OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Residents in Oak Grove are invited to attend a public hearing on Sept. 1 to hear and give input about the proposed property tax rate/levy. The first reading of the ordinance establishing the property tax rate will occur at the city council meeting directly after the hearing.
This year the council is proposing a 4% tax levy, which does not increase taxes by 4%, but increases overall revenue by 4%. However, due to an increase in the city’s overall tax base, the proposed rate is actually lower than last year while still producing more revenue. In a news release, the City of Oak Grove shared the following information about the proposed levy, and how it compares to last year’s rate.
| 2025 tax levy | 2026 4% increase tax levy |
|---|---|
| Real Property: $0.231 per $100 assessed value | Real Property: $0.2020 per $100 assessed value |
| Personal Property: $0.1050 per $100 assessed value | Personal Property: $0.1045 per $100 assessed value |
| Revenue Produced: $1,481,151 | Projected Revenue: $1,562,878 |
According to the city, although the proposed $0.2020 rate represents a 4% increase in revenue over the compensating rate, the city’s overall tax base has increased. As a result, the proposed rate is still approximately 12% lower than the 2025 rate, decreasing from $0.231 to $0.202 per $100 of assessed value.
This allows the city to maintain the revenue needed to support the proposed 2026 budget while also providing taxpayers with a reduced tax rate compared with 2025. The city also anticipates approximately $81,727 in additional revenue from new real and personal property.
All of the possible options for the 2026 rates are as follows:
- Compensating Rate: $0.1950 per $100 — projected revenue of $1,473,102
- Substitute Rate: $0.1880 per $100 — projected revenue of $1,420,221
- 4% Increase Rate: $0.2020 per $100 — projected revenue of $1,525,982 from the existing tax base
The public hearing will be on Sept. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oak Grove City Council chambers at 8505 Pembroke Oak Grove Road, with the city council meeting taking place at 6 p.m.
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