Germantown approves 44.5-cent tax hike
The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the city’s annual budget on final reading Monday night along with an accom- panying property tax rate of $1.93 per $100 of assessed value — an increase of 44.5 cents to the current rate.
The unanimous votes came without further protests from arts supporters, primarily associated with GHS-TV at Germantown High and the Ten- nessee Shakespeare Company. About 35 people spoke at the public hearing two weeks ago, making a final plea for the city to avoid adversely impacting the funding of their programs.
The 44.5- cent increase includes 9.5 cents to cover decreases in property values Apathy setting in on suburban schools vote. 2 from reassessment, plus a buffer for anticipated appeals. The balance of the increase is needed to cover the $71.2 million budget.
In other action, the board unanimously approved a contract with former county schools Supt. John Aitken for consulting services as the city moves to establish its own school system in a year.
Collierville unanimously approved a similar contract with Aitken at its Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Monday night.
Aitken stepped down from the county schools superintendent position in March after he agreed to a buyout from the unified school board. He has become a popular commodity for several cities an-