Lenoir City outlines sales tax p

Lenoir City outlines sales tax parameters

Jeremy Nash news-herald.net

Lenoir City Council on Monday gave Mayor Tony Aikens the authority to sign a memorandum of understanding with schools Superintendent Jeanne Barker that would guarantee, if passed in the November election, additional funds raised through a sales tax increase would go solely to the school system for safety purposes.

Mike Henline and Jim Shields motioned and seconded, respectively, with the vote passing 6-0.

If passed by voters, the increase would begin July 1, 2019, and end July 1, 2022, automatically renewing each successive year unless the city schools or city provided a notice of non-renewal 120 days before June 1, 2022, or June 1 of successive years.

“I know there’s been a few critics and I guess no matter what you do you’ll have that,” Aikens said. “Dr. Barker and I felt like hopefully this will ease some of their questions, if you will, or concerns that it’s going around that we’re going to keep part of the money or we’re going to do this or that, we’re not going to turn it over to Lenoir City Schools, and that’s just not the case. So she and I felt like that it would be great to have a memorandum of understanding in place even though it’s pretty — even though we believe that the question on the ballot pretty much explains it.”

A half-percent increase would make the local sales tax rate 2.5 percent and generate an additional $1.89 million annually. Officials initially considered a three-fourths of a percent increase, which would have brought in $2.9 million.

Barker in the past has noted funding could go toward social workers, registered nurses and school resource officers, along with Lenoir City High School security fencing and fencing upgrades, electronic door and video security upgrades in schools and additional background checks on all staff and visitors with new requirements based on state law.

“I know this is in response to what one of our commissioners continually puts stuff on his web page and this is in response to that, because what he’s saying is that we keep all the money,” Eddie Simpson, councilman, said. “That couldn’t be farther from the truth. He misleads everybody on everything he puts on there in one way or the other, and it’s sad that we have somebody that’s that negative in our city that tries to tear everything we do down.

“If the county would do half of what we’ve done for this city then they wouldn’t have to worry about any tax increases or anything ever,” he added. “... We’re all taxpayers and I understand that.”

In other news, Lenoir City Council:

• Passed the second and final reading regulating regarding placement of public election signs. An amendment was made that allows signs to be placed on the city’s early voting and election day precinct rights of way. Signs are to be picked up within 24 hours both after the early voting and election day periods end.

• Authorized work authorization No. 3 with Fulghum MacIndoe to convert current stormwater infrastructure data into digital format. Work is not to exceed $5,000.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing required revised funding policy for the city employees’ retirement income plan.

• Agreed to close 7:30 a.m.-noon on the third Saturday from April-October Bank to South B streets for Cars and Coffee. Broadway from Kingston to C streets will also be closed 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday for the downtown street festival.

• Canceled the Oct. 8 meeting.