Twenty Years in Twelve Sentences
The City's Position, in the Mayor's Own Words
"We passed a balanced budget and it does have a property tax increase, but we offer the citizens of Mt. Juliet more services so it is a great value."
— Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness, after the FY 2025-26 budget approval (June 2025)
A Resident Response
The mayor frames the tax increase as fair exchange for "more services." That framing assumes residents wanted the additional services in the first place. Long-time Mt. Juliet residents interviewed locally consistently describe a different experience: they did not ask for the bike lanes, the additional sidewalks, the courtship of big-box retail, the surveillance infrastructure, or the density that triggered the need for more municipal services. They were content with the city as it was. The "value" being offered is the value of growth that the city pursued; the cost of that growth is now being transferred to residents through their property tax bills. Whether that constitutes a "great value" depends on whether the recipient was asked if they wanted what they are now paying for.
For the first half of this twenty-year window, Mt. Juliet had no city property tax at all. The city instituted its first property tax in 2011 at $0.20 per $100, dedicated to restarting the Fire Department which had been shuttered since 1986. By 2017, the city was already debating whether the dedicated fire-tax revenue should be diverted to the general fund.
The Trajectory
- FY 2006-07 through FY 2010-11: No city property tax. Budget data from this period is not consistently available in news archives and would require public records requests to the city Finance Department.
- FY 2011-12: First city property tax instituted at $0.20 per $100, restricted to fire/emergency services, after the Fire Department was reactivated in 2013.
- FY 2015-16: Total budget approximately $22 million.
- FY 2016-17: Property tax adjusted to $0.1664 (revenue-neutral after reappraisal). This rate held for nine consecutive years.
- FY 2018-19: Total budget $37 million (+68% over FY 2015-16).
- FY 2019-20: City proposed raising the property tax rate to $0.59 (a 254% increase). Withdrawn after public outcry. Rate held at $0.1664.
- FY 2021-22: Total budget $62 million ($22M operating, $40M capital).
- FY 2023-24: Total budget $94 million — the largest in city history. $33 million was for capital projects.
- FY 2024-25: Total budget $79 million against just $44 million in revenue, requiring a $35M reserve drawdown.
- FY 2025-26: Property tax raised from $0.1664 to $0.29 (a 74% increase). Original proposal was $0.44 (a 164% increase), reduced after public opposition. State legislators called the increase "egregious" and proposed a bill to limit such increases.
Every figure on this page is sourced. Where data is incomplete or unverifiable, that is stated explicitly with the gap labeled "— not publicly verified." This is intended as a starting point for residents who want to file targeted public records requests for the missing years.
Budget Growth: 2006–2026
Verified from news/city sources
Not publicly verified
Total Budget Expenditures (in millions)
Bars scaled relative to FY 2023-24 ($94M, the documented peak). Estimated bars are based on linear interpolation between verified years and labeled accordingly.
Year-by-Year Detail
Each row uses the same format: Total Budget, Property Tax Rate, Year-over-Year Change, and Notable Spending / Decisions. Where data is unverified, that is stated explicitly.
| Fiscal Year | Total Budget | Property Tax Rate | YoY Change | Notable Spending / Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2006-07 | Not publicly verified | $0.00 (no city property tax) | — | City had no property tax. Operating revenue from sales tax, state-shared revenues, and fees. |
| FY 2007-08 | Not publicly verified | $0.00 (no city property tax) | — | Pre-recession period; population growth accelerating. |
| FY 2008-09 | Not publicly verified | $0.00 (no city property tax) | — | Great Recession period. Tennessee sales tax revenues fell statewide. |
| FY 2009-10 | Not publicly verified | $0.00 (no city property tax) | — | Recovery period. No verified budget data in news archives for this year. |
| FY 2010-11 | Not publicly verified | $0.00 (no city property tax) | — | Last fiscal year before city property tax instituted. Discussion of fire department restart underway. |
| FY 2011-12 | Not publicly verified | $0.20 / $100 | FIRST EVER property tax | Mt. Juliet instituted its first city property tax in 2011 at $0.20 per $100, dedicated to emergency/fire services. Source: The Tennessean, January 2017. |
| FY 2012-13 | Not publicly verified | $0.20 / $100 | Held flat | Property tax revenues accumulating in dedicated fire fund. Fire Department restart in planning. |
