Nelson Fiscal Court approves 2019 tax rates for 4 percent revenue increase

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 — Nelson Fiscal Court met this morning and after a brief public hearing, approved first reading of the county’s 2019 tax rates.

This morning’s public hearing was required by law before the county could adopt tax rates that create more revenue than last year’s tax rates.

The proposed tax rate for 2019 — 14.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for both real estate and personal property — is slightly lower than last year’s tax rate of 14.3 cents per $100 due to the increase in the value of existing properties and the development of new homes and commercial properties, Judge Executive Dean Watts told Nelson Fiscal Court at its meeting earlier this month.

The lower tax rate generates approximately 4 percent more in tax revenue that last year’s tax rate, he said. The 4 percent revenue increase is the maximum allowed by law that is not subject to recall by voters.

Two people attended the public hearing, Watts said.

The tax rates will return before Nelson Fiscal Court for final approval at the court’s next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019.

-30-