City of Bowling Green considering raises occupational taxes by 0.15%

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Bowling Green city taxes could be increasing next year. 

“We have to find a way to generate more revenue in order to continue providing the services that our citizens have come to expect by living in this community,” said BG City Commissioner Melinda Hill. 

The city is considering raising the occupational tax by 0.15%- from 1.85% to 2%. 

“That’s gonna be about $75 for everybody that has a $50,000 job per year,” said BG City Commissioner Sue Parrigin. 

As the city grows, they want to make sure their resources can withstand a bigger population. They haven’t changed the occupational tax in over 15 years. 

“I don’t know that there’s been any other business or organization that hasn’t raised their prices in the last 15 years. We’re only asking to go back to the 2% we had in 2007,” said City Manager Jeff Meisel. 

This money goes to fix sidewalks and roads, invest in infrastructure, pay our public safety officers, and more. All of these categories also get more expensive as our population grows. 

“We don’t have enough police officers. We’re responding now at max capacity and we’re trying to recruit and retain and provide the pay that’s needed to recruit police,” said Mayor Todd Alcott. 

But they know this tax could cause a burden on some. 

“It is a minor increase, but for some people a minor increase would be a whole lot,” said BG City Commissioner Carlos Bailey. 

All of the city commissioners News 40 talked to said they haven’t decided how they would vote yet. 

But they do want your input- visit their professional Facebook pages to send them a message.