Lenoir City officials, like most other government officials, are addicted to tax dollars and like any other addiction the more they get the more they want. Aside from raising taxes, the only other way city government has to generate substantial tax revenues is annexation. Under the new laws and agreements governing annexation, Lenoir City can no longer forcibly annex properties but may annex only by request or permission of the property owner.

At the MLK holiday workshop, the topic of open burn ban was discussed. Mayor Brookshire seemed to be in favor of an out right ban. However other councilmen were concerned that the ban could discourage development in and around the city. It is a well known fact that developers currently prefer annexation into the city to take advantage of the less restrictive zoning regulations and the more easily obtained variances and special exceptions.

A ban on open burning would just be one more thing that might discourage a developer from requesting annexation that in turn would add more property tax dollars into the city's coffers. In 2005, Loudon County commission took action to ban open burning in all unincorporated areas of the county.

Lenoir City residents need not look for their elected officials to pass any regulations that might discourage developers to request annexation. In contrast, city residents can expect their elected officials to continue to hand out special favors like free roads and landscaping at the tax payers expense. Seems in Lenoir City, the health, safety and welfare of the citizens takes a back seat to special interests.