$2.35 Property Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2014-2015; Commission Honors Billie Jean Chambers

Commissioners Jimmy Dale Patterson, John Neal Scarlett, Terry Dockery
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Quarterly Session on Monday, July 21, 2104 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  The meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Baxley and Tucker. Commissioner Dockery exited at recess.  No citizens requested to speak at the Public Hearing on the intent to exceed the certified tax rate.  With a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Akard, three sets of Minutes were Approved.

Four citizens addressed the Commission regarding budgeting issues. Three requested funding for the library in the amount of $67,000 to fill open positions needed for function and one also addressed the funding of the Chamber of Commerce and EDOC, requesting that it go to fund other expenditures this fiscal year. One citizen addressed the issue of traffic on Muddy Creek Road and the need for lines.

A resolution honoring Billie Jean Chambers was read aloud and will be presented to Mrs. Chambers, who was unable to attend due to health concerns, at a later date.

With a Motion from Commissioner Estes and 2nd from Scarlett the Notaries and Bonds were Approved. Commissioner Scarlett brought recommendations for the Library Board from the Nominating Committee. Approved by consent were Lynn Hixon, Sandy Smith, Carol Nash, Rene Tabor, Rose Marie Harrell and Michele Templin. Also by consent, Rose Marie Harrell was appointed to the Clinch River Regional Library Board. The Commission Approved the Commission Secretary keeping the alpha chart of committees and boards for both the County Commission and Mayoral appointments.

Commissioner Musick inquired about the amount of write offs from the EMS. Mayor Palmieri stated that the department does use a collection service but the number of uncollectible accounts, due to income statue or death, is high in Jefferson County. Musick also requested that the Boys and Girl’s Club expand transportation to the White Pine Club. Commissioner Scarlett congratulated the Boys and Girl’s Club on meeting their bench marks.

Under New Business, following consultation with County Attorney Churchwell and with a Motion from Commissioner Kesterson and 2nd from Patterson, the Commission Approved advertising for sealed bids the purchase of the jointly owned building on Bishop Avenue. The advertisement will include a $250,000 reserve and will also be presented to Jefferson City Council before listing.

Budget Committee Chairman Griffith brought four resolutions regarding the fiscal year 2014-2015 budget that were recommended by the budget committee. Commission Chairman Mill opened the floor for discussion on the resolutions.

Scarlett made a Motion to restore one penny, previously moved to the department of education, to the Sanitation Department from the general fund. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Blevins and Failed 8-11 with Mills, Patterson, Musick, Tabor, Turner, Griffith, Solomon, Akard, Estes, Beeler and Sheets voting No.

Commissioner Beeler made a Motion to increase Library funding $67,000 from the County fund balance and was 2nd by Commissioner Turner. Commissioner Barriero offered a failed amendment (7-12) to have the $67,000 come from a split of Chamber of Commerce and EDOC funds. Scarlett made an amendment to use a portion of the $666,303(recently found in an assigned fund) to fund the increase and that the Library have accountability for the funding in the form of benchmarks. The amendment was 2nd by Carmichael.

Chairman Mills stated that the $666,303 (minus $115,000 that was use to pay the Chamber of Commerce and EDOC overage leaving $551,303) would need to be unassigned to allow for general usage. Carmichael made a Motion to table the library (2nd Scarlett) and a following Motion to move $551,303 from an assigned fund to an unassigned fund (2nd Akard). The Motion Passed with Kesterson and Dockery voting No.

Carmichael then made the Motion (Akard 2nd) to bring the library off the table.

Scarlett’s amendment was Unanimously Approved and Beeler’s Motion as Amended was Unanimously Approved.

Commissioner Musick made a Motion to reinstate $30,000 into the budget for Tn Achieves (scholarship program for Jefferson County students that is in its final year) with funding to come from the County General Fund. The Motion was 2nd by Scarlett and Approved Unanimously.

Scarlett made a Motion to not appropriate Hospital Reserve Funds to the School budget in the amount of $337,000 to avoid causing an increase in the maintenance of effort (amount which must be paid each year). He was 2nd by Kesterson. In discussion, Director of Finance Helton stated that he did not concur that the hospital fund would qualify as maintenance of effort, however Scarlett (former chairman of the school board) expressed concerns about the funding mechanism. Scarlett’s Motion Failed 5-13 with Kesterson, Maples, Blevins, Barriero and Scarlett voting Yes.

Resolution 2014-2015 fixing the tax levy for Jefferson County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 ( tax rate of $2.35) was Approved 11-7 with Kesterson, Maples, Patterson, Blevins, Barriero, Scarlett and Estes voting No.

Resolution 2014-16 making appropriations for the various funds, departments, institutions, offices and agencies of Jefferson County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 was Approved 11-7 with Kesterson, Maples, Patterson, Blevins, Barriero, Scarlett and Estes voting No.

Resolution 2014-17 for appropriations for non profit charitable organizations of Jefferson County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 was Approved 11-6-1 with Kesterson, Tabor, Blevins, Barriero, Scarlett and Estes Voting No and Solomon abstaining.

Resolution 2014-18 to designate the use of the hotel/motel tax for economic, tourist and business development was Approved 17-1 with Barriero voting No.

Facilities Committee Chairman Turner brought a recommendation to purchase the Rainwater Building (currently housing the Jefferson County Finance Office) for the amount of $240,000 plus closing costs to be funded from a combination of funds from the sale of the New Market Ambulance Station, the sale of the Merritt Building and County General Funds. The recommendation was Approved 15-3 with Maples, Blevins and Barriero voting No.

County General Fund 101 Budget Amendment #1 (general housekeeping plus movement of funds for the purchase of the Rainwater Building) was Approved Unanimously.

Chairman Mill stated that he had enjoyed his tenure on the County Commission and acknowledged that he and other Commissioners would mark the July meeting as their last.