HAWKINS COUNTY RESIDENTS COULD BE PAYING MORE TAXES SOON. COUNTY LEADERS HAVE PROPOSED A 34 CENT PROPERTY TAX RATE HIKE TO HELP FUND A 210 THOUSAND DOLLAR DEFECIT IN THE GENERAL FUND AND A 710 THOUSAND DOLLAR DEFECIT IN THE EDUCATION FUND. THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL MEET FRIDAY TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING THE NEW SPENDING PLAN FOR THE 2007-08 FISCAL YEAR.