The town of Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission on Tuesday passed on first reading a balanced budget for fiscal year 2010. Expenditures in the proposed budget total $2,664,560, a reduction of nearly $280,000 from the current FY2009 budget that closes on June 30.

Town consultant Ansley Moses told the commissioners to expect a surplus of about $30,000 when the current year closes.

Mr. Moses said FY2010 revenue is projected to be $2,746,860. A surplus of $82,300 would then be realized if the revenue stream followed the budget.

The largest unknown factor in the proposed budget is the revenue from the Hall Income Tax, Mr. Moses said. The proposed budget includes a figure of $600,000 from the Hall tax. Mayor Greg Brown said that is a fragile number. A valid number will not be available until July 6. The commissioners will have that valid number before they vote on the budget on second reading next month.

Mr. Moses said, because of economic conditions, it was prudent to reduce estimated building permits, certain state-shared taxes, interest on investments, and parking meter income.

Health insurance costs are projected to increase nearly $24,000, but will not go into effect until Nov. 1, he said.

Mayor Brown said the town will be okay if the Hall tