May 24, 2012
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - No one likes to pay taxes but we all gotta do it.
Now in these tough economic times, Campbell County's talking about raising its taxes to fix its pothole problems.
In just the past few years, the cost of gas has gone up, the price of asphalt has gone up. So much to the point that the county roads superintendent says it would take 60 years to be able to pave every single road in Campbell County.
County Mayor William Baird says you'll find damaged roads across the area, with potholes, cracks, breaks, even loose gravel.
This problem isn't unique to Campbell County, and it's not just on county roads.
"There's a lot of circumstances that we deal with that some of the less mountainous counties don't have to deal with," said Baird.
There are 700 miles of roads in the county, and some are very steep. But only about ten miles get paved a year.
Now with the increasing costs, and no increased budget, Baird says to pave roads quicker, a sales tax would be best.
"It spreads the burden out among a greater number of people. Not only the people that live in Campbell County, but tourists that visit the summertime and all through the year," said Baird.
He estimates a half percent increase would bring in $900,000.
But Tommy Rutherford says enough is enough, and is against the increase.
"They keep taxing us and taxing us and something's gotta give where a man can make it or they're gonna shut it down," said Rutherford.
If the measure fails, the county may put the measure up to a vote again in the future. Or there could be a property tax increase proposed.
We also talked to several who were in favor of the tax increase, especially to improve the safety of the roads.
The vote is on March 6.
