News, City looks at possible tax increase (Cookeville: 2013, city hall)

[JD59]

COOKEVILLE -- To raise taxes or to not raise taxes.

That was the question at a 2012-2013 fiscal year budget work session held last night.

City council members listened to a proposal from city finance director Mike Davidson to raise the city's property tax.

Read more: Herald Citizen - City looks at possible tax increase

[scrantonscrambler]

Thanks for posting the article John, I read it a few days ago. I look at the proposed increase with mixed feelings. The town had also again proposed a wheel tax which we voted down about 2 yrs ago. Surely there is some questionable spending here in Cookeville but I look at it this way....as a retired Military guy I have lived all over the country, the last stop before this being NJ where my property taxes for the same type house and land were in excess of 8k 10 yrs ago, surely the taxes are more than that now.

Up north we lived in a rural area which didnt have a city police or fire dept, garbage collection cost $24/mo, mandatory annual vehicle inspection (cost extra), tags for each vehicle was about $100/yr, car insurance double what we pay here, electricity much less here, no brush pickup up north, dont have to pay to take junk to the dump like we did up there....and the list of benefits/savings goes on & on.

Everyone hates to pay more taxes. When we bought out home here in Cookeville our land had not yet been incorporated into the city limits but was shortly after our purchase. Hey, I look on the bright side and tell myself i got a free rolling garbage can out of the incorporation. We have 6+ acres and a new home and got hit with a $200 city tax....but now we get "free" garbage pickup. Life goes on, i cant lose sleep over it, we are still way ahead of the game by moving here and I count my blessings for being here. ( to keep this short I will leave out the part of how our wonderful City hospital saved my life)

If the increase passes we will be paying $3.67/per. Brother, I've paid a whole lot more for a whole lot less.....(but I would vote against the increase if it was on the ballot)....whats the old saying? "can't fight city hall"....that's my take >

PS: Thank you to all the Cookeville Police and Fire personnel, you do a great job !

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by scrantonscrambler

PS: Thank you to all the Cookeville Police and Fire personnel, you do a great job !

This probably rings hollow to those hard-working police and firefighters since you said you'd vote against a tax increase. I'm sure they appreciate your thanks, but they'd probably like a raise as well.

Sales taxes will not be enough to keep things running. Just like most folks don't make their starting salary their entire lives as their families grow, cities also have to increase revenue as more people move to the area and demand more services. Check out some of the other forums here on CD. You'll find posts from plenty of other northerners sick of high taxes and city life/the rat race headed straight for Cookeville.

Things cost more these days, in homes and in city hall. Demand fiscal responsibility, but understand when more revenue truly is needed.

[Sparkman]

I am one of the "northerners sick of high taxes and city life/the rat race headed straight for Cookeville". Have been here 3 years. If we had the opportunity, I would vote for this in a heartbeat. I do love our low taxes here, but we do need more revenue, not only for our public servants, but for our schools as well. The philosophy of funding the minimum required for education is just wrong. No wonder only 17%of or students meet the minimum ACT standard that predicts college success.