A possible tax rate increase is being considered by Freestone County Commissioners during budget talks, in light of an upcoming capital murder trial that could potentially cost the County close to $1 Million dollars.
The current tax rate of $.339 will give revenue of $8,536,000 in the General Fund; but expenditures of the proposed budget are totaled at approximately $9,250,000, a difference of $714,000.
For these reasons, Judge Linda Grant is recommending a tax rate of $.359, a two cent increase, to help offset these costs.
Twice during budget talks, former County Auditor, Donna Williams, has attended court to speak to Commissioners regarding the travel pay for Commissioners, Constables, and Justice of the Peace judges.
“I have had many taxpayers contact me to be their voice about travel expenses,” says Ms. Williams. “The Character of this Court is going to come out on this one. This system is broken. It should be about what’s best for the taxpayers, and not just for these twelve employees getting a hidden salary bonus.”
In response, Judge Theresa Farris, JP Pct. 1 said, “This is coming from a woman who accepted very large raises every year, who treated her employees poorly, who wanted to come back to work for the County for $75 per hour, and who left her office in shambles.”
When the court came to the agenda item regarding the travel expenses, they chose not to discuss the issue.
The budget and tax rate will be voted on at a special meeting set for Thursday, August 16, 2018 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
