Memorandum Of Understanding
(MOU)

According to Lenoir City councilman, Eddie Simpson,  it's all my fault the city had to sign a "memorandum of understanding" with the school system to promise if the sales tax increase were to pass, the schools would get all of it.

This is apparently due to the story I did last Monday on the sales tax vote.

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.” Councilman Eddie Simpson News Herald 9/26/18

I guess the Lenoir City school system owes me a big thank you. But if I was them, I wouldn't start counting their money just yet.

A Memorandum of Understanding has about as much legal authority as a handshake. It can be altered, amended or eliminated at any time. And even if it held any water at all, the city/school Memorandum of Understanding is only for three years then renewed each year unless the city decides to get out of it and keep all the revenue for themselves. Sorry, that's just the fact of the matter.

Definition of Memorandum of Understanding: A 'Memorandum of Understanding' is also known as an 'MOU'. MOUs are generally used to document a relationship of goodwill between the parties to the MOU. MOUs are generally not legally binding.

You might remember, these are the same people who told you they had no choice but to pass the Rain Tax, which was not the truth. Now you're suppose to trust them that they're going to give up two million dollars per year? You believe what you want. 

As to Simpson's statement that, “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". It's not the county jacking up taxes on our residents. It's not the county trying to pass huge tax increases. The county's doing just fine on the taxes it gets now.

I suspect the voters in Lenoir City are a lot smarter than their elected officials give them credit for. They've lived under this regime, they've seen their shenanigans many times before and aren't likely to take the, tax me more, bait.

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10/1/18