The Cumberland County Commission passed their 2017-18 FY Budget Monday evening, which includes a 6 cent property tax hike. The Budget Committee held two public hearings, as required by law. Finance Director Nathan Brock went over the $97.7 million budget for those attending the hearing and touched on some of the county’s capital improvements which include the purchase of new cruisers for the sheriff’s department, a new animal shelter, a new ambulance and replacement of emergency radios. There were no comments from the audience. The second public hearing was on the tax hike, which will increase the  property tax from the state reappraisal at $1.5053 to $1.5653 on $100 per assessed value. Brock informed everyone the increase in funds would go directly to pay off debt service for $12.7 million for the school system to pay for renovating and rebuilding Crab Orchard Elementary and for upgrades at Cumberland County High School and Jet Stadium. No comments were made by the public and the resolution passed 16-2 with Terry Carter and Roy Turner voting against.

Pictured: Cumberland County Finance Director Nathan Brock