Millage rates addressed by White Co. leaders

CLEVELAND - The White County Board of Commissioners decided to not roll up the millage rate this year, keeping it at 9.19 mills.

"We were able to keep our millage rate the same, and we're still operating in the black," said White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner. "We are very blessed and very fortunate because a lot of counties can't say that."

The same can't be said for the Cleveland City Council. They decided to increase their millage rate to 3.63 mills. Even with the roll-up, city officials said the City of Cleveland will still fall a little short of what is needed to meet the budget.

The White County Board of Education also decided to raise their millage rate by almost one mill. That struck a cord with some seniors attending the board of education meeting Thursday night.

"Someday you'll be a senior and hopefully people will be better and people will be more understanding when it comes to helping you through those golden years," said White County resident Linda White.

White County Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Shaw said after the meeting that the board will look at asking the state legislature to help ease the burden for not only seniors, but all property owners by approving or letting the voters decide on implementing a 1 percent sales tax to be used for education administration.