Tax increase could hit Shelby County residents hard

Mar 16, 2005, 9:16 AM
The next several months could bring a city tax hike, a county tax hike, and then, on top of that, you'll be getting your house reappraised, which could mean you're paying even more. In some neighborhoods. It's just too much to bear.

"Every day there's something in the paper about raising the taxes, raising the taxes," said Mattie Morgan, who has lived in the same South Memphis neighborhood - the same house since 1932.

She's seen Memphis change and she's seen politicians come and go, but these days-- she says--life here has become downright unaffordable. And talk of tax hikes in Memphis and Shelby County has all of her Elliston Heights neighbors nervous. Maurice Martin's family has lived here since the 60's.

"When we first moved here... It wasn't anything over here. Sidewalk wasn't here. The street was a red gravel road," said Martin.

This year Shelby County reappraised his home by $6,000. That means he'll have to pay more in taxes. Last week, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton proposed a $.54 cent increase in the tax rate. Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton has indicated the County may add an extra $.24 cents to that. Martin - who works full time - says he worries about his neighborhood, where most of his neighbors are elderly and on fixed incomes. But he also worries about steep cuts in services that might accompany tax hikes.

"I know there's a lot of problems with the city as far as picking up trash and stuff like that. And we don't need more problems. If you start cutting out that there then you're making more problems for the city," said Martin. Meanwhile, Mattie Morgan is watching and worrying.

"Well, I'm about too old to vote... Let alone paying some more taxes. And i'm not working. And I really ain't able to pay no more. Look like I'm going to have a hard time," said Morgan.

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton is fighting to minimize the property tax increase in the county. He was in Nashville today lobbying for a real estate transfer tax, but so far he's been having trouble drumming up support.