Next city election — mayor and
aldermen must win with majority
October 14, 2009
City fathers say they’ve had nothing but positive
response to a measure proposed by Mayor Webb Banks
that will require candidates in city elections win
by a majority of the votes.
Aldermen unanimously adopted the new rules that
change the city’s charter. The charter will provide
for a run-off election should there be multiple
candidates for mayor or aldermen when none of the
candidates receive at least 50% of the votes cast.
The
final vote was held this week but the new rules must
now be approved by the state legislature. Once the
language passes state muster, aldermen and the mayor
will vote to adopt. City leaders believe the rules
will become law in time for next year’s city
election.
While there are at least four people who say they’ll
run for mayor next year, Mayor Banks’ suggestion the
rules change came before any of the candidates
announced. Banks says he will not run for
reelection.
What the ordinance says
The ordinance states that beginning with the June
2010 election, all future regularly scheduled
elections shall be held on the third Tuesday in June
of even-number years. In any future election for the
office of mayor and all four aldermen positions, the
candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast
(50 percent plus one) in order to be elected. If no
candidate receives a majority of the votes cast,
then the two candidates receiving the highest number
of votes cast shall be place upon the ballot for a
run-off election. The run-off election shall be held
the first Thursday in August of every even-numbered
year, in the manner provided by law. The terms of
those elected shall begin at the first regularly
scheduled meeting after the election commission has
certified the results of the election.
City limits THDA funds
October 14, 2009
Brownsville’s city government will soon begin
distributing housing rehabilitation funds to
low-income homeowners. Aldermen and the mayor set
limits on the awards when they met this week.
Since the city’s grant is for only $250,000 for the
program, it was agreed that limits were needed in
order to ensure the program might serve the highest
possible number of homeowners. The amendment
approved states that "no applicant shall receive
more than $25,000 from the THDA homeowner housing
rehabilitation program.”
Bond to serve on victim’s board
October 6, 2009
Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed
Sheriff Melvin Bond to another board. The sheriff
will serve on the Governor’s Commission on Crime
Victim Assistance.
The
board is heavily involved in victim’s compensation.
Sheriff Bond already serves as chairman of the
Tennessee Corrections Institute. TCI’s primary
function is to oversee the certification of the
state’s jails.
Bond has accepted the appointment but says he is
being careful not to accept too many jobs that take
him out of his office for long periods of time. TCI,
the sheriff says, requires four meetings per year
and he is able to attend by going and coming the
same day.
He
said the Crime Victim Assistance Board requires
three meetings annually.
Wheel tax to help fund air ambulance
service
September 22, 2009
Every Haywood Countian will be entitled to the use
of the helicopter air ambulance service free of
charge thanks to action taken this week by the
Haywood County Commission. Part of the $29 increase
will fund the air ambulance service and pay for what
amounts to an insurance policy covering the cost of
the helicopter service, should it be needed.
The new government income will also help fund the
debt service for the new criminal justice complex.
Monday night’s vote doesn’t make the wheel tax law.
It must pass once again by a two-thirds majority
vote.
Property taxes due
September 22, 2009
County Commissioners approved a measure that means
property owners will receive their property tax
notices a few days early. Historically the notices
are mailed on the first Monday of October. This year
the notices will be mailed October 1.
Long service noted
September 22, 2009
Allen King is the longest serving county
commissioner in Tennessee. The Tennessee County
Commission Association recently recognized King and
two other commissioners for their longevity.
Robert Earl Thornton and Ronald Woods have both
served 24 years.
King has served 54 years and is the chairman of the
budget committee.
Smith and King still lead
September 22, 2009
County Commissioners reelected Mayor Franklin Smith
as chairman of the county commission. Allen King
serves as chairman pro-tempore.
Charter to change — run-off
election rule likely by next city election
September 9, 2009
It will take ballots cast by a majority of voters to
become an alderman or the mayor in Brownsville if a
measure that won unanimous approval of the city
board this week survives two more city board votes
and state legislative review. The charter changing
action means elected Brownsville officials can’t
take office with fewer than half of votes cast in
its every-other-year elections.
The
aldermen and the mayor unanimously approved the
ordinance with a 5-0 vote. No one voiced opposition
to the ordinance that states:
"Beginning with the June 2010 election, all future
regularly scheduled elections shall be held on the
third Tuesday in June of even numbered years. In any
future election for the office of mayor and all four
aldermen positions, the candidate must receive a
majority of the votes cast in order to be elected.
If no candidate receives a majority of the votes
cast, then the two candidates receiving the highest
number of votes cast shall be placed upon the ballot
for a run-off election. The run-off election shall
be the first Thursday in August of every even-number
year, in the manner provided by law. The terms of
those elected shall begin at the first regularly
scheduled meeting after the election commission has
certified the results of the election."
If
at the October meeting of the city board aldermen
pass the measure on second reading, the new rule
will be sent for state legislative approval. The
legislature’s new term doesn’t start until January,
but action should come quickly according to those
close to the issue. Once approved by the
legislature, the city board must vote once again to
adopt it.
City leaders believe the process will be completed
in time to enact the new rule by the June 2010 city
election.
