Tennessee Legislature will consider property tax increase cap

 By Jon Styf, The Center Square,  Jan 22, 2024 - A Tennessee bill would cap property tax increases in the state at 2% plus inflation each year and 6% plus inflation over a three-year span.

A higher percentage increase in property tax rates would require a referendum.

Beacon Center recently asked registered Tennessee voters about a property.

"It is clear that people are unhappy with the current property tax system in Tennessee, with just 11% of registered voters supporting the status quo of leaving the decision to increase property taxes solely to the local mayor and city council/county commission,” Beacon Center Vice President of Communication and Outreach Mark Cunningham said about those results. “A large majority of Tennesseans (67%) also support a state property tax cap so long as property tax increases have to be approved by voters via referendum."

Just 27% of those polled said they believe local governments are spending property taxes wisely, 31% believe they are not and 42% said they are unsure or neither.

House Bill 565 is sponsored by Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, and is assigned to the Property and Planning Subcommittee of the Local Government Committee.

Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, is sponsoring companion bill SB 171 that is assigned to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

The cap would apply to counties, municipalities, metropolitan governments and special school districts that can levy property taxes.

In 2022, there were six counties, 24 municipalities and one special school district that exceeded the cap. In 2021, it was three counties, 37 municipalities and six special school districts and in 2020 it was seven counties, 22 municipalities and one special school district.

A fiscal note on the bills says the impact is expected to be more than $1 million of funding for local governments each year that those entities cannot increase tax rates more than the cap.

“The proposed language may result in LGEs increasing their property tax rates in amounts lower than they would have otherwise to avoid having a referendum,” the note says.

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Tennessee should cap local property taxes like most American states do

 Limiting the growth in property taxes will benefit every single Tennessee family. And with prices of many goods and services at an all-time high, this relief couldn’t come a moment too soon.

by Arthur Laffer, Joe Scarlett and Justin Owen, Guest columnists, The Tennessean, Jan. 17, 2023- Property tax bills, tax rates, and assessed property values have been on a tear here in Tennessee. 

People who have lived in their homes throughout their careers are seeing eye-popping property tax hikes that are putting a strain on their pocketbooks.

Rental properties have been forced to increase rents because of higher property taxes.  And the costs of owning and buying a home have risen a lot in part due to property tax hikes. 

In recent years, cities and counties across Tennessee have raised property taxes by double-digit percentage points.  ... Forty-five other states have caps on property tax increases ... Tennessee is one of only five states that does not place a cap on property tax hikes, according to the Tax Foundation.  ... Unabated property tax increases burden taxpayers on fixed incomes and strain their ability to stay in their homes. (read more)

Dr. Arthur Laffer is founder of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm, and a former economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan.
Joe Scarlett is retired chairman of Tractor Supply Co. and vice chairman at the Beacon Center of Tennessee.
Justin Owen is president & CEO of the Beacon Center.

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Tennessee should pass a property tax cap

 From The Beacon Center Pork Report, Dec. 16, 2023- Tennessee gets a lot of things right, but when it comes to property taxes, the state has few friends to bond with. Tennessee is one of only four states that does not have some form of property tax cap to protect taxpayers, along with Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We have all felt the pressures of inflation, but residents across Tennessee face the burden of huge increases in their property tax bill because there is no limit on how high local governments can go when it comes to raising property taxes. Just this year Rutherford County saw property tax rates go up 16 percent, Greene County saw a 30 percent increase, and Lincoln County a 37 percent increase. In Red Bank, just outside of Chattanooga, residents were dealt a whopping 52 percent tax hike.

These are just a few examples of property tax increases taking place this year. All across the state, local governments, both rural and urban, are passing massive property tax hikes instead of getting their financial health in order. Even small increases tied with sky-high assessments leave residents with less of their hard-earned dollars. Since Tennesseans are not afforded the same protections offered in 46 other states, these tax hikes are likely to continue, year after year. No one likes the tax man, but in almost every other state, residents know what to reasonably expect when the bill comes. But in Tennessee, this bill knows no limit.

SOLUTION: Despite fiscal conservatism and low taxes at the state level, Tennessee residents have felt few of these benefits when local governments pass massive tax increases. Policymakers should afford Tennesseans the same protections offered to residents in 46 other states by passing some form of property tax cap.

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Tax Relief or Tax Freeze may keep an elderly person or disabled person from losing their home.

by Rod Williams, Nov. 15, 2023- Many low-income families in Nashville struggle to pay their property taxes and high property taxes can put owners at risk of losing their home.  There are two programs in Nashville to help low-income homeowners with their property taxes. These programs cannot help all low-income people, but they can help the disabled and the elderly.

