Christian Fiscal Court on Tuesday morning approved first reading of a property tax ordinance that slightly reduces the rate, but increases revenue by four percent.
The rate on real property would go from 18.6 to 18.2 cents per $100 of assessed value under the ordinance and still allow the county to take the maximum 4 percent increase in revenue. The new rate would bring in an estimated $7.1 million in receipts.
Increased assessments on real estate and new growth put the county in a position to lower tax rates while increasing revenue and Magistrate Darrel Gustafson says it shows the county is making progress.
The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $4 less annually under the new rate, if their residence hasn’t been reassessed at a higher value in the last year. The ordinance will be heard on second reading at the September 13 meeting.
Magistrates also approved spending just under $30,000 to purchase six additional voting machines to create three new voting centers in November and Judge-Executive Steve Tribble thanked the Board of Elections for working with court to increase accessibility to voting.
There will now be 16 voting centers where any registered voter can vote, with the new ones located at Hopkinsville Middle School, Friendship House and Cedar Grove Baptist Church. The court also increased poll worker pay to $200 daily for those working for early voting and in-house absentee voting.
Christian County Animal Shelter Director Irene Grace says this is one of the busiest times of the year for that facility and they brought in 352 cats and dogs last month and found homes for 291.
The court also agreed to facilitate the local YMCA receiving $100,000 in grant funds for improvements on the grounds of that facility.