Brownsville, Haywood County, Tennessee

News- Fall 2009

Large crowd interested in solar farm
November 20, 2009

A 20-acre field located at the southwest edge of Haywood County may have captured the attention and interest of more people here than any other subject in recent history. At a “scoping” session last night, the courthouse courtroom was overflowing with people trying to learn more and commenting on the proposed solar farm.

The $30 million solar installation will cover about 20 acres and provide power to an estimated 700 homes. A nearby visitor’s center will allow the public to learn more about the sun’s renewable and clean energy. All will be located within sight of I-40.

Presenters at the meeting included representatives from the US Department of Energy, Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Community Development.

Comments came from a wide range of participants including the Sierra Club and local residents.
Preliminary studies don’t indicate any environmental issues according to Ryan Gooch, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s director of energy.

Officials provided details of the proposed solar farm
at a meeting held November 20, 2009

The solar farm “scoping” session attracted a large crowd.
The courtroom overflowed with people interested in the $30 million installation

Stanton Mayor Allen Sterbinsky, Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist, Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks, Jackson Chamber of Commerce board member Kathy Watts, Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Wallace were among dignitaries touring the Haywood County Megasite November 18.

Chris Lea named new police chief
November 2, 2009

Haywood Countians have known Chris Lea by many titles — police officer, sheriff’s deputy, EMT, state trooper and even fire chief. Today, the Brownsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave him a new title; Chris Lea is the new police chief in Brownsville.

At a specially called noon meeting of the city board, Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks suggested to aldermen that Lea be the next police chief — and he got the nod.

Lea will replace Gill Kendrick who announced last week he was leaving to take the top spot at the Jackson Police Department.

Lea started his career as a Brownsville police officer in 1987. He worked as a sheriff’s deputy under Sheriff Raymond Russell and later for the Haywood County Ambulance Authority. Mayor Webb Banks eventually appointed him fire chief but he left that job to become a state trooper.

Lea is also a county commissioner and he chairs the county’s jail committee currently overseeing the construction of the new criminal justice complex.

Lea plans to be on the job as Brownsville’s top cop by November 16.

In addition to his emergency service experience, Lea holds a number of certifications — all current. He’s an IV trained emergency medial technician, POST certified police officer, a law enforcement instructor and a certified fire inspector.

Chamber holds annual Banquet

Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks (left) presents to Haywood County Mayor
Franklin Smith the Outstanding Progress Award for his work in the community and on the Megasite.)

It was a night of celebration and recognition at the Brownsville Country Club Thursday, October 22 as the Brownsville Haywood County Chamber of Commerce held it annual Membership Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

For Chamber Executive Director Joe Ing, the banquet not only served as a night for the organization to recognize its own members, but to also thank the community.

“There is no chamber without the people,” Ing said to the crowd. “We always appreciate it. We appreciate you more than you know and it is a pleasure to work for you everyday.”
Ing noted that it had certainly been a “crazy year” for Haywood County, with its share of ups and downs.

One of the major downs touched upon by Ing that evening was the closing of Cub Cadet.
Originally built inside the Brownsville Industrial Park in 1980, the plant closed in July, which eliminated 480 jobs, 200 of which were full-time with the rest of the job loss hitting 280 seasonal workers.

A business that dealt with lawn and garden products sales, it was the downturn in the nation’s housing market that fired the deadly unemployment bullet to the plant.
Still, while facing imminent shutdown, Ing noted that employees didn’t really take the situation without a spark.

“They exceeded their quotas to the day that they shut their doors,” Ing said. “That speaks volumes of people of Haywood County.”

Of course the major up that hit Haywood County - the West Tennessee Megasite - was talked about at the banquet, and also led to a special thanks and recognition award for Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith.

“I want to assure you that if it hadn’t been for Franklin Smith, we wouldn’t have the Megasite,” Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks said before awarding Smith.

While accepting the Outstanding Progress Award, Smith touched on a few items himself, specifically his love for Haywood County.

“People ask me what is so special about Haywood County,” Smith said. “It’s the people in Haywood County that make it special.”

“The people that are elected to run Haywood County give you 100 percent 24/7,” Smith continued. “Never in my life have I seen so many elected officials work for the people like they do.”

“Work for the people” seemed to be the theme to remember that night as several well-known residents in the county were also awarded.

Carolyn Flagg was awarded Volunteer of the year for her work in numerous organizations and events, most known among them perhaps being Relay For Life.
Albert Campbell, who is also the current Chamber president-elect, received the award for Ambassador of the Year.