Police department fills
three vacancies
September 9, 2009
 |
 |
 |
|
Matthew
Carson |
Patrick
Cozart |
Everett Gray |
Brownsville Police Lt. Chuck Willis introduced three
recently hired policemen to the city board Tuesday
afternoon. Patrick Cozart is from Jackson and
Matthew Carson is from Gibson County. Both live
within the 75-mile residential requirement required
by the city’s employment rules. Everett Gray is from
Haywood County.
According to Lt. Willis, none of the new officers
have prior experience and will begin training at the
police academy next month. They are expected to
graduate from the academy December 18 insuring their
presence on the police force by the Christmas
holidays.
Procedure adoption
paves way for grant
September 9, 2009
The city board adopted policies and procedures for
the Tennessee Housing Development Agency "Home"
Program. The measure satisfies the requirements of
HUD and THDA in order to be eligible to receive a
recently approved $250,000 grant. The money will be
distributed for low income owner-occupied housing
repairs in the city.
Mayor temporary head of
Delta Heritage
September 9, 2009
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center director, Kathe
Butler has resigned and the mayor says he’ll oversee
the day-to-day operations until a new director is
hired. Banks says he won’t select a new director
until after completion of the West Tennessee
Convention Center —an addition planned for later
this year or early in 2010.
Banks also appointed a four-member advisory
committee whose charge is to explore ways for the
center to gain more attention and generate more
revenue. The new appointees are Carolyn Freeman,
Sonya Outlaw, Sandra Silverstein, and Jerry Wilson.
Unemployment ate drops slightly in Haywood County
August
27, 2009
NASHVILLE – Tennessee's seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate for July was released last week at
10.7 percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates
for July 2009, released Thursday, show that the rate
increased in 14 counties, decreased in 78 counties
and remained the same in three counties.
Haywood County’s rate was reported to be 16.4% down
6/10th of a point from June’s rate of 17%.
Neighboring county unemployment rates included
Madison 10.6%, Hardeman at 12%, Tipton 12.4%
Crockett at 12.5%, Lauderdale at 19.5%, Lincoln
County registered the state's lowest county
unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, down from 7.0
percent in June. Scott County had the state’s
highest unemployment rate at 19.6 percent, up from
19.5 in June, followed by Lauderdale County at 19.5
percent, down from 19.7 percent in June.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major
metropolitan rate of 8.3 percent, down 0.2
percentage point from the June rate. Hamilton County
was at 9.1 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from
the June rate. Davidson County was 9.2 percent, down
0.1 from the previous month, and Shelby County was
10.4 percent, unchanged from the June rate.
County commission OK’s budget
Air ambulance service free for any Haywood
Countian
August 17, 2009
The County Commission met in a called meeting and
approved their budget for 2009-2010.
The commission passed both the appropriation
resolution and the resolution fixing the tax levy
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and
ending June 30, 2010.
Fifteen (15) commissioners voted for the budget
while three commissioners voted against. Two
commissioners were absent. Commissioners John
Gorman, Larry Stanley and Robert Campbell voted no.
The
budget will be funded by a 20-cent increase in
property tax, increasing the current property tax
rate of $2.18 to $2.38 per $100 property value. The
property tax increase is expected to generate
approximately $675,000 in revenue.
According to Mayor Franklin Smith, one cent of the
property tax will generate $33,765.
The
property tax goes into effect immediately. However,
the vote for a $29 increase in the wheel tax must
past two hurdles before the increase takes affect.
The resolution must pass the commission by a
two-thirds majority vote in two consecutive regular
meetings of the commission. County Mayor Franklin
Smith says he’ll present the wheel tax measure in
September and October before receiving state
approval.
Twenty (20) dollars of the wheel tax revenue will go
toward debt service and nine (9) dollars will go to
Hospital Wing for funding free helicopter service
for every resident of Haywood County.
If
the vote to increase the wheel tax passes the two
consecutive commission meetings, the funding for
this fiscal year will only be for six months since
the increase would not go into affect until January
1, 2010.
Twenty (20) dollars of the wheel tax is expected to
generate $280,000 in revenue per year or $140,000
for six months. Nine (9) dollars will generate
$126,000 or $60,000 for the six months from January
through June 30, 2010.
Total estimated expenditures for the 2009-2010
budget totals $43,663,553 including a general fund
budget of $10,528,950.
The
commission also passed a resolution appropriating
$252,244 to 19 nonprofit charitable organizations of
Haywood County for the year beginning July 1, 2009
and ending June 30, 2010.
Grant could help
beautify new industrial park
August 17, 2009
The
county commission voted to authorize the county to
submit a pre-application to the Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation for a grant to
construct greenways in the new industrial park. The
county would receive $80,000 that would require a
county and city match of $10,000 each. The funds
would be used for the building of trails, planting
trees and providing other options as sources of
learning as well as beautifying the new park. The
invitation to apply for the grant was initiated by
the State.
Economic development projects
included in city’s new budget
August 12, 2009
City fathers approved a budget that requires a
property tax increase but includes projects that may
help Brownsville’s economy grow. Aldermen approved
the projects and the new budget despite comments
from a handful of opponents who spoke during a
public hearing held this week on the budget.
