Historians will record 2018 as the second year in a row of a balanced budget for Union County; likely the most significant legislative accomplishment of the County Commission in a generation. Union County’s budget is one of the most important pieces of public policy the Commission enacts every year.

This balanced budget provides the necessary funding to pay the debt on the High School, Paulette Elementary, expansions at Big Ridge Elementary, Sharps Chapel Elementary and remodeling at Luttrell Elementary and it provides for the millions in funding shortfall of the Wheel Tax, an additional tax put in place to supposedly pay for Paulette Elementary School and the other school renovations.

The significance of this accomplishment must be put in context. From 2007 – 2010, $10.619 Million in county debt was incurred, yet no increase in revenue was made to the budget. The county faced periods of insolvency with employees not being paid on time and departmental budgets being used to pay other county debts. In pre-election year 2007, the county property tax rate was actually decreased from $2.00 to $1.79. Instead of planning for the needed revenue, Commissioners made arrangements for balloon debts kicking the can down the road to the next Commission. This political manipulation of the County budget was not new. In election year 2002 the rate was decreased from $2.30 to $1.80, only to be increased to $2.00 in 2004.

The current County Commission has not played election year politics with the county property tax rate. The current rate of $2.14, corrected for property value appreciation from a rate of $2.17, was established in 2015 by this Commission to balance the budget and pay the incurred debt from previous Commissions.

This Commission has mistakenly been blamed for “The Largest Tax Increase in Union County History.” We know that to be a false accusation, as a larger tax rate increase was passed in 1996 when the rate of $2.25 was raised to $3.01; a 76 cent increase. Another large rate increase occurred in 1979 when the rate of $4.54 was raised to $5.19; a 65 cent increase. Both increases funded school building programs and were greater than the increase from $1.79 set in pre-election year 2007 to $2.17, established in 2015 by this Commission to balance the budget and pay the incurred debt from previous Commissions.

The departmental fund balance policies implemented during this Commission have also helped ensure sufficient funding is available to cover unexpected capital expenditures. For example, 5 years ago Union County Schools had less than $500,000 in their fund balance and continued to be unable to meet the state mandated 3%. Now with seven million, the school no longer needs to borrow money from the county to operate during the summer months. In addition, a county capital expenditures fund has been established to address renovations and new construction needs. These recent accomplishments have been made possible through central financial management and the hard work of a talented chief financial officer working with County Commissioners, the Mayor, and other County Officials.

On August 2nd, voters will select new County Executives. Many running for office have pledged to continue with a balanced budget and maintain a transparent and sound county financial system. Voters should demand more; a mandate to grow revenue through sound business investment instead of increasing taxes to meet needed expenditures.

Investment opportunities include a Tennessee School of Applied Technology to create a trained workforce, improved transportation infrastructure to attract new businesses, broadband expansion and a focus on place-based economic development, a strategy that has been particularly effective in rural communities. To capitalize on these opportunities, financial investment from Nashville will be needed as well as strong community leadership.