Published: August 19, 2008 05:23 pm         

Thoughts on Tansi and taxes

Welcome to Lake Tansi! We can ask; however, however it's totally up to you if we receive!

My recent letter in last month's Smoke Signal stated, "We need your help!" This is true as we cannot do it without you, our members! When we ask for a dues increase it's because we do need it. Your board, your amenities, your property values and Tansi all hinge on you.

Welcome to the "City of Tansi." (Hypothetical, read on.) We have evaluated your property and find the "fair market value" of your home is $185,450. Your tax rate is .0095 per thousand. Your current property tax for the year 2014 will be $1,761.78 payable on or before the due date. Your due date will be Jan. 1, 2015; the additional amount due after the due date will be 2 percent per month or $35.24 per month until paid.

The above is purely hypothetical; however, as a city we could and would tax you to solve our problems. We are not in a position to do that! Yet, look at what we offer our members verses being a city.

1. City police force — Us: Security Department.

2. Parks and recreation — Us: Thunderbird recreation area, tennis courts, outdoor pool, miniature golf, horseshoe pit, shuffle board, billiards/pool tables, playground, Lake Tansi Snack Shop, beach and swimming. Seventeen "new" cabins for rent which make us money plus paddle boats, a fishing pier, walking trails, bingo and many other activities. Hiawatha recreation area, indoor pool, meeting area with outdoor pavilion and picnic area overlooking the golf course and lake.

3. City golf course — Us: Tansi Golf Course, voted the #1 course in Crossville for 2008. With pro shop, outdoor pavilion with driving range and two practice areas.

4. Full service restaurants — Us: Forte's and The 19th Hole.

5. City lake – Us: Lake Tansi Marina plus three other lakes.

6. City offices — Us: POA office and staff.

7. City maintenance — Us: Tansi Golf Maintenance with total new facilities plus a secondary maintenance staff for all other amenities.

8. City sewer treatment plant — Us: New Tansi amenities, membrane sewer treatment system, in progress.

We cannot tax you folks to pay the bills for this sizable operation. We can only ask for your help. Yes, it's an increase; however, we did not foresee the sewer problems and none of us were aware of the massive increases in oil and gas this year. The residual "trickle-down effect" in all other products and services we use will be much higher than anticipated. Our dues are costing us about $15.75 per month now. With the increase we are considering our dues will still be less than $20a month or 65 cents per day total. Please help us keep Tansi beautiful.

This message has been approved by the Lake Tansi board of directors.