Commission Work Session Preview For Budget Voting Meeting

The Jefferson County Commission met for their Work Session on Monday, July 14, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Tabor, Barreiro, Cureton, Patterson and Kesterson.

Three Citizens appeared before the Commission. Two requested funding for the Jefferson County Libraries and one requested that funding generally assigned to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce be redistributed for the 2014-2015 fiscal year to allow for management shifts. Also appearing before the Commission were one department head and one Commissioner. Sanitation Supervisor Hubbard requested that the Commission reassess the decision to move funds from Sanitation to the Department of Education, terming the decision to take from one department and redistribute to another as unprecedented in his years of service. Commissioner Beeler requested that the full body reconsider the level of funding to the libraries, due to the investment in new facilities in two locations and the lack of staffing at those same locations.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri addressed the Commission regarding funding for three items that were not covered in the proposed budget. He stated that without the $30,000 contribution from the County to TN Achieves, Jefferson County students will be caught without means to fund their second year of college. The funding contribution would only be for one more year, until Governor Haslam’s new program roll out, however lack of funding this year would be devastating to those that depend on the scholarship, according to Mayor Palmieri. The Mayor also requested $1,200 for computers for the Zoning and Building Office, stating that the current ones are unusable and the request has been made for three budget cycles. He also requested that the Commission reconsider the funds (around $74,000) that were to be used for EMS personnel. Mayor Palmieri reminded the Commission that they had already faced one law suit regarding this issue and would likely face others if funds are not available. He said that this could be a very costly cut to the budget. Mayor Palmieri suggested funding his requests from the $666,303 that was found in the assigned portion of the fund balance. Commission Chairman Mills stated that it would likely require a resolution by the Commission to release those funds and Director of Finance Helton stated that it could be released by simple majority vote.

Director Helton informed the Commission that the Merritt Building (split with Jefferson City) had sold at auction for $89,500. He stated that the Bishop Street property ( also split with Jefferson City) did not bring a bid that he was comfortable accepting ( $175,000) because the property is accessed in excess of $1 million dollars and currently has one tenant.

Under Reports of Committees, Budget Committee Chairman Griffith stated that he will bring the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget for approval, as well as a resolution regarding Hotel/Motel Tax and three budget amendments that include the funding of the purchase of the Rainwater Building (currently housing the Finance Office) for $240,000.

Conservation Board Chairman Tucker stated that the Board will bring some form of recommendations in a few months. Tucker also serves as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee and he stated that the Committee will recommend reinstatement of sitting Library Board Members. Commission Secretary will keep the Committee Alpha Chart for the Commission and Mayoral appointments.

Facilities Committee Chairman Turner informed the Commission that the Jefferson County High School renovation project is on track to be completed on time.

The Commission was informed that bids are out for the White Pine Bridge project. Commission Beeler rolled his New Business request to the voting meeting.