The ongoing discussion among the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners about adding a sales tax increase to the ballot of a future election will continue.
The board, during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, unanimously approved a decision to again table the discussion following lengthy deliberations and points from both sides of the spectrum. An increase will not be on the May ballot but could be revisited for the November ballot if the board chooses.
The commissioners have been discussing a .25 percent sales tax increase that would bump the tax from 6.75 to 7 percent.
Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff kicked off the latest round of discussion by saying he’d heard comments from several concerned citizens, adding that he has concerns over proposing the increase at this time.
“In light of the difficult situations in our country right now and with the increase of inflation at its highest rate in some time, I’m hesitant at this point to move forward with this,” he said.
Grindstaff specifically pointed toward the increased financial burden such an increase would place on service industries like auto maintenance and purchasing tires.
Commissioner Brandon Pittman said he understands Grindstaff’s concerns but added that the county can’t continue to face a deficit.
“I would respectfully differ in some ways,” Pittman said.
Board Vice Chair Harley Masters agreed, adding that if you buy a cookie in Mitchell County for $1, you pay $1.07, not $1.0675.
“We’re already paying that sales tax but we don’t get to keep it in Mitchell County,” she said. “I’d like to see it on the ballot. People can always vote no.”
Masters added that she would hold community forums to field questions from the public and educate them on the topic— especially important, she said, to clear up confusion and worry people get when they hear the word “tax.”
Grindstaff agreed but said he remained hesitant, particularly when considering the impact a hike could have on senior citizens on fixed incomes.
“We continue to run a deficit and we do need to make that up somewhere,” he said. “I’m having my hesitant feelings because I understand the impacts that many will have.”
Commissioner Jeff Harding said he’s been considering the topic a lot and said he’s heard questions from the public about what the extra money would be earmarked for. Originally, he told folks it would go toward a new Law Enforcement Center.
With the county set to receive funds for a Law Enforcement Center from the latest passed state budget, that equation changes. Harding said that this, combined with property tax uncertainty, makes him “hesitant to pull the trigger.”
“If revaluation wasn’t happening and the Law Enforcement Center hadn’t gotten funding, it’d be a different story,” Harding said while adding that he will support the board’s majority decision.
Board Chair Steve Pitman had similar views, saying that while he thinks a sales tax increase is a fair way to spread the burden, he wants to see it pass and given the current climate, he doesn’t know if it would.
“I’m very hesitant to say to move forward with it in the current state, even though I believe it’s the best way for us to move,” Pitman said. “I want to make sure it gets there and getting there is education.”
Grindstaff agreed, saying he realizes a sales tax is the “fairest tax we could ever levy.” He added that he’s hesitant to move forward given the county’s recent state budget funding and the pending property tax revaluation.
“I’m not sure it’s the fairest thing for our citizens at this point,” he said.
In other action, commissioners:
* Named Steve Pitman Chair and Harley Masters Vice Chair. Pitman had served the past year as Vice Chair. Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff had been Chair.
* Recognized Anthony Ellis as the latest County Employee of the Month. Ellis works in telecommunications at the 911 Center and helped develop a formal tracking system for certifications and in-house evaluations.
* Changed meeting times for the DSS Board to 5:30-7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. Regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners will begin at 7 p.m. on those days. The Board of Commissioners will meet again on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. as long as there are enough agenda items to necessitate the meeting.
* Tabled a discussion regarding selling government surplus property on GovDeals.com.