These programs are the Tax Relief program and the Tax Freeze program. If you have a friend or relative who is elderly or disabled and is struggling financially, please make them aware of these programs. If you are a minister, or someone who works at a social service agency, or someone who delivers meals-on-wheels, or the president of a neighborhood organization, or anyone who encounters people with low income, please familiarize yourself with these programs. Making a timely referral may keep someone from losing their home.  The following information and more information about these programs can be found at this link. 

Tax Relief/Exemptions

Do the elderly, disabled or disabled veterans receive any discounts or exemptions?

Eligibility requirements include: age/ disability; ownership/ residency; and income. To apply for property tax relief you must meet these three basic criteria - these are described below. Reimbursements for the property taxes of low-income homeowners who are elderly or disabled are provided by the state of Tennessee. Reimbursements are given on all or part of the local taxes paid on property which the taxpayer owns and uses as his/her residence.

Age/Disability

During the tax year for which they are applying, an applicant must turn 65 on or before December 31. In order to apply as a disabled homeowner, a person must have become disabled on or before December 31 of the year. An applicant may apply if they are awaiting a decision on their disability claim. The state office must receive the final decision by May 31 following the delinquency date. The final decision must indicate their disability began on or before December 31 of the tax year.

Ownership/Residency

An applicant must be able to document that they had ownership of the taxable property during the tax year. Ownership may be documented by a tax bill/receipt, warranty deed, probated will, title or bill of sale for a mobile home.

Income Requirement (Elderly or Disabled Homeowners)

The combined annual income from all sources of all the living owners of record and spouse of the applicant is required and cannot exceed $31,190 for the 2020 calendar year. Annual income from all sources shall include, but is not limited to, Social Security payments after the Medicare deduction, supplemental security income, retirement and pension benefits, veteran's benefits, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, salaries and wages, alimony, total interest and total dividends. For income from a business, include only the net income or loss after expenses.

Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans must have a 100% disability rating. The disability must meet specific criteria under service connection, be combat - related or the result of being a prisoner of war. For veteran applicants there is no income limit. Tax relief is paid on the first $175,000 of market value of the home.

Tax Freeze

Under the program, qualifying homeowners age 65 and older can "freeze" the tax due on their property at the amount for the year they qualify, even if tax rates increase. Applicants must turn 65 on or before December 31 during the tax year for which they are applying. Applicants must present:

• Proof of age (birth certificate, Medicare card, driver's license, passport, etc.)
• Proof of ownership (current tax bill or receipt, recorded deed, etc.)
• Evidence property is principal residence (voter registration card, etc.)

Further, income records must be provided showing the total income of all owners of the property during 2020 does not exceed $44,510 for Davidson County. Income records include Federal tax returns, with all attachments, or other items acceptable to the Trustee. All applicants must sign an income verification form permitting the Trustee to contact IRS, SSA or the State Division of Property Assessment to verify income. The application is a public record, but the financial documents remain confidential.

Applications for the Tax Freeze must be filed by April 5, each year, and applicants may contact the Office of the Trustee at 615-862-6330. If you need information concerning the program, please feel free to call us with any questions.

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Why should one get a free ride just because they are old?

by Rod Williams, May 31, 2022- The meme to the left has been appearing on my Facebook page again and again, obviously without the editing in red. It gets lots of likes, shares, and some confirming messages. I know most of my friends are of the conservative persuasion, so if this is showing up on my Facebook page it must be prevalent across the internet.

This is just wrong. Why should one not have to pay property tax just because they are 65 years old?  Many elderly people, me included, have more disposable income than they ever had.  If one was even moderately prudent, unless they had some unforeseen tragedy befall them, they should have had a paid-for house by retirement age and a paid-for car. If they were wise, by retirement age they should be debt-free.  I know not all people are fiscally responsible and some people have tragedies befall them that cause them to be financially insecure. Some people are simply low-income. There is help for people like that. Why should one get a free ride just because they are old? 

If all people over the age of 65 get excused from paying property taxes, then the burden is shifted to younger people.  I am of the view that property taxes are too high, but that is a separate argument from who should pay the taxes. Today's young people are finding it harder than ever to even purchase a house. They are likely to be the first generation in America's history to be worst off than the previous generation. Misguided fiscal and monetary policy and local zoning and land-use policies, as well as market forces, have pushed homeownership beyond the reach of many young couples. We do not need to compound the problem by shifting the tax burden to younger people. 

The greatest source of wealth accumulation in this country for most people is their home. We should make it easier for people to become homeowners, not more difficult.