| FY 2013-14 | Not publicly verified | $0.20 / $100 | Held flat | Mt. Juliet Fire Department reactivated for the first time since 1986. Impact fee debate underway: $1,500 per residential unit + $1,500 per nonresidential development plus $0.25/sq ft proposed but ultimately deferred. Source: The Tennessean, July 2014. |
| FY 2014-15 | Not publicly verified | $0.20 / $100 | Held flat | Sewer rates increased per news report. 5-story Courtyard by Marriott approved at Providence Parkway with city lodging-tax cut from 19.25% to 18.25% as inducement. Source: The Tennessean, October 2014. See Growth & Zoning page. |
| FY 2015-16 | $22 million | $0.20 / $100 | Held flat | Public Works largest portion of budget; Police largest personnel expenditure. Source: Main Street Media TN, June 2015. |
| FY 2016-17 | Not publicly verified | $0.1664 / $100 | Rate adjusted DOWN -16.8% | Property tax rate dropped from $0.20 to $0.1664 to remain revenue-neutral after a property reappraisal raised assessed values countywide. Mayor Ed Hagerty led the change. The new rate would hold for nine consecutive years. Source: The Tennessean, June 2016. |
| FY 2017-18 | Not publicly verified | $0.1664 / $100 | Held flat | Ordinance 2017-27 adopted (May 8, 2017): amended zoning code to allow buildings up to 70 feet / 6 stories near I-40 interchanges, "for office, hotel, and multi-family uses only." See Growth & Zoning page. Commissioners debated diverting fire-tax revenue to general fund (3-1 vote on first reading; Mayor Hagerty opposed). |
| FY 2018-19 | $37 million | $0.1664 / $100 | +68% from FY 2015-16 | $3.5M projected fund balance at fiscal year start. Discussion of defining "downtown." Finance Director Dana Swinea. Source: Main Street Media TN. |
| FY 2019-20 | ~$38 million | $0.1664 / $100 (held) | ~+3% YoY | City proposed $0.59/$100 property tax (a 254% increase from $0.1664). Withdrawn after public outcry. Fire department spending cuts approved instead. ~$3.5M existing debt at 3.9%, ~$3M new debt proposed for north fire station. Source: The Tennessean, June 2019. City paid $592,660 to Wilson County Schools to settle the liquor tax lawsuit (Source: The Tennessean, November 2019). |
| FY 2020-21 | Not publicly verified | $0.1664 / $100 | Held flat | COVID-19 pandemic impact on revenues; tornado recovery (March 2020 EF3 tornado destroyed hundreds of homes). FEMA grant of $1.2M for debris removal received. Specific city budget total for this year not located in news archives. |
| FY 2021-22 | $62 million | $0.15 / $100 | Rate dropped to $0.15 (revenue-neutral after reappraisal). Budget +63% YoY est. | $22M operating + $40M capital. $638,000 added to bring city employee salaries to 95th percentile of comparable cities (avg $3,358 raise, 190 employees). 4 additional police officers + 5 other PD positions; 9 firefighters + administrative assistant for new station near Green Hill High School. Convenience store rezoning at Lebanon Rd / Golden Bear Gateway deferred. Source: Main Street Media TN, June 2021. |
| FY 2022-23 | Estimated ~$70M | $0.1664 / $100 | ~+13% YoY est | 8% cost-of-living raise for city employees (Source: Main Street Nashville, June 2022). $1.9 million added for city ambulance service (4 ambulances leased: 3 emergency, 1 convalescence) (Source: TN Municipal League, June 2022). Specific FY 2022-23 budget total not in news archives. |
| FY 2023-24 | $94 million | $0.1664 / $100 | +34% YoY est | $33 million for capital projects. Larger cost-of-living raise (amount unspecified in coverage). Funding for special census, backup ambulance. Three-hour budget meeting with seven amendments. New city hall under discussion. Source: Main Street Media TN, June 2023. Highest budget in city history. |
| FY 2024-25 | $79 million | $0.1664 / $100 (held) | -16% YoY | 3.2% cost-of-living raise. Starting general fund balance: $47M. Revenue: $44M against $79M expenditures — a $35M reserve drawdown. No property tax increase. Source: Main Street Media TN, June 2024. |
| FY 2025-26 | Total budget figure not in surveyed news coverage | $0.29 / $100 | +74% tax rate increase | Original city manager proposal: $0.44 / $100 (a 164% increase from $0.1664). After ~2 hours of public opposition at June 2025 meeting, reduced to $0.29 (still a 74% increase). Several city positions eliminated. State Rep. Jason Zachary called the increase "egregious" and proposed HB 1873 to limit such increases statewide. Adopted June 23, 2025 (Ord. 2025 budget). Sources: WKRN News 2, June 2025; WSMV 4 Nashville, June 2025. |
How to fill in the unverified rows: Each "Not publicly verified" entry can be filled by filing a public records request to the Mt. Juliet Finance Department for the adopted budget for that fiscal year. Per the Tennessee Public Records Act, the city has seven business days to respond. Submit via the NextRequest portal. Once received, this page will be updated with verified figures.
