Mike Donila of Straight from the Heart and the Screamer from the Porch posted a Burchett presser, here.
So, Burchett is proud that out of 95 counties, Knox County is 4th in spending. Wait, for almost forever Knox County has been the third largest county in the state. Granted Chattanooga has been knocking on our door for the past four years. But what he mentions is that during his time he has taken the third largest county and bragged that we are fourth. Shouldn’t we be third, since we have third the population.
To me the bottom line in this debate is that for a county of this size, a budget of nearly $422 million dollars should be sufficient. If the school superintendent and board can’t find enough money in that huge budget for teacher raises, then it is apparently not a big priority. The mayor appropriated an additional $15 million dollars this year for the schools, over and above last year’s budget but in what seems like a fit of pique, the board can’t use any of that money for raises, they must have a tax increase to get even more money. I am firmly opposed to a property tax increase. If the board of education and superintendent are so sure that they have the backing of a majority of voters, then let them ask commission to put a tax increase in the form of sales tax or wheel tax on the ballot and let everyone vote on it. Property owners are viewed in this county like some never ending pot of gold that is just there for the taking. That’s why we have such a large wheel tax already is because people refused to pay more in property taxes at that time. I believe there is no support for raising property taxes now either. Mayor Burchett has done an outstanding job in holding the line on taxes despite the push by the media and the Chamber for more and more. I have never seen a school board so out of touch with the taxpayers as it is now and I have lived here my entire life. I am very thankful that the BOE has never been given taxing authority, if they had, property taxes would be so high, that no one could afford to live here if not independently wealthy. I think your comments about Mayor Burchett are unfounded, he has done his best to stop the outrageous requests of McIntyre, Carson, Kincannon and of course Amy Broyles, who is so disappointed each year when she is unable to make the people of Knox County pay more. I don’t understand her hatred of the people who own houses and businesses; they are the backbone of this community and most I think, like me, feel we are taxed more than enough. I don’t care if we are third or fourth or whatever, the $422 million dollar budget speaks for itself. We need new people on the BOE and as superintendent, not more taxes.