If any age segment of the population needs a tax break it is younger people. We have reached the point where the American people are not replacing themselves. This has serious implications for the social security safety net as well as the ability to service other national debt. Probably the same people who "like" this meme are the same ones who "like" the meme that says social security is not an entitlement, which makes no sense since they claim it is something to which they are entitled. Social Security of course is not a funded retirement plan but a transfer payment. Today's wage earners, younger people, are paying for old people's social security. If we do not have population growth rates that replace ourselves, social security is in real trouble. We need to make it possible for young people to afford to have children.

I bet many of the elderly who are "linking" this meme are the same ones outraged about the proposal to forgive student loans. I share that outrage. Student loan forgiveness is lower-income people who did not go to college subsidizing wealthier people who did.  I share the view that there is too much welfare but then I do not turn around and ask to be excused from paying taxes simply because I am of a certain age. 

In Nashville, if you are over the age of 65 and make less than $45,090 you are probably eligible for a tax freeze. If you make less than $31,600 you are probably eligible for tax relief. If you don't qualify for this government assistance, you may qualify for a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages are not for everyone, but it is a way for many people who can not afford their home to stay in their home. 

Below is more information on the Tax Freeze and Tax Relief for Seniors programs. 

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Mayor Barry says she will be submitting a no-proprty-tax-increase budget to the Metro Council. Will raise stormwater tax.

Mayor Megan Barry

To rodwilliams47@yahoo.com

 

Dear Rod,

Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with members of the Rotary Club of Nashville about important priorities of my administration over the next year.

One of the issues that affects all Nashvillians is affordability. With property values rising quickly, this year's property reappraisal will hit some harder than others, which is why I have committed to submitting a budget to the Metro Council that will not include a property tax increase.

Following the reappraisal, indications are that the certified tax rate could be at or near the lowest levels in the history of Metro. However, property owners whose values increase more than the countywide average will be paying more in taxes than they used to, while those whose values increases less than the average will be paying less than they used to, as the state requires this to be a revenue-neutral process. Seniors, veterans, and disabled Nashvillians who meet certain criteria may be eligible to participate in tax freeze or relief programs through the Trustee's Office.

You will also see changes in how Metro determines stormwater fees. Rates haven't increased since 2009, but the cost of managing stormwater has, significantly. Modernizing the fee structure will protect the investments we've already made in stormwater infrastructure, and allow us to fund new solutions. We are proposing a more equitable fee structure, whereby the rates of smaller homes and businesses will be frozen, and properties with larger impervious structures will pay more for the water runoff they create.

Take some time to learn more about the property reappraisal and stormwater modernization initiative.

Kind regards,

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No tax increase in 2016 but look for a whopper of an increase in 2017!

Mayor Megan Barry has announced that she will not seek a tax increase this year.  I am not surprised. It takes a while to get a handle on the needs and scope of Metro government and usually new mayors do not ask for a tax increase their first year in office. I do expect a large tax increase, however, in year 2017. Here is why.

Mayor Barry has a mandate to raise taxes. Like it or not, when Nashvillians went to the polls in 2015 we elected the most progressive candidate for mayor of the slate of candidates running.  Anyone who voted for Barry was essentially voting for a tax increase. We who want a more efficient and innovative government and less government, lost the election. Not only did the candidate for mayor most likely to raise taxes get elected, but in those contested council races in which the contest was between a less liberal candidate and a more liberal candidate, in almost every contest the more liberal candidate won. Elections have consequences.

Advocates for more and more government spending are relentless in their quest while opponents of tax increases only pay attention in the year of a proposed tax increase. I served in the Council in the decade of the 80's and have observed the operation of Metro government for many more years. Day in and day out, year in and year out, advocates of more spending push for their favorite cause; advocates of low taxes only speak out in the year of a proposed tax increase. If you watch the pubic hearing on the budget, in a year in which there is not a proposed tax increase, speaker after speaker will urge more funding for their favorite cause. There is an absence of those who call for abolishing departments or ending funding for any project or who point out wasteful spending or who call for reform or call for efficiency studies. No one ever says taxes should be cut. The pressure is always for more and more spending.

In 2012 when Mayor Dean raised taxes 12% there was a lot of people organized by The Nashville Tea Party wearing day-glow lime green tee shirts with the printed message "no tax."  These people have not been seen since.  In the meantime, the Council has heard from Friends of the Library, Friends of the Parks, advocates of saving General Hospital, family of firemen and policemen, advocates of more sidewalks and greenways, and advocates of public education. They have not heard from those concerned about waste and inefficiency and the burden of high taxes.  No one appears at the budget hearing arguing we should privatize General Hospital or abolish the Department of Human Relations. No one points out that one of the reasons we have less affordable housing is that high property taxes discourages new affordable housing and makes existing affordable housing less affordable.

