White Pine School, 5% County Employee Raises, and Hybrid Benefit Plan Get Thumbs Up
The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Voting Meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Carmichael. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Turner and McGraw.
Minutes were Approved with a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Tim Seals. One citizen, Annette Loy, appeared before the Commission in support of funding the Strawberry Plains Fire Department Sub Station. Honorary Resolutions were presented to Kaylee Victoria Kesterson (Commissioners Blevins and Tucker) and Paul Kenneth Condry (Commissioner Beeler and Highway Superintendent Charles Tipton).
Notaries & Bonds were Approved with a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Commissioner Bales. Under Reports from Elected Officials, Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri informed the Commission that there continues to be a situation regarding mold in the Department of Education Building and that David Longmire, Jefferson County Buildings Director, is addressing the situation with the assistance of multiple mold specialists. Currently the Department of Education is housed at the First Tennessee Bank in Dandridge free of Charge. However in January rent for the current offices will be around $5,000 per month. Palmieri stated that there is also an issue with the HVAC unit at the Jefferson County Work House and the estimates for repair came in at more than $500,000 which was vastly above what was expected. Palmieri also informed the Commission of approval for the CDBG grant of $500,000 that will go to the New Market Utility District. The Mayor also brought appointments to various Boards and Committees, stating that all but two, Commissioner Tim Seals and Jefferson County Finance Director Potts, were re-appointments. The appointments were Approved with a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Commissioner Sheets.
A request from Highway Superintendent Tipton on recommendation of the County Highway Commission for amendment of current plans to allow the relocation of the cul-de-sac on Valley Home Road to the upper corner of Parcel 13.01. (Charter Foods) was Approved with a Motion from Commissioner Baxley and 2nd from Scarlett.
Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig requested that the Commission not reduce a proposed 5% County employee raise to 3%. He also stated, in answer to Mayor Palmieri’s suggestion of possibly moving the Work House to the Justice Building and adding on a pod, that there are benefits to having the Work House at a different location than the Justice Building and he would like to keep it separate.
Under Department Heads and Other Officials, Commissioner Douglas requested information regarding the Environmental Office distributing his phone number to residents that have complaints, stating that he was called by a resident that was not in his district regarding an environmental issue and was told that the resident was refereed to him. Environmental Director Carter informed the Commissioner of the particulars of the situation and Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri stated that he had previously had his department heads, particularly in areas that had significant cuts during the budget season, to post a list of Commissioners that had supported the cuts and impacted the service of the departments.
Jefferson County Finance Director Potts brought a Resolution to Declare Equipment Surplus &Donate Said Equipment to New Market VFD( Register of Deeds). It was Approved with a Motion from Tim Seals and 2nd from Commissioner Musick.
Jefferson County Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett brought seven budget amendments with an impact of $25,448 ( workman’s comp increase) to fund balance that were Approved by the Commission. He also brought a recommendation to allow the School System to reallocate funds that were previously assigned to other capital projects for windows at Maury, carpet at Dandridge Elementary and preliminary designs at White Pine School. Funding in the amount of $25,000 for the new Strawberry Plains Fire Department Substation was Approved ( Solomon abstained). Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett also brought a recommendation for funding of renovations and construction at White Pine School in the amount of $1,000,035 with a matching amount of at least $1 million dollars from the School System and the caveat that the County Commission approved the plans. $35,000, which is not matched by the School System, will go for a Quality Control Advisor and associated legal fees. The recommendation was Approved Unanimously. The Budget Committee Chair brought a recommendation for a 5% across the board raise for County employees. Jefferson County Finance Director Potts stated that a 5% raise for all county employees that have been employed for one calendar year, full and part time, would cost $640,000 for one full year and in the neighborhood of that amount thereafter. The remained of the current calendar year will cost $480,000 for an across the board 5% raise with the longevity caveat. Scarlett offered an amendment for a 3% across the board raise with longevity caveat and was 2nd by Bales. Scarlett stated that he has concerns regarding such a deep financial commitment, which could potentially impact the property tax rate. The Scarlet/Bales amendment Failed 16-3. The original recommendation for 5% was Approved 14-5 with Commissioners Douglas, Blevins, Eslinger, Bales and Scarlett voting No. Upon recommendation of the Budget Committee, the Commission Approved acceptance of the Tennessee Consolidated Hybrid Retirement Plan, which will only impact new hires and have no impact on current employees. The plan will begin on July 1, 2016 and, according to Jefferson County Finance Director Potts, will save the County more than $2 million dollars over the next ten years.
Under New Business, Commissioner Blevins brought a Motion for the Inclusion of High Elected Officials on the Work Session and Voting Agenda. The Motion also included a formal request for the presence of those officials at the meetings. Several Commissioners stated that the inclusion of those officials is a part of the official agenda outline adopted by the County Commission. Blevins stated that the Motion was an attempt to highlight adopted procedure and assure that it is being kept. County Commission Chairman Carmichael stated that it is difficult for the Chair and his secretary to get the agenda in order and spoke against the Motion. Blevin’s Motion, which was 2nd by Bales, Failed 12-7 with Commissioners Tabor, Blevins, Bales, Scarlett, Dockery,Tucker and Beeler voting in favor of the Motion. Commissioner Beeler requested that committee and board appointments be included in the packet prior to the meeting to allow time for review.
