A decision was made during the Bradley County Commission work session Monday afternoon to place a resolution to call for a referendum on the question of whether a countywide motor vehicle tax (wheel tax) of $32 should be levied.

Commissioner and Education Committee Chairman Jeff Yarber proposed the wheel tax resolution several weeks ago as a solution to funding requests for capital projects by the county school system. The county school system needs an estimated $25.5 million for a new elementary school, improvements and expansion for Walker Valley High School and Lake Forest Middle School and land for a third middle school.

 If these projects receive full funding, the Cleveland City school system would receive $1 from every $3 the county raises for county schools, based on student populations. If county schools receive full funding for their projects, Cleveland City schools would gain an estimated $12 million and would use the money to build a new elementary school.

The wheel tax resolution acknowledges a great need for new revenue sources in Bradley County, and, according to section six of the draft, all of the proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in the Education Debt Service Fund, for principal, interest and fees on education capital projects. The fund will be created and maintained by the county clerk.

The wheel tax would be applied each time a vehicle is registered in the county with the exception of motor-driven bicycles and scooters, farm tractors, self-propelled farm machines not usually used for operation upon public highways or roads, and motor-driven vehicles owned by any governmental agency or governmental instrumentality and except for other exemptions proved by general law. 

Commissioner Adam Lowe stated, “It makes sense to me to include motorcycles and recreational vehicles. When you register your tag with the state, currently it’s half the cost. I think we should carry that logic into the wheel tax.”

Commissioner Yarber said, “If we have future exemptions, we can add those in. It’s much easier to add them than to take them away. If this resolution doesn’t pass, then we can’t afford to fund the school’s needs and there is no support for a property tax to do that either.” 

Commissioner Jeff Morelock proposed a $37 wheel tax option instead of the $32 option stating, “We’re not committing that we are going to fund these schools, we’re just saying we are going to raise this money. If we were to agree to fund these items for the schools, it’s going to have to be at $37. The $32 wheel tax is not enough to fund their requests. A $37 wheel tax will support a 20 year 5% bond. The mayor agrees with the numbers but not the concept.”

This resolution shall have no effect unless it is approved by a majority of the number of qualified voters of Bradley County voting in an election on the question of whether or not the tax should be approved. Upon its passage, the county election commission shall call an election on the question of whether or not the wheel tax should be levied to be held in the general election in August of 2012 with the ballots having printed on them the substance of this resolution.  The voters shall vote for or against the approval of this resolution and the voting results certified by the county election commission to the county legislative body. The cost of the election, if any, shall be paid by Bradley County. This resolution will take effect upon approval and collection of the tax would begin on Jan. 1, 2013.

A resolution authorizing a settlement with Dr. Jerry DeVane concerning his property on Elkmont Road was also placed on the agenda. As part of the settlement, the county would agree to replace any fencing taken down along a section of the property that Dr. DeVane is offering as a quit claim the county would acquire as a right-of-way. The settlement also includes clearing brush and trees on the property to increase traffic safety in the area.

In other business, Commissioner Ed Elkins stated he received a registered letter from a resident in the Prospect community over concerns with traffic safety in the area of Harrison Pike and New Prospect School Road. The letter points out issues and recommends solutions. Commissioner Elkins talked with the principal of Prospect Elementary and referred this issue to the road department.

He said, “I’d like to suggest a meeting with all recipients of the letter. A traffic survey was conducted years ago, but I think we need another one.”

 Commissioner Terry Caywood agreed with commissioner Elkins saying, “I was the principal for almost 29 years at Prospect and I agree that traffic is a danger to students crossing there. I feel like it’s a worthy interest we need to address. When I left the school, we had safety guards employed to do that job but they are not there now.”

Several budget amendments and a proclamation to recognize, honor and congratulate longtime Bradley County Deputy Clerk Betty Alley were also placed on the agenda.

Bradley County offices will be closed next Monday in observance of President’s Day.

The County Commission will hold its next voting meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at noon in the courthouse meeting room.