| Full agenda awaits commission May 21 | | Posted: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 9:09 pm
| By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
It appears the Obion County Commission will have a very full agenda when it convenes May 21.
Several significant items were placed on the 21-member commission’s agenda for consideration after Monday morning’s meeting of the seven-mem-ber Obion County Budget Committee.
Most notably, the bud-get committee voted to refer to the commission further discussion of hot ticket items pertaining to Obion County’s rural fire subscription program and the recent loss of funds to the Union City School System under the county’s 2011-12 budget. (Editor’s note: Articles about those issues were published in Tuesday’s edition.)
But there were a number of other important items also placed on the commission’s agenda by the budget committee during its hour and 15 minute meeting Monday morning at the courthouse.
The budget committee referred to the full com-mission a report on county litigation taxes, an item which was researched by county attorney Steve Conley following the commission’s last session in March.
The litigation tax was adopted by the commission in September 2000 specifically for jail or workhouse construction, upgrades or debt retirement. It set a tax of $10 per case on litigation in all civil and criminal cases instituted in the county, other than those instituted in municipal courts, to help pay for the Obion County Law Enforcement Complex opened in November 1998.
The jail note was paid in full as of May 1 and members of the budget committee had voted in March to recommend to the full commission that the litigation tax continue for the jail fund to help with ongoing expenses.
However, during its March session, the county commission rolled over action on the litigation tax until its May term after the budget committee received information from the County Technical Assistance Ser-vice (CTAS) indicating the county cannot collect the fee unless it has jail construction or upgrades at this time.
In the meantime, budget committee members learned Monday that fees have been examined and adjusted and there apparently will be a resolution ready for presentation at the commission meeting.
In other action during Monday’s meeting, which was opened with prayer led by commissioner Richard Arnold, the budget committee:
• Heard from Hornbeak resident Duane Lyon, who asked questions regarding the county’s rural fire subscription program and asked about pro-rating for the fee.
• Placed on the commission agenda a report concerning recently-approved landfill agreements.
• Voted to place on the commission agenda a presentation concerning the release of taxes.
• Referred to the commission resolutions to amend the Obion County School System’s Central Cafeteria Fund and General Purpose School Fund.
• Heard from the insurance committee that the same insurance coverage for employees will be continued without an increase.
• Referred to the commission an item concerning the county’s employer contribution rate for the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, as well as an item regarding retirees’ insurance.
• Placed on the commission agenda a report from the finance committee, which meets May 18.
• Voted to put on the commission agenda a resolution to amend the inter-departmental agreement previously approved between Obion County and the Obion County Board of Education for the construction of the vocational training facilities at Obion County Central and South Fulton high schools.
• Granted a request from commissioner Norma Fowler to place state Rep. Andy Holt on the commission agenda.
• Approved requests for line item transfers for the election commission, assessor of property, Circuit Court, sheriff’s department and highway department.
• Forwarded to the commission unrelated resolutions to amend the County General Fund, to authorize an application for a litter and trash collecting grant and to adopt a continuing budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1 until the fiscal year 2012-13 budget is adopted.
• Placed on the commission agenda a financial report for the Indigent Care Trust Fund.
• Voted to put on the commission agenda appointments to fill vacancies on the Adult-Oriented Establishment Board, the Health & Educational Facilities Board, the Obion County Industrial Development Corp. Board, the Library Board, the Nursing Home Board and the Highway Commission, as well as a list of notary public applications.
Published in The Messenger 5.9.12 | | | | |
