That happened last year, making the Class II rate, which is the residential rate, $17.44 per $100 of assessed value, Manuel said.
The proposal was to make the residential rate $18.98, an 8.83 percent increase, according to a proposal from the county commission office.
Although the rate of $18.98 is less than what the residential rate has been in years past, it still would have generated $838,315 in revenue for the county, officials said.
Debate has surfaced over whether to call it a tax increase.
One way to look at the situation is the commission was proposing not to roll the Class II rate as far back as it had gone, said Manuel, who maintained it was not a tax increase.
Manuel said the tax increase would not have been fair to county residents who have been suffering from significant increases in property taxes.
It would not have been fair especially since the commission told homeowners during recent tax appeal hearings that taxpayers might get some relief from spiraling taxes by the rates being rolled back, Manuel said.
Morgan previously said he was opposed to the tax increase and stated Thursday he was "dead set against it."
Commissioner Greg Corliss cautioned the commission about "burning bridges you might have to cross back over."
Corliss said the commission is facing about a $1.7 million revenue shortfall. At the same time, some county services such as police and emergency medical service are not keeping up with demand for service, Corliss said.
Morgan also lamented about trying to provide for the growing county while facing an "erosion of revenue" that is being caused by the rollback provision in the tax structure.
How they voted
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday voted 3-2 to strike down a proposal to raise property taxes this year. A public hearing on the proposal scheduled for Monday also was canceled.
Voting yes: Dale Manuel, Rusty Morgan and Jim Surkamp
Voting no: Frances Morgan and Greg Corliss
