FY 2016-2017 Budget Now Online for Public Consumption

The approved FY 2016-2017 county budget is now online for the citizens of Lawrence County to view. The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on June 28th and approved the FY 2016-2017 county budget. Some facts about this year's budget:

* It contains no tax increases of any kind.

* The property tax rate was lowered from $3.06 to $2.9589 due to the state-mandated reappraisal.

* The commission has again earmarked and will reserve ~$ 400,000 this year to go towards the future school construction of high schools in Loretto and Summertown, a move which coupled with the steady paying down of old county debt will bring us closer to breaking ground in the years ahead.

* The budget also continues to earmark and reserve ~$ 400,000 this year for road repair, an investment that will help Donnie Joe Brown better maintain our roads in the years to come.

* Economic development and tourism efforts will see a 20% increase in funding this year, reflecting the county's strong commitment to continuing our economic progress and creating better economic opportunities for our citizens.

* Property tax relief for seniors has again been funded (supplemented) by the county, ensuring our seniors will not see a tax increase due to the State's decision to cut the program last year.

* Cuts and freezes on non-essential spending, allowing the county to invest in areas of importance.

The approval of this year's budget is also the first time in two decades that the county has approved a budget by July 1st, the date the State encourages all cities and counties to have a budget passed by.

To view the budget document, please visit: http://lawrencecountytn.gov/News/fy-2016-2017-approved-county-budget.