The Crawford County Quorum Court approved a property tax increase in a 9-4 vote Monday night.
County leaders say they had to propose a millage rate hike after a budget shortfall to avoid employee layoffs and cuts to the sheriff’s office, rural fire departments, and senior centers.
The millage rate will increase from 1.9-percent to 2.9 percent. That means a $20 a year hike for a resident owning a $100,000 property, according to Justice of the Peace Terry Bibbs.
Crawford County residents haven’t had a millage increase since it’s been implemented 35 years ago, according to Crawford County Judge John Hall.
The increase will be reflected on residents property tax bill in March 2013.
