Centerville residents speak out about the over 70 tax exemption

kriner@sunmulti.com

The Centerville City Council heard a slew of opinions at

Tuesday’s special called meeting.

Council chambers were filled with Centerville residents

ready to express their opinions about the senior tax exemption. Of the nearly

50 citizens gathered, nine of them spoke, some with strong opposition at even

the thought of doing away with the over 70-tax exemption.

Council members expressed their reasons for wanting to put

it on a ballot for possible reversal. They stated that, because of the economy,

the additional revenue is necessary to keep providing a high level of service

to citizens.

Councilman Cameron Andrews said, “In a economy far far away,

we wouldn’t be faced with this, but the reality is that costs are rising and

revenue is needed. We can either do always with the senior exemption or raise

taxes.”

Councilman Edward Tucker expressed his feelings on the issue

by using dollar figures. Tucker explained that his mother, who is 83 years old,

lives in Centerville and gets the tax exemption. He said that she pays no

property taxes to the City of Centerville, yet she gets Centerville services

such as police and fire. Tucker then said she pays almost $1,500 in county

taxes and receives none of their services.

“Police and fire protection are not free, and the money collected

if the exemption was overturned would be a good start to purchasing the new

fire truck we need or funding the positions that are needed,” Tucker said.

Tucker said the real numbers show that tax revenue has

decreased by $200,000 since the tax exemption was put in place.

He said that 322 homes in Centerville receive the exemption

and that only 147 of those homes are valued at less than $100,000.

Centerville resident Wynonna Key Sharp was the first to give

her opinion. She said she and her family moved to Centerville in 1973 because

of recreation. She said that is since long gone and she could have left but

chose to stay. She hopes the council will consider options before they ask

citizens to vote to take the exemption away.

Former Mayor Harold Edwards said, “This (exemption) is a

privilege. We need to pay for our fire and police, and I think this should be

placed on the ballot for a vote so the citizen’s can decide if they will

continue allowing someone else to pay for them. If Centerville wants to remain

viable we must do something.”

Dennis Callen stepped to the podium and told the council

that this will be the first year he will be able to take advantage of the tax

exemption, so it wouldn’t significantly change his budget if taken away. He

questioned the council about section 8 housing in Centerville.

“What about these apartments and houses that have three

families living in one house or apartment with section 8, what does the council

plan to do about that?” he asked.

Council members said they plan to keep this topic fresh and

intend to continue discussing it with the citizens of Centerville.

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