In the June 26th meeting the Union County County Commission funded all budgets and set the tax rate at 1.8999. The EMS increases, the solid waste contract, the general fund, and the building of a new middle school were all in the tax levy for FY 24. The compromise took at least 8 votes. Votes were taken on proposals that spanned from 1.8990 to 1,9310. The vote was never tied so Mayor Bailey was not able to vote. After the second ten minute recess, the compromise came on a motion by Commissioner Jessee and a second by Commissioner Moore to set the rate at 1,8999 with a $26M cap on the county's part of funding the new middle school. The motion passed 12 to 3. The Union County Board of Education had already agreed to fund the remaining $15M of the $41M cost for the new middle school. The middle school financing will be for 20 years rather than 30 years to save taxpayers some $8M in interest. The tax rate is still the lowest in East Tennessee according to Mayor Bailey.

In addition to setting the tax rate, the Commission voted to appropriate $40,000 to give seniors whose total household income qualifies an additional $100 of tax relief. This tax relief would be in addition to the tax relief program from the state. Also in a previous meeting , Commissioners approved a tax freeze for seniors who meet an income limit. The tax freeze would go into effect for FY25 taxes and would be caculated on the residence and a maximum of 5 acres of property. Seniors would pay property taxes on any property over 5 acres. These amounts will help to offset the increases.

Finally, the wheel tax will increase by $20 beginning with FY 24 due to action by Commission in June. The total for the wheel tax will be $50 with $20 to go to the new middle school and $30 to go toward retiring the bond issue for Paulette Elementary and additions at other schools. A second reading and vote on the wheel tax increase of $20 will be taken at the regular meeting on July 24, 2023.

So what are the citizens getting for their 31cents increase in taxes? The list includes county raises for all employees and puts Union County in a better position to retain emergency workers including police and ambulance employees, Further, citizens will be able to continue to have trash service and convenience centers. Property to build a new jail will be purchased. A new middle school will be built and most likely available for occupancy in 2 years or around August of 2025. The general fund budget is no longer being balanced from the fund balance which means Union County is now fiscally sound. So the myriad of services that are provided by the general fund that affect the every day lives of all citizens will continue. As one commissioner was heard to say, “This is a really good deal for our county!”