Bristol TN City Council votes down 24% tax increase

“Back to the drawing board” after a proposed 24% property tax increase was unanimously voted down by the Bristol, Tennessee City Council on Thursday night. Citizens filled the auditorium of the Slater Center and many spoke out against the proposed increase, which if approved, would have followed a 13% increase last year. City leaders had managed to cut the rate down to 24% from 30% by Thursday night’s meeting. At the end of the meeting, Mayor Mark Hutton thanked those who attended and said the council would go back to the drawing board but noted he couldn’t promise that taxes wouldn’t increase. The goal for the council is to have the budget completed by June 30.