It was a full house as commissioners and Judge Tom Head  heard from those for or against raising taxes.  Eric Williams spoke in favor for the tax increase and higher pay for deputies.

“I’m very much in favor of a strong public safety element,” Williams said.  “I think it’s been a while since they’ve been able to have competitive salaries  within that department, and within the prosecutor’s office.”

Some, like Armando Gonzales, brought up the recent, controversial  comments by Judge Head regarding civil war .  Gonzales suggested that tax dollars won’t be used for the law enforcement purposes intended.

“So that is a trust issue that the citizens must take into consideration, that the money will not  be used for the purposes that are sought,” Gonzales said.

A majority of those who spoke at the hearing opposed the tax increase.

The tax rate will be set on the 10th of September.

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