The Crossville City Council last night passed unanimously on second reading to raise property taxes five cents for the 2020-2021 budget.

The property tax rate would increase to 64.05 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The proposed budget is just over $17.4 million, a decrease of the over $18 million set for the previous year.

Crossville City Manager Greg Wood said the city lost money on tax revenues when many businesses closed because of the governors executive orders during the COVID-19 situation. Wood added he is concerned about a second coronavirus outbreak that some medical experts say could happen in the fall. Should that take place, Wood is prepared to reduce the budget further. City officials are projecting around a 10 percent decrease in sales tax revenue (roughly $700,000) in the new fiscal year.

A public hearing was held prior to the decision by the city council last night. One spoke against the proposed property tax increase.

Darrin Stryker said the increase is not fair to residents dealing with difficult financial times during the COVID-19 situation.

“To stick it to the people of the City of Crossville and say we need you all to make up this money when they’ve gone through the same exact thing that all the businesses have gone through here is the wrong time,” Stryker said.

Stryker added the city should use some of its $12 million in their rainy-day fund to make up this year’s budget shortfall.

“If what we have been through is not considered a rainy day, I’d like to know what is,” added Stryker.

City Manager Greg Wood said just over $5 million was cut out of the proposed budget.

“There are projects the city needs to do now that is delayed because of the budget being trimmed,” said Wood.

The average taxpayer would see an increase of about $2 per month if the new budget is passed on a third and final reading June 30, 2020.