Budget Passes As Recommended With No Property Tax Increase
Fiscal year 2016/17 will close on July 1st and the new fiscal year will begin, thanks to the passage of the 2017/18 budget that came as a recommendation from the Jefferson County Budget Committee to the full Commission body at Thursday evening’s County Commission voting meeting. Despite a budget season that contained what began as a contentious relationship between the budget committee and the local fire departments, particularly those that were funded by a municipality, a compromise in funding levels for the most active departments that serve the County smoothed the way to a easy passage of the fiscal year 2017/18 budget proposal. Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett noted that the fiscal conservation of the County departments and the hard work of the County Finance Office, as well as the budget committee, allowed the budget proposal to include a 1.4% raise for County employees while holding the tax rate steady at $2.35.
The proposed budget was approved in a 16-3 vote with Commissioners Gaut, Tim Seals and Solomon voting against the proposal. Various associated votes, including the setting of the tax rate, were approved with a like vote. The adoption of a continuing budget and tax rate, a necessity should the Jefferson County Mayor exercise his right to veto, and the appropriations to non profits were both approved in a 17-2 vote with Seals and Solomon casting a dissenting vote.
While the fiscal year 2017/18 budget hit the fast track to approval, a motion offered by Commissioner Turner and 2nd by Commissioner McGraw hit a stumbling block that turned into an extended debate. Turner’s motion for a work session that would include the County Commission, and representatives from the Industrial Development Board, the Economic Development Alliance, Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Mayor’s Office for the purpose of developing a plan for future economic development of Jefferson County raised concerns. By consent Turner accepted an amendment by David Seal that would extend the time for citizen input from three to six minutes. The motion failed to find favor and was defeated 10-9 with Commissioners Douglas, Baxley, Musick, Solomon, Bales, Scarlett, Tucker, Carmichael, Beeler and Sheets voting against.
Commissioner Dockery also had trouble finding enough votes to carry his motion to restore $30,000 to Parrots Chapel Fire Department ( cut during the budget cycle). Dockery’s motion was 2nd by Commissioner Huffaker and failed 15-4. Agenda items placed by Dockery that would have provided $20,000 in additional funding to Jefferson City Fire Department for a total of $75,000 and to consider allowing the Parrots Chapel Community to leave Jefferson County and become a part of Sevier County were moved to the Work Session for further discussion. The Commission did pass the adoption of an amended committee organization and management plan in a 17-2 vote.
Other items of interest included additional funding of $14,200 for a total of $25,000 for a Medical Examiner. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri stated that Dr. Holland will take the position and there will be some administrative assistance from local emergency services. The Commission approved three rezoning resolutions though Commissioner McGraw made an unsuccessful attempt to send one contested resolution back to the Planning Commission for more consideration. The Commission approved several general housekeeping budget amendments for both the County and Schools, as well as general housekeeping resolutions for the lease of business machines and a public records policy.
Committee placements are as follows-Animal Control Scott Lubas-Jefferson County Audit Committee Garry Jett, Phyllis Best-Industrial Development Board Michael Dockery, Scott Faulkenberry.
Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig thanked that County Commission and County Finance Office for their assistance in providing a clean audit for his department.
