County Commission Works Toward End of Fiscal Year

Jefferson County Commissioners will meet later this week to deal with end of year housekeeping and address the fiscal year 2017/18 budget proposal. Last week they met in a work session that followed three public hearings. Of the three hearings, only one had any public input, which was a rezoning request from A-1 to C-2 for property on West Highway 25-70.

Though the work session agenda was thin, the voting meeting is likely to have more meat. Commissioner David Seal informed the Commission that he will bring an amendment to the fiscal year 2017/18 budget proposal that will remove $4,000 in funding for Safe Space and will remove direct funding to the Industrial Development Board. In the budget proposal, the IDB is slotted to receive $40,000 in funding to cover their out of pocket costs for the recent defunct White Pine Commerce Park Proposal. Seal stated that he will move that those funds be held in a reserve account but not be automatically distributed to the IDB, citing issues with public input procedures on the Commerce Park proposal. Seal also brought information in the form of a brief overview of Eminent Domain legislation that was recently approved on the state level.

The Nominating Committee will bring recommendations for the Animal Control Board, the Audit Committee and the IDB for consideration. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri informed the Commission that there has been difficulty finding a physician to assume the role of County Medical Examiner. He noted that the pay for the position is grossly out of line with surrounding areas and would likely need to be increased to make the position more attractive.

Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett stated that the Committee will bring its recommendation for the fiscal year 2017/18 budget. He noted that the recommendation includes no property tax increase, and thanked the Committee and staff for their time in creating the document. Also, the Committee will bring end of year housekeeping recommendations for the current budget.

Commissioner Dockery informed the Commission that he will be bringing a recommendation to fund $30,000 (cut from the budget proposal) for the Parrots Chapel Fire Department. In absence of an approval for the funding request, he will bring a recommendation to allow that portion of the County to be assumed by Sevier County.

The Jefferson County Commission will meet on Thursday, June 29, 2017, instead of their regular Monday voting meeting to address closure needs of fiscal year 2016/17 and the fiscal year 2017/18 budget proposal.