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Bond refunding .....and wheel tax is considered
Members of the Cocke County Finance Committee meeting Thursday evening were told that the recent re-financing of $10 million in bonds, went well. Finance Manager Anne Bryant-Hurst said the sale negotiated by Cumberland Securities brought the county a savings of $1,291,000. The new bonds, which will still mature in 2028, carry an interest rate of just under 1.75 percent. The savings are $59,000 more than Financial Advisor Scott Gibson had predicted two weeks ago. The body also voted 5-2 to recommend the CLB approve a $45 wheel tax. The motion was made by member Andy Tritt who said the 35,000 vehicles would bring in in excess of $1.5 million annually. He pointed out that surrounding counties have a wheel tax that is higher than the recommended fee. The raised revenue would be earmarked for paving, a jail or justice center, economic development projects and capital projects. Sheriff Armando Fontes said he supports the move toward a wheel tax. Tritt indicated for such a tax to be imposed, 75 percent , or 11 of the 14 commissioners would have to vote to support such a tax in two meetings. Tritt was joined in his support of the recommendation by Love Henderson, Dr. Clay Blazer, Cindy Holtand Clayton "Skip" Ellison. Committee Chair Robert Green and member Mitch Fine opposed the resolution. In 1996 the CLB also voted to impose a wheel tax but when the issue was sent to a vote of residents, 3,730 or 79 percent voted no, with just 976 or 21 percent supporting the move. Bryant-Hurst reported that the state legislature has shifted audit funding costs to local governments. The charge will be bases on the population of the city or county. She also asked for an additional $20,000 in the accounting line item to fund another clerk in the office, primarily to assist with payroll. In other new requests, ETHRA is requesting $25,000 to partially fund the operation of senior services and a senior center. SafeHarbor, which works with children who are victims of sexual abuse and Helen Ross McNabb, which plans a veteran's services program, each are requesting $5,000.
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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
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