Hamilton commissioners reject 55-cent tax increase

The 5-4 vote Thursday night to reject the increase will force cuts affecting programs and personnel, county Mayor Claude Ramsey said.

“This body has spoken. I don’t particularly care for what you’ve said, but I’ve heard you,” Ramsey told commissioners and a meeting room packed mostly with supporters of the tax increase.

Commissioner Larry Henry cast one of the votes to defeat the tax. Henry said he would consider supporting a 35-cent tax increase that would generate about $13 million for schools and $5 million for county government.

Ramsey’s proposal would have contributed $20 million in new funds to schools and $9 million to county government. His budget totaled $512.6 million, an 8.5 percent increase over the current spending plan.

Commissioners will meet July 7 to adopt a budget.

———

Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com