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Efforts continue on a new Cocke County budget Members of the Cocke County Finance Committee spent 90 minutes Monday evening, discussing a new budget and came away with no progress. Finance Manager Anne Bryant-Hurst last week told the committee that the budget requests total $1.8 million more than the anticipated revenue, and that a 34 cent increase will be necessary to fund the current requests. Mayor Crystal Ottinger said fees from whitewater rafting are down by $47,000 for July, with some rafting companies seeing decreases and others with increases. Chair of the committee, Andy Tritt reported that state officials say the county "needs a serious fix" but they have no recommendation. The committee expressed concern that a major property tax increase would have a significant impact on large industry in the area. Bryant-Hurst said the new budget is beginning with a very low balance in the General Fund. Legal fees paid to outside law firms were up last year, as were jail medical costs, and the state has hiked the audit fee by 20 percent. She said in years past revenues have done significantly better than had been projected but not last year. "This year we are just barely doing better than we projected, with the ending fund balance just about $250,000. I don't think you will get there without a property tax increase. I don't think you will be able to take out enough of the requests to balance the budget." She pointed out that in years past the committee always was looking for a way to again have a budget without a tax increase, but this year, the fund balance won't allow that. The Finance Manager suggested the committee first balance the budget, then set priorities and targets for looming expenditures including an industrial park and a jail, as part of long-term planning. But she also pointed out that roads, recreation, and schools have needs. Sheriff Armando Fontes argued that a jail is needed to reduce the liability of the county, and he pointed to recent assaults in the jail which he said is partially due to overcrowding. He also said his administration has brought in more revenue through seizures. Several commissioners again suggested that problem inmates be released from jail and monitored through an ankle GPS program. Commissioner Calvin Ball said his constituents want a wheel tax over a property tax hike. However, a wheel tax likely could not be implemented in time to bring in revenue this fiscal year, because tax payers may decide to challenge such a tax. Commissioner Clayton "Skip" Ellison again argued for an industrial park, and Commissioner Tritt said employees of the Partnership should not be employed by a non-profit but should be employees of the city or county. The committee agreed to meet again the evening of July 31 and to invite other commissioners and department heads, in an effort to develop a budget.
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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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