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You might remember, back in October 2023, Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, unilaterally and without even telling the city council members, cut the city's $10,000.00 funding to the 911 Emergency Communications Dispatch Center. According to Aikens letter, he cut the funding out because of "the litigation going on between commissioner Van Shaver and Lenoir City." Of course, that's a lie. I have no lawsuit against the city.Loudon County contributes $545,000.00 to 911 and Loudon City contributes $10,000.00. Lenoir City contributes nothing.
Last month, 911 Director, Rose White, sent Aikens and the council a second notice of nonpayment. This letter was more detailed in what's involved in providing the NCIC services for Lenoir City. See Below.
January 31, 2024
Mayor Tony Aikens
City of Lenoir City
530 Hwy 321 N
Lenoir City, TN 37771Mayor Aikens,
As a follow up to our letter dated October 31, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Loudon County Emergency Communications District, having not received a response, respectfully requests reconsideration regarding of the City of Lenoir City’s contribution to the ECD.
While the Board of Directors is comprised of members who have been nominated by the County Mayor and confirmed by the County Commission, the ECD is a separate governmental entity; one established under TCA § 7-86-101 and regulated through the Department of Commerce and Insurance by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB). The ECD is not a County department. Likewise, the law clearly defines the responsibilities of the ECD and provides both “shall” and “may” language regarding the duties we are authorized to conduct.
According to TCA 7-86-107, the ECD, as the sole Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the County, is only required to answer 9-1-1 calls. Past that point, it is the District’s decision on which of three (3) methods they wish to take: directly dispatch the call, relay the information to the correct agency / department, or transfer the call to that jurisdiction for processing. We believe our current operations are the most feasible and provide the best possible level of service to our citizens as well as our responders.
Dispatching emergency services fall under the “may” category (including the Lenoir City Police and Fire Departments), answering non-emergency after-hours inquiries, making notifications for city departments during emergency and non-emergency operations (such as to the street department, utility companies, agencies in surrounding counties, etc.), maintaining the law enforcement tow logs, and serving as the Terminal Agency for Loudon County for all National Crime Information Center (NCIC) activities (including all wanted persons, missing persons, orders of protection, vehicles, boats, firearms, securities, and all other articles/items).
The business of emergency communications is not inexpensive. We are confident that the other vendors the City of Lenoir City does business with, in their respective expertise, do not seek permission prior to making determinations as to the best course of action to provide quality, efficient, and professional services at the level the City has come to expect.
We would also remind you of the recent reports regarding the strength of the local economy. Manufacturing, hospitality, and housing markets all have seen significant growth and are operating at pre-pandemic levels. Loudon County is where not only our citizens but the surrounding communities come to work, shop, dine, and play. The County is growing and public safety must grow with it. The critical prioritization of adequate public safety funding is paramount to the success of the quality of life that we all desire for Loudon County.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact any member of the Board or
Respectfully,
Director Rose White.
Loudon County Emergency Communications DistrictCC Amber Scott, Vice Mayor Jim Shields, Councilman James Brandon, Councilman Todd Kennedy, Councilman Mike Henline, Councilwoman Jennifer Wampler, Councilman Eddie
Simpson
Last year, the 911 Dispatch Center entered 358 NCIC requests for the city. Yet Aikens doesn't want to pay his bills.
At this point, the question has to be asked, where's city council? Do they condone the mayor's actions? Does anybody anywhere condone the mayor's actions?
How can Aikens and the council justify this to the their police officers and courts and citizens?
Seems mayor Aikens sees himself as a dictator for the city, making decisions without any consent or approval from the council, the actual legislative body of the city.
Nothing in Lenoir City will ever change until something changes in Lenoir city.
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