Town of Dandridge Passes 2017/18 Budget

The Town of Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the fiscal year 2017/18 budget Tuesday evening, June 13, 2017. Although the budget document contained no property tax increase it did not receive unanimous approval, passing with a 5-2 vote. Alderman Kesterson and Alderwoman Elder voted against the motion to approve the budget document which was offered by Alderman Depew and Alderman Chambers. Kesterson said that his decision to vote against the budget was that it wasn’t the recommendation that had been presented by the Town Administrator and various changes had been made during the budget deliberation. $17,318 total in changes were made in addition to the recommendations of the Town Administrator and they included a seasonal employee to assist the Public Works, a $2500 donation to the Jefferson County Rescue Squad and a $2,000 increase for Christmas in Dandridge. Elder stated that she was not in favor of some specific line items, citing funds that were set aside for the possibility of funding a paid fire chief as one area of concern.

Another agenda item that passed with a split vote was one that would change the Beer Ordinance to allow “ beer gardens” for special events in the Historic District of Dandridge, where street festivals and events are generally located. The motion to approve was brought by Aldermen Depew and Chambers for the final reading and passed with a 4-2-1 margin. Voting against the change in ordinance were Alderman Kesterson and Alderman Nelson, with Mayor Gantte choosing to abstain.

Town Administrator Peagler informed the Board that two relatively new lawn mowers had been stolen from the Field of Dreams. She stated that, as an emergency purchase, she had received three bids on two Gravely lawnmowers with the lowest going to Alpha Outdoor. Insurance recovery should cover all but a small amount of the purchase.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen will not meet for their regular work session in July, as it falls on a National Holiday, but they will have their regular voting meeting on July11, 2017.