Walker tax bills could spike with Erlanger lawsuit

Erlanger Health System’s decision Oct. 23 to sue Walker County, Ga., could peel yet more money from the wallets of local property owners.

The Chattanooga hospital’s leaders demand County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield pay off the local government’s $9 million debt as soon as possible.

Whitfield said the county doesn’t have the funds. He took out about $8 million in tax anticipation notes this year just to make payroll and clear outstanding bills.

The 2017-18 budget he approved, his first as commissioner, cut funding in most areas, irking department heads. With the bulk of the county’s revenue dedicated elsewhere, he included about $2.5 million in payments to Erlanger next year.

But if Erlanger is successful in court, how will that affect taxpayers?

Whitfield already has raised property taxes by 50 to 70 percent, depending on where property owners live.

The extra funding would set aside some money to pay Erlanger, which is pushing for the payment because former Commissioner Bebe Heiskell guaranteed half the loan from the hospital to the former Hutcheson Medical Center in 2011. How big of an impact would this have?

Compared to tax bills in 2016, the increase in Whitfield’s first year at the helm will more than double, with increases of 98-134 percent depending on where property owners live.

The county has already sent tax bills this year. County Spokesman Joe Legge said he isn’t sure what would happen if a judge rules in favor of Erlanger — whether he would make the county send out a new tax bill for the extra money or wait until next fall to tack on the addition.

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress. com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.