As discussed previously, the Property Owners Association is the governing body of Tellico Village. The seven board members are elected to their positions by village property, owners each October, serving staggered terms. Every property owner can vote in the POA elections no matter where they live. The POA board hires a general manager to manage the day to day affairs of the village. Currently, that manager is a fellow named Winston Blazer. Mr. Blazer's compensation package is more than $200,000.00 per year. Mr. Blazer does not live in the village nor does he own property in the village or Loudon County for that matter .

POA Board members claim they pay twenty some percent of the county property taxes which may be true, but that means the rest of the county pays some seventy percent of the county property taxes. POA Board members claim village residents get nothing in return for all the taxes they pay. Of course that's incorrect. Village residents receive the same county services as every other tax paying, county resident. POA board member, Bruce Johnson, claims the county hasn't raised property taxes but once in 30 years. Unfortunately, that's incorrect. There have been 3 property tax increases since 2004.       

The POA is forming a Political Education Committee to educate village residents and local politicians of the importance of the village. Wouldn't their time be better spent forming a committee to begin the process of incorporating, becoming a city?

Board members say they don't believe they can become their own city, sure they can, if the powers that be want to pursue it. If they have the political clout to get a special state law written just for them to operate liquor stores in the village, they certainly have the clout to get legislative help to incorporate. Why wouldn't they want to become a city?

Business of the POA is currently funded by property fees paid by each property owner, $133.00 per month now. Their bylaws allow for the fee to increase by 5% per year. The current POA fee is so high now, it's become a financial burden for many of the village residents and can discourage new residents from locating to the village. Seventy-one (71%) of village property owners pay more in POA fees than they pay in county property taxes and that fee is only going to get higher.

If the village were to incorporate, they would be entitled to state and federal revenues just like any other city. They could end the POA fees and institute a reasonable, city property tax. They would have a locally elected officials and eliminate the POA manager position all together. Maybe that's that's the opposition to incorporation? There's just no down side to to incorporation for village residents.

POA board member, Mike Colacone stated that if the village were to incorporate, residents would be double taxed. What does he think is happening now?

Tellico Village is an important part of Loudon County, but no more or no less important than Lenoir City, Loudon, Eaton Crossroads, Greenback, Philadelphia, Tennessee National, Rarity Pointe and so on.  It's past time for Tellico Village to take the next step in it's evolution and become a bona fide city and for the POA to stop looking for the rest of the county tax payers to fund their operations.