Washington County TN residents closer to property tax hike

Washington County, Tennessee residents could soon be paying more in property taxes after commissioners set in motion a potential 30-cent rate hike. It would be the first tax hike in eight years. The vote was 13 to two Tuesday night in favor of the rate hike. The public is notified of another meeting on June 13. Property values in the recent reassessment saw significant increases. Tennessee law reduces the tax rate after reassessment so the county gets the same amount, but the property assessor explained home prices rose much more than commercial properties. That means 80 percent of homeowners will pay more even without the rate hike. The proposed tax hike will now be published in the newspaper and then commissioners will have a final vote after a public hearing Thursday, June 13 at 5 p.m. in the George Jaynes justice center.