Commission Rejects Mineral Tax Again in 12–5 Vote
500 Local Jobs at Stake? Commission Rejects Mineral Tax Proposal
Click to see Video clips of comments.
The Jefferson County Commission voted 12-5 to reject a proposed Mineral Severance Tax for the second time in less than one year. A resolution to adopt the tax was brought by Commissioner Rob Blevins and was 2nd by Commissioner Jim Snodgrass. In recent weeks, the topic of adopting the mineral tax has gained an audience on social media. That public interest found it’s way onto the County Commission floor with a plethora of citizens addressing the full body in both favor and opposition of the resolution. Among those expressing concern were numerous employees of the local mines, as well as representatives from Nyrstar and a regional mining association.
In April of 2025, Nyrstar appeared in front of the Jefferson County Commission to request time to improve a deficit position before adopting a Mineral Severance Tax in Jefferson County. Mining officials stated that a plan was in place to address the financial situation and correction was expected to take two years without the additional burden of the proposed tax. Should the tax be adopted, it was estimated to be 5 or more years which would leave the local Nyrstar mine vulnerable to lay offs or closure.
The State of Tennessee allows counties to adopt a mineral severance tax that could increase from twenty cents per ton to thirty cents per ton by 2035. It applies to the the extraction of sand, gravel, sandstone, chert and limestone. According to local miners and Nyrstar administration, the mines have a very thin profit margin. Miners pointed out that the mines have closed over fluctuation in prices in the past and the impact to those employed by the mines, and the local economy was devastating. It was also noted that several other industries would suffer job losses or potential closure if the mines were to shut down. Currently more than 500 people are employed at Nyrstar and more than half of those are Jefferson County residents.
Those in favor of the tax, which is mandated to go to the local highway department, asserted that it could improve the roads. Commissioner Blevins presented a power point presentation to the Commission and a handful of County Commissioners spoke against and in favor of the proposed tax. According to Tennessee Code, initiation of the Mineral Severance takes a 2/3 vote of the County Commission. Voting in favor of the tax were Commissioners Blevins, Reed, Norton, Brooks and Snodgrass. Those in opposition of the tax were the remainder of the Jefferson County Commission with the exception of Commissioners Byrd, Johnson and Lowe who were absent from the rescheduled Monday evening meeting.
In other action, an attempt to replace District 6 County Commissioner Ransom Douglas, who resigned due to a move outside his district, was unsuccessful. Three names were brought before the Commission for consideration. Michael Parker, Robert Bruner, both candidates for District 6 County Commission seats and on the ballot in the May Republican Primary, and Annette Loy, a citizen in District 6, were brought as possible replacements for the unexpired months of Douglas’ term. Parker and Bruner were the top two vote getters with 6 votes each and moved to the next round of voting which resulted in a 8-8 tie (Blevins abstaining). In the third round of voting Parker received 10 votes but failed to meet the required simple majority of 11 votes. The item will be on the agenda for April.
Several budget amendments were approved on both the County and School side of the budget, as well as approval to apply for an 80-20 grant that could improve the Ruritan Park.
