News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Clay County residents are unlikely to see a property tax increase this fiscal year.
Mayor Dale Reagan said the 2019-2020 budget will remain relatively unchanged from the previous plan.
“It doesn’t seem like we’re going to have to [raise taxes] this year,” Reagan said. “We finished this past year in decent shape. All the department heads, I want to commend them for a job well done as far as not overspending and continuing to stay within their means. We actually had some offices that turned some funds over into the fund balance which helped us a lot.”
Clay County commissioners discussed the new budget plan during a work session Monday. Clay County currently holds the highest property tax rate in the Upper Cumberland at $3.10.
Reagan said the commissioners are proposing a 1.5 percent salary increase for county employees, while salaries for elected officials are also expected to rise.
“As always, you have that [state] mandated with the elected officials salaries and it’s always there,” Reagan said. “That’s something you can’t do a whole lot about. That right there is an increase of an overall cost.”
Reagan said the county is expected to end the 2019-2020 fiscal year with a fund balance of approximately $500,000 if the proposal passes.
“It’s not as well as I’d like to see it, but if everyone stays within their means and everything hopefully it won’t be that low,” Reagan said.
The Clay County Commission next meets on Monday, Aug. 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. inside the Clay County Courtroom.
