(The following article was written prior to the early voting beginning on Friday, July 17, for the Aug. 6, state and federal primary and county general elections. It has not been released for publication in order to not influence the right of any voter to cast their ballot for or against any candidate.)

2026 being an election year, the dreaded term, “property tax increase,” often creates political panic in the minds and psychic of sitting incumbents, and an opportunity for aspiring candidates to vow to hold the line as a “no tax increase,” opponent.

In reality, the dreaded phrase is a little more complicated.

Generally speaking, there are two primary factors that determine your property tax bill:

1. The value of your home; and

2. The tax rate that your local governments change.

Increase in either factor may result in a higher tax bill?

Other increased heart palpitations that may occur when you get your next property tax bill are based on:

1. Home improvements and renovations, such as adding an extra bedroom so that your mom and dad won’t have to go to an assisted living facility or a nursing home at considerable expense;

2. Inflation, community growth advocates, (“if you don’t grow you die, campaigns”);

3.Local Government services (“support your underpaid firemen and policemen”) and various other pet or needed projects in individual political districts, become part of the overall discussion at budget calculation time; and

4. Impact of nearby home sales in your neighborhood based upon the large number of realtors, aggressive developers and community pride in becoming “bigger and better,” are also part of the formula that will add to your total property tax bill.

Of course, being domiciled between $1–2-million-dollar inflated residences, brings into the formula one of the most influential factors in determining a house’s value and the property taxes you pay. That is how much comparable homes in your neighborhood have sold for recently. Don’t worry, the increase in your Social Security check when you reach the age of 62 should be more than enough to handle the “no property tax increase promise!”

(You also have the other options of moving to Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York City!)

The sale of the Frank LloydWright house for $4M plus will surely help the property taxes of the folks on Missionary Ridge?

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If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com)