The
focus was on three projects that require $252,000 of
local funding to receive more than a million dollars
in grants. Those in opposition said that because of
the economy the projects should be delayed. Mayor
Webb Banks said delaying would mean giving up the
grant funds.
The
projects — all aimed at economic development —
include renovation of downtown, an addition to the
Delta Heritage Center and landscaping at Exit 56.
Alderman John Simmons voted sided with protestors
and was the board’s lone dissenter.
-
Church/government
agreement means more parking for downtown
August 12, 2009
The city board approved an agreement with First
United Methodist Church that will help build a new
parking lot downtown. The lot is located right
across from city hall on North Washington. The
agreement means more parking for downtown during the
week and more parking for the church on Sundays.
Public hearing reveals budget
plans 2009/2010
August 11, 2009
Copies of the proposed 2009-2010 Haywood County
budget were presented at a public hearing hosted by
Mayor Franklin Smith Monday night at the courthouse.
While a public hearing on the budget is not
required, Mayor Smith stated that he has been
providing public hearings since the late 1980s
providing citizens the opportunity to study the
budget and offer input.
County residents have known for sometime that tax
increases were inevitable, due mostly to fund the
new criminal justice complex.
The
new budget suggests estimated expenditures of
$43,663,553 compared to $41,890,638 in the 2008-09
budget.
The
county’s budget committee is suggesting a 20-cent
increase in property tax. The current tax rate is
$2.18 and would increase to $2.38 for each $100 of
taxable property. Revenue from the property tax
increase is expected to generate an additional
$675,000.
The
committee also suggests the county wheel tax
increase $29. Twenty (20) dollars would be applied
to the debt service fund to pay for the new criminal
justice complex.
The
proposed budget would also provide $100,000 for
Hospital Wing for the purpose of providing blanket
coverage for emergency medical flight services to
every Haywood County resident. Hospital Wing
operates an air ambulance service. One of their
helicopters is based in Brownsville.
According to Mayor Smith, the current wheel tax rate
is $61 and the $29 increase would set the wheel tax
at $90.
The
county commission will meet next Monday night
(August 17) to consider budget adoption.
Smith thanked the Budget Committee for their
commitment and hard work in preparing the proposed
budget. “They conducted 14 meetings before coming up
with the final draft,” he said.
Law enforcement to benefit from stimulus funds
July
29, 2009
Local grant writers have been busy with efforts to
collect some of the money provided by the federal
government’s stimulus plan. The Brownsville Police
Department and the Haywood County Sheriff’s office
are on track to collect about $350,000 in grant
funds.
A
federal grant of $111,762 has been approved for the
police department. The money will fund one police
officer for three years, according to city leaders.
There are currently three openings at the BPD.
Law
enforcement will also replace much of its aging
two-way radio equipment with two grants totaling
about $130,000. The funds will help upgrade portable
and two-way radios in patrol cars.
Officials have filed a $108,000 grant application,
which could add new technology. The BPD’s Lt. Barry
Diebold said the money would be used to link
computer data in the sheriff’s office, the police
department, central dispatch and the county jail.
Police have also received a $9,000 grant from the
state. The money will be used to conduct
investigations related to the sale of alcoholic
beverages. The state grant is not connected with
stimulus funds.
Police win award and grant
July
30, 2009
The
Brownsville Police Department has won one of 50
awards presented nationwide by the National
Organization for Youth Safety sponsored by the
Allstate Insurance Company.
The
BPD was selected because of its work with high
school age youth. Programs conducted at Haywood High
School including programs on drunk driving helped
capture the award.
A
$1,000 grant is awarded along with the recognition.
Lt. Barry Diebold said the money would be used to
fund similar programs during the next school term.
Unemployment rate continues to ease upward
July
24, 2009
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate
for June 2009 was released last week at 10.8
percent, 0.1 percentage point higher than the May
rate of 10.7 percent. The United States’
unemployment rate for the month of June was 9.5
percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates
for June show that the rate increased in 84
counties, decreased in eight counties and remained
the same in three counties.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county
unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, up from 6.5
percent in May. Perry County had the state’s highest
unemployment rate at 22.1 percent, down from 24.2 in
May, followed by Lauderdale County at 19.7 percent,
up from 19.2 percent in May.
Unfortunately, Haywood County isn’t far behind
Lauderdale. Our June rate reported as 17.1 percent,
up from last month’s 16.6 percent. A year ago in
Haywood County, 10.6 percent of its workforce was
jobless.
Other area unemployment rates: Madison - 11 percent,
Fayette - 11.1 percent, Crockett - 12.5 percent,
Tipton - 12.5 percent, and Hardeman - 12.6 percent.
Commissioners hear economic news
July 20, 2009
Property taxpayers here are likely to continue to
pay one of Tennessee’s lowest property taxes,
despite an expected increase. Mayor Franklin Smith
and Budget Chairman Allen King said this week that a
property tax and wheel tax increase is likely.
Formulating the county’s budget takes weeks but is
nearing its finale.
During this week’s county commission meeting leaders
didn’t say how much the increases might be, but
funding rising expenses — including health insurance
premiums and newly acquired debt — are to blame.
