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Gadsden leaders are considering raising taxes to fund fire station

Brenda Holt, commissioner of Gadsden County, Florida (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
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AP
Brenda Holt, commissioner of Gadsden County, Florida (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Gadsden County is one of the state’s poorest. It’s been fighting an uphill battle to find ways to generate more revenue.

Outside of state and federal grants, the county relies on what residents pay in property taxes to fund development projects and emergency services. That’s one reason Commission Chairman Kimblin NeSmith wants the county to raise its millage rate.

“We have those challenges and we have to make sure that the citizens that we do have here are provided the basic services of law enforcement, fire services, and roads, bridges, and streets,” NeSmith explained at Tuesday’s public budget hearing.

The commission is considering increasing the current millage rate of 9.0 mills to 9.25 mills. That would bring the county an additional $488,000 in tax revenue.

A Hard Sell?
Not everyone agrees it’s the right move at the right time. Local resident Kathy Farr, says she’s already paying enough.

“We are very concerned that increases of taxes will tax people out of their homes," said Karr. "This is happening all over the country right now and it is the worst thing to do in times of inflation because people don’t have any extra discretionary income.”

Tuesday’s discussion on the budget quickly devolved into a shouting match between Commission Chairman Kimblin NeSmith and Commissioner Eric Hinson. Sept. 12, 2023
Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners
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Facebook
Tuesday’s discussion on the budget quickly devolved into a shouting match between Commission Chairman Kimblin NeSmith and Commissioner Eric Hinson. Sept. 12, 2023

Commissioner Eric Hinson called for reconsideration of the plan and a detailed explanation on how local tax money is being spent. That triggered a shouting match between commissioners.

The commission has scheduled a budget workshop ahead of the next meeting. That workshop will be held on Monday, Sept. 18th, with a goal of finding a way to fully fund repairs, hiring and training for fire services.

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.