Seems that plan has changed a bit. Now the mayor is looking for the sales tax increase supposedly for school additions and a multi- purpose building that would be for the schools and the community. The plan seems to keep changing. Don't forget, the Lenoir City schools just paid LCUB $424,000.00 for 16 acres adjacent to the elementary school.

A sales tax increase can only be approved by a vote of the Lenoir City residents. Mayor Aikens and three of the council members will be on the ballot in the next Lenoir City election in November of 2024. There's no way he wants a sales tax increase, that he is pushing, on the same ballot where he and the three council members are on the ballot. So, Aikens wants to have a special election for the question of the sales tax increase. And according to one Lenoir City school board member, "as soon as possible".

Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens told Lenoir City Council earlier in the summer that he had met with Barker and Ledbetter about possible school funding through a sales tax increase.

Aikens appointed a charter review committee comprised of Jeremiah Wampler, Cole Sitzlar and Cory Newman. The committee is set to review the city charter and recommend any purposed changes, which could include the tax increase, to council who would then decide whether voters should consider the measure.

Ledbetter said during the Aug. 7 meeting that having a special election as soon as possible is preferable so plans can be presented to the public. News Herald 8/16/23

I think most voters can see through the bologna, they sure did back in 2018, the last time Aikens tried to raise the sales tax.

Tax'em Tony Strikes Again