The award for Educator of the Year went to Toni Eubanks, who was described as a “person who serves with a loving heart.”

CEO David Rasmussen accepted the award for Business/Industry of the Year for Haywood Park Community Hospital.

The Woman of the Year award went to Cynthia Rawls-Bond, who was noted for her long list of service and work with a plethora of organizations throughout Haywood County.
“This is really something else,’’ Rawls-Bond said after receiving the award. “I’ve always been an ambassador for Brownsville and Haywood County. It has always been and is a wonderful place.”

And the Man of the Year award went Attorney Michael Banks, who some noted as not only doing a lot of work for the city and county, but also being instrumental in bringing the Megasite to the County.

“It’s more than an honor to receive this award,” Banks said. “It honestly takes an entire community for things to turn out well. I hope I’m a reflection of the good that comes out of Haywood County.”

Chamber announces outstanding citizens and business at banquet

At the 2009 Annual Brownsville-Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on October 22, five individuals and one business were honored for their service to the community. Albert Campbell (from left) was named the Ambassador of the Year, Cynthia Rawls Bond was named Woman of the Year, Haywood Park Community Hospital was selected as Business/Industry of the Year (accepting was David Rasmussen, CEO), Carolyn Flagg was named Volunteer of the Year, Toni Eubanks was selected as Educator of the Year, and Michael Banks was named Man of the Year.

September 30, 2009

Megasite passes final state vote

Joe Ing’s text message sent to the local media was simple. It stated, “We win”.
Enough said, really.

Ing, Executive Director of the Brownsville/Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, was one of many attendees at Tuesday’s meeting of the executive subcommittee of the state building commission. The commission, after delaying their vote twice, voted to approve the megasite plan.

Tuesday’s vote means some Haywood County landowners will likely start receiving their part of $40 million the state legislature appropriated for the purchase of nearly 4000 acres. The purchase options on the land expire at the end of October. The sales are likely to be closed quickly.

The vote was snarled in red tape delaying it twice but the commission voted unanimously to approve the site.

County Mayor Franklin Smith, Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks, Stanton Mayor Allen Sterbinsky and dozens of others were on hand to speak for the project.

The megasite is located near Exit 42 on I-40. The super sized industrial site will be home, proponent’s hope to an industry hiring thousands of workers. Tennessee has already filled two megasite, one in Chattanooga where Volkswagen will build cars and another near Clarksville where Hemlock Semiconductor will produce high-tech parts.

A 22,000 panel solar farm has already been approved and will be located near the megasite. Federal funds made the $30 million solar far possible.

See additional stories this page.

September 16, 2009

Solar Farm wins federal approval

When Brownsville/Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Director Joe Ing attended yesterday’s annual economic conference in Nashville the keynote speaker had a welcome surprise. In an unexpected announcement, Governor Phil Bredesen said the U.S. Department of Energy had approved the solar farm to be located near the Haywood County industrial megasite.

Bredesen announced plans for the park, which is to be funded in part by a $62 million stimulus grant months ago, but the plan had been snarled in questions that seemed to threaten the program. The problem has been that Tennessee’s ideas are far different from other states’ more conventional plans. The forward-thinking ideas forced the energy department to ask questions.

The governor said environmental impact questions still must be answered but he believes the project will go forward and may even be operating before he leaves office early in 2011. The solar farm will be near but separate from the megasite. Yesterday the governor also said he believes the megasite will be approved shortly and called questions being raised by some in Nashville “legitimate.”

The solar farm will occupy 20 acres and include a visitors and education center. More than 22,000 solar panels are expected to generate about 500 megawatts of power — enough —some say — to power 700 homes. The governor hopes the solar farm will attract more so-called green businesses to the 1700-acre megasite.

Haywood County selected for high-tech solar farm
May 14, 2009

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced this week that state government would build Tennessee’s largest solar power farm in Haywood County. Bredesen surprised even local officials with the announcement at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the governor’s office, the $30-million-plus solar power installation will be built at the megasite and will cover about 20 acres. Though it is unclear exactly where the power production facility will be located at the site, Bredesen said it would be visible from I-40. The megasite tracts are all located near Exit 42.

Capable of producing 5 megawatts of power, the facility will produce enough electricity to power 700 homes. Tennessee is home to a number of new industries that produce components used in producing solar power. TVA has agreed to buy the electricity the plant generates, and Bredesen says profits will be plowed back into growing the infrastructure at the power plant.

