JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a budget and a 28% property tax increase Tuesday night.

The measure passed in a 2–1 vote, with Alderwoman Virginia Causey voting against it.

The property tax rate will increase from a rate of 96.6 cents to $1.24 per $100 of assessed value.

Taxes on a home valued at $250,000 would increase from $604 to $775 a year.

Mayor Kelly Wolfe said there are many projects the town needs to catch up on that were postponed in recent years to avoid a tax increase then.

“We’re currently experiencing a kind of aftereffect from the COVID pandemic and inflation,” Wolfe stated. “You see, we are still working on road paving in Jonesborough, and it’s not getting any cheaper. We have to purchase brand-new police radios for our police and fire services. We’re replacing about half of our police vehicles again this year. Additionally, we’re undertaking several projects, such as significant upgrades at the water park, that need to be completed.”

Wolfe mentioned that in the past few years, town leaders have aimed to be “very cautious” regarding budgets and taxes. The most recent tax increase was two years ago when the board sanctioned a 21% rise.

“Currently, we’re addressing various areas where, as a community, we were able to carefully plan and defer for a while, until we deemed it more fitting to tackle them,” he explained.

The board also approved an 8.5% increase in solid waste fees and changes to the water and sewer rates.