Suburbs

Well, Alderman David Reaves has an idea that should be pretty popular for Bartlett residents. A rather unique approach to the annual collection of revenues from the suburb’s property owners.

Let’s just eliminate those dastardly property taxes that are due this month.

A suggestion that should gain a lot of support from residents.

But the question remains — can this idea even work?

As reporter Michael Waddell wrote about this week, Reaves has floated the idea of eliminating property taxes in Bartlett.

Just an idea.

In its very early stages.

So early, the city really hasn’t even taken the steps to study the approach.

“I never have been a big fan of property tax just in general,” Reaves told Waddell. “I’m not a huge fan of the government being able to basically foreclose on your home if you don’t pay your taxes.”

And that does seem like a very noble stance. Doesn’t it?

Lakeland went the no-tax route after that suburb was established in the 1970s, and stayed on that direction until deciding the city needed a school district and a high school.

But Lakeland also didn’t provide a lot of services at that time. They relied on the county for police protection and other first responders — a major part of any incorporated community’s costs. The city relied on Shelby County for such services.

Then, Lakeland lost a major revenue producer when Kroger moved from the north side of U.S. 64 to the south side of the highway, putting the store and its sales tax revenue in Memphis. The factory outlet mall at the Interstate 40 exit was finishing its run and money was needed for a new middle and high school.

Thus, the end of the no-property-taxes approach.

Reaves’ idea seems novel. No other city in Shelby County takes that approach. There are some cities noted on an internet search — some with names like Gun Barrel City, Texas, and Apache Junction, Arizona — but those tend to rely on county coffers to fund those services.

Those on the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen, rightfully so, still wonder where they would get the amount of money earmarked in the budget from property taxes if those are eliminated.

Property taxes make up about $37 million — a chunk of the city’s budget. That has members like Alderman Kevin Quinn and Mayor David Parsons questioning how to replace that amount — an amount that doesn’t cover the police and fire department budgets.

“At the end of the day, where are you to make up that money from? Where are you going to go get $37 million without eliminating something?” Parsons said.

Still, there has to be a way to at least study the idea or else Reaves wouldn’t have brought it up.

But it does seem like a steep hill to climb. - Suburbs editor, Clay Bailey

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