John Coffelt, Editor

Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee has recommended a 10-cent tax increase during its June 12 meeting.

County Commissioner Terry Hershman repeated earlier assertions that the commission has work hard to give raises to employees.

 “Debt is coming and we’re looking at it this year,” Hershman said. “We gambled last year and lost…”

 Hershman suggested an 8 cent tax increase, then amended the motion to 10 cents, that motion passed.  

 “I want what’s best for the employees,” Hershman said. “Are raising property taxes popular, No.”

The commission voiced frustration at sheriff department deputies making  $19 per hour. For comparison, Manchester Police officers start at $48,518 or roughly $23 per hour using a 40 work week. Generally, entry-level positions in manufacturing or production can range from $13 to $18 per hour.

 For the second time in as many weeks, Coffee County Mayor Dennis Hunt brought up a property tax increase during County Commissioner meetings.

 During a non-live streamed work session prior to the June Commission meeting, Hunt noted to the commissioners present that a one-cent tax increase would add $160,000 to the county coffers.

During the June 13 Budget and Finance Committee meeting he noted how the commission rejected the idea of a tax increase as well as that a 5-cent increase would add $800,000 dollars that could “go to employee raises.”

“Everything is going up,” Hunt said. “We heard it 20 times tonight. Everything is going up but property tax.” 

Hunt said that the farm that “he worked for and did not inherit…valued at $600,000… would cost $45 with a nickel increase.” 

Hunt then cited prior calculations between commissioners Dwight Miller and Tim Stubblefield would add $60 to their annual tax bill.

“It’s not that catastrophic to the individual taxpayer but could have what I call catastrophic positive effects for our count employees. One nickel – there are counties that are raising their property tax rates 35-cents,” Hunt said.

County residents who live in the Tullahoma City limits could likely see an additional increase of 25% over the county increase.

Residents with a $150,000 home will see an increase in Tullahoma city property taxes of $75 per year in addition to any county tax increase. Manchester City’s proposed budget (that does not include employee raises) is balanced with no tax increase.

Hunt called a 5-cent tax increase minuscule and urged the committee not to brush the idea aside and noted that Tullahoma Mayor and recently resigned commissioner Lynn Sebourn has endorsed the Tullahoma tax increase.

According to the state Comptroller’s office, Nashville and Murfreesboro residents pay a combined property rate less than Tullahoma residents pay.

With some cuts and shifts of costs to the Capital Projects lines, the proposed budget is $1.6 million in the red.  

The plan also comes with some compensation for the $671,000 in TVA funds that have been given for about 20 years to Coffee County Schools.  The county would in turn shift $352,000 from Rural Debt to cover TRANE and HVAC debt plus $262,000 in property tax increase and $189,000.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.