Resident fears school budget will raise taxes

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
June 25, 2002
At least one Lauderdale County resident said Monday he's worried that a proposed county school budget could result in high property taxes for him and other residents.
School district officials said they are seeking an increase in the tax rate for the 2002-2003 school year. But they said taxes could fall because of property reappraisal and an increase in homestead exemption.
School board officials outlined their proposed budget at a public hearing on Monday. The board wants to raise its annual tax rate by .82 mills, from 46.41 mills to 47.23 mills.
A millage rate is the amount of tax paid per dollar on assessed value of property. One mill is one-tenth of 1 cent; for each mill, a taxpayer pays $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value.
The millage rate increase is expected to raise school district revenues from $6.5 million this year to $7 million next year. The school board is expected to vote on the budget at its July 18 meeting.
School district officials say the tax-rate increase is the smallest the district has asked for in five years.
Charlotte Parker, the school district's financial director, said she tried to get an updated projection of next year's property taxes based on reappraisal. But she said those figures were unavailable from the county.
Parker told the eight residents at the hearing that Lauderdale County Supervisors have the authority to adjust the school's millage rate during its budget process later this year.
If property reappraisals are higher than expected, she said, supervisors could adjust the school district's tax rate.
Garrett said he is simply concerned about his tax bill.