CUMBERLAND GAP, Tenn. — The town of Cumberland Gap will raise its property tax rate effective in the 2009-2010 Budget. The Cumberland Gap Board of Mayor and Alderman approved the first reading of the 2009-2010 Budget ordinance in a reconvened meeting.

The BMA decided to recess at the end of their regular June meeting to allow the public an opportunity to express their concerns with the tax raise. Unfortunately, there were few citizens present at the reconvened meeting.

During the reconvened meeting, the board discussed the property tax raise. The current tax rate is 25 cents per $100 of property value. The first proposed raise was to add 32 cents to the current rate making the new rate 57 cents per $100 of property value. Some of the commissioners along with Mayor John Douglas felt the 57 cent tax rate was too high for the town.

Alderman John Ravnum recommended only adding 20 cents to the current rate making the new rate only 45 cents per $100 of property. Mayor Douglas made the recommendation to go with the raise to 45 cents. Alderman Bill McGaffee made the motion to approve the 2009-2010 Budget ordinance with a tax raise to 45 cents. Alderman Joe Webb seconded the motion and on a roll call vote the board approved the Budget Ordinance. Alderman Jerry Hopson and Alderwoman Anne Parish were both absent from the meeting.

The board will meet again on Monday June 29 at 6 p.m. for a planning session for the July meeting.