After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner David Meers, 1st district, made a motion to leave the split at 12.5% of the Adequate Schools facility Tax, ASFT, and to freeze it at that for seven years. His motion was seconded by commissioner Matthew Tinker, 2nd district. After more discussion and it being obvious Meers' motion would not pass, mayor Aikens asked Meers to withdraw his motion which Meers did with Tinker withdrawing his second.

Ultimately, it was agreed that mayor Aikens and Loudon County mayor, Buddy Bradshaw, would get together and try to work out details to resolve the city's request for more of the county school's money.

Aikens has been withholding the documents, in violation of state law, from the county Trustee's office for collection of the ASFT. So far refusing to provide documents for the past two months.

My suggestion was that they do their negotiating "right now" at Monday's meeting. They didn't want to do that. Apparently, previous negations had led to Aikens asking that the 12.5% be frozen for seven years, the same motion put forth by commissioner Meers. Another option that had been discussed by the mayors was that any change to the ASFT split would have to be agreed to by both the city and the county.

Ultimately, nothing changed and both mayors are to have further discussions and bring a recommendation to the next commission meeting in two weeks. In the mean time, Aikens continues to illegally hold the ASFT documents.

The first step in any negotiations should be Aikens releasing the documents. Till that happens, there should be no other negotiations.