Leaders say the plant is also likely to attract additional green power industry to Tennessee and make the megasite even more attractive to prospects.

The governor did not say when he thought construction might begin but did say the project must be approved by the Department of Energy and the state legislature. Funding for the project comes from federal stimulus legislation earmarked for Tennessee and green energy production.

Additional local news stories

New Director named for West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center

Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks recently announced a new director has been appointed to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

The new appointee is Sonia Outlaw-Clark. Clark is a native Haywood Countian who has years of service in community projects.

“Sonia was selected,” the Mayor said, “due to her journalism experience, management skills, and her proven ability to work with people in organizing successful projects.”

Clark was employed for approximately eight years with the Brownsville States-Graphic and has served six years as office administrator for First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville.

She is a graduate of Leadership Haywood County and the recipient of many community service awards. Clark has been a member of the Hatchie Fall Festival since it inception about six years ago and served two years as chairperson. She is currently serving as president of the Brownsville Business Association.

“The Heritage Center offers a very unique opportunity for promoting our region,” says Clark, “and I’m looking forward to helping the counties showcase themselves to the millions of visitors who travel Interstate 40 each year.”
Clark assumed her duties as the new director at the Delta Heritage Center January 1, 2010.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located at 121 Sunny Hill Cove, just off I-40 at Exit 56, in Brownsville, Tenn. The center features the music museum, a cotton museum, the Hatchie River museum and two rotating exhibits including the photography of Joe Guinn and information boards highlighting counties throughout West Tennessee. Current museum hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call the center at 731-779-9000. Group tours are welcome.

Lea making sweeping changes in BPD
December 9, 2009

Chris Lea has been on the job less than a month, but already he’s won approval from the Brownsville City Board for significant changes at the Brownsville Police Department. Lea was named police chief just last month, replacing Gill Kendrick who took a job as chief in Jackson.
Highlights of personnel changes include:

Increasing investigators from two to four. An investigator will be on duty and on patrol between 8 a.m. and midnight.

Promotions that include three new lieutenants and four new sergeants. Promoted to lieutenant are Sgt. Kim Williams, Sgt. Jason Singleton and Sgt. Jason Haynes. New sergeants include Chad Jackson, Mitchell Turner, Shaun Ribble and Brad Davis.

The personnel changes mean there will be at least five officers on patrol at all times.

Lea’s personnel program will add $2796 in additional expense to the BPD’s personnel budget but overtime is expected to be virtually eliminated.

Aldermen and the mayor also granted permission for Lea to upgrade the police department’s computer software. Chief Lea told the city board the software was last updated in 1991 and the annual software maintenance agreement cost $10,000.

The new software will cost $44,546 but won’t include an expensive annual maintenance fee. The computer upgrade will eliminate several steps in paperwork and will link to other law enforcement software including the jail, central dispatch and the sheriff’s office. Lea believes the upgrade will reduce administrative time and allow more time for patrols.

New money
December 11, 2009

Police Chief Chris Lea easily justified his new expenditures, but news that the city has received some unexpected income made pulling the trigger on the costs easier for aldermen.

City Clerk Jerry Taylor told aldermen and the mayor government has received $269,273 from TVA. TVA pays local governments so-called impact fees because of the work they’re doing on their Lagoon Creek Power Plant. The city also received $27,573 from an insurance claim, and just over $1,000 from a tax/equity payment from the Brownsville Housing Authority.

City plans emergency equipment and other purchases with disaster funds
November 11, 2009

A federal disaster declaration, the result of storms that occurred in 2008, has made Brownsville, Haywood County and Stanton eligible for more than $2 million in assistance.

The Brownsville City Board has applied for a $750,000 grant under the program. The money requires no local match and doesn’t have to be repaid.

At this week’s city board meeting aldermen learned the money, if granted, would be used for a number of items.

The city fire department will get a $250,000 first response truck and a 1,000 gallon pumper truck estimated to cost $185,000.

Two portable generators at a cost of just over $46,000.

Two private homes will be relocated and will cost $160,000.

$86,250 will go for rental housing rehabilitation.

Hatcher sells new police cars
November 11, 2009

Three new police cars will soon be delivered to the city. Hatcher Chevrolet will sell the cars to the city after placing a low bid of $23,036 per car.

City to hold auction
November 11, 2009

Seventeen surplus and seized vehicles now owned by the city of Brownsville will go on sale in early December. The city board authorized City Clerk Jerry Taylor to conduct an auction.

The auction will be conducted December 5 at 8am at the city shop located on East College Street.

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.
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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.