KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A poll of more than 500 voters, commissioned by 6 News, found the majority oppose a tax increase to meet the $35 million budget increase sought by Knox County Schools.
County commission is due to vote on the contentious budget on Monday, June 4.
In the 6 News Exclusive Budget Poll of 527 voters, the question of supporting a property tax increase drew a firm no.
Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre is proposing a $35 million budget increase which he says will accelerate student academic success. Would you support or oppose a property tax increase of up to 31 cents to fund the Knox County Schools' request for more money?
Support .......................... 31%
Oppose ........................... 64%
Not sure ......................... 5%
The school board approved McIntyre's proposal, which also has the support of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, District Attorney General Randy Nichols, some educators and even some commissioners.
However, county Mayor Tim Burchett is opposed to raising taxes. He proposed a budget with approximately $3 million for a kindergarten through third grade reading effort instead.
Mayor Burchett says tax hikes in this economy are the wrong move and he will veto any that are sent to him.
Commission Chairman Mike Hammond and school board Chairman Thomas Deakins collaborated on a proposal for a 31-cent property tax and help from the schools rainy day fund.
Commissioner R. Larry Smith says he'll propose a plan on Monday that meets the school system's request without raising taxes.
The poll also asked a question about a proposal to raise sales tax by a half cent to meet the school system's request. It received an even more decisive no.
Would you support or oppose a half cent sales tax increase to fund the Knox County Schools' budget request?
Support .......................... 30%
Oppose ........................... 67%
Not sure ......................... 3%
During a taping of Tennessee This Week on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Burchett and Dr. McIntyre said the results of the poll aren't surprising.
"I just don't think the public supports a tax increase, especially during this tough economic time," the mayor said.
"I think if you ask a question about do you want your taxes raised, without a whole lot of specificity about what it would go towards in terms of education, folks are going to be skeptical, and a lot of people would say no," Dr. McIntyre said.
A sales tax increase would have to be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. We asked if the mayor would campaign against it.
"I don't think that I'd have to," Burchett said. "I think you'd have a hard time passing that in this environment."
Dr. McIntyre had a different take. "As I talk to people, as we communicate, as we get the word out, I find that people who really look into this, look at the details, and we've put an enormous amount of detailed information on our website knoxschools.org, people who really take a hard look at it, generally come away supportive," he said.
Nearly every commissioner we spoke to said the results are close to what they've heard from their own constituents.
"They mirror the results I'm getting in almost 1,300 emails now," said Commissioner Mike Brown. "Believe me, I read every one of them. I've sat up to 2:00 in the morning reading all of them."
6 News asked commissioners what they thought about the results and if it would affect their vote at the budget meeting.
"It does have influence to a certain to degree," said Commissioner Richard Briggs, "but this is
How our emails have been running."
Commission Chairman Mike Hammond said the polls are "useful information, another piece of information to make my decision."
Commissioner R. Larry Smith said, "I'll base my decision making on what my district wants."
Commissioner Jeff Ownby said by phone he's surprised more people opposed a sales tax increase than a property tax increase. "The people that I've talked to said they would rather see a sales tax increase than a property tax increase," he said.
The results are a "small sample size" according to Commissioner Amy Broyles, who added, "This is something I don't feel comfortable basing a decision on."
And Commissioner Brad Anders said, "If you sent a poll asking people if they want their taxes increased, they'll be apprehensive to say yes."
Crosstabs for 6 News Exclusive Budget Poll
The poll was done by phone May 30-31 by Public Policy Polling, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The margin of error is +/- 4.38%.
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