County Complex Back on the Table
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
Jefferson County Commissioners met for their regular work session on Monday evening, June 13th, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Though this would be the final meeting of the Commission prior to voting on the fiscal year 2016/17 budget, it was not the proposed budget document, which included no property tax increase, that was a topic of discussion. A request for paving funds from the Jefferson County Department of Education was one of three issues of lengthy discussion during the work session. Director of Jefferson County Schools, Charles Edmonds, was on hand to answer questions from Commissioners regarding a potential request from the Department of Education to use excess funds from various parts of the building plan, including Jefferson County High School renovation, the construction of the Patriot Academy and the renovation of Building 8, to fund more than $600,000 in paving at Jefferson County High School. Also included in the discussion was a budget amendment, which will be brought on recommendation from the Budget Committee at the voting meeting, for $116,000 for new lighting on the Jefferson County High School Football field.
While the lighting request found some questions regarding the planning of Capital Projects and the occurrence of emergency requests, as well as questions about the feasibility of repairing rather than replacing the lights, the bulk of the questions stemmed from the initial funding of Building 8, which some Commissioners identified as another emergency project. The Department of Education is in litigation concerning the issues at Building 8 and several hundred thousands of dollars could be in play, should the Department of Education be successful in their suit. Though the Department of Education would be the recipient of those dollars, several County Commissioners voiced their expectation that some, if not all, of any funds associated with Building 8 that would become available through legal action would be passed on to the County, as the County incurred the debt for the emergency renovation of Building 8. Director Edmonds stated that, while he would carry the request to the School Board, ultimately the decision will rest with the School Board.
Under New Business, Commissioner David Gaut will bring the proposed County Complex for a vote before the full body. Several weeks ago, the issue of a County Complex was defeated in Committee and the focus turned to Capital Project needs for County Buildings. Discussion Monday evening centered around the cost associated with renovation as compared to building new. Gaut’s handout on the proposed County Complex included information that was prepared for the Facilities Committee from the Jefferson County Mayor’s Office and his motion will include a four or five cent property tax increase to cover the estimated cost of the project which is in the $10 million dollar range. Proponents of the plan point to an estimate of around $4 million for the total renovation of existing County Buildings. Most discussion on the issue was driven by proponents of the project, with the major reserves stated during the Work Session being the vacancy of multiple building in the downtown Dandridge area, as well as the project’s failure to find favor with the investigating Committee. The issue will be before the full body for vote later this month.
Commissioner David Seal informed the Commission that there appears to be difficulty with some interested voters obtaining a picture identification for the purpose of voting. At the suggestion of several Commissioners, Seal will speak to local representatives regarding the issue and the possibility of having a local location that identification can be acquired.
At the regular voting meeting, the Commission will address end of year budget amendments, surplus items, the County Complex and the fiscal year 2016/17 budget. Due to the necessity of last minute budget amendments, the County Commission voting meeting will be held on June 27 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