Mayor Barry has structured the budget process to build a case for more taxes. Up until this year, the Mayor in giving direction to department heads to prepare for the Mayor's budget hearings would instruct them to present their budget and include in their presentation what cuts they would make if they got x% less than they requested. This year, Mayor Barry has asked department heads instead of following that "old model" to look ahead at the next three years and take a strategic approach to "solving our problems."  She is calling her budget hearings, "public investment plans." Even the formality of looking at cost saving is out the window.

Tax increases will be hidden in the reappraisal process.  This year all property in Nashville will be reappraised to reflect current market values. By law, a general reappraisal cannot result in more tax revenue. A reappraisal does not raise more taxes but equalized taxes to reflect current values. By law, the city must adopt a tax rate that bring in no more revenue than was realized before the reappraisal. What will most likely happen is that the council will adopt the new certified property tax rate and then in the same meeting, adopt a new higher tax rate. Since most of the public does not understand this process, they will blame much of their higher property taxes on the reappraisal.

Here is a link to The Tennessean's report on the Mayor's announcement that she would not be seeking a tax increase: Megan Barry rules out tax increase in first budget.

Below is Mayor Barry's budget announcement.

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Nashville’s Next Mayor Probably Won't Cut Your Taxes

Nashville’s Next Mayor Probably Won't Cut Your Taxes, reports Nashville Public Radio after interviewing each of the candidates and asking each if they would cut taxes. Am I really surprised?  No, but I wish we had a candidate who would at least consider it. I wish we had a candidate who make cutting taxes a goal. I wish we had a candidate for Mayor who would promise to take a hard top-to-bottom look at each department and one who would promise to hire an outside consultant to examine each department to find savings. I believe cutting taxes is possible without hurting our quality of life. The State of Tennessee has cut taxes and if the State can do I believe the City can do it. 

I believe there is sufficient waste to be eliminated in Metro Government that a tax cut may be possible without harming our quality of life. I am aware however that we have significantly increased our indebtedness and our unfunded pension liability continues to grow.  I fear that we may be in for a big tax increase if we do not cut spending. If there is a slow down in our rate of economic growth and we do not find significant expenditures to cut, a tax increase may be unavoidable. 

If we had a candidate who would promise to go eight years and not raise taxes, I would be pleased.  None of the candidates say they will raise taxes but I believe they will. it has almost become the norm that each new mayor gets at least one big tax increase. That should not be an expectation.

To hear how each of the candidates answer the question, follow this link.  

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Wealthy Nashvillians cash in on law meant for farmers

The Tennessean, Oct 14, 2012

This is hardly farm country. But Bredesen and several neighbors are cashing in on a state law intended to protect farms, forests and open space from encroaching development. Because the former governor cuts hay on a portion of his $13-million, 89-acre estate, and grosses at least $1,500 a year in farm income, he saves $62,000 a year in local property taxes. (link)

Comment: I don't condemn former Governor Bredesen for "cashing in" on the law intended to protect open spaces from development.  I think no tax payer should pay a cent more in taxes than they are legally required to pay. A legal deduction on your income tax is not a "loophole."  If the law allows you to put your estate into a conservation easement and avoid $62,000 in local property tax, then I don't condemn you for doing it.  The problem is not with those who legally avoid paying taxes, the problem is with the code that permits it.

I also feel pretty much the same way about people who get food stamps or other forms of public assistance. If they are legally entitled to a form of public assistance, and are not committing fraud to get it, then I do not condemn them for getting it.  I recognize that accepting welfare corrupts one's character and creates a dependency and a sense of entitlement.  I admire those who refuse the assistance, but I don't condemn those who take.  The fault is with the program, not the recipient.

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Nashville is on hook for millions even if Predators don't play

Nashville is on hook for millions even if Predators don't play

www.tennessean.com

Under terms of Metro government’s agreement with the team, it will still be on the hook for millions of dollars in subsidies to the Predators even if the games don’t resume.

..... doesn’t affect Metro’s obligation to provide the team up to $8.6 million a year.
 In the past five years, the city has given the Predators $38.6 million.

