When Henderson County overwhelmingly voted down the proposed land transfer tax, pro-tax leaders said that residents would have to see their property taxes raised. County Manager Steve Wyatt and his staff have recently presented to the council a budget that funds major capital projects and keeps the government running without raising taxes.
When county officials discussed the land transfer tax, they indicated property taxes would have to be raised if the tax failed. Asked how the county can now build the schools without raising property taxes, [Chairman Bill] Moyer said staff accomplished that by whittling down the proposed budget.
But a tax increase, whether the land transfer tax, increased sales tax or property tax, will be needed if the county wants to pay for more projects it deems a priority.
I hope residents keep these sentences in mind when a sales tax increase (which is clearly not needed) comes up for a vote.
