| |
|
CLB continues to talk Partnership
The Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB) spent time again Monday evening talking about the Partnership, and the fact that the new county budget removes funding for tourism promotion and the activities of the chamber of commerce. In addition the budget includes Economic Development Commission funding only till the end of the year. Last week the Partnership board had considered the possibility of canceling the Newport Harvest Street Festival because of a lack of funding. But Monday evening Partnership President Don Hurst said the event will be held because Newport City officials have agreed to assist in the effort. He said too that the Economic Development Commission will meet later this week to decide what to do with the properties owned by that entity, if it is disbanded. Commissioner Mike McCarter questioned whether the promissory notes held by the county on some of the EDC property will be paid off, but Hurst assured him that the county will get it's money if the property is sold. The properties in question were purchased with funding from the county, city, local financial institutions, utilities, the hospital etc, all of whom make up the Partnership. Hurst pointed out that the community doesn't have large acreage sites that are necessary to lure large industries. In addition "you can't build an industrial park with volunteers. It costs money," he told the commission and the 75 member audience. He also said any industrial firm that comes into the community is looking for "more retail, tourism...more of everything. Broadband capabilities everywhere." "We dont't have what alot of communities have, so it is a struggle. It takes longer to do it, if you have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps," Hurst told the commission. Commissioner Clay Blazer pointed to the dramatic growth of sales tax revenue in recent years. He said those taxes have increased nearly 38 percent since the Partnership was formed. "That's why we went nine years without a property tax increase. And prior to that, Blazer said property taxes were being raised every year. He said statewide from 2005 to 2014, the state saw a sales tax increase of 7 percent while Cocke County saw revenues from that source increase by 22 percent, largely due to the Partnership. "To do away with the whole thing is not going to look good down the pike," Blazer argued. In addition, the county has seen dramatic increases in tourism. Last year 180,000 paying customers rafted the Pigeon River, and Cocke County saw an increase in tourism of 6.5 percent, second highest in the 16 county region, behind only Sevier County. Outgoing Chair Norman Smith presented a statement in which he addressed the lack of trust for the Partnership by the office of mayor and some in the community. He suggested the solution is for the organization to better inform the community of it's activities. Smith said he is hopeful the various factions can come together to move the community forward. Six members who are leaving the Legislative Body (CLB), were recognized. Tom Sutton, Smith, Phil Killion, Andrew Fowler, Dan Metcalf and McCarter, either chose not to run for re-election or were defeated at the ballot box earlier this month. In addition, outgoing County Mayor Vaughn Moore and County Clerk Janice Butler also were recognized. In other action, County Mayor Moore said a national firm is interested in the former Ace Products site on the Industrial Road, because it has rail siding. The company will conduct an environmental survey and if that is satisfactory has offered to pay $300,000 for the site. It would plan to construct a plant in two or three years. County Attorney Carter Moore said when a pay resolution was rescinded last meeting, no new pay scale was enacted for the commissioners. But the body agreed to a pay scale of $200 monthly with the chair to receive and additional $25.00 monthly. Commissioner Calvin Ball said there are concerns about the jail administrator driving a county vehicle home. But Chief Deputy John Carroll said Tommy Large has not been assigned a take home vehicle. The body rejected building codes for one and two family dwellings, as had been recommended by the Finance Committee. Sheriff Armando Fontes and Newport Mayor Connie Ball were appointed to the 911 Board and, Ralph Fancher and Sarah Preston were re-appointed to the Cocke County Library Board, with Fancher also serving as a regional member. The body went on record supporting a resolution which endorses an amendment to the state constitution to make it more difficult for a woman to obtain an abortion. The body also voted to ask the Newport City Council to seek a change in the Newport Utilities charter to allow the chair of the CLB to serve on the utilities board.
|
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
|
|
|