Property Tax Rate History (2006–2026)
| Period | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2006-07 to FY 2010-11 | $0.00 | No city property tax. Mt. Juliet was one of few Tennessee cities with no property tax during this period. |
| FY 2011-12 to FY 2015-16 | $0.20 / $100 | First city property tax instituted in 2011, dedicated to fire/emergency services. Held at $0.20 for five years. |
| FY 2016-17 to FY 2020-21 | $0.1664 / $100 | Adjusted down to $0.1664 to remain revenue-neutral after countywide reappraisal raised assessed values. |
| FY 2021-22 | $0.15 / $100 | Briefly adjusted down to $0.15 (revenue-neutral after another reappraisal cycle). |
| FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 | $0.1664 / $100 | Returned to $0.1664. Held flat for three more years despite budget more than doubling in same period. |
| FY 2025-26 | $0.29 / $100 | 74% increase. Original proposal of $0.44 (164% increase) reduced after public opposition. |
Major Spending Decisions & Capital Purchases
The following are capital expenditures, contracts, and significant spending items identified in news coverage. This list is not exhaustive — full capital improvement plans are obtainable via public records request.
| Year | Item | Amount | Details & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Fire Department Restart | Ongoing op cost | City restarted Fire Department after being closed since 1986. Initial fire stations on south side near Providence Marketplace and behind City Hall. Source: The Tennessean, January 2017. |
| 2014 | Lodging Tax Cut for Marriott | -1% revenue | City lowered hotel-motel tax from 19.25% to 18.25% as inducement for the 5-story Courtyard by Marriott on Providence Parkway. Source: The Tennessean, October 2014. |
| 2019 | City Existing Debt | $3.5 million | Outstanding debt at 3.9% interest, seven-year payout. Source: The Tennessean, June 2019. |
| 2019 | North Fire Station Debt | ~$3 million proposed | New debt for north-side fire station, seven-year payout at lower interest rate. Source: same as above. |
| 2019 | Wilson County Schools Settlement | $592,660 | Court-ordered payment to Wilson County Schools for back liquor tax revenues, after lawsuit. Source: The Tennessean, November 2019. |
| 2020 | FEMA Tornado Debris Grant | $1.2 million (received) | FEMA grant for tornado debris removal following March 3, 2020 EF3 tornado. Source: Local 3 News, December 2021. |
| 2021 | Employee Salary Adjustment | $638,000 | FY 2021-22 amendment to bring 190 city employees to 95th percentile of comparable cities; avg $3,358 per employee. Spearheaded by Commissioner Scott Hefner. Source: Main Street Media TN, June 2021. |
| 2021 | FY 2021-22 Capital Outlay | $40 million | Vehicles, equipment, buildings, roadway projects. Single-year capital allocation. Source: same as above. |
| 2022 | City Ambulance Service | $1.9 million (initial) | Lease 4 ambulances (3 emergency, 1 convalescence). Doubled the city's ambulance fleet. Source: Tennessee Municipal League, June 2022. |
| 2023 | FY 2023-24 Capital Projects | $33 million | Capital projects funded in $94M budget. Specific itemization not in news coverage. Source: Main Street Media TN, May 2023. |
| 2025 | Federal Interchange Grant (Central Pike) | $25 million (received) | Federal grant for new I-40 interchange. Source: Yahoo / city release, July 2025. |
| 2025 | Flock Safety Contract | Amount not publicly disclosed | 80 LPRs + Flock911 + DFR drones + business camera integration + AI. Sources: WKRN News 2, June 2025. See Surveillance page for details. |
| 2026 | Ice Storm Debris Cleanup Contract | Amount not publicly disclosed | Emergency contract with outside firm to clear >26,000 cubic yards of debris from January 2026 ice storm. FEMA reimbursement up to 75% of vegetative debris cost. Source: NewsChannel 5, March 2026. |
What the 20-Year View Shows
Observation 1: Mt. Juliet went from no property tax to one of the most volatile rate increases in the state, in 14 years.
From $0.00 (pre-2011) to $0.20 (2011-2016) to $0.1664 (2016-2025) to $0.29 (2025). The 2025 jump represents the largest single-year increase in the city's tax history. The rate was held essentially constant from 2016 to 2024 while the budget more than tripled, deferring the cost of growth onto a future budget cycle.
From $0.00 (pre-2011) to $0.20 (2011-2016) to $0.1664 (2016-2025) to $0.29 (2025). The 2025 jump represents the largest single-year increase in the city's tax history. The rate was held essentially constant from 2016 to 2024 while the budget more than tripled, deferring the cost of growth onto a future budget cycle.
Observation 2: The "negotiated down" tax-hike pattern recurs every cycle.
