County budget approved with no new taxes

Last week, the Anderson County Commission approved the budget for the fiscal year that begins on Friday, July 1^st.

Under the budget, the county tax rate for residents of Clinton will be $2.60 per $100 of assessed value, Oak Ridge residents will pay $2.46, and residents of Oliver Springs, Rocky Top, Norris and unincorporated parts of Anderson County will pay $2.63 per $100 of assessed value. The tax rates differ due to differing school debt amounts.

The new budget includes a 5 percent pay raise for all permanent, full-time county employees, as well as part-time employees, but only a 2% increase for school employees.