Simpson, who also serves as the
county’s road superintendent,
wanted the resolution on
Monday’s agenda to emphasize
what the county and city have to
gain from implementing the tax.
“I just think it’s a win-win
thing if we could ask (Haslam)
to continue forth with the
effort,” Simpson said. “... He
has several things that he’s
planning to do to make up the
difference, so it’ll be very
little if no impact on the
taxpayers, ratepayers, but it
will — in his estimation it’s
around $40 a year that it could
cost the consumers. I think what
the benefit is, the county, they
stand to make an additional
$200,000 a year from that gas
tax. That’ll go a long way to
paving more of the streets that
need paved.”
Simpson said Haslam has said
adding 7 cents to the gas tax
will be “revenue neutral”
because plans are to reduce half
a cent on grocery sales and add
$5 on a registration fee for
tags.
The state gasoline tax is
currently 21.4 cents per gallon,
and each penny is worth about
$32.9 million per year.
“I mean I know the city’s in the
same shape the county is that we
need more revenue,” Simpson
said. “We’re in the neighborhood
of $1 million a year to try to
stay afloat on paving the roads
in Loudon County and this gives
that opportunity.”
The tax revenue brought in more
than $657 million in Tennessee
for fiscal year 2016.
“I think that it’s important for
us to show support to our
elected representation with the
state of Tennessee in times that
they do something to try to
improve the economy’s local
infrastructure,” City
Administrator Amber Scott said.
In other news, Lenoir City
Council:
- Passed the second and
final reading for
designating a handicapped
parking spot in front of 309
E. First Ave.
- Amended the city’s
retirement income plan for
employees.
- Authorized Lenoir City
Police Department to
purchase vehicles utilizing
the state bid process and
outfitting the purchased
vehicles.
- Approved spending
$1,139.85 for three portable
partitions for The Venue.
- Replaced a golf cart
motor for use at Lenoir City
Park. Three quotes came in,
with the low bid from AACO
Golf Carts at $1,399.99.
- Opened an account at
SouthEast Bank.