Blue Ridge to Decide on Property Tax Increase within City Limits

Blue Ridge City Council has invited property owners within Blue Ridge city limits to a public meeting on Monday, October 10^th at 10 am, Tuesday,  October 11^th at 6 pm or October 18^th at 10 am.  The October 11^th meeting will coincide with Blue Ridge City Council’s monthly meeting.  According to the city’s press release (click here to read official press release), the new proposed city property tax is 5.281 mills, which would be an increase of .198 mills.

The city’s press release gives the following examples of how a tax increase would affect tax payments.  For a homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000, the increase would be $11.88.  For a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $100,000, the increase would be $7.92.  There is no information about commercial property in the press release.

The tax assessments for 2016 shows an increase in property value all over the county.  Because of this, the revenue from property taxes has resulted in a larger return for the county, Blue Ridge, McCaysville and the Fannin County School System, which receives a portion of property tax revenue.  The state government requires when higher assessment result in a larger tax digest, then local governments must review their property taxes since an increase in assessed value is, in effect, an increase in property tax.

Both the county and school system held their hearings on property tax in August (see related articles – about the county’s millage decision or the School Board’s millage decision).  In both cases, the county and the school board rolled the millage rate back to avoid increased property taxes.

Blue Ridge has major infrastructure projects that must be taken care of within the next few years so that residents and businesses maintain effective, functioning city services like water and sewage.  The water and sewer lines in the city are beyond their lifespan.  The pipes were originally laid for a smaller population. And, at the time the pipes were laid,there were no systematic building regulations which stated how and where they should be.  Right now, the city is developing a database which maps the water and sewer lines in the city.  Another factor is several areas downtown have storm water drainage problems.    Also, according to the Mayor, the fund that the city maintained as a cushion for emergency water infrastructure projects is soon to be depleted because recently there has been emergency water infrastructure problems.

Another infrastructure project that is on the horizon is Hwy. 76 within the city limits.

Mayor Whitener has said that the city’s budget cannot pay for the essential, large-scale infrastructure repairs that are fast coming due.

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