Smithville Looks to Increase Property Tax Rate

Smithville residents could be facing an 89-cent property tax rate next fiscal year.

Mayor Josh Miller said the 25-cent increase would help the city operate within the city’s revenue.

“Like everyone else, you kind of kick the can down the road as you can because nobody likes a property tax increase,” Miller said. “I don’t either. But you know we have been getting preached to for about five years or probably longer than that since I have been on the board.”

Miller said the city could have avoided the increase if the council did not vote to lower the rate several years ago.

Miller said the increase could help fund $105,000 architectural fees for the new police department building.

“I have had some of the public come to me and ask me questions about this and this is what I have told the public,” Miller said. “If you are knocking building a police department, I would like to invite anyone to come to city hall and look at what they are operating in right now. It is probably eight or nine hundred square feet.”

Miller said the city would still need to fund construction for the facility.

“So if they put it out for bids, and the police department is more than what we thought it was going to be, then we can stop,” Miller said. “Nothing says we have to move forward. So we can back up if we need to.”

The Smithville City Council will vote on the property tax increase and new budget on Monday, June 10.