CAIRO — Even more Grady County residents expressed concern over the county’s proposed property tax increase, with most taking aim this time at one of the county’s biggest ticket items — Tired Creek Lake. 

The Grady County Board of Commissioners heard public comments on the proposed tax increase Tuesday afternoon. 

Mike Bishop, a Grady County resident, questioned the factors of the tax hike. 

“One of the big areas that sticks out is Tired Creek Lake,” he said. “It’s not going to go away, it’s something we’ve got here.” 

Rodney Cook, another resident, also spoke on happenings at Tired Creek Lake. 

“Have y’all even got a plan for what’s going on out there?” he questioned.

Commissioner T.D. David said the investment in Tired Creek Lake would provide an asset for Grady County for the next 100 years. 

“It will turn into a profit center when we start selling property out there,” he said. 

“Y’all need to let me hold the county’s checkbook,” Cook said. “There’s a lot of excess spending going on in Grady County.”

Another resident, Gary Keve, expressed concerns over the funds spent at Tired Creek and questioned the overall plan of the county’s next fiscal year budget. 

“I’d like to hear ‘this is what we’re going to do,'” he said.  

David echoed Keve’s concerns on budgetary concerns. 

“We’re doing a poor job on conveying to you (the public) what we’re spending the money on,” he said, noting expenses for Tired Creek. 

Residents also expressed concern over the county’s reevaluation of real property of approximately $32.1 million. 

“My taxes increased 900 dollars on my personal home,” resident Mark Bishop said. “I don’t understand that.” 

Chief Appraiser Susan Bennett explained the process of the reassessment, noting the potential selling price of a home being factored in, and said residents could file an appeal. 

Cairo City Council member Jimmy Douglas listed different suggestions to commissioners to combat the increase, such as freezing property levels at 2016 levels, using special purpose local options sales tax funds for public safety, and considering alternative methods for funding capital outlay. 

Larry Brown and Louise McRae issued their concerns regarding elderly residents on fixed incomes and the tax increase. 

“I think you need to look at things and see what you can cut out,” McRae said to the commissioners. 

Vice Chairman Ray Prince said the board and Grady County Administrator Carlos Tobar were going over every department in the budget and making as many necessary cuts as possible. 

“The things we can control, we’re trying to cut,” Prince noted. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.