The Carter County Commission's budget committee is recommending a nearly 12-cent increase in the county property tax rate. The committee voted 4-3 to send the full commission its recommendation to hike the tax rate by 11.8 cents to a new total of $2.27 per 100-dollars of assessed property value. 7.8 cents will go to public education while 4 cents will be applied to debt service if it passes. The school system is seeking an additional 431-thousand dollars because of declining state and federal revenue with increased mandated expenses. (bg)