NHL Lockout Could Cost Metro Nashville Millions
News Channel 5
If NHL owners and players fail to come to an agreement before the start of the season, the lockout could cost Metro Nashville millions of dollars.
more>>

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Dean camp financially backed 'grassroots' pro-tax hike coalition | Nashville City Paper

Dean camp financially backed 'grassroots' pro-tax hike coalition | Nashville City Paper

nashvillecitypaper.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 10:31pm

By Joey Garrison

The pro-property tax increase group that called itself a “grassroots coalition” supporting key investments for Nashville’s future received $26,000 from Mayor Karl Dean’s campaign coffers, his mid-year financial disclosure reveals.

Moving Nashville Forward — which rallied support for the mayor’s 53-cent property tax hike in advance of the council’s final approval on June 19 — collected donations from others as well, former Metro Councilman Erik Cole, who led the organization’s efforts, told The City Paper. But the mayor’s contribution was the largest.

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Update: The June 5th Council meeting? The Budget.

This will be one of the most important Council meetings in a very, very long time. The Mayor's budget (ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-154) will be on second reading and there will be a public hearing. Usually Council Meeting are very, very boring and only a political junkie like me would watch them. This should be entertaining and heated. If you only watch one council meeting a year, watch this one. If you want to stop a tax increase, attend!

What I expect to happen is that the Council will hold the hearing on the budget and then defer it. Expect to hear teachers, policemen, Metro employees, art lovers, park lovers, library lovers and people who think of themselves as friends of education, and other "good government" types and liberals to argue that we need a tax increase to move this city forward.

Expect homeowners and tax payers and conservatives and tea party types to argue that a tax increase will cause people and businesses to move out of the county or chose not to move here in the first place. They will argue we cannot afford a tax increase.

If I get a chance to speak I will argue against a tax increase. In property taxes, it cost a homeowner almost twice as much to live within Davidson County as it does in an adjoining county. The adjoining counties, generally have less crime and better schools and one can still enjoy the benefits provided by the city of Nashville. One can drive to Nashville to enjoy the entertainment and fine restaurants and all else, yet avoid the taxes. I think a tax increase will drive out the middle class. I oppose it.

If you have an opinion, one way or the other about whether or not we should raise taxes, this is your chance to be heard. Show up! Put in your two cents worth. I do not know how the vice mayor will handle it, if hundreds of people want to speak. Will she ban repetitive testimony?  Will she impose a time limit?  Will she arbitrarily cut off the public hearing after a certain amount of time? I don't know.

You can get your own copy of the Metro council meeting agenda at this link: Metro Council Agenda. From the agenda you can link to the analysis. 

Here is what to look for other than the budget:

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-159: This ordinance adopts the capital improvements budget for 2012-2013 through 2017-2018.The capital improvements budget is not really a budget but a planning document and does not in itself appropriate any money. All capital projects must be provided for in this document before a capital improvement can be approved by the council, except in the case of a public emergency. This document ranks projects, so one can still be against a tax hike and advocate that your favorite public improvement be ranked high. There will be a public hearing on the capital improvements budget.

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-153: If you have noticed that in certain parts of town, that two fine looking single family homes are connected by a portion of a structure that looks like it could be no more than a narrow hall, the reason is a codes requirement that says duplexes in these districts must be attached. This ordinance amends the Metro zoning code to delete the requirement that two-family dwellings in the historic overlays be physically connected.  The connection requirement would remain for properties located outside of a historic zoning overlay. This ordinance has been approved by the planning commission. This is a common sense ordinance that ought to pass. This will be on public hearing. I do not expect opposition.

RESOLUTION NOS. RS2012-273 THROUGH RS2012-275 concern raises for metro employees. These will be deferred. If the Mayor's budget does not pass, there would not be money to fund these so the decision on the budget needs to be made before passing a raise for Metro employees.

RESOLUTION NO. RS2012-276 authorizes GSD general obligation bonds to provide funding for various projects contained in the mayor’s 2012-2013 capital spending plan. Like the above resolution, this one will be deferred until after the council decides what to do with the budget.

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-155 on third reading adopts the property tax levy for fiscal year 2012-2013. The Metropolitan Charter provides that the council’s next order of business upon adopting the annual operating budget must be to adopt a tax levy that fully funds the operating budget, so this will be deferred.

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-156 amends the Metro code to shift the collection authority for certain taxes from the county clerk to the department of finance. The reason for this is that John Arriola has not been transferring these funds to Metro. This is a good bill. Until Arriola is removed from office, he needs to be trusted with as little of Metro's money as possible. The mayor’s proposed budget includes a $157,300 reduction in the county clerk’s budget for the transfer of two Full Time Equivalent positions as a result of this ordinance. So, Arriola no longer would provide this service, but he would no longer be paid for providing it.

There may be a couple more bill that are tied to the outcome of the budget, that will be deferred to track the budget.

