Just a few years ago, 2018, the same mayor and most of the same council wanted the voters to vote for a .50% sales tax increase. That increase was for the safety of the little school children .50% sales tax increase at that time was expected to generate around two million dollars for the city per year. If the math is still the same, a .75% sales tax increase would generate maybe three million new dollars per year for the city. The 2018 sales tax vote was soundly defeated by the voters as was at least one incumbent city council candidate, Mike Henline.

Aikens and his council have always underestimated the intelligence of city voters, I guess because so many of them keep getting re-elected. They really believe they can just tell people anything and they're going to believe it. The 2018 sales tax increase referendum, that was strongly defeated should tell the mayor and council something. You would think they would learn, apparently not.

• 2017, the mayor/council passed the Rain Tax
• 2018, the mayor/council tried their best to get a sales tax increase passed. Voters said no.
• 2021, the mayor/council passed a 17% property tax increase.     

Now they're back to the tax well again. Just be glad they can't pass a sales tax increase on their own or they would have already done it.

Aside from a possible sales tax increase on the November 2024 election ballot, there will also be 3 council seats on the ballot as well as the mayor and treasurer/recorders seats.

Below is mayor Aikens promise of a fine new rec center, if you'll just raise your own taxes, and the survey. Anybody want to guess how the survey will turn out. One option was left off the survey. "Would You Support A New Community Recreational Center In Lenoir City Without A Tax Increase".  Scan the QR code to take the survey.