Bluff split vote stops tax increase

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Bluff town council voted 3-2 against a proposed property tax increase at a June 9 work meeting.
The move pumped the brakes on a proposed truth in taxation initiative. The decision followed weeks of public input regarding town spending and the creation of a new administrative role to coordinate Emergency Services.
The proposed $50,000 tax increase was supported by Mayor Josh Ewing and council member Britt Hornsby, with council members Jennifer Davila, Spencer Wade and Gary Haws voting against.
Those in support of the increase argued the town needs to invest in its professional capacity to meet state-mandated emergency planning and alleviate the burden on fire department volunteers.
Council members against the increase cited public feedback and concerns from residents on fixed incomes who are already being squeezed by inflation and rising gas prices.
Town Manager Erin Nielson provided a silver lining in the budget talks, noting the town is in a strong fiscal position with revenues from the current year projected to exceed the budget by about $90,000 driven by higher-than-expected collections in resorts, sales and transient room tax.
Members of the Bluff town council also adopted the final certified tax rate for the FY27 as part of their June 16 meeting. The state tax commission suggests a revenue neutral tax rate with the city required to go through truth in taxation to increase the amount of taxes collected.
With property values in Bluff growing from 60.8 million to 63.6 million the result is a slight decrease to the tax rate from 0.0000543 to 0.0000531. This adjustment ensures the town collects the same amount of revenue as the previous year while accounting for new growth. The resolution passed in a 4-1 vote. Ewing voting against.
Following the tax rate discussion, the council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Items noted include the rollover of $5,000 in fundraiser money specifically for EMS supplies and the transition of capital expenses into dedicated capital funds to improve transparency.
Members of the Bluff Town Council also approved the purchase of 1.84 acres of land from the Southwest Heritage foundation for the Bluff Cemetery grounds for $10,000. The purchase serves as a match with a state cemetery grant.
The town council also approved a plot line adjustment to combine the Bluff Cemetery grounds into one parcel. The vote for both actions was unanimous.