The
current county general budget proposal includes no
raises for employees, however the county highway
department and the school board have included extra
money for their workers.
Chairman King hinted there might still be
opportunity for raises for all employees. “We’ll try
our best to equalize the salaries based on what the
other departments are doing,” King commented.
In
addition to funding health insurance premiums,
county government will begin repaying the $15
million debt created by the new criminal justice
complex. Leaders are likely to also help fund the
helicopter air ambulance service owned by a
coalition of Memphis hospitals.
County government’s last fiscal year ended in far
better condition that predicted. Last year budget
makers submitted a budget predicting more than a
million dollar deficit, but they ended the year with
a surplus. Mayor Smith said the county’s debt
service budget, however, ended with a deficit.
Where will solar farm be located?
July 21, 2009
State and local officials are trying to determine
the location of the proposed $30 million solar farm.
Governor Phil Bredesen’s administration has
submitted applications to the federal government
describing the location as in Haywood County, near
the megasite and visible from I-40. The “problem”
County Mayor Franklin Smith says is that none of the
megasite property in Haywood County is visible from
the highway. Smith says land under option in Fayette
County is.
Officials toured the site last week and are trying
to determine the exact location.
Megasite is on!
June 22, 2009
If there was
ever any doubt that state and local governments would
move forward with the Haywood County Megasite — forget
it.
The state legislature Thursday approved a
budget that includes $40.3 million for the 1,700-plus
acre site near I-40’s Exit 42.
A fiscal scrap between state lawmakers
two weeks ago put the funding in jeopardy, but those
issues were quickly worked out. Both Republican and
Democratic lawmakers say they see the benefit.
Governor Phil Bredesen, who has just
returned from a European industrial recruiting trip, is
expected to sign the budget bill upon his return.
Bredesen is a proponent of the site and selected the
megasite as the location of a $30 million solar power
farm.
The solar power farm will be funded
separately with a federal stimulus grant. The green
energy installation is expected to help attract a
mega-industry.
Tennessee already has three megasites —
all have landed employers that work thousands of people.
The next step is to purchase the
property. Landowners will receive about $10,000 per
acre.
Megasite progress
July 20, 2009
The state is expected to soon start spending the
$40.2 million legislators approved for the Haywood
County megasite.
County Mayor Franklin Smith said this week that the
land options expire in October. Smith says the
appropriation isn’t enough to buy all of the land
under option and it is unclear which tracts will be
purchased.
Education committee comes out of mothballs
July 20, 2009
County Commissioners approved a slate of appointees
to their education committee. The committee will
serve as a “liaison” between the school board and
the county commission.
County Commissioners Richard Jameson, Wally Eubanks,
Robert Green, Janice King and Bob Hooper will serve
on the committee.
Cub Cadet workers stare down unemployment with
uncompromising production
June 11, 2009
The announcement came May 6. The Cub
Cadet manufacturing plant, a star Brownsville industry,
was closing. The jaw-dropping announcement was delivered
in the conference room at the courthouse to Mayors
Franklin Smith and Webb Banks and Brownsville Radio. The
news was delivered to workers just a few minutes later.
The closing will affect nearly 500 workers — many of
them seasonal — but at least 200 working at the plant
year-round.
Terrible news that, most would believe, likely including
the company’s top executives, would cripple production
and create unusual absenteeism for the remaining weeks
the plant continued to operate.
But plant manager Greg Usery said the almost
unbelievable happened. The day after the closing
announcement the plant beat production numbers. The
day’s quota was 150 lawn mowers — Cub Cadet workers
turned out more than 160.
Since then, Usery says, “We’ve beat them (quotas) about
every day. The mood is certainly not as happy as it was
— but our people remain dedicated,” Usery said.
Usery says production’s quality checks remain extremely
high and absenteeism is “about usual.”
Plant officials also say the facility will remain open
until July 24, about two weeks longer than planned.
Usery says additional orders made the extension
possible, and he believes the work might have gone to
another Cub Cadet factory had the workers not been so
dedicated.
Cub Cadet’s plant will close in late July, but a
distribution center that could eventually hire several
dozen workers will remain open.
City board votes on budget, guns in
parks
The city board of Mayor and Aldermen met
in regular session Tuesday, July 14, with a short
agenda. The board passed a resolution prohibiting
handguns in public parks owned or operated by the city,
and passed on first reading a tax increase and the
2009-2010 budget.
No guns in parks
Public Chapter No 428 of the 106 General Assembly
permits municipal and county governments to prohibit, by
resolution, the carrying of handguns while within a
public park that is owned or operated by a county, a
municipality, or their instrumentalities.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, by their
action, expressed their desires to continue prohibiting
the carrying of handguns in municipal parks. This
measure became necessary when the state legislature
passed in their recent session a law allowing permitted
gun owners to carry in public parks.
Resolution 779, passed by a unanimous
vote Tuesday night, states, “Any person authorized to
carry a handgun under Tennessee Code Annotated
39-17-1351, is prohibited from possessing any handgun
while within a public park, natural area, historic park,
nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway, or
other similar public places owned or operated by the
city of Brownsville or any of its instrumentalities.
This prohibition of handguns within any municipal park
applies to the entire park.
