Millage rates possible challenge facing 2017 Part III

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     In our third installment of challenges facing Baxter County in 2017, KTLO Classic Hits and The Boot News will look into millage rates. The millage rate is used to calculate taxes charged for both real and personal property tax. The county has a very low millage rate dedicated to helping provide money for the County General Fund.

     Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass explains how the rest of the millage is distributed.


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     In 2015, for example, the 0.8 of a mill dedicated to that purpose produced slightly more than $443,000 while the sales tax produced almost $4 million for the County General Fund.

     Due to the relatively small amount the 0.8 of a mill produces, the county must look to other revenue resources, says Pendergrass, from turnback from the state and the one cent sales tax.


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     Chris Villines, Executive Director of the Association of Arkansas Counties, says the millage rate in Baxter County is next to the lowest in the state. He says although some counties have an agreement with the public to increase sales taxes to raise money, millage rates should be evaluated.


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     The Quorum Court can increase the millage for the General Fund to a maximum of five mills, but has chosen not to exercise that authority. It has been pointed out that Baxter County does not have a spending problem, but does have a revenue problem. Baxter County Treasurer Jenay Mize has said that consideration would have to be given to either raising the millage or the sales tax to address the problem.




   

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