Karen Nelson says she and her colleagues expect to present petitions to Washington County commissioners on May 19 asking they reverse the tax increase approved in 2024.
Karen Nelson says she and her colleagues expect to present petitions to Washington County commissioners on May 19 asking they reverse the tax increase approved in 2024.
The leader of a group circulating petitions asking Washington County officials to “reverse†the property tax rate set in 2024 and “cap all future tax increases†says more than 900 signatures have been collected.
Karen Nelson, who spoke of her cause to members of East Tennessee Freedom in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ on Tuesday, said she and her colleagues hope to present the petitions to county commissioners at their meeting on May 19. She is also looking to speak to members of the county’s Budget Committee.
“You know, there’s like 11 things on the petition, but the most essential right now is getting a reversal of the 21% increase on property,†said Nelson, who was also part of a successful effort in 2016 that saw ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ rescind its annexation of parts of Gray. “That was way over the top.â€
Commissioners voted in June to set Washington County’s new certified property tax rate at $1.71 for every $100 of assessed value. The rate funds the county’s $62 million general fund budget for the current fiscal year.
The county had just completed a state-mandated countywide reappraisal of commercial and residential property that significantly raised values in 2024.
“They should have taken a little bit deeper look before they bounced that 21% tax hike and doubled all our appraisals,†she said. “There’s got to be balance and fairness.â€
Nelson said her group is still trying to figure out what level of a cap on property taxes would be fair to all homeowners.
The petition also calls for county officials to:
• “Stop the unnecessary spending of our tax dollars on unneeded projects, such as the Gray library, Citi building and new schools to subsidize developers and inflate the value of their properties.â€
• “Stop the abuse of power to enrich the rich with taxpayers’ money.â€
• “Vote in an environmental impact fee of 5% on every new house to pay for the expansion of infrastructure and services.â€
• “Establish Washington County DOGE done by independent auditors.â€
Nelson said state Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, is one of the county residents who have signed the petition.
“I did join my fellow Washington County neighbors in expressing my disappointment in the increase in property tax,†Crowe said last month. “I know it was a tough decision for our commissioners, but it comes at a time when real estate is sky high and has risen, I think, unreasonably in many cases.â€
Nelson said those interested in signing the tax freeze petition should contact her by email at kknoslen@aol.com.
