Pavilion drawing
Because one of the members was absent from the East Ridge City Council meeting Thursday night, discussions of several important issues that were on the agenda were postponed. The meeting was recessed and will continue on Saturday at 9 a.m. when everyone can be present to consider the city manager’s contract, employee’s insurance, a variance request for a beer permit, a contract for services to the city of Ridgeside and the first reading of the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget.
East Ridge is one of only several cities in Tennessee that is participating in a border region district program offered by the state.
This will allow the city to receive not only the 2.25 percent local option sales tax, but also 75 percent of the state sales tax (averaging 4.15 percent) on the amount of sales that are above what they were in 2012. This is considered the base year for the program.
There are several businesses in East Ridge that provide such a large amount of sales that it would pose a significant risk if they shut down, said Mayor Brent Lambert. If they closed, their sales from the base year of 2012 would cause a reduction in the future of the extra state sales tax East Ridge would be able to collect as a border region district.
The state will allow, one time only, for the city to remove those businesses from the border region designation. East Ridge would still collect the local option sales taxes from all sales at these companies, but would not receive the extra 4.15 percent that the border region designation would provide. The deadline for giving this list to the state is June 30. City Treasurer Thad Jablonski is in the midst of determining whether to exclude five or six businesses from the designation. Camping World is the only business that is known at this time.
The city of Ridgeside has contracted with East Ridge since 2008-2009 for police and fire services. The yearly price it has paid has varied. Last year a total of $95,841 for both services was paid. Now Ridgeside has asked to have the added services of building and zoning enforcement. To protect East Ridge and to make sure that all expenses are covered, the city must determine what these services cost per person in East Ridge and extend it to the 412 citizens of Ridgeside. Other costs such as enforcement, court costs, litigation fees, notices sent, fuel to get to and from Ridgeside and routine inspections need to be figured in. The amount will be calculated and the contract will be voted on Saturday morning.
An amendment to the 2014-2015 budget was approved that will use proceeds from bonds the city is selling to replenish the capital reserve fund that was spent during the year as an incentive to attract Bass Pro Shop to locate in East Ridge. Mr. Jablonski reported that the city received a bond rating of AA-3 from Moody’s.
Representatives from Exit One, the company building Bass Pro Shop, presented the council a drawing of the pavilion they are building at Camp Jordan for the city as part of the agreement for the new retail development. It will include restrooms for men and women including showers and will be placed behind the concession stand. The design has been approved by City Manager Andrew Hyatt and Stump Martin, director of parks and recreation. Construction will begin in June.
The council honored a deceased, longtime employee of the city’s library by designating a room as the Susan Millsaps Macrellis Children’s Reading Room.
In another vote, the city manager was authorized to contract with Henderson, Hutcherson and McCullough, PLLC for auditing services.
Denny Manning, who has been on the city council for 12 years, announced at the meeting, that he will be running for the Tennessee House of Representatives. “It has nothing to do with Mr. Gravitt,” he said, “It has only to do with my own self.”
Councilman Marc Gravitt who is currently a member of the House of Representatives, responded “Knock yourself out.” He later added that he would like to say good luck and that it should be a very spirited race.