive,” Barlow said. “We want to go make this a place for our kids and grand kids to stay and raise their kids and grand kids. So we want be around here a long time.”
Barlow said there was enough money in the budget to cover raises for emergency services employees without a tax increase. Current projections call for some $17.8 million in revenue, and net expenditures will be some $20.6 million. Some $2.7 million from fund balance will be needed to close the gap.
Employee salaries amount for some $8.7 million of the expenditures.
Barlow said the county will be finishing several capital projects in the new fiscal year, including the new health department building and the Monroe Community Center. Barlow said maintaining the old courthouse is a priority, but doors and windows need replacing.
“[The courthouse] being a historical landmark, everything that goes off of the outside of the building has to look identical when it comes back in it,” Barlow said. “That stuff’s going to be expensive.”
Barlow said a special order might be required to match the existing windows. Barlow said the county is looking into grants for the project, but capital funding could get it started.
Barlow said despite the easier budget year, assembling the budget is a huge ordeal.
“Every office comes that through, you know, they tell you what they need to run their offices,” Barlow said. “But especially with the prices. They just keep going up on paper and ink and stamps and stuff you need to run your office. It’s kind of a guess on what you’re going to need on that part, but we have to have an educated guess on it, but we need to have enough in there to cover when things go up in prices.”
The Overton County Budget Committee will meet Monday.