The Wright City Board of Aldermen approved the rate at their Aug. 22 meeting.
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Wright City passed their tax rate for 2024 with some contention at their Aug. 22 board meeting.
The board passed the same rates as they did in 2023, levying $0.8648 per $100 of assessed value.
Originally, there was a marginal increase in the tax related to debt service planned, from $0.1901 per $100 of assessed value to $0.1100 per $100 of assessed value. City Attorney Paul Rost said the increase was related to the bond sales they are moving forward with from Prop R, which passed in the April 2 election.
Alderman Ramiz Hakim took exception to the increase and felt that if anything the rates should have been decreased due to the increase in valuation that Wright City saw.
Wright City saw its total valuation increase by roughly $2.4 million, and Hakim felt that especially since valuations had increased, the tax rate should remain the same, if it was not going to decrease.
“I’m personally fine with keeping the tax flat,” said Hakim. “I do have a moral conflict for raising the taxes, even if it’s a penny,” said Hakim.
The increase to debt service tax would have increased the total rate to $0.8657 per $100 of assessed value. The rates for all other funds would have stayed the same.
“To my knowledge, it was communication with our financial counsel, it was increased because of the potential to have the debt we will have in October after it closes, the bonds for Roelker Road,” said City Clerk Abbie Ogborn.
Alderman Kim Arbuthnot and Rost explained that the rates were in line with state statutes and the numbers provided by the Warren County Assessor’s Office.
Hakim was also confused as to how their valuation did not increase more given the new development projects in Wright City this year and felt that if anything they should be decreasing their tax rates.
“I just need some clarification as to how the city can grow as it's growing, have personal property also growing yet still see an increase anywhere, when in the past we have consistently lowered those taxes,” said Hakim.
In the discussion that ensued Hakim asked about how they could move forward without raising any tax rates and motioned to pass a tax rate without any increases, which was seconded by Alderman Don Andrews and passed.
