City Manager Randall Smith told the Red Bank Commissioners that the court clerk and deputy clerk are in dire need of upgraded court software. He said the department clearly needs it to increase efficiency. The increase in efficiency will contribute toward the expense. Additionally, he said two court fees have been increased and this will pay for the new software package in one and a half to two years so “It will be purchased by the offenders, not the city,” he said.
Red Bank will piggyback off of a bid for the same package which is being bought by Collegedale. This helps to speed up the process of acquiring it. Commissioner Rick Causer said it will be helpful to the police department as well as the city court since the software is compatible with new equipment that has just been bought for that department. The vote was unanimous to buy the court software package at the cost of $78,118 from Tyler Technologies, Inc. The price includes expenses relating to conversion from the old system and training employees.
In reports from Mayor John Roberts and the city manager, the public was told that expectations are that new development and re-development will continue in the coming year. Mr. Smith said from a business standpoint the city had a great year in 2014. With a lot of economic development already in the works, “2015 will be a banner year for our little town,” he added.
Preparing for continued growth, the commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance to levy a privilege tax upon occupancy in any hotel or motel or accommodations furnished to travelers for a consideration. Nothing in this ordinance pertains to bed and breakfast establishments, said Mayor Roberts. The tax is being put in place now, said the mayor, because it is his belief that a hotel will be built in Red Bank in his lifetime. Taxes derived from new businesses and the possibility of a hotel will help give homeowners relief with property taxes, said Mayor Roberts. “We’re doing great, we just don’t want to stop,” he said.
A good report was also presented in the yearly audit for the fiscal year 2014. Brian Wright from the CPA firm Johnson, Murphy and Wright told the commissioners that the general fund ended with a profit, which leaves the city with about $1 million in reserves. The drug fund and impound fund ended the year with a deficit primarily caused from buying needed equipment and the State Street aid and sewer funds operated with a surplus. The stormwater fund had a loss of over $4,000 in 2014, but was a big improvement over the previous year when it lost $19,000, said Mr. Wright.
In summary, the firm has issued a “clean opinion,” the commission was told, and that “all the funds are looking good.”
A license agreement with the state of Tennessee was approved which will allow the city to install a new Welcome sign at one entrance to the city. The new sign will be at the Morrison Springs exit off of Highway 27 near Mapco.