In 2017, the city council past the now infamous Rain Tax. The Rain Tax is assessed to every residence, church, school and non profit in the city. All residential property owners must pay $3.00 per month for the tax. Commercial businesses are taxes based on how much impervious surface area the business has. The tax is collected by LCUB for the city. Since 2017, the Rain Tax has generated about $575,000.00 per year for the city coffers and currently has about a million dollars in the Rain Tax fund balance. Council can increase the Rain Tax rates at any time for any amount. 

Three of the council members, Mike Henline, Eddie Simpson and Jennifer Wampler who voted for the Rain Tax, will be on the ballot for re-election next year as will be mayor Tony Aikens who hatched the Rain Tax idea. 

Last week, we learned the Venue, the "economic engine" for the city loses about $400,000.00 per year. But, the Rain Tax brings in about $575,000.00 per year. Both the Rain Tax and the Venue began in 2017. Coincidence? Doubtful.

Poor decisions by Lenoir City officials continue to cost city residents more and more in higher taxes. Now mayor Aikens wants to raise your sales taxes to build a recreation facility. Anybody want to guess how that'll turn out?

Below is a spread sheet on all commercial Rain Tax customers at the end of 2022 sorted by tax amount.