The first of three public hearings by the Fayetteville City Council on the proposed 44.92 percent hike in Fayetteville’s property tax rate for 2018 was held Aug. 2. Only two members of the audience spoke on the proposed millage rate.
The city’s current rate is 3.874 mills. A breakdown of the proposed 5.646-mill rate shows a General Fund rate of 4.601 mills and a Capital Project Fund rate of 1.045 mills mainly for public safety needs. City staff noted that one mill equals $952,584 of total digest taxes of $5,378,290. The increase translates to a $177.20 increase in property taxes for a home valued at $250,000.
At 5.646 mills, the 2018 rate will generate $1,811,172 in additional property tax revenues. Of that, 4.601 mills will be used for General Fund expenses pertaining to public safety staffing while 1.045 mills will fund capital projects which are mostly public safety needs.
The only two speakers during public comments were Fayette County government employees.
One of those, Fayette County Building Safety Director and Fayetteville resident Joe Scarbrough, recounted the potential move several years ago to consolidate the city fire department with the county. The council subsequently turned down the consolidation, with Scarbrough saying County Administrator Steve Rapson at the time noted that the city’s cost for firefighting would increase in the coming years.
Scarbrough called the council’s vote not to consolidate a response to “mob rule,” a reference to the packed house demanding that the city retain its own fire department.
Mayor Ed Johnson responded, stating that meeting came with much emotion, mainly the demand that the city not forego its own fire department.
A second public hearing will be held Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
