Tyler

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2 board members voted Wednesday to keep the same proposed tax rate as last year.

The board voted unanimously to set the proposed tax rate at 8.5 cents per $100 in property valuation.

Because property values in Smith County have increased, the old tax rate will generate more money. If set at 8.5, the taxing entity will add approximately 3.14 percent to next year's budget.

"This is only the proposed tax rate. We haven't finalized anything," said board member Teresa Campbell.

For the money generated to remain the same as last year, the board would need to set the rate at 8.2.

While discussing the rate, board members took into consideration additional expenses that would be incurred next year. Dispatching services, which were previously paid for by the county, are now the responsibility of ESD No. 2 to pay for. They will also have to pay for their first year's fiscal audit.

Ms. Campbell said the board is working with the 11 Smith County volunteer fire departments to finalize their budgets.

"In doing so, we can keep the current tax rate or below the current tax rate," she said.

Last year, Smith County ESD No. 2 brought in $4.22 million in taxes from Smith County residents. If the board adopts the current rate again, it would generate $4.43 million.

"We're not looking at raising it," she said.

Two public hearings were scheduled for Aug. 19 and 21 to allow the community to give input on the tax rate before it is adopted.