There was a lot of disappointment in and out of the historic courtroom Tuesday night, when Bedford County Commission voted 9:8 against the proposed senior property tax freeze. One commissioner abstained from the vote.
Reminder: Robert’s Rules of Order says that it takes 10 yes votes to pass anything in Bedford County Commission.
Likely, those who voted against (see T-G story in print edition this week or the E-Edition for more of those details) sighed some relief once Mayor Chad Graham announced the proposal was denied.
Many on the Finance Committee believed it was just too large of a financial burden on those under age 65 and non-qualifiers of the program. Basically, in 10 years, many here would be left holding a 2-million-dollar fiscal note, some advised.
Scott Johnson, a member of the Finance Committee and an outgoing Commissioner, said Tuesday that the timing was just off.
Some emphasized that the proposal was nothing more than a pre-election proposal.
Commissioner John Boutwell said in hindsight of his no vote, “Sometimes there are no good decisions. At this point why do we want to take on more, when we are not taking care of what we have now?
Boutwell brought up an issue prior to Tuesday’s vote, as he has for a few years now. He reminded Commissioners that Bedford County must bring up its contributions to per pupil spending. By doing only what is required, the County ranks the lowest in per pupil spending in the state, Boutwell’s report shows.
He told the T-G this week, “There will not be a tax increase this year…there will not be an impact on those that would qualify for the senior tax freeze. Why incur the implementation cost required by the State now? Why not wait and consider the tax freeze when there is a likelihood of a property tax increase?”
But proponents of the senior tax freeze (a freeze that would make it possible, by state law, for qualifying seniors over the age of 65, to encounter no future increases in their property taxes) say those casting no votes Tuesday were wrong.
Basically, there would be no more increases for about 700 people the County is sure would qualify, maybe more. But their income level has to be $43, 780 or less. The Commission, had it voted for the freeze, it could have also moved the income guideline to the state’s highest permissible amount of income to $63,470.
Commissioner Eric Maddox, who originated the freeze proposal, told the T-G after the vote that he was truly disappointed. And he says even though he’s running for re-election, his proposal for the senior property tax freeze is truly a plus for the elderly who have worked hard to support this community, nothing more.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Maddox.
“My hope and prayer are that the work done will eventually help get this passed. Tonight’s vote boils down to prioritization of spending and some Commissioners need to get their priorities in line, and also listen to the people they represent. Most of all, folks were in favor of this, across the County.”
Maddox said this was an initiative that he was proud to partner with Councilman Josh Blevins on and he’s sincerely thankful for all the hard work that he put into this.
“That work will not be in vain,” said Maddox.
He also thanked Commissioner Diane Neeley who spoke vehemently Tuesday night from the floor about the senior property tax freeze. Neeley said looking at the budget, the money is there to fund the program.
“We need more Commissioners like her, to stand up for what’s right and fair,” advised Maddox.
Councilman Josh Blevins told the T-G this week that he too was extremely disappointed in the Commission vote on the senior property tax freeze.
“It’s a sad state of local politics when we can routinely pass measures that spend taxpayer dollars with minimal discussion, yet, an effort to protect a segment of our population from higher taxes faces this level of opposition.”
Where the City stands on the property tax freeze, now, is yet undecided.
City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m., for its regular meeting but nothing is on the agenda about the senior tax freeze.
One resident said on Facebook this week: “Bedford County Commissioners and people in Bedford County, we’re not going to take this laying down, right is right, and wrong is wrong. And to me, this is wrong.”
