---

As expected, Lincoln County Commissioners approved the fiscal 2022 County Budget Monday night (June 7th).  The 3-2 vote followed a public hearing in which three residents of eastern Lincoln County spoke against the budget and in particular the two cents per hundred dollars valuation property tax rate increase.

Former Commissioner Martin Oakes, Linda Ostergaard, and George Barr spoke during the public hearing.  Commissioners then voted as expected: Commissioners Milton Sigmon, Anita McCall and Cathy Davis voting 'yes' and Commission Chairman Carrol Mitchem and Commissioner Bud Cesena voting 'no.'

McCall remarked that she may have made a mistake in voting to cut the tax rate from 61.1 cents (per $100 valuation) to 59.9 cents.  That vote lowered the tax rate from what it was for fiscal 2019 to what it became in 2020 and 2021,  "If we hadn't made that decision," she said, "we wouldn't need to raise the rate this year."

The increased tax rate doesn't include fire district taxes.  They'll remain the same for all districts except East Lincoln, which asked for and received an increase.  Their plans call for a new satellite fire station near The Farm development at Ingleside.

Property owners will also have to pay an increased 'availabiity fee' for the sticker that provides access to the landfill and covenience sites.  That goes up from $99 this year to $115 next. 

---

---