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Budget dilemma forces time of reckoning for Waynesville

fr waynesvillebudgetWaynesville leaders will face a tough choice in coming weeks: either raise the property tax rate by 3 cents or cut town services and amenities.

That’s the message Town Manager Marcy Onieal shared with Waynesville aldermen at a budget workshop last week.

Quid pro quo, or just due?

Cashiers area property owners have long complained that they pay more than their fair share when it comes to property taxes — ponying up 60 percent of the county’s total property taxes.

No more Mr. Nice Guy

With the bottomed-out real estate market still stagnant, some property owners are having trouble seeing the point of paying property taxes.

Jackson and Macon poised to lose their cash cow in wake of second-home real estate crash

cover2When inflated real estate values in the second-home market came back down to earth, the touchdown wasn’t gentle. 

It was more of a crash-landing, and five years later two mountains counties are still sifting through the wreckage.

Jackson leaders search for equity in fire tax debate

fr jaxfiretaxSome Jackson County commissioners expressed trepidation this week over changing the way the county’s seven volunteer fire departments are funded.

Tourism tax increase at root of complaints lobbed against Maggie mayor

Two Maggie Valley aldermen recently indicated that they have a laundry list of grievances against the town’s mayor, but there is one complaint that stands out among the rest.

New fire tax moves to the front burner in Jackson County

Jackson County commissioners signaled support this week to change the way volunteer fire departments are funded, although the plan is not without its critics.

Blurred boundary leads to permit, tax problems

Whether you live in Macon County or Jackson County may depend on which one you ask.

With backs against the wall, Swain hikes taxes

Swain County commissioners last week tentatively agreed to increase the property tax rate by 3 cents to cover a budget deficit — the first property tax increase Swain has seen in more than two decades.

Sylva dips into reserves to avoid tax hike

fr sylvabudgetSylva town leaders have chosen not to raise taxes next year and instead delay town expenditures, save money where they can and dip into reserve funds to shore up the budget.

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