As reported by local media, the City of Murfreesboro is proposing a property tax increase of 39%. Despite significant jumps in year over year tax revenue, Murfreesboro spending has outpaced the boost in tax dollars over the last few years and now faces a budget shortfall.
In this time of economic bounty and growth for Murfreesboro, tax revenues are up. It is at this precise moment, the city should use the increase in tax revenues to set aside funds for rainy day reserves and invest into only the highest priority infrastructure growth. Instead, pet projects and mismanagement have now wasted tens of millions of dollars. It is immoral to waste this money, then increase the annual cost of living for taxpayers to fix the completely unnecessary problems due to lack of oversight by the Mayor, City Council and City Manager.
Why does Murfreesboro now face a budget shortfall during a time of significant increases in tax revenues? The biggest single example of over spending is the new police headquarters that was 70% over budget, costing Murfreesboro $23 million beyond the original plan.
Couple that mismanagement with millions of dollars spent on new parks, soccer fields and budget increases for most city departments, and it’s clear that money is not being focused on the essentials of infrastructure for the community. Instead, taxpayers’ money is being wasted and mismanaged.
What do Murfreesboro voters think about a tax increase? Tennessee Rising conducted a three question phone survey of Murfreesboro voters on this issue, and the results are below. Tennessee Rising is proud to be on the same side of the vast majority of Murfreesboro’s voters in opposing this tax increase proposed by the City Council and looks forward to upcoming elections where we will have a chance to educate voters on this issue, and remind voters how each member of the City Council votes on this proposed tax increase.
Question 1 – Did you know, that in 2018, construction for the new Murfreesboro police headquarters was $23 million over budget, which is 70% over the original plan?
Question 2 – Did you know that after going over budget by $23 million the city now has a $16 million shortfall in 2019?
Question 3 – Would you support the planned 20-40% property tax increase after learning the city mismanaged these funds?
This survey was conducted by phone on May 6, 2019 and included 325 active voters who live in the city of Murfreesboro.
Murfreesboro residents have also taken to social media to voice their opinion. Murfreesboro attorney Brad Honrnsby recently broke down the out of control spending and mismanagement of tax revenue in Murfreesboro, saying:
