Lengthy Agenda for First Budget Meeting of 2016
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met for the first time in 2016 on Monday, January 11th, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Committee Chairman Scarlett called the meeting to order. Absent from Roll Call was committee member Tucker.
Following the Approval of the minutes, with a Motion from committee member Solomon and 2nd from committee member Turner, the committee addressed both County and School budget amendments. County budget amendments, which had no fund balance impact, were Approved with a Motion from Solomon and a 2nd from committee member Musick. Likewise, Solomon and Musick brought the Motion for Approval of the Capital Projects amendments which was successful and committee member Kesterson and Solomon moved the Approval of the Sanitation amendment, all of which were in the nature of general housekeeping. School System amendments included a refund from Appalachian Electric that was slotted for replacement of windows in County middle schools (schools have not been identified). The request was Approved with a Motion from Turner and 2nd from Kesterson (Musick-No). Budget amendments that included the shifting of School System funds to cover their portion of the White Pine renovation were Approved upon an Motion from Solomon and 2nd from Turner. Amendments for the Federal and Food service budgets were Approved with Motions from Solomon and 2nds from Musick and Turner respectively.
The Committee addressed the issue of space allocation for the Department of Education, which was dislocated from the DOE building in the last quarter of 2015 due to a mold findings. Estimates for correction and upgrades needed for the facility are in the neighborhood of $500,000 (including HVAC upgrades) and the County, beginning in January, will incur a monthly charge of $4,800 to house the DOE in their current location at the First Tennessee Bank Building in Dandridge. Committee member David Seal brought a Motion to fund $213,000 to renovate space in the current School Transportation Building that was being used to house students during the Building 8 renovation for Central Office use. The motion, which was 2nd by Kesterson, was the subject of debate regarding the size of the space available (around 3000 ft) and the needs of the DOE (reported as 7000 ft). The motion was modified to send the intent of the motion to the Facilities Committee as an option, as they address the possibilities for the location of the DOE. The Motion was Approved with committee member Beeler voting No.
Committee member Blevins brought the issue of the Strawberry Plains Senior Center, which is currently housed in church space and must relocate, before the committee for assistance. As Strawberry Plains has no tax base, it is the only senior center that is not supported by a municipality. Suggestions for relocation include the donation of a portable classroom that is not in use and help funding the move and establishment of that portable, with the estimated cost to be $12,000. The item was refereed to the Facilities Committee for action.
Because the renovation plans for White Pine School, reworked to meet the $2 million dollar budget, had not been viewed and approved by the School Board, the Budget Committee deferred the item, via a Motion from David Seal and 2nd from Kesterson, to a called meeting before the next County Commission voting meeting.
The request of the Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department for funding of $25,000 for sub station 2 failed to find favor with the committee. Kesterson brought the Motion to fund and was 2nd by Blevins but the request was voted down 4-5 with committee members Kesterson, Blevins, Turner and Gaunt voting in support. Meetings and Deadlines for the upcoming budget season were Approved with a Motion from Solomon and 2nd from Musick.
