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For homeowners with a property valued at $400,000, taxes would increase from $110 to $440 per year.

District 3 Commissioner Scott Hefner, who voted against the budget, said this large tax increase could have been avoided if property tax rates had slowly gone up years ago.

“We don’t know any items that are going in the budget,” said Hefner.

He said they need to look at the budget closely before they can work on the city’s property tax rate.

“To jump on this huge rate without deciding which item should be or not be in the budget would be premature,” said Hefner.

Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness said the property tax hikes were necessary for the city’s infrastructure improvements and the expansion of public safety.

He said a property tax increase would generate over $7 million in revenue.

Maness said it would make a worthwhile investment for the city’s future.

“In my opinion, I would rather start tight and work out of our budget deficit this way,” said Maness.

However, residents like Peter Heimbach expressed their concerns over the property tax increase.

“When I moved to Mt. Juliet, I was impressed by their commitment to keeping its property tax as low as possible for a long time,” said Heimbach.

He said it’s irresponsible for the city to increase the property tax after not asking for any reductions or increases in the city’s budget for years.

Heimbach said that while the tax hikes are needed and understandable, the city of Mt. Juliet needs to step back and work on a more modest increase to allow the rate to increase slowly in future budgets.

The city’s yearly budget also includes ending contracts for Mt. Juliet’s employees including the Deputy Parks Director and the city’s Public Information Officer.

Many people including Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto spoke in favor of keeping the city’s spokesperson — Justin Beasley.

“I don’t want to ever see any of our staff cut,” said Maness.

He said many of the city’s staff have their own respective roles.

“However, I have pressured and pressured our city manager to look for ways to cut and this is one of his recommendations,” said Maness.

Mt. Juliet Vice Mayor Bill Trivett said that in spite of the cuts and property tax increase, they will ensure to provide the same services that they have in the past and the future.

Hefner admitted that these cuts and increases will be the hardest decisions the city will make on this budget.

“We are the #4 ranked safest city in the state of Tennessee,” said Hefner. “We don’t become the 4th safest city for free. That comes at a cost.”

The city of Mt. Juliet will vote on its yearly budget for second and final approval on June 23.