County Commissioner Don Miller brought a revised plan to begin funding new school buildings to the School Board Friday requiring no new property taxes.

Miller’s previous plan discussed by members of the commission and school board called for a 24.5 cent increase in property taxes to pay for school improvements. 

Though different in some areas, it is similar to a plan presented on several occasions by fellow commissioner Austin Shaver that also calls for money to be found for the school building project without raising taxes. “I’m pretty much convinced that no one on the commission will vote for a tax increase this year,” Miller said to the school board members during their retreat.

The main difference between the Miller plan and the Shaver plan is the amount of money that the county can provide without raising taxes. Miller’s bottom line is close to $20 million, while Shaver’s would provide close to $30 million for new schools to be built.

“This is clearly a short-term solution, but I think we can live with it for a few years,” Miller said.

Miller’s initial plan, which included a tax increase, was based on a rough estimate of more than $47 million needed to fund a new Greenback School, a new middle school, a combined Loudon Elementary and Fort Loudoun Middle School and a new cafeteria at Philadelphia.

Shaver’s $30 million funding plan was based on figuring out how much money could be provided to the school board so the board could decide what to build and how it should be spent. 

Everyone agreed the $47 million figure was not firm, and until the work is done that will set exactly what needs to be built — and where and when — it is difficult to know how much money will actually be needed.

Discussions during the meeting indicated it will take a little more than $2 million and nine to ten months of work before the projects will be in a position to be bid and actual costs established.

The discussion also included an alternative amount of about $500,000 and a few months to get substantially better numbers, though not figures that could be used to start the bidding process.

Board member Craig Simon said once funding is granted by the County Commission — however much that is — he felt they should spend the $2 million and move on with the project.

Miller said he plans to present his new proposal to the commission Monday night. 

Both Miller and Shaver’s plans call for using some of the school operating budget and county general funds in addition to the rural debt fund.

That fund was established some years ago to begin saving for school building projects, according to Wayne Honeycutt, superintendent. 

Another key difference is the bond terms. Miller’s plan is based on 20 years, while Shaver’s is based on 30. Miller said in today’s market it is more difficult to get a 30 year bond, though what’s available may change when the day comes.