Bradley County Commissioner Howard Thompson on Monday spoke against any sort of tax increase at this point in time. He said many people have contacted him angry about the recent property reappraisals that have raised property values and therefore increased property taxes. While the increase comes from the state level, Commissioner Thompson said it makes no difference, as it is costing people hundreds of extra dollars each year.
“I want to say to this commission that we cannot raise taxes this year,” Commissioner Thompson said. “I don’t want to be hanging over my head this year that I raised my hand for a tax increase.”
Commissioner Thompson also took up the case of County Attorney Joe Byrd. According to a letter from Attorney Byrd, all of the minutes on his personal cell phone were used up for county business, leaving no free minutes for personal calls.
To remedy the problem, Commissioner Thompson asked the county’s finance committee to look into financial assistance for Attorney Byrd, potentially furnishing him a cell phone. Finance committee chairman and commissioner Ed Elkins said the committee would be glad to look into the issue.
Called upon by Commission Chairman Louie Alford, Gary Farlow, president and CEO of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, said headway is being made with the new Wacker industry coming to Bradley County. Though no construction has begun, Mr. Farlow stated that plans are moving forward and may move faster than expected if Wacker is able to secure government grant monies.
The Chamber has a meeting with Wacker administrators during the second week of November and again shortly afterward in Michigan.
Also called to speak was Bradley County Board of Education member Terry McGuire. Mr. McGuire thanked all of the commissioners who attended the joint commission/school board meeting and said there are a lot of good things on the horizon.
“We know where we want to go,” Mr. McGuire said. “We just need to know how we’re going to get there.”
daniel@danielkbrantley.com