Carter County Commissioners Looking At Raising Property Taxes 15 Cents To Pay For Sheriff’s Employees Raises

Carter County Commissioners are recommending a 15 percent property tax rate increase. Much of the money generated will be used to pay for salary increases at the Carter County Sheriff’s Office. This years budget also calls for a two dollar and 50 cent raise for all other county employees. Commissioners were first thinking of raising the levy to 30 to 35 cents but have since decided on the 15 cent increase. Last year, Carter County’s jail nearly lost its certification before commissioners approved a five dollar an hour raise thus preventing an understaffing crisis from continuing. What isn’t known is how the raises will be paid for in the long term.