Image Credit: mtjuliet-tn.gov, Brent Moore / CC, Lookout Mountain Govt & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Mt. Juliet property taxes may quadruple in 2026 if a budget proposal for next year that includes the tax hike is passed by city commissioners.
The city has one of the lowest rates in the state for now at 11 cents per $100 of assessed value. Nearby Lebanon’s rate is just under $0.69.
Mt. Juliet’s property tax on houses within the city’s limits is on top of Wilson County’s tax which is just under $1.91 per $100 of assessed value.
The last time Mt. Juliet’s property tax was raised was in 2011. The 20-cent rate went toward enhancing fire services. Five years later, after property reassessments, the rate was dropped to 16 cents, and then lowered again to the current 11 cents.
The first reading of the budget proposal also includes cutting a couple of the city’s employees.
The position of Public Information Officer with a salary of $158,600 is roughly double that made by those holding similar positions in Brentwood and Franklin.
The elimination of the Deputy Director of Parks caused Parks Director Rocky Lee to resign in protest. Lee has worked for the city for 25 years.
The Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners heard from city residents for nearly two hours on Monday night, some of whom opposed the tax rate being raised to 44 cents.
District 3 Commissioner Scott Hefner was the only one of the four-person board to vote against the proposal. Hefner believes the city should have gradually increased the rate over the last few years instead of one large jump.
City Mayor James Maness has said that a property tax increase would generate $7 million in much needed revenue for improvements for city infrastructure, for roads, and for public safety expansion. A new police headquarters is currently under construction.
Mt. Juliet is ranked the 4th safest city in the state and is one of only ten cities in Tennessee to have their own ambulance service.
A second reading of the proposal and a vote is scheduled for June 23rd.
Meanwhile, Bristol is anticipating a tax hike for the second year in a row – a rate increase of 29% – after last year’s 13% increase. City Council members passed the proposal last week to take the rate from $1.54 per $100 assessed value to $1.98.
Like Mt. Juliet, the City of Bristol has gone years without raising property tax rates.
City Manager Kelli Bourgeois says that it is now necessary as the municipal government is at a point where deferred maintenance and equipment purchases needed for facilities has had to be put off due to not having enough money.
After last year’s increase, Bristol started overhauling the salaries of their police and fire departments as wages were behind the market causing loss of qualified and experienced staff.
Lookout Mountain will probably raise rates by 5% to cover increasing costs with the board of commissioners voting to set the rate at $2.26 per $100 of assessed value after a first reading of the proposed budget for next year. A lack of retail development on the mountain means there isn’t enough sales tax to cover the higher prices of everything.
Paving, something that has been put off for a while, along with cost of living raises of 3% for city employees, is addressed in the budget. Also included is payment to Hamilton County for the upcoming election, as well as repairs to police vehicles and to the city hall building. Maintenance and repairs for the parks and playground department is also in the budget.
Nashvillians are also looking at higher property taxes.
With 2025 being an appraisal year, and the prices of houses having increased significantly, even when tax rates are lowered, as state law requires as property values go up, homeowners may see higher tax bills.
In Nashville’s case, although the proposed tax rate is lower than last year’s – $2.814 which is down from the $3.254 it’s been since 2021 – the median increase of 45% in property values and Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration’s decision to raise the rate above the required lower rate means that Nashville property owners will be paying more.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
