FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 09/23/2009) There's a solution to achieve single source funding for both Memphis and Shelby County school districts but it doesn't come cheap.
Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter held a series of public meetings over the summer, and today he held a news conference to announce his plan to the media and public.
Commissioner Mike Carpenter says his plan is about being fair. Under it, city of Memphis taxes would decrease but Shelby County taxes would increase.
Carpenter said, "I don't care whose plan comes forward in what shape or form it is, if you're going to single source funding property taxes on the county tax rate will have to go up."
City taxpayers would get a break under the proposal.
Carpenter said, "City of Memphis has been paying twice. They've been paying $80 million from city tax rate. Then, they turn around and pay their county tax rate which also funds city schools and county schools. So, they're getting hit twice."
County school board president David Pickler balked at similar alternatives saying there's nothing in it for county residents.
"There's $35 million in it for the county. So, most of that increase in taxes goes, a good chunk of it goes directly to county schools in this situation," said Carpenter.
Commissioner Mike Ritz heads up the single source funding committee.
"My thought was that we would inch up the county tax rate. Inch down the city tax rate over a period of time and not just do it like that," said Ritz.
Ritz knew nothing about Carpenter's plan until minutes before I interviewed him. Ritz told me Carpenter tried to upstage him and it's all about politics.
"I have no idea what Commissioner Carpenter's plan is. He knows very well what my understanding with the other commissioner is. I think quite frankly he's trying to trump me on it," said Ritz.
When asked if he was offended, Ritz replied quickly.
"Ahh, I'm not surprised," said Ritz.
Taxes would increase over a 4-year period starting in 2011. Under the plan a county homeowner whose property is appraised at $200,000 would pay about $268 more per year. That's if the value of the property appreciates about 9 percent.
Carpenter hopes to put this on the agenda in two weeks.
- Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter lays out plan for single source school funding
- Carpenter's plan calls for raising county taxes and lowering city tax rate
- Colleague Commissioner Mike Ritz says Carpenter trying to upstage him
(Memphis 09/23/2009) There's a solution to achieve single source funding for both Memphis and Shelby County school districts but it doesn't come cheap.
Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter held a series of public meetings over the summer, and today he held a news conference to announce his plan to the media and public.
Commissioner Mike Carpenter says his plan is about being fair. Under it, city of Memphis taxes would decrease but Shelby County taxes would increase.
Carpenter said, "I don't care whose plan comes forward in what shape or form it is, if you're going to single source funding property taxes on the county tax rate will have to go up."
City taxpayers would get a break under the proposal.
Carpenter said, "City of Memphis has been paying twice. They've been paying $80 million from city tax rate. Then, they turn around and pay their county tax rate which also funds city schools and county schools. So, they're getting hit twice."
County school board president David Pickler balked at similar alternatives saying there's nothing in it for county residents.
"There's $35 million in it for the county. So, most of that increase in taxes goes, a good chunk of it goes directly to county schools in this situation," said Carpenter.
Commissioner Mike Ritz heads up the single source funding committee.
"My thought was that we would inch up the county tax rate. Inch down the city tax rate over a period of time and not just do it like that," said Ritz.
Ritz knew nothing about Carpenter's plan until minutes before I interviewed him. Ritz told me Carpenter tried to upstage him and it's all about politics.
"I have no idea what Commissioner Carpenter's plan is. He knows very well what my understanding with the other commissioner is. I think quite frankly he's trying to trump me on it," said Ritz.
When asked if he was offended, Ritz replied quickly.
"Ahh, I'm not surprised," said Ritz.
Taxes would increase over a 4-year period starting in 2011. Under the plan a county homeowner whose property is appraised at $200,000 would pay about $268 more per year. That's if the value of the property appreciates about 9 percent.
Carpenter hopes to put this on the agenda in two weeks.
