Commission Stands On Dime Property Tax Increase

The Jefferson County Commission held a Special Called Meeting to address the fiscal year 2013-2014 Budget Resolutions on Monday, July 29, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Tucker and Solomon.

Chairman Mills stated that the resolution for the tax levy, which was a portion of the funding mechanism for the approved budget, failed to pass during the last Commission meeting. He opened the floor for motions and Commissioner Estes made a Motion to Approved the Tax Levy at an increase of 13 cents for a total property tax levy of $2.18 and was 2^nd by Commissioner Turner. Commissioner Scarlett amended the Motion to return 6 pennies to Debt Service Funds that was a part of the funding mechanism, which would increase the property tax levy to 19 cents for a total of $2.24 and was 2^nd by Commissioner Dockery. Scarlett/Dockery Motion Failed 16-3 with Commissioners Blevins, Barreiro, and Scarlett voting Yes. The Estes/Turner Motion Failed 10-9 with Commissioners Kesterson, Maples, Baxley, Tabor, Blevins, Barriero, Scarlett, Dockery, Estes and Carmichael voting No.

 Following a Failed Motion to Adjourn, Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri addressed the Commission and proposed that the Commission Chairman, Budget Committee Chairman, Finance Committee Chairman, Director of Finance for Jefferson County and the Mayor, as well as any other interested Commissioners or citizens, meet and bring back suggestions for budget cuts.

Commission Chairman Mills suggested that the Commission should find an amount of tax increase that the majority can vote to approve, to determine the amount of cuts that need to be made. Commissioner Estes made a Motion to cut the school budget by 2 cents and the County budget by 1 cent and move $58,250 from the County funds to schools(equal to ½ of the worth of a penny) to achieve a 1 ½ cent cut on both the school and County side of the budget. (resulting in a 10 cent property tax increase for a total property tax of $2.15). He was 2^nd by Commissioner Carmichael and the Motion Passed 11-8 with Commissioners Mills, Patterson, Musick, Cureton, Turner, Griffith, Akard, Carmichael, Estes, Beeler and Sheets voting Yes.

Commissioner Griffith made a Motion to cut across the board on the County Side ½ of 1% and was 2^nd by Musick. Commissioner Scarlett made a Motion to move $174,750 from County General Fund Balance to balance the County side of the budget. 2^nd By Commissioner Blevins and Passed 13-6 with Commissioners Kesterson, Maples, Baxley, Tabor, Estes and Beeler voting No. The original Motion as amended was Approved.

Director of Jefferson County Schools Edmonds elected to cut $174,750 from the school side of the budget rather than go to fund balance for the funds.

Mayor Palmieri stated that he would be willing to call an emergency meeting for August 1, 2013, should the Commission reach an impasse. Commissioner Barreiro made a Motion to cut funding for the Chamber of Commerce and EDOC to $200,000 total to be split among the two bodies, which represents the amount of hotel/motel tax generated in the County and earmarked for economic development. She was 2^nd by Commissioner Blevins and the Motion Failed with Barreiro and Blevins voting Yes.

Commissioner Estes made a Motion to Approve Resolution 2013B (budget for County departments and Schools for expenditures) with a reduction of $174,750 on the school’s side of the budget. He was 2^nd by Commissioner Turner and the Motion Passed 11-8 with Commissioners Kesterson, Maples, Baxley, Tabor, Blevins, Barreiro, Scarlett and Dockery voting No.

Commissioner Estes made a Motion to rescind the Mayor’s Veto of Resolution 2013-14 (Non Profit Funding) and was 2^nd by Commissioner Turner. The Motion Passed 13-6 with Commissioners Kesterson, Maples, Baxley, Tabor, Blevins and Barreiro voting No.

By consent, the Commission moved to reconsider Resolution 2013-13 (property tax levy). Commissioner Estes made a Motion to institute a property tax levy of $2.15 for a 10 cent property tax increase and was 2^nd by Commissioner Carmichael. The Motion Passed 11-8 with Commissioners Kesterson, Maples, Baxley, Tabor, Blevins, Barreiro, Scarlett and Dockery voting No.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri will have the opportunity to sign or veto two of the documents, however he did not indicated if he will exercise his right to veto.