I have read the agenda and the analysis, but do not find anything else that looks very interesting. I am providing a less detailed analysis of this agenda on this occasion than I usually due because of time constraints, but I have read it and see nothing else that is controversial.

Remember, this is your chance to let your voice be heard.  Show up at the Court House to get a tee shirt showing your opposition to the tax increase.  Opponents of the tax hike will be meeting at the front entrance of the court house starting about 4:30.  Once the chamber is full, no more people will be permitted entrance.  The proponents of a tax increase are expected to also arrive early to take the available seats, so to get a seat in the chamber and a chance to speak during the public hearing, arrive early.

The Please note that signs are prohibited in the council chambers but one may wear buttons or shirts with messages. Cheers and applause are prohibited in the chamber. If the crowd gets too rowdy, the the Vice Mayor my clear the chamber. Please be respectful of those with whom you disagree and constrain your enthusiasm for those with whom you agree. I hope to see you there.

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We can STOP the 13% Nashville Property Tax Hike.

An Important Message from Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. An Important Message from Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike Dear Neighbor, We can STOP the 13% Nashville Property Tax Hike. The next extremely critical step is showing up in large numbers at the Metro Council Meeting on Tuesday June 5th at 4:30pm. We will be there starting at 4:30pm Tuesday June 5th at the Front Entrance to the Metro Courthouse with T-shirts available so you can tell Karl Dean and the Council NO PROPERTY TAX HIKE. Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend. There will also be a public hearing at the Tuesday Council Meeting where anyone who chooses to can tell the council how they feel about the 13% Tax Hike. Most importantly, PLEASE JOIN US. The council meeting will start at approx 6PM but it is VERY IMPORTANT that we get there early enough to get seats in the council chamber. If you would like to take action before the Tuesday Council Meeting Please CALL as many council members as possible (numbers listed below) and let them know politely but firmly how you feel. You can simply leave a message on their answering machine and say, "I am ___and I live at___ and I am asking you to vote NO on Mayor Dean's Tax increase." Below are all the numbers.   Council Members At Large represent ALL Nashville Citizens   Megan BARRY    480-3008   Ronnie STEINE     385-9757   Tim GARRETT   859-1047   Charlie TYGARD   646-3295   Jerry MAYNARD   942-6233              District - Council Member - ZIP - Phone   1. Lonnell MATTHEWS, Jr  - 37218 -  876-2319   2. Frank HARRISON  -  37207  -  228-7693   3. Walter HUNT - 37189  -  876-3367   4. Brady BANKS  -  37027 - 663-1037   5. Scott DAVIS  - 37207 -  554-9730   6. Peter WESTERHOLM  - 37206  - 429-4042   7. Anthony DAVIS  -  37206 -  775-8746   8. Karen BENNETT  -  37207 -  228-8107   9. Bill PRIDEMORE -  37115  -  915-1419   10. Doug PARDUE  - 37072  - 859-9370   11. Darren JERNIGAN -  37138 -  847-8483   12. Steve GLOVER  -  37076  -  883-1378   13. Josh STITES  -  37214  -  583-9271   14. Bruce STANLEY   37214   889-6697   15. Phil CLAIBORNE  - 37214 -  889-2907   16. Toney TENPENNY  -  37211 -  506-2016   17. Sandra MOORE  -  37204  -  386-9246   18. Burkley ALLEN  - 37205  -  383-6604   19. Erica GILMORE  -  37208  -  248-8852   20. Buddy BAKER  -  37209  -  356-0714   21. Edith LANGSTER  -  37208  -  320-5783   22. Sheri WEINER  -  37221  -  347-7544   23. Emily EVANS  - 37205  -  356-6294   24. Jason HOLLEMAN  -  37209  - 269-6365   25. Sean McGUIRE  -  37215  -  260-2634   26. Chris HARMON -  37211 -  405-7132   27. Davette BLALOCK  -  37211 -  831-5525   28. Duane DOMINY  -  37013  -  831-0774   29. Karen JOHNSON  -  37013  -  977-6721   30. Jason POTTS  -  37211 -  332-0568   31. Fabian BEDNE  - 37211  -  829-6226   32. Jacobia DOWELL -  37013  -  731-3177   33. Robert DUVALL  -  37013  -  862-6780   34. Carter TODD  -  37215  -  305-8903   35. Bo MITCHELL  -  37221 -  477-6718   Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike 2714 Jefferson Street Nashville, TN 37208 615-852-6343   This email was sent to you by Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike. Our mailing address is: Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike 2714 Jefferson Street Nashville, TN 37208 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

If you also got this email or saw it posted somewhere and wondered who "Nashville Citizens Against the Tax Hike" were, it is the Nashville Tea Party. Call the number and you will get a recorded message saying "welcome to the Nashville Tea Party" and you will get the voice of  Ben Cunningham. 2714 Jefferson Street is the address of Jefferson Manor Apartment. The May 10th event near Opryland was organized by the Nashville Tea Party and the event on at Limelight on Thursday was advertised as hosted by the Facebook group "Homeowners Against a Property Tax Hike." I don't know why this is being put out under a new name, not that any of this matters, but I was curious and thought others may be.  