The resolution goes into affect
immediately.
In accordance with the law, the city is
required to display signs in prominent locations about
the public recreational property: MISDEMEANOR. STATE LAW
PRESCRIBES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF ELEVEN (11) MONTHS AND
TWENTY-NINE (29) DAYS AND A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $2,500
FOR CARRYING WEAPONS ON OR IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL
PROPERTY. The resolution took affect immediately.
New budget; tax increase
In other action, the board passed on first reading,
Ordinance 874 to establish a tax rate of $1.80 for the
2009-2010 fiscal year and to adopt the budget for the
same fiscal year.
The property tax rate for 2008-2009 was
$1.60. The increase in property taxes is to fund several
matching requirements for grants the city has received,
and for several other public uses.
The city has already been approved for
$1,251,000 in state grants for three projects estimated
at a cost of $1.5 million. The projects include
improvements on the square, estimated at a cost of
$890,000; an addition to the Delta Heritage Center, at a
cost of $569,000; and a landscaping project at Exit 56
on I-40 that will cost of $44,000. The city must kick in
$252,000 for the three projects if it is to receive the
grant money from the state.
The city has been working on the grants
for several years. It was a general consensus of the
mayor and aldermen that due to economic conditions,
these grants may no longer be available if they rejected
them at this time.
The revenue raised by the 20-cent tax
increase will also pay for the city’s portion of funding
for roof repair at the Elma Ross Public Library at an
estimated cost of $125,000. The city has agreed to fund
$50,000, the county would match the city with $50,000,
and the Library Board will fund the remaining $25,000 of
the total estimated cost of repairs. The remaining
revenue will be used for estimated legal costs for the
three projects funded by the grants.
In the proposed budget, departmental
budgets were about the same as last year. According to
the city clerk, the property tax would cost taxpayers
about $40 per $100,000 value of property.
The total projected budget for General
Funds (funds provided by the tax base) is $8,685,218,
and the total budget proposed for 2009-2010 is
$12,687,154. The next step regarding the proposed budget
calls for a second reading and public hearing followed
by city board approval at the next scheduled meeting on
Tuesday, August 11, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
Chances good that city taxes going up
July 7, 2009
City
leaders left a more than two-hour work session
Monday night, July 6, inclined to raise city
property taxes to balance the 2009-2010 budget.
Aldermen, the mayor and City Clerk Jerry Taylor
poured over the lengthy budget looking for places to
cut. When they met on Monday, the budget the mayor
and Taylor presented was still about $240,000 out of
balance. City Hall’s first draft had spending over
$1 million more than income.
The
city charter requires the city adopt a balanced
budget.
Mayor Webb Banks told aldermen rejecting three
grants requiring local funding of $250,000 would
bring spending in line. Improvements to the square,
an addition to the Delta Heritage Center and
extensive landscaping at I-40’s Exit 56 would be
canceled. The projects totaled $1.3 million dollars
including the grants and local match.
Banks
also said forgoing raises for city employees could
save $80,000, and not buying new police cars could
save about $130,000.
Alderman John Simmons wants to close the Delta
Heritage Center, which would save approximately
$120,000 in addition to the funds needed for the
expansion. Alderman Carolyn Flagg was as strongly
for keeping the center open as Simmons was adamant
about its closing.
“It
needs an overhaul,” Flagg said. Mayor Banks said he
was in favor of appointing a board to oversee the
center’s operation, but Simmons said, “I’ve seen the
waste.”
No
action was taken last night, but aldermen ended the
session in what appeared to be general agreement
that there would be no further cuts and a tax
increase of 20 cents would make up the shortfall and
deliver a slight surplus. If the consensus holds
together through two readings, the tax rate would
increase from $1.60 to $1.80, a 12.5 percent
increase.
According to Jerry Taylor, the city just ended this
fiscal year collecting slightly less than 5 percent
more than expected and spending a little over 3
percent less, creating a budget surplus of,
according to Taylor’s estimates, between $400,000
and $500,000.
Some
highlights of the budget include:
-
City employees will receive a pay
raise.
-
The I-40 Exit 56 landscaping
project, addition to the Delta Heritage Center
and improvements to the downtown area will go
forward.
-
The budget does not include funds
requested by the library for roof repairs. The
repairs are expected to cost $125,000. County
government has appropriated $50,000 contingent
on Brownsville’s participation for the same
amount. Mayor Banks says he’s seeking grant
funds to make the repairs.
-
Funding for the $1.6 million
utility extension planned for Exit 56 is not in
the budget.
-
The city will purchase five
police cars and several pick-up trucks for the
public works department.
The
city board meets July 11 when it is likely they’ll
vote on the budget.
New election rules appear likely
During the special budget work session Monday, Mayor
Webb Banks urged aldermen to consider changing the
city’s charter to require the mayor and aldermen be
elected by a majority of the voters. The measure
would require a so-called run-off election under
certain circumstances.
Banks
says he’s asked the Municipal Technical Advisory
Service to submit language for the board’s
consideration.
The
mayor’s race has often included a wide field of
candidates, so many in fact that the mayor has been
elected by a small percentage of voters. Banks says
the run-off would end that, and a majority of
Brownsville voters would elect representatives.
