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With vocal opposition, the Sequatchie County Commission held off a vote to instate the proposed Senior Tax Freeze at its meeting on Monday, December 21.
Local resident Anne Wolfe spoke to commissioners, supporting a possible tax relief program rather than a tax freeze program. The tax relief program she mentioned would, instead of capping seniors taxes and forcing the county to make up the difference somewhere else, reimburse the county through state funding on property taxes.
The second advantage, she stated, would be the average resident senior citizen would pay less each year.
“With a tax relief program, the county would not be losing any revenue and the resident involved would have to pay less, as compared to the Senior Tax Freeze,” said Wolfe.
The commission had placed a resolution to accept or decline the proposed Senior Tax Freeze, sponsored by Commissioner Redgie Camp. But the commissioner made a motion, which was approved, to hold the vote until January to research the pros and cons of each tax program for seniors. The motion to hold the vote received a unanimous yes from commissioners.
In other business, County Executive Michael Hudson led a discussion concerning the county helping the city commission with the East Valley Water Line Extension.
“I believe we’ve come up with an option that will please everyone,” said Hudson.
The county executive said, between him, Mayor Dwain Land and the Development District, a new option has been found and would cost less than previous options. Hudson pointed out the possibility of using $450,000 from a development grant, coupled with $86,000 of the county’s money, the county could extend toward the Bostontown Community after the city takes their grant funding, nearing the same amount, and extends north along East Valley Road.
“I feel a lot more comfortable with this option than our others,” said Hudson.
One of the concerns of the commission was voiced by Commissioner Camp, suggesting the commission receive a higher percentage commitment from residents in the construction area to ensure thousands of dollars are not wasted on a new water line which is never used.
Commissioner Claude Lewis pointed out, the county will be receiving nothing back as far as revenue on this project because the extension is for the city water system.
Hudson said, he will bring the line extension proposal to the commission next month for a vote. He added, representatives from the development district will be in attendance to answer any questions concerning the grant in the proposal.
No immediate action was taken at the meeting concerning the water line extension.
During the meeting, Hudson presented the almost finished county website. The site, which can be found at www.sequatchiecounty-tn.gov, contains pictures of the valley and community, links to other officials’ websites, contact information for the county executive and information for industrial recruitment, among other things. Hudson encouraged any interested residents or county officials to visit the site.
Martha Barker and Alan Barker were approved to become Judicial Commissioners for Sequatchie County.
Four fund transfers were presented and approved after being recommended by the Budget Committee, represented by Committee Chairman Paul Powell.
The first was for general office supplies at the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department, totaling $3,400. Powell noted, the transfer included no new taxpayer money.
The second transfer totaled $900 for the Circuit Court budget to cover employee overtime.
The third, for a contract with a landfill facility in Marion County, totaling $30,000 to pay for waste management. Chairman Tommy Johnson pointed out, this transfer was covered in the last tax increase for Sequatchie.
The final transfer, totaling $2,731, was given to Property Assessor James Condra’s office. The transfer covers the cost of the office’s digital imaging of documents. Hudson noted, the invoice for the service came in later than expected and the budget reimbursement has had to wait until now.
Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock stated from November 16 to December 21, his department answered a total of 380 calls for service. In that time period, the Sheriff’s Department booked 124 people and held a daily average of 97 inmates at the Sequatchie County Justice Center. For the month of November, he said, the Justice Center earned $308,210 for housing state inmates.
The Sequatchie County Commission will be convening again for their next meeting on Monday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sequatchie County Courthouse.
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