The important thing is that we make the phone calls and show up on Tuesday night.

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WE CAN STOP THIS TAX

By B. J Zeagler

My husband and I attended the Against Dean’s Property Tax Tea Party Rally last night. We did this because we are Davidson County Residents that are just plain mad that our elected officials are trying to force yet another tax down our throats so that they can spend our money they way they want. I hope you too are mad enough to join in this fight to stop Dean and the Council. We have some wonderful hard working people trying to help us stop Dean's property tax. Ben Cunningham, God bless him, helped us stop the Tennessee income tax and now he is fighting hard to stop the property tax. Ralph Bristol is an angel. He is using his microphone to educate the public about this unwanted and unnecessary tax.

Now comes your part. Anyone that doesn't want a property tax MUST go to the court house on June 5 and by your presence, let the Council members know you expect them to vote NO on this property tax. WE CAN STOP THIS TAX. We can show Mayor Dean that the citizens of this city will not be “snookered” by him. For those of you that may not know, next year our property will be reassessed & guess what, you will get even another tax on your property. It is our civic duty to step up and stop this kind of madness... 

Businesses are moving to the counties outside Davidson County because the taxes are less, residents are moving outside Davidson County because the taxes are forcing them out. We need to take our power back and stop letting elected servants take our money and use it to their benefits without asking us how we feel.

For those of you that think "we can't stop this" we heard enough last night to know we can. Many members of the council are re-evaluating their positions on this. You better believe if “thousands” show up at this meeting they wouldn't dare go against the power of the people. Emails & calls are being made, councilmen are aware that the majority of Nashvillians do not want this tax. Making your presence be seen at this next vote will provide more evidence that we don't want this tax. This is also the only time during this vote that “you” will be able to speak what's on your mind.

Please pass this on to your friends and  family. Write your own message. Post it where Davidson County Residents can read it. Send it to anyone you know. Our presence must be seen & heard. We may not be able to go to Washington to show our power, but we sure can let our local officials know we mean business. It is up to us, we can do nothing & let this property tax get passed or we can stop it in its tracks.

WE HAVE THE POWER. Let’s show the elected officials that we expect them to vote for us, not with the Mayor.

See you at the Courthouse on Tuesday, June 5th.
There will be bright yellow t-shirts with the no tax logo so we will stand out. Mark your calendars now.

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Tonight! STOP the Nashville Property Tax Hike Rally

When: Thursday May 31 5-7PM, Doors open 4PM 

Where: Limelight Nashville, 201 Woodland Street Admission: 

FREE!! 

Speakers include WTN Nashville's Morning News Host Ralph Bristol and Councilman Robert Duvall.

Please JOIN us THIS Thurs and PLEASE Email friends and family to let them know about the Rally. There will have lots of music and free snacks and speakers but most of all we must Stand Together to Stop this tax hike.

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Council Budget Hearings: Legal Department and Internal Audit

05/17/12 Legal

05/17/12 Internal Audit

While I watched almost every one of the Mayor’s budget hearings, I have not yet watched many of the Council budget hearings. Sometimes things like work and family and life get in the way of my effort to stay informed. I intend to watch them and provide commentary as time allows. I want to see where savings are possible and I want to see if any council members are distinguishing themselves by asking the hard questions and making the department heads squirm or it the budget hearings are a sham and a love fest.

I am posting video of the various council budget hearings and will provide an update and commentary later.

I may not get to watch them all. If you watch the video and have an insight or observation, please share and leave a comment.

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Homeowners Against a Property Tax Hike

From Ben Cunningham:
Here is a call sheet with phone numbers for all district and at-large council members. You can print and copy and give out to friends, family and at church and work.  http://www.nashville.gov/council/docs/phone_list_2011.pdf

If you need to find which district you live in, enter your address in upper right hand corner of this map: http://maps.nashville.gov/Redistricting2010/#app=421&f2d7-selectedIndex=0&c1e6-selectedIndex=0&3e7f-selectedIndex=0&772f-selectedIndex=0

If you are on Facebook go to Homeowners Against a Property Tax Hike & join the conversation. To stop this Property Tax Hike it is going to take us all fighting the Mayor.

