| |
|
Budget committee considers requests
Members of the Cocke County Finance Committee, meeting Tuesday evening heard budget requests from the Recreation and Fire Departments. Recreation Director Brian Evans asked for raises for his employees, a full-time employee to serve as an assistant director, a Cushman machine to be used to prepare ball fields, fencing at Northwest Elementary, a new roof for the Northwest concession stand, bleachers at Northwest and Bridgeport and additional mulch for the various playgrounds. The requests he said likely would have a cost totaling between $30,000 and $50,000. Evans went on to say he hopes to eventually have a county ball complex, but that would require additional land. He told the committee that Cocke County s one of the few counties in the region that does not have a complex for softball and baseball. "This would help us get better and make our county proud," he told the committee. He went on to say there currently are 44 county basketball teams and 38 softball teams. There also are plans to obtain a charter to organize a baseball league. Commission Chair Norman Smith questioned whether a part-time person could serve as assistant director "because benefits for a full-time employee just kill us." Evans argued that a full-time employee likely would be more dedicated to the position. Smith also reported that giving county employees a two percent raise in the budget would cost $142,323, and a three percent raise would cost $207, 851. The committee also heard requests from County Fire Chief William Smallwood who asked for three more full-time firemen. He said OSHA regulations call for at least four fighters to respond to a fire, providing for two firefighters inside a burning structure and two outside for safety reasons. Last year the department responded to 358 calls and so far this years the calls have totaled 210. Smallwood said having additional firefighters during the day is most important because most volunteer firemen are working during the day and are not available to fight a fire. Committee member Clayton "Skip" Ellison, who himself is a county firefighter, said the department is currently operating at only 30 percent of maximum requirement as established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Ellison pointed out that more men would mean a decreased ISO rating, and as the rating drops, so do insurance premiums for industry. Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore said the county firemen spend lots of time in training so that they are prepared in the event of a fire. Committee member Norman Smith pointed out that Jefferson County budgets $555,000 for firefighting efforts while the local fire department is requesting a budget of $1,362,000. The request calls for a raise of $9,000 for Chief Smallwood and $2,000 for each employee. Smith said the local volunteer fire departments also are in need and "we need to balance things out." In early March, the Coordinator for Fire and Emergency Services, David Cody, took a sick leave because his father was ill, following his arrest on DUI and traffic violations charges, but he now is back on duty. Smith said it may be time to make that position the Assistant Fire Chief as well. Mayor Moore said he understands Cody has retained legal counsel and he cautioned against a move to modify the position at this time.
|
Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
|
|
|