District 9 Commissioner Seal Speaks Out On Mayoral Veto

Resolution 2017-20 was moved in County Commission on behalf of a growing number of citizens that believe that they are being left out of economic development decisions made in Jefferson County by the Industrial Development Board (IDB).  As the resolution states, “citizens of any community in Jefferson County deserve to be made aware of any economic development project that may be under consideration for that community prior to announcement or initiation” [of that project]. The resolution also holds that “citizens deserve to have input” into projects that will affect their lives and communities, projects that could tax citizens with the cost of any proposed development.  The resolution simply ask the Industrial Development Board to give the citizens of Jefferson County a voice “early in the process” of proposed development, a logical approach that would improve the relationship between citizens and county-appointed industrial development planners, and eliminate some of the argument and opposition that we see on a regular basis surrounding proposed projects. Despite the logic, value, and cost savings to the taxpayers of the new approach, the Mayor choose to use the VETO power to stop the recommendation.

The Mayoral VETO is founded on four provisions:  1) that IDB members are appointed, 2) that IDB is an independent board, 3) that County Commission is attempting to control, manage, and supervise IDB, and 4) that 2017-20 is redundant.  I agree that IDB is an independent board appointed by County Commission, and would assert that those two items are irrelevant as reasoning for the VETO.  I dispute that IDB would ever be controlled by a resolution that simply makes a “recommendation” on behalf of the citizens.  I also dispute that the recommendation made by the resolution  for IDB to  hold meetings seeking public input is redundant.  A resolution that makes a request for citizen input has no function of control as the Mayor suggested in the VETO. A request is just that, a request.  Citizens from various districts in Jefferson County ask me to facilitate a citizen-centered approach to economic development; resolution 2017-20 was written on their behalf to accomplish that goal. Those citizens are sorely disappointed by the Mayor’s action.

If I were the Mayor of a great county, like Jefferson County, I would be pleased that County Commission made an effort to involve citizens with the process of determining the economic destiny of the county.  Instead, he used the VETO power to squash an already fragile connection between the citizens and industrial planners.

David Seal

Jefferson County Commission, District 9

Source: David Seal, Jefferson County Tennessee Commissioner, District 9