“This way the majority decides, “Banks said.
The
mayor is hurrying aldermen along on the idea before
candidates begin announcing for next June’s
election. He says if the decision is made before
(candidates make) announcements, the decision to
make the change becomes clearly impartial.
Unemployment reaches 16.7 percent in
Haywood County
The
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce
Development released the May unemployment figures on
June 28, and Haywood County’s rate jumped from 14.8
percent in April to 16.7 percent in May. The state’s
seasonally adjusted rate is 10.7 percent, and the U.
S. rate is 9.4 percent.
All
neighboring counties also saw an increase in their
rates except Tipton:
County
April
May
Crocket County 12.4 percent
12.5 percent
Fayette County 10.6 percent
11.0 percent
Hardeman County 11.2 percent 12.2
percent
Lauderdale County 18.2 percent 19.2
percent
Madison County 9.9
percent 10.7 percent
Shelby County
8.9 percent 9.6 percent
Tipton County
12.7 percent 12.4 percent
According to the report, unemployment rates
increased in 88 counties, decreased in six counties
and remained the same in one county in Tennessee.
County commission will fund
lawsuit settlement
June 17, 2009
With the exception of only one no vote, county
commissioners acted this week to settle a lawsuit
brought in February 2007 against the county school
system.
The
suit alleged that the school system wasn’t treating
female athletes the same as males. While the suit
has gained the most notoriety from the refusal of
school system leaders to build a girl’s softball
field on the high school campus, there were numerous
other allegations.
In
an agreement signed by Haywood County Schools
Superintendent Marlon King and School Board Chairman
Harold Garrett, the settlement was contingent upon
the county commission paying the litigants lawyers.
According to County Mayor Franklin Smith, the school
system’s attorneys have been paid by the school’s
insurance.
School officials and their lawyer have appeared
before the county commission’s budget committee and
convinced them that if the suit isn’t settled, court
proceedings will yield a loss for the school and an
estimated $350,000 bill from the litigant’s lawyers.
Smith says he’ll pay the bill immediately and settle
the suit.
Education committee resurrected
County Commissioners voted unanimously to restart
the county commission’s education committee. County
Mayor Franklin Smith did away with the committee
because the school board is an elected body.
After this week’s lawsuit discussion, County
Commissioner Robert Green introduced a resolution
resurrecting the committee. In making his
recommendation, Green said the committee will, “…
open a line of communication … to ward off problems”
like the lawsuit settlement.
Mayor Franklin Smith said he would make appointments
to the committee.
Soccer field to be built at East
Side
A new soccer field will be built on county-owned
property located next to East Side School. Parks and
Recreation and the school board will fund the
$37,000 installation jointly.
Mayor Franklin Smith said scholastic and
recreational soccer leagues will use the field.
Government considering paying for
air ambulance service
For the past several years Haywood Countians have
gotten used to fairly frequent low-flying air
traffic. It’s not uncommon to see Hospital Wing’s
helicopters flying over the city numerous times
every day. The not-for-profit company operates one
of its three bases in Brownsville. The facility is
located at the ambulance authority in the industrial
park.
At
this week’s county commission meeting two of the
company’s employees appealed to the county
commission to participate in a plan that will
completely fund air ambulance service for virtually
every Haywood Countian. The plan comes as Hospital
Wing says they are losing money.
Rita McCoy and Miles Dunavant made the presentation.
McCoy is a registered nurse and Dunavant is a pilot.
According to their presentation, the local
helicopter makes two to four trips per day from the
local base.
According to McCoy, the service costs at least
$7,000 per trip and can be much more. The service
can be covered by insurance.
Under a plan developed by the company, individuals
and families can buy a “membership” that provides
the service for free, regardless of whether you are
insured. The annual membership fee is $60 per
family.
Dunavant and McCoy, however, were promoting a
county-wide plan they hope county government will
fund. The county would pay $112,000 annually to
provide the same coverage for every household in the
county. The fee is based on a cost of $1.25 per
household, per month. There are 7,500 households in
the county.
County commissioners seemed enthusiastic about the
idea and directed the budget committee to study the
proposal.
Commissioners approve county use
plan
The county commission this week as adopted by the
county’s planning commission approved a plat of land
use. The plat depicts commercial, industrial,
residential, and agricultural and forestry zones
within the county. (To see a copy of the plat,
click here.)
The
latest version shows industrial sites that include
the power generating installations near Nutbush and
the Megasite neat Exit 42.
County seeking broadband funds
Mayor Franklin Smith says he’s looking for federal
stimulus funds that might provide broadband Internet
service throughout Haywood County. Broadband
Internet allows for faster speeds. Broadband is
available in Brownsville, but not in rural areas of
the county.
Smith told county commissioners this week he is
seeking funds that might wire the county with the
fast service.
June 10, 2009
Brownsville nervously preparing
budget
City leaders are vowing to hold the line on property
taxes, but likely that means deep cuts in spending.
Budget makers are facing two big hurdles. City Clerk
Jerry Taylor reported to aldermen Tuesday, June 9,
at the monthly meeting, that they could expect no
additional income from property taxes. The city
hasn’t grown during the last year. Even more
troubling is the likelihood that state government
won’t be contributing as much to city coffers during
2009/2010. The city’s fiscal year ends June 30.
