Letter to SpartaLive

Resolution 04-02-2024, which would raise White County sales tax from the current rate of 9.25% to 9.75% will appear on the August State and Federal Primary Election ballot.  I’m writing to encourage White County residents to vote in favor of this resolution.  Granted, no one likes the idea of paying additional taxes.  But here are the FACTS, as provided by the White County Budget Committee.

The city of Sparta ALREADY taxes purchases made within city limits at 9.75%.  The state keeps 7%.  2.25% of taxes collected are shared with the county.  The remaining .5% is kept by the city.  Based on the past five years of historical data, this equates to an additional $79,400 per month that the City of Sparta is collecting (and keeping) each month, that YOU, the citizens of White County are paying when you purchase groceries, pet supplies, household goods, building supplies, etc. at any business located within the Sparta City limits.  You’re ALREADY paying the higher tax rate and receiving NO BENEFIT from it. 

If the county sales tax is increased to 9.75%, the city will be REQUIRED by state law to split that $79,400 with the county (T.C.A. Code Title 67 Chapter 6 Part 7.)  That means an additional $39,700 each month, available for funding county needs.

Yes, you’ll have to pay higher taxes when you make a purchase at business located outside the city limits.  But look at it this way…if you go to Dollar General and spend $100.00, the increased .5% you pay in taxes would amount to 50 cents.  The impact on you as an individual is minimal.  But overall, the estimated increase in tax revenue generated by purchases made outside city limits is $43,200 per month.  Add that to the $39,700 that the city would be required to share with the county, and you’re looking at an additional $82,900 per month in the county coffers ($994,800 annually.) 

Some may say there’s no need for additional revenue.  I disagree. 

Our firefighters and EMS personnel are currently working with old, obsolete equipment and vehicles.  These brave volunteers, who risk their lives for our safety deserve better.

Our sheriff’s department deputies and correctional officers receive less pay than those in surrounding counties.  Every year we lose experienced, qualified officers to other counties that pay more.  Who can blame them?  Let’s start paying our law enforcement personnel what they deserve…and provide them with equipment and vehicles to enable them to do their jobs.

The White County Animal Shelter is severely understaffed.  The shelter is manned seven days a week, 365 days a year…and currently has ONE full time (county paid) employee and ONE Animal Control Officer (who spends most of his time on the road.)   These two employees are paid $10,000 to $20,000 per year less than those in surrounding counties.  Don’t claim to be an animal lover if won’t spend a few extra dollars a month to properly staff our shelter. 

These are just a few of the examples where additional revenue could be used to improve the safety and quality of life for the county residents.  There are many others, including youth sports, senior citizen programs, infrastructure, the “Y”, public works, etc.

I’m not a tax law expert, and I understand that there are rules about how tax revenue must be spent (for example a percentage must be spent on education.)  However, if incoming sales tax money is required to be spent on specific programs, then that frees up “other” money to be spent on police, fire fighters, EMS, animal control, etc.  It all evens out in the long run. 

So before you have a knee jerk, “no more taxes” reaction to the idea of a sales tax increase, think about how it would benefit the county and your fellow citizens. 

Sincerely,

Monica Jicha