2019: Proposed $0.59, withdrawn entirely after public outcry. 2025: Proposed $0.44, reduced to $0.29 after public outcry. In both cases, the city framed the reduction as a victory for residents while still implementing (or attempting) substantial increases. Whether this is intentional negotiation strategy is a question only the internal deliberation record could answer.
2019: Proposed $0.59, withdrawn entirely after public outcry. 2025: Proposed $0.44, reduced to $0.29 after public outcry. In both cases, the city framed the reduction as a victory for residents while still implementing (or attempting) substantial increases. Whether this is intentional negotiation strategy is a question only the internal deliberation record could answer.
Observation 3: The Fire Department tax is no longer dedicated.
The 2011 property tax was instituted with an explicit promise that revenues would fund the Fire Department. By 2017, commissioners voted (3-1, mayor opposed) to redirect those revenues to the general fund. Mayor Hagerty's 2017 statement: "If you want to do this, have the political guts to raise the property tax." The city instead held the rate flat and spent the dedicated revenue on other priorities — consistent with the deferred-cost pattern that the 2025 increase ultimately resolved.
The 2011 property tax was instituted with an explicit promise that revenues would fund the Fire Department. By 2017, commissioners voted (3-1, mayor opposed) to redirect those revenues to the general fund. Mayor Hagerty's 2017 statement: "If you want to do this, have the political guts to raise the property tax." The city instead held the rate flat and spent the dedicated revenue on other priorities — consistent with the deferred-cost pattern that the 2025 increase ultimately resolved.
Observation 4: The 2024-25 budget mathematically required either reserves or a tax increase.
$79M expenditures against $44M revenue = $35M annual gap. The starting fund balance of $47M can cover that gap for one year, maybe two. After that, the city had three options: cut $35M in spending, take on debt, or raise taxes. The 2025-26 tax increase of 74% is consistent with the third option being chosen.
$79M expenditures against $44M revenue = $35M annual gap. The starting fund balance of $47M can cover that gap for one year, maybe two. After that, the city had three options: cut $35M in spending, take on debt, or raise taxes. The 2025-26 tax increase of 74% is consistent with the third option being chosen.
What This Page Cannot Yet Show: Total budget figures for FY 2006-07 through FY 2014-15, FY 2016-17 through FY 2017-18, FY 2020-21, FY 2022-23, and FY 2025-26 are not currently publicly verified through news coverage. These figures exist in the city's adopted budget documents and are public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Citizens who file public records requests for these documents and share the results are encouraged to do so — this page will be updated with verified figures as they become available.
Source List
- The Tennessean — Mt. Juliet Property Tax May No Longer Be For Fire Department (Jan 2017)
- The Tennessean — Mt. Juliet Decides to Wait on Impact Fee (Dec 2013, references 2011 tax)
- The Tennessean — Impact Fee on New Construction (July 2014)
- The Tennessean — Marriott Hotel and Lodging Tax Cut (Oct 2014)
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2015-16 $22M Budget
- The Tennessean — Tax Rate Drops to $0.1664 (June 2016)
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2018-19 $37M Budget
- The Tennessean — Town Halls on $0.59 Tax Proposal (April 2019)
- The Tennessean — Plan to Avoid Tax Hike (May 2019)
- The Tennessean — Mayor's Annexation Plan (May 2019)
- The Tennessean — FY 2019-20 Budget Approval (June 2019)
- The Tennessean — FY 2019-20 Recap (July 2019)
- The Tennessean — School Settlement $592,660 (Nov 2019)
- Local 3 News — FEMA $1.2M Tornado Grant (Dec 2021)
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2021-22 $62M Budget
- Main Street Nashville — FY 2022-23 8% Employee Raise
- Tennessee Municipal League — $1.9M Ambulance Service (June 2022)
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2023-24 $94M First Reading
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2023-24 $94M Final
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2024-25 $79M First Reading
- Main Street Media TN — FY 2024-25 $79M Final
- WKRN News 2 — FY 2025-26 400% Tax Increase Proposed
- WSMV 4 Nashville — FY 2025-26 Property Tax Approved at $0.29
- Hoodline — FY 2026 Tax Rate Adoption (May 2026)
- WKRN News 2 — HB 1873 / TN Bill to Limit Local Tax Increases (Feb 2026)
- TN Comptroller — Municipality Annual Memorandum & Report
- Yahoo / City Release — $25M Federal Interchange Grant (July 2025)
* This page is a factual compilation drawn from public news reports and city records.
* Where data is not publicly verified, that is stated explicitly. Each unverified entry can be filled by filing a public records request.
* Specific budget line items beyond what is reported in news coverage are obtainable from the Mt. Juliet Finance Department.
* Corrections welcomed via the Public Records Request Portal.