Tennessee has, so far this year, sent Brownsville
$967,000. Taylor says how much the city can expect
in fiscal 2009/2010 is only guesswork. The state
hasn’t passed a budget bill, but that could come as
early as this week.
Based on his projections that include a guessing at
state funding, Taylor thinks the first draft of the
budget could be in the red, spending outpacing
income by more than $500,000.
Mayor Webb Banks has said he’s prepared to cut
spending even if it means decreasing some city
services.
The city board has called a special meeting for June
18 to focus on the budget. Aldermen may even pass a
first reading on the budget during the session. So
far no one has said what city services might be cut
or if there will be the loss of jobs. Taylor said
Tuesday night that while the city has no debt, city
government has less than a million dollars in the
bank. The June 18 meeting is at 6 p.m. at city hall.
Aldermen approve changes to employee rules
The city’s employee manual has undergone another
overhaul. Language has been changed in about a dozen
areas of the book.
According to City Clerk Jerry Taylor, many things
“we don’t do” have been eliminated including how the
city recruits employees and how potential employees
are tested.
Other highlights of the changes include:
-
The city’s
nepotism rules were made more clear allowing
city leaders to fire “the junior” employee in
case two city workers marry.
-
Tattoos and body
piercing that can be seen aren’t allowed under
the city’s rules.
-
National
Guardsmen will be paid for twenty days of
absence due to military service instead of 15.
-
City employees
“must live within a 45-minute drive of their
workplace.”
Brownsville Energy Authority
decreasing rate
Utility rates will decrease for customers of the
Brownsville energy Authority. Alderman Joe Taylor,
who serves on the board, reported Tuesday that
customers would pay less for electricity and natural
gas starting July 1. Electric rates will fall 4
percent and natural gas rates wll plummet to between
18 and 20 percent.
May 18, 2009
County Commissioners lift tower restrictions
When they met on May 18, county
commissioners liberalized a zoning ordinance
regulating telecommunications towers.
The
county’s planning commission recommended, and the
commission approved, changes to language allowing
towers to be built closer to one another. Language
deleted from the zoning resolution prohibited towers
from being built within two miles of each other.
With the deletion of the language, there is no
restriction.
A
public hearing, required to change zoning
ordinances, was conducted at 6:30 Monday night,
prior to the county commission meeting.
County
Mayor Franklin Smith said proposed tower
construction must be presented and approved by the
county planning commission.
New payment options for county
transactions
Paying county government taxes, citations, fines at
the courthouse? Until this week, that required cash
or a check. But thanks to a resolution passed this
week by the county commission, some county
government offices will begin accepting major credit
cards.
The
county’s solid waste department urged the new
payment option. Solid waste also won approval to
begin a bank draft program. Under the new program,
residents and businesses may pay their solid waste
fees by automatic monthly bank debit.
Mayor
Smith said acceptance of credit cards will be
available in other county offices but it will be up
to those elected officials in charge of each office
to decide if they can be used.
Study could mean big energy savings
Could county government save hundreds of thousands
of dollars in energy bills in the coming years?
Ameresco, a company specializing in engineering
energy savings strategies believes the answer is
yes.
Ameresco’s Frank Banks and Ben Buckner made a
presentation to county commissioners this week.
Preliminarily they believe county government could
save more than a half million dollars in utility
bills over a 15 year period. The plan means
installing more modern fixtures from plumbing, to
electrical to gas.
The
school system is not included in the plan.
Banks
and Buckner did not estimate the cost of the
equipment required to save the energy, but said
Ameresco guarantees that the cost, when amortized
over an agreed upon period, will not be more than
taxpayers would have paid for energy. Ameresco’s
presentation to county commissioners was based on 15
years.
Other
benefits include the environmental impact resulting
from the use of less energy. Banks said the county
could also advertise itself as a “green” government.
The
survey is necessary, Banks said, to prepare the
county for what he called the “feast” that’s
expected on energy grants likely to be made
available by the Obama administration via state
government.
Ameresco fees are built into the overhaul of energy
savings equipment. Buckner said they are paid on
“margins” built into the price of equipment. While
Ameresco does not sell equipment or perform
installation, they will contract for the purchases.
Once
the survey is completed, if county commissioners
decide not to use Ameresco, taxpayers will ante up
$5,500 for the company’s report.
Commissioners learn state of
recreation
A report heard about two months ago by the
Brownsville City Board of Mayor and Aldermen was
presented to county commissioners this week. The
report provides an assessment of the
Brownsville/Haywood County Parks and Recreation
Department.
Gerald
Parish, regional representative for the Department
of Environment, and the former director of parks and
recreation here, says the park system needs
immediate attention given to safety of some
playground equipment and compliance to Americans
with Disabilities Act.
Much
of the equipment tagged as dangerous has been
removed.
Parrish says “nine out of 10” people interviewed
during the process said they’d support a property
tax increase to raise money for more indoor
recreational opportunities.
Haywood County has about 120 acres dedicated to
parks. Parrish says the state recommends communities
have “10 acres per one thousand residents,” which
would require about 200 acres based on Haywood
County’s population of 20,000.
