City Council Representative Raquetta Dotley, for District 7, which includes St Elmo, wants our city tax rate to be $2.25 per $100 of appraised property value for 2025. Other City Council members are willing to make cuts ($1.67 and $1.99). There are proposals being discussed now to trim Mayor Kelly’s budget, to keep city property tax bills down, and still fund the fire and police pay increases, as outlined in past articles in the Chattanoogan.
If Councilwoman Dotley’s proposed tax rate of $2.25 is passed, my city property taxes will increase $671.06 per year, from $955.12 to $1626.18. Plus $183.54 for a storm water fee— that’s another issue. My city and county tax bill on my $289,100 (new appraisal) home will be $2905.19/year. I’m a retired 70 year old widow on a fixed income, and I have not done any major remodels on my home since I bought it over 20 years ago.
County Commissioners trimmed the budget and cut the tax rate to offset the recent reappraisals. Why can’t the City Council members do the same?
I talked to Councilwoman Dotley about my property tax increases and she stated other property owners in her district had not complained or provided much input to her. Please contact Councilwoman Dotley, and ask her to trim the mayor’s budget so our property taxes will not increase so much.
Concerned Senior Homeowner in District 7
Melony Stover