To the editor,
We as voters in the 9-county region will be voting “yes” or “no” on the upcoming $35 million bond issue on Nov. 4, 2025. I have questions about three statements that have recently been stated.
!. Doug McDermott’s Letter to the Editor that can be found on GreeneCountyNewsOnline states “that ICCC is a cornerstone of our community, directly supporting 1 in every 26 jobs in the 9-county region.” Wow!! That is less than 4 percent. I’d be more impressed if maybe 5 or 10 jobs out of 26 were directly supported by ICCC.
2. Got large postcard in the mail on Oct. 24 stating that ICCC wants to build a new Ag Science Center at the corner of US 169 and Business Hwy 20. Card states no increase in property tax rate. Then just below that it state “only $2.08 per month” for the average homeowner. Which way is it?? It can’t be both ways.
3. For immediate release, from Emily Denholm, director of marketing and communications states that the $35 million bond issue will not raise the current property tax rate. The key word is “current.” How about the next seven or eight years?
Folks, I’m not telling you how to vote, but I feel we are getting this bond issue shoved down our throats. These three concerns need to be addressed before you get my vote.
Denny Lautner, Jefferson
(Editor’s note: The bond issue will not increase the tax rate. The tax rate is only one part of figuring our property tax bill. The valuation of our property is another part. Our tax bills have increased because of increased valuations, not increased levy rates imposed by taxing entities (except in those cases in which voters approved an additional levy for building purposes, ie, the new high school and the new jail).
