City of Oakwood sets 12% tax increase

After announcing the intention to increase the tax, the Oakwood City Council was required to hold a special meeting Monday to answer any questions by the tax payers. The only citizen to bring questions to the Council was Glenn Barrilleaux of Barrilleax Construction on Hwy 79. As a business owner in Oakwood, he questioned what this increase would mean for him.

The Council voted to increase the current tax rate from .1963 to .2300 per dollar value. This comes out to be about 12%. Council member Barry Olive explained that it didn't really amount to an increase in money. With the county's appraisal devaluing the properties in Oakwood by $3,000,000, it worked out that the City could make the tax increase just enough to break about even. This means that they will be able to make the budget without the majority of tax payers actually paying more. According to Olive, that's all the Council wants. He said, "We aren't trying to get more money, we are just trying to keep our budget so we can pay the bills.". Olive and the other Council members are pleased that this increase will just "work out in the wash".

After the Council explained it to Barrilleaux, Mayor Vicki Stroud said he seemed to be satisfied and did not contest the increase. Barrilleaux simply said, "O.K.".

All members of the Council were present at this meeting, including Dorothy Bell who has been recovering from an operation due to a broken ankle.