County Budget Broaches Property Tax Relief

Smith News

As the county’s fiscal year approaches its end, the Budget Committee has begun meeting regularly once again to finalize its next budget year plans. During their April 13 meeting, department heads got a chance to speak with the Commission and make their budgetary requests.

The Sheriff’s Department requested a handful of items. One of the big ones was a request for step-raises, though Sheriff Steve Page did not give out any specific amount in his request. This was requested for both deputies on the road as well as the officers in the jail. Sheriff Page said, “I won’t come here and throw out a big price out there at you. I don’t want to burden the county any more than we have to.”

In addition to payment, the department requested medical insurance that would match the amount the city offers. There was also a request for tuition and an upgrade on cellphones for the officers. Then, as usual during the budget process, the Sheriff requested 6 new automobiles for the department, explaining how well-used the current vehicles are. There were a few items on request, such as uniforms, that simply went up from last year due to rising costs.

After the requests, the committee asked questions regarding some of the budget item requests. Executive Robinson asked about the cellphone request, and the department’s Nate Theiss explained the request further. The current flip phones that the department has used for years cannot do texts, social media, or other potentially valuable avenues for receiving and distributing information. Robinson also asked about an election warrant program, and Theiss explained how much faster the warrants can be processed when performed electronically.

“I’m asking about this not to question you,” said Executive Robinson. “I’m actually quite excited for it. I think this is a positive thing.”

After discussion with the Commissioners, the Sheriff’s Department also said they would be happy if just the sergeants, for now, could have the upgraded phones. Commissioner Derrick Hutchings also asked if the day and night shift could feasibly trade phones to cut down on the number of phones. Sheriff Page said he is open to anything he needs to do if it helps get those phones.

Sheriff Page capped off his requests with, “We got to stop being a stepping-stone. That’s just all there is to it. You get them trained up, then they leave to go work somewhere else.”

Emergency Management also made requests during the Budget Committee. Director Matt McBride started with requests for fire department-related matters, such as outside training for those who wish to specialize. McBride discussed the pump tests that the department already does, and to expand on that, he wants to expand into hose testing.

“Right now, in the county, I know because I have been to several of the stations, there’s a lot of departments that has a hose sitting in their station where they’re not sure if it's good or bad,” said McBride.

Commissioner Hutchings had a question about the grant money that the fire departments across the county received this year. He asked McBride to elaborate on what the grants gained this year go to, and he asked if they are specified grants for certain matters.

“They are,” said McBride. “And that’s prioritized through the state of Tennessee based on what they prioritize that year… That’s been huge for this county, huge.”

Commissioner Chris Brewington asked if all the departments have paid for their own hose testing since the county does not cover it. Director McBride confirmed, “If you’ve done a host test, you’ve paid for your own for the last however long. Some departments have done it longer than others.”

Commissioner Brewington then said, “The hose that’s just laying in the floor right there? So, this is my thing right here, if you’re asking for $30,000 to test these hoses, if this hose has been laying on that floor for so many years, why test it?”

He felt the county should not have to pay for the tests when a department could test itself.

After hearing from the departments, the property tax relief and sales tax discussion came up once again. Commissioner Hutchings asked about the resolution that came from the committee, but others clarified that it was just a strong recommendation. Still, Hutchings wanted the Budget Committee to make some sort of stance on how they will spend the money for the sake of voters once they see the Sales Tax referendum on the ballot.

Commissioner Dakota White reminded the committee that they cannot bind themselves, however, as there is no guarantee the referendum will pass.

Executive Robinson also mentioned how the sales tax revenue can slightly fluctuate, so he said, “Even if we promise to take it off property tax, that’ll be a moving number every year.”

Commissioner Hutchings asked if they really cannot make any resolution contingent upon the sales tax passing. Executive Robinson clarified that they could make a resolution only for this upcoming year, since they cannot bind a future commission.

Commissioner Hutchings made a motion that, if the Sales Tax passes, $500,000 from the revenue will be committed to property tax relief, with $100,000 to low-income and the rest to the whole county. “I had a lot of people ask me about it and say that they want to see where it’s going,” he said.

Commissioner TK Austin spoke up with a message he has shared during multiple meetings before. “You are already paying this tax,” he said. “This tax is being collected by the city. The city is keeping every bit of it. If you live in the county, you are not getting any benefit for this sales tax that you’re already paying.”

Executive Robinson asked if the city uses part of that sales tax to pave their city roads, and if the county could do the same with some of that money if it passes for the county.

The motion did pass with a 4-1 vote, with Chris Brewington being the only member of the Budget Committee to vote no. The resolution will go to the Full Court to be voted on next.

The Sales Tax Referendum will be on the ballot for voters on May 5. The Full Court Commission will meet on April 20 at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Courthouse. All Commission meetings are open to the public and streamed on the White County, TN Commission YouTube channel.