Loudon approves budget, no change in property tax

New committee appointments and city parks master plan also approved

Adam Delahoussaye news-herald.net

CITY OF LOUDON, Tenn. — Loudon City Council swiftly approved its annual budget and property tax rate at its Monday, June 23, meeting.

In a brief session, Council members voted unanimously to keep the property tax rate at $1.19 per $100 of assessed value … with a motion from Vice Mayor Tim Dixon and a second from Council Member Eric Newman and no further discussion.

The city’s budget also saw approval, following a lengthy previous discussion surrounding the deficit it’s anticipated to create.

AN ‘ISOLATED’ FISCAL YEAR

Council Members at the May 27 voting meeting said that about half of the total capital funds could be used for next year — with a deficit of around $800,000 to be anticipated.

While some members expressed concern, Loudon City Mayor Jeff Harris noted growing pains and an emphasis on keeping this fiscal year isolated in nature as a key to maintaining financial stability.

The main facet of new spending comes with the addition of new employees. Among the added personnel are an assistant recorder to work with city recorder Melissa Huskin, promotions coming with pay raises, as well as another firefighter and police officer to be added to the payroll.

City Mayor Harris also previously stated the city intends to split the Facilities Maintenance position back into two roles:

• A Maintenance Director • A Director of Parks and Recreation.

The 4-1 vote had its first motion made by Vice Mayor Dixon and a second from Council Member Newman with Council Member John Cardwell being the only dissenting vote.

APPROVALS AND APPOINTMENTS

In other news, Loudon City Council:

• Made its final amendments to the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.

• Approved a partnership with Kimley Horn, the group set to work on the city’s Parks Master Plan using recommendations from residents and city officials.

• Agreed to partner with Loudon ALIVE in an effort to apply for the Levitt Foundation AMP Grant.

• Made adjustments to the Loudon drought management plan, adding descriptions and instructions for best use of practice in the unlikely event of a drought.

• Voted 3-2 to rezone a property on West Lee Highway from a central business district to a professional and civic district.

• Appointed Bart Watson to another four-year term on the Loudon Utilities Board.

• Appointed Michelle Sindy, Scott Wilson and Jeff McQueen to another three-year term on the Property Maintenance and Housing Appeals Board.

• Appointed LeeAnn Chihasz, Matt Gentry and Jessica Gammons to three-year terms on the Recreation Advisory Commission.

• Appointed Darrell Tuck to the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee, replacing Kate Brewster.

Mayor Harris also addressed several complaints about the recent speeding on Queener Road, stating that Public Safety Director Mike Brubaker had been notified and was intending to monitor and control the situation.

The Loudon Utilities Board also approved all of its budgets for the upcoming fiscal year at its meeting earlier in the afternoon, including an approval for a Memorandum of Understanding with Tellico Village for the new sewer system discussed by the Village POA the previous week.

Loudon City Council will reconvene Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m.