MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - To tax or not to tax, that's the question members of the Memphis City Council Budget Committee are asking.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is proposing a property tax assessment of 47 cents to help pay the city's final bill to Memphis City Schools. The idea is not going over well with taxpayers, and they let it be known at Tuesday night's meeting.
"I think it's really unfair and unjust to tax the people," Memphis resident Yolanda Sutton said of Wharton's plan. "Raising taxes, laying off people already in distress is not the answer."
She said raising taxes "has become very redundant. Every time there's an issue, property tax is the first thing they want to raise. That's an easy way out to raise taxes and stick it on the people."
Mayor Wharton says the tax assessment will be a one-time thing. Taxpayer Herman Markell told city council members if it's not and it's allowed to roll over into next year, "You all ought to be fired or resign because you've broken faith with your constituents."
The full council will vote on the mayor's tax hike proposal when it meets June 5th.
