By James B. Bartle
Residents from Franklin County can take a deep breath as Franklin County Commissioners approved the tax rate for the upcoming year, but opted not to increase the tax levies; in fact, they are reducing one tax.
On Tues., Sept. 15, commissioners held a public hearing on setting the tax rate. Earlier in the month, commissioners had proposed to increase the rate, but only a week later determined that they would not.
The rates approved on Tuesday are 11.73 cents per $100 assessed valuation for the general revenue fund; it was proposed to be 12.88 cents, and 19.23 cents for the road and bridge fund. The combined rate will be 30.96, which is a 0.2 decrease from the previous year.
The county is expected to generate some $5.6 million from the tax levies while the previously discussed amount would have seen that amount at $5.8 million.
Commissioners did hear from some county residents at the public hearing, prior to their vote; including farmer Joe Zelch, Rosebud, who told commissioners that the tax rates are too high and that one of these days farmers are going to quit and everyone will be looking for food.
Commissioner Ann Schroeder and Presiding Commissioner Ed Hillhouse approved to go with the lower rates. Commissioner Terry Wilson was unable to attend the meeting.