More than 400 residents attended an open hearing to protest tax hikes included in the Southampton County budget. A petition to cut spending rather than raise taxes, signed by 1,200 residents, was presented to officials.

The County Board of Supervisors plans increase the real estate tax rate by five cents, to 77 cents, and the personal property tax rate for vehicles by one dollar, to $5.50. The tax increases would generate more than $1.37 million of the county’s $53 million budget.

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