Lenoir City asked about sales ta

Resident concerns about speeding and a proposed sales tax increase dominated the May 8 meeting of Lenoir City Council.

Jim Calloway asked council for a possible timeline regarding embankment work along Town Creek Greenway and more information on a possible sales tax increase announced in an April edition of the city’s newsletter to residents.

Sent to city residents twice a year, the newsletter outlines upcoming events and provides city contacts and updates. In the spring/summer edition, a survey was included to gauge interest about a community recreation center. The survey specifically asked residents if they would be in favor of raising city sales tax from 2% to 2.75% to pay for the facility.

According to the newsletter, the building would be located on city-owned land and include basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts, an indoor track and multi-purpose rooms.

Calloway said he was interested in understanding more about the center and if a sales tax increase would be permanent.

Aikens told Calloway a sales tax is the fairest tax since even non-residents pay. He said there had been no decision on the tax hike, but the survey was initiated to get resident input. Aikens said results were about 50-50 as of May 8.

Aikens said he would appoint a charter committee soon and the question about funding a community center would be turned over to that group to possibly recommend putting the item on a 2024 city ballot for a vote. He said council would then decide to put the measure on the ballot for residents to vote.

He added he has discussed with Barker that Lenoir City Schools could get additional sales tax money.

“It’s not me, and it’s not city council, deciding whether or not we’re going to raise the sales tax,” Aikens said. “It’s the people inside the city limits of Lenoir City.”

Aikens said Parks and Recreation Department Director Zack Cusick has polled parents at the Lee Russell Recreation Complex, who overwhelmingly supported the community center idea. Aikens did acknowledge some of those parents are not city residents.

Even if voters approve the increase, a new recreation center would be years away, Aikens said, noting Loudon passed a similar increase years ago for their parks and recreation department.

Wayne Collins addressed council about a three-way stop at Doyle Street and Hamilton Avenue. Collins said for the 30 years he has lived in the location, drivers have been speeding and “going airborne” on the street.

He said the previous week a neighbor was almost hit pulling out of a driveway.

“I understand why the stop sign was put there, but it doesn’t do any good if people don’t even look at it when they go by it,” Collins said, suggesting speed bumps could be placed at the location.

Collins said he has video, which he shared with Lenoir City Board of Education, of a school bus failing to stop at the sign.

Since there are no sidewalks on the street and pedestrians walk in the roadway, he said he believes the situation could result in a fatality.

Collins said he made council aware of the situation more than 25 years ago and a 15 mph sign was supposed to be installed. He said he is still waiting on the sign.

He also raised concerns over a stop sign near Doyle and Church streets that is on the left-hand side. He said drivers ignore the sign because it’s on the wrong side of the road.

Collins told council he has spoken previously with Public Safety Director and Police Chief Don White about both situations.

Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens said he would speak with White, adding that speed bumps are prohibited because of insurance issues.

City Administrator Amber Scott Kelso said she would investigate the 15 mph sign.

Jeanne Barker, director of schools for Lenoir City, said the hill presents problems for bus drivers because in order to stop they must gear down, which makes it difficult for the bus to then crest the hill. She said administrators were working on another route so drivers could avoid the hill.

In an unrelated matter, Aikens encouraged the public to volunteer 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 10 for Help Clean-Up Lenoir City Day. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Lenoir City Street Department garage, 210 South C St., for instructions and pick-up zones.

Volunteers will be asked to pick up litter in the city, which will provide bags and gloves.

He said residents unable to volunteer on that Saturday can still participate by cleaning their own yard, placing debris on the side of the street or alley and informing the city of the debris by calling 865-986-2715. Debris will be picked up for free the following Monday.

Aikens said Moneymaker’s Wrecker Service has agreed to pick up junk vehicles that day at no charge.

“Hopefully, if you do have a vehicle that you’re not wanting any longer or that’s torn up, you’ve been aiming to get rid of, that would be a good day to do it,” he said. “It’s not going to cost you a wrecker bill. We would encourage you to do that and also encourage you to meet us … help us clean up the city of unwanted trash.”

The meeting scheduled for June 12 was canceled, but a special called meeting at 2 p.m. June 5 is planned for a first reading of the budget.