County Budget/Tax Debate Continues

TYLER — Jobs are on the list of things Smith County is considering to cut as part of its $8 million budget gap. But tuesday night, as KETK reports, county employees had their shot at defending themselves. Commissioners are looking at 34 full-time county positions to cut. One county employee told the packed house she fears for her job. District clerk’s office worker Terry Morrow says, “If I was to get cut from work today, I do not have a job to fall onto like the Commissioner’s Court does.” Morrow also notes, “What’s gonna happen when you call 911? Who’s gonna be there?” But some county citizens say the court should be loyal to the taxpayers, not just employees. According to one, “I don’t know what you’re gonna do about the budget. I just care about the taxes.”

At a different meeting Tuesday morning, it was hard to convince the crowd that a tax increase is the answer to the budget gap. Commissioners say there’s no other choice. But taxpayers argue raising taxes is not the answer. One Tea Party activist says she is watching, and any commissioner who votes for raised taxes will not be re-elected. One attendee, James Blair, says the county should be aware of what a tax increase will do to small businesses. Says Blair, “If you live in a lower-tax county and you’re a competitor of our, they’re gonna beat us out. They will have lower costs.” Smith County is two weeks away from a vote that could increase property taxes.