Williams new library board member
County Commissioners confirmed the appointment of
Marty Williams to the county library board. Williams
replaces Bob Nolan, whose term is expiring.
City applies for millions in economic grants
May
12, 2009
Action
taken by the Brownsville City Board of Mayor and
Aldermen this week will help nurse the wounds
created last week when MTD/Cub Cadet announced their
plant closure. The city council applied for $1.75
million in grant funds to help build infrastructure
for the community’s next round of growth.
Leaders hope for $750,000 to help extend water and
sewer lines to the new industrial park at Windrow
Road and the bypass. While the 500-acre tract
currently has no prospective tenants, providing the
utility infrastructure is critical.
Last
month aldermen and the mayor approved a $250,000
grant application they hope will help build the
first roads into the park.
Federal disaster aid could help run water under I-40
at Exit 56. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) has named Haywood County eligible for cash as
the result of the February 2008 storms. The
designation allows Brownsville access to “Special
Needs” assistance and that could, according to the
city’s advisors, make $1 million available for the
utility work. Aldermen approved the grant
application Tuesday.
The
request is enhanced by a plan from Jackson,
Tennessee, developer David Hunt who says he’ll spend
$8 million south of Exit 56 and create 100 jobs.
Hunt says he’ll build a motel there. The motel had
been planned for north of Exit 56, but Hunt says
those plans have been abandoned.
City/county likely to hire expert
Mayor Webb Banks told aldermen this week he and
County Mayor Franklin Smith want to hire an expert
to review and make recommendations for community
enhancement.
The
idea stems from the expected jobs boom most believe
is inevitable because of the mega-site industrial
complex being developed at Exit 42 in Haywood
County.
Political leaders believe state government could
spend up to $47 million on the 1700-plus acre tract
this year. Governor Phil Bredesen says our mega-site
is the number one industrial project in Tennessee.
If a major manufacturer chooses the mega-site,
thousands of jobs will result.
Banks
and Smith say they want Haywood County to be
attractive to workers as a place to live. “This is
so important we ought to hire a professional
consultant,” the mayor said. Banks said though
thousands of jobs have been created in the last
decade, many workers and company executives have
chosen to live elsewhere, something he and Smith
would like to see change.
No
firm has yet been chosen and the mayor did not
suggest a budget for the proposal.
Additional streets to be paved
Construction workers are busy repaving two city
major streets in Brownsville and city hall announced
a third street has been added to the plan.
Pavers
are working on Hatchie Street and a portion of
Anderson. Mayor Webb Banks says the city has
contracted to also pave East Main from Anderson to
the bypass.
Utility to reduce propane costs
Alderman Joe Taylor, who is a member of the
Brownsville Utility Board, reported this week that
the utility will reduce its charge for propane.
Beginning June 1, propane will be reduced from $1.99
to $1.60 per gallon.
Stanton board meets in regular session
The
Stanton Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular
session Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the town hall. A number
of items were on the agenda during the one and
one-half hour session.
Among
the items on the agenda was the issue of special
events and insurance. It is now definite that the
Farmers’ market that has been so successful will
return in 2009. The board voted unanimously to
purchase special events insurance that would cover
the 12 Saturdays of June-August 2009. The board is
also bringing back the Christmas parade this year
after several years’ absence due to safety issues
regarding collapsed downtown buildings.
In
other action, the board agreed to participate in a
recycling proposal that was extended by Clinton
Neal, the director of the Haywood County Solid Waste
Department. Neal gave a presentation regarding the
benefits of recycling as well as the wide variety of
items that can now be recycled. Residents
participating in the recycling program will be able
to pick up their recycling bags at town hall and
bring the filled containers back to town hall. Neal
said if they had a place to store the containers,
his department would pick them up once or twice a
week and possibly more if necessary. Mayor
Sterbinsky said he thinks the building adjacent to
town hall could be used to store the items to be
recycled.
The
board also took steps to get the downtown area
cleaned of debris that resulted from fallen
buildings.
The
Stanton Planning Commission originally gave the
landowners 90 days to clean up the property and 60
days have already passed. After some discussion,
Alderman Emma Delk made a motion that the town of
Stanton place ads asking for bids to clean up the
area and be ready to take action on day 91. A.D.
Miller seconded the motion and the motion passed.
In
other action, the board voted to cancel a 20-year
lease with Dr. Clarice White and implement two
separate leases with Dr. Clarice White and Hardeman
County Community Health. A building maintenance fund
would be established with the rent proceeds.
The
town let it be known at the meeting that it will no
longer provide free lawn service for individuals.
Steps were taken to establish plans for enforcing
the code forbidding grasses taller than 10-1/2
inches. If the town cuts the grass it will pass the
cost down to the landowner or property.
Mayor
Sterbinsky reported to the board that Barker
Brothers will increase the costs of garbage disposal
to Stanton by 4.5 percent. Since fuel cost is
relatively low at this time, the board voted to
absorb the cost for now and if the fuel surcharge
should increase, the board may need to pass the
costs to the residents of Stanton.
The
next Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be held at the
Town Hall on May 19 at 7 p.m.