Debate Ends as Commission Votes to Keep Agenda Format Largely Untouched
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County Commission took action Thursday evening to address the form of their agenda and provide continuity at County Work Sessions and Voting Meetings. With a Motion provided by Commissioner Turner and 2nd by Commissioner McGraw, the Commission decided to keep their long standing agenda much the same, which leaves Elected Officials on the voting agenda and ends an extended debate as to who will be heard at the voting meeting. Though an amendment was offered to the Turner/McGraw motion, which would have eliminated the elected official heading from the agenda but would have provided a means to be added to the agenda, it failed to find favor with the full body. Commissioners also turned away a motion that would have required that potential appointees to committees or boards be presented at the work session. Additionally, the Commission passed another motion in regard to their rules of procedure that was largely general housekeeping in nature. It removed the responsibility of monitoring and filing of documents from committees to the Commission Chair or their designee, rather than the County Clerk.
Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri addressed the County Commission Thursday evening, pledging his willingness to work with the Commission but reiterating that respect is a two way street. In answer to questions in the Work Session regarding public information, Mayor Palmieri stated that there was no refusal to release information on the part of his office. He said that the information requested was not in electronic form and some included in the request about the Work House contained information that was protected from public release. In regard to meeting attendance, the Mayor stated that he would be present when he had something to present to the body and pointed to the fact that most elected officials are not present at all legislative meetings, noting Governor Haslam does not attend General Assembly meetings unless he has items to present. Commissioner McGraw noted the long tenure of Palmieri as the high elected official and stated that he would request the Mayor’s presence because he feels that his experience could add another perspective to issues. Mayor Palmieri also briefly addressed three items that were on the agenda concerning a proposed Mineral Tax, increasing the Hotel/Motel Tax and establishing a redistricting study committee to look at a reduction of the numbers of County Commissioners. Initially, Commission Chairman Carmichael struck the items, deeming them out of order. However, interest on the part of Commissioner Turner and Commissioner Huffaker to investigate the possibility of a Mineral Tax and increased Hotel/Motel Tax, respectively, brought the items back for a limited discussion.
In other action, Commissioner Dockery requested that a public input section for County committees and boards be included on the April agenda. The request came following a citizen complaint that appearance before the Board of Zoning Appeals costs $50. At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee the Commission appointed Scarlett, Hickman, Shannon and Reece to the Agriculture Extension Committee and Briggs, Hardy, Henry and Smith to the County Board of Equalization. The Commission referred a requested for a portable for the 4th Judicial District Recovery Services to the Facilities Committee, Approved the 2016 Annual Review of the County Debt Management Policy and Resolution 2016-14 to donated surplus vehicles from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to the Jefferson County Highway Department. A request from the Jefferson Memorial Foundation to amend and restate the charter and bylaws was Approved, as well.
Seven County side and seven school side budget amendments were brought for consideration and approval on the recommendation of the budget committee. Budget Chair Scarlett also brought a resolution to clarify budget allocation, appropriation and distribution of sales tax revenue and Resolution 2016-11 to refinance Nursing Home Bonds for a savings of around $600,000. Lastly the budget Committee recommended funding of the GIS in the amount of $6000 ( already budgeted). All recommendations brought from the budget committee were approved by the full Commission.
In a 16-4 vote, the Commission Approved a recommendation from the Nominating Committee to leave the composition of the Beer Board as is, rather than consider an 11 member board. A resolution to adopt and amended committee organization and management plan was postponed to the work session.
Under New Business, the Commission Approved two resolutions for rezoning. One, on 1820 West Highway 11-E New Market, will go from I-I zoning to C-2 and the other, property off of Highway 411 Dandridge, will go from A-1 to C-2.
Commissioner Douglas extended his appreciation to the Jefferson County Highway Department for their service during this winter’s inclement weather.
