Resident says county proposal raises taxes above rollback rate; urges board to adopt rollback

During the open public hearing, caller Austin Hare challenged the board’s choice to hold many millage rates steady despite large property‑value growth and argued that the county could adopt the rollback rate and still have more revenue than last year. Hare provided a line‑by‑line calculation of growth and new construction and urged the board to adopt the rollback rather than bank what he called a one‑time windfall.

"The rollback rate for the general fund is 4.825 and you are proposing 5.025. That's a 4.19% tax increase and the state law requires you to advertise it as 1," Hare said, summarizing his numerical objection. County staff provided the certified values and explained how rollback rates and new construction affect revenues; commissioners listened but proceeded with the proposed rates and tentatively adopted them that night.