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Alternatives to the Tax Increase

Feature, Policy — By editor , The Beacon Center,  May 21, 2012 at 1:07 pm


NASHVILLE – The Beacon Center of Tennessee, the state’s free market think tank, today released a policy brief analyzing Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s proposed 2012-2013 budget. The budget recommendation put forward by Dean contains a 13 percent property tax hike and a net spending increase of 7.85 percent.

The Beacon Center’s brief, titled Analyzing Nashville’s “Taxing” Budget, offers alternatives to the tax increase in a short, four-page summary. Based on the Center’s findings, the Metro City Council could balance the budget with no tax increase by making specific reductions and holding the line on excess spending.

Among the proposed changes include maintaining existing funding for public works, libraries, and parks; the elimination of subsidies to private entities; terminating the handout to the half-full Metro General Hospital; an end to wasteful mass transit spending; and the promotion of education reforms instead of mere increases in education spending.

The City Council could reduce Mayor Dean’s proposed budget by as much as $134.2 million with these changes, eliminating the need for a property tax increase. Further, Nashville’s budget could be balanced without pulling a single police officer off the streets, while still offering the proposed four percent pay raise to city employees and preserving existing levels of funding for essential city services.

“By adopting the measures outlined in our brief, Metro City Council members could protect taxpayers against a massive tax hike, all while maintaining existing funding for all essential services, including education and safety,” said Beacon’s president & CEO Justin Owen. “It doesn’t take much digging to find opportunities to present a fiscally-sound budget alternative to the one proposed by the mayor.”

The brief also calls for Metro leaders to seek additional changes, such as managed competition and pension reform, to make further spending reductions and promote the long-term fiscal stability of the city.

The policy brief can be found online at: http://www.beacontn.org/wp-content/uploads/Analyzing-Nashvilles-Taxing-Budget.pdf

The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s mission is to change lives through public policy by advancing the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. The Center is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing policymakers and concerned citizens with timely solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee.

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Renters likely to pay more too with proposed property tax hike

Sunday, May 20, 2012, City Paper, by Joey  Garrison

Since Dean’s May 1 announcement that he plans to pursue Davidson County’s first property tax hike since 2005, the focus has mostly been on how it will affect individual homeowners. The proposal, a 53-cent increase to the combined Urban and General Services rate, would on average increase individual property tax payments annually by $192, or $16 per month.

That also means a likely rent hike for the 44 percent of housing occupied by renters in Davidson County.
That higher taxes on landlords would trickle down as higher costs for renters sounds like standard economics. But the proposal comes at a time in Nashville when more than four in 10 renters are already spending 35 percent or more of their monthly income on rent, according to the census bureau. (read more)

Actually, a property tax increase may hit renters harder than the article states. Residential property and farms are assessed at 25% of their appraised value. Commercial and Industrial property is assessed at 40% of appraised value. Rental properties in residential neighborhoods are assessed at the 25% rate but apartment complexes are treated as commercial property and assessed at 40%.

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Chamber Should Refuse Subsidy, Avoid Conflict

NASHVILLE  - Today, leading opponents of the proposed property tax increase on Metro Nashville taxpayers released a statement on the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of the plan. Talk radio host Ralph Bristol, Nashville Tea Party founder Ben Cunningham, Nashville business owner Lee Beaman, and Justin Owen of the Beacon Center of Tennessee said the following:

 

Yesterday, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce publicly endorsed Mayor Karl Dean's 13 percent property tax hike. This is unfortunate for many of its business members who will undoubtedly face a significant increase in their tax burdens, and it also raises a serious question about a conflict of interest.

 

Under the mayor's budget proposal, the Chamber will receive its annual subsidy of $300,000 from Metro taxpayers. In order to avoid a perceived conflict of interest, we are calling on the Chamber to officially refuse this handout. In its statement, the Chamber pointed to the need to raise government employee salaries and fund our schools as justification for the tax increase.  Refusing its $300,000 subsidy will help ensure that every dollar of the proposed tax hike goes to fund those programs the Chamber claims warrant the tax hike in the first place, rather than to boost its own bottom line.

 

Further, it is imperative that Mayor Dean withdraw proposed funding to any private entity that endorses the tax hike to likewise avoid any conflicts of interest.  This will ensure that no taxpayer money is used by private parties to push for a tax increase based on their own potential benefits.  It will also guarantee that the debate over the need of this tax increase remains transparent and without such conflicts.

 

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