County Commission Work Session Brings As Many Questions As Answers

In a week of multiple County Commission and Committee meetings, the Jefferson County Commission held their second work session of 2015 on Monday, March 9^th in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Following Roll Call that found all Commissioners present, Commission Chairman Carmichael excused the audience in attendance to have a closed session with the County Attorney. After a lengthy executive session regarding the issues of growth boundaries and sewage problems at Rush Strong School, the work session reconvened.

Four citizens addressed the Commission on various issues, including the upcoming budget, the library grant, senior relief for wheel tax and internet access. Several Elected Officials and Department Heads also addressed the Commission. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri will be bringing a general housekeeping agreement before the Commission at the voting meeting. He requested that Commissioners join him in the development of a comprehensive plan to address the budget and will host a meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2015 to that purpose. Mayor Palmieri also introduced a representative, Greg Von Cannon, from a branch of Rusty Wallace Ford that is considering relocating from Cocke County to Jefferson County. The company is seeking a ten year tax abatement with a even scale of payment of property tax at 25% of their actual tax rate, rather than a progressive five year abatement that has the company paying o% for two years, 25% for the 3^rd year, 50% for the 4^th year and 75% for the 5^th year with full taxes being paid on the sixth year. Additionally, the established tax abatement program does not extend to retail and would have to be altered. It is projected that the new dealership could add around 15 jobs to the area, while bringing existing staff, and an increase in sales tax. Commissioners discussed the possibility of adding a roll back to any abatement. Commissioner Seal asked if the dealership would be open to partnering with Jefferson County High School to offer opportunities to the vocational students. Local business man Scott Shaffer also addressed the County Commission and requested that they consider the impact on existing competitive businesses that have been locally situated for several years and did not enjoy any tax break.

County Clerk Herndon informed the Commission that his office is now doing passport photos and that the revenue from those photos has already paid for the equipment. Commissioners previewed a webinar voting system that would cost in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $20,000 dollars. Finance Director Potts will bring a general housekeeping resolution, as well as information on the library grant and the Highway Land Purchase Reserve that was set in 2008 for highway land purchase in the amount of $145,577. He will request that the land purchase reserve be released into the general fund, as it was never taken out of reserve and paid, instead, from other funds. Director Potts presented the County and School Financial Statements and informed the Commission that the schools had under budgeted $65,000 of Trustee commission that it currently cannot cover. Due to rules of procedure, surplus items from the schools will not come before the Commission because no representative was present to address this issue.

Commissioner Huffaker was joined by other Commissioners in thanking the Highway Department for their work during the recent snow and ice. Administrator of Elections Charles Gibson brought information on the Wheel Tax, in regard to a potential referendum. He stated that a petition has been picked up but not yet turned in and that a special election for this issue would cost around $25,000. 1046 signatures are needed to force a referendum and the petition must be received by the close of business on April 10, 2015. Chamber of Commerce Director Helton introduced Adele Sensing, who presented an overview of tourism in Jefferson County.

Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett informed the Commission that a penny would be worth $114,300. He will bring several budget amendments for Commission approval at the voting meeting. Conservation Board Chairman Tucker stated that the Conservation Board was approved by the Budget Committee for $3000 for associated costs for land transferred from the IDB. Quality Control Oversight Committee Chairman David Seal informed the Commission that there was not a consensus on the Advisor and another meeting would take place.

Also discussed was the upcoming second vote on increasing the Wheel Tax and the possibility of a break for senior citizens. The Commission was informed that any changes to the resolution would require additional time.