Sumter Official Take Questions About Tax Hike (Daily Sun, July 24 2019
A plan to raise Sumter County property taxes---the first increase in 14 years—to meet public safety needs is spurring questions from hundreds of residents.
Officials provided some of their answers on Tuesday to an overflow crowd of more than 400 at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, even though the issue was not on the commission's agenda.
County Administrator Bradley Arnold said the 24% increase – a rate still significantly lower than the county's historical high-- is needed to provide services such as traffic control and a proper level of law enforcement to a growing population.
He also took questions about an upcoming bump in commissioners' pay, explaining that their rate is set by a state formula, not by themselves.
No vote will be taken until Truth In Millage (TRIM) notices are sent to home-owners in August.
In the mean time, Arnold invited residents to email questions to him at
bradley.arnold@sumtercountyfl.gov or call him at 352-689-4400.