Lookout Mountain, Tn., Town Consultant Dwight Montague reported Tuesday that in November, state sales taxes the town has received are ahead of last year. That may change drastically in the future, he said, if County Mayor Jim Coppinger succeeds with his plan for the county to receive a portion of state sales taxes that in the past, have been divided only among municipalities. Two proposals are under discussion, one created by County Mayor Coppinger and the other from State Senator Bo Watson.
Both would result in the necessity of an increase in property taxes, the only way the town has to make up the difference, said Mr. Montague.
Commissioner Don Stinnett told the board that he attended a presentation from the Tennessee Municipal League, (TML) in support of the position taken by the cities and towns regarding the sales tax proposal. Sales taxes are collected, sent to the state and then redistributed to the municipalities based on population. Lookout Mountain, Tn., now receives $137,000 from this tax. Under County Mayor Coppinger’s plan, the town would receive $96,000, requiring a property tax increase of 3.7 percent, he said. Under Senator Watson’s plan, only $77,000 would come to Lookout Mountain from this tax, necessitating a 5.4 percent increase, he stated.
County Commissioner Joe Graham told the commission that the county’s proposal is because it is responsible for all schools and jails. It is just conversation at this point, said Mr. Montague, but “is a very scary conversation.”
Other items highlighted in the financial report are that property taxes came in at a normal pace during October and November. The first contribution of $95,000 from the PTO in support of the school was received in November. After-school art classes are now sponsored by the parks and playgrounds department and the town has received $3,145 in program fees from the students. The design is for the payroll costs to be matched to the program fees. During the month, contributions of $2,475 were made for the community center gym. Repairs to Navare’ Pavilion have now been completed with a grant of $12,500 from Commissioner Graham from his county funds.
A presentation of the annual audit from Johnson Murphy & Wright showed that for the year ended June 30, 2015, expenditures were $38,550 above revenue due to capital expenses including rebuilding the tennis courts. The town has plenty in reserves, he said, and Lookout Mountain, Tn., is in great financial condition because things have been so well managed.
Mayor Carol Mutter noted that because of the reduction of revenue from the Hall Income Tax, the town had cut back on some proposed capital expenditures as well as having raised property taxes. She said it will be important to lobby the state government for keeping state sales taxes intact for the cities.
Commissioner Stinnett introduced Principal Ruth White who gave an update of activities around Lookout Elementary School. She first thanked Chief Randy Bowden and the police department for providing excellent security and for re-training the faculty in security measures. Construction of the greenhouse has been delayed because of the large amount of rain, but is continuing. Students will be out for winter break on Dec. 17 and teachers on the following day. The school has developed a technology inventory to determine what is needed. Commissioner Stinnett made a motion that was unanimously approved to amend the education budget with an increase of $12,500 to support the technology fund.
The gym will be opened and supervised by Scott Shell every Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. during the holidays, said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippenger. She also announced that a meeting called “weed wrangle” organized by the garden clubs will be held on the mountain March 12 to address invasive plants. It will be led by a company out of Nashville that handles control of these plants. More information will be coming.
Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley presented the monthly statistics from the departments, compiled by Chief Bowden. During November 90 calls were made to the police, 2,728 miles were patrolled and response was made to 13 burglar alarms that were all false. There were six assist citizen calls, 12 calls to “911” and 13 medical calls. One automobile accident occurred and 15 traffic stops were made. There were no thefts or burglaries during November. The fire department answered three alarms, which were all false.
The fall “leaf season” is 60 percent over and 80 percent of the existing leaf piles have been removed, said Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones. The department will resume clearing brush piles soon. Both have been delayed because of rain. Two more truckloads of salt have been received, so the department is now ready for winter, he said.
Mayor Mutter was given the authority to make decisions on issues that may come up during the cell phone tower construction, in order to prevent delays in the work.
A large tract of land on Woodhill Drive was given approval to be subdivided for the purpose of adding it to a nearby neighbor’s property. The intent is to prevent future building on the lot.
On second reading, the new FEMA flood maps were approved so that the town can participate in FEMA flood insurance plans.
The Café on the Corner will officially re-open Thursday. The Lookout Mountain Beer Board gave unanimous approval to issue a new beer license to the restaurant. Ruth Oehmig had a license before the fire in May 2014 that destroyed the building. The new one replaces the one that expired while the business was closed.
Mayor Mutter thanked the various people that helped in updating the town’s official Christmas tree. The new lights were donated by the Love Lookout committee from Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mt. commission will be January 12, 2016.