Image Credit: HamiltonCountyTN / YouTube & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
As the Hamilton County School Board and the County Commission continue to work towards the approval of a budget to fund public schools next year, some members want to consider the possibility of a sales tax increase to help make up for a large anticipated deficit in funding.
It has been estimated that the school district is lacking nearly $18.5 million in requested funding. According to district administrators, this deficit comes from a $12.5 million increase in healthcare costs, as well as a less-than-expected amount of revenue from loc al sales and property taxes.
While some board members are pushing for the district to find ways to make additional cuts, such as eliminating some of their central office staff, others argue that the County Commission needs to step up and find the necessary funding.
Commissioners David Sharpe and Joe Graham are working on a way for that funding to possibly be obtained through an increase in local sales tax.
Sharpe says he has been working on a draft of a resolution that would create a referendum allowing voters to decide if they would be willing to take on a .25% tax hike to help balance the budget.
“I’ve started something already, and if you want to join me, we’ll do it together,” Sharpe said.
Graham agreed, saying, “Let the citizens of Hamilton County come to the voting booth and say how they want to fund our schools.”
School board member Jill Black appreciates the approach, noting, “I really like the fact that we’re talking about revenue, because that is what everything comes down to. Let’s prioritize our kids and our schools.”
The school board is currently scheduled to finalize the school budget at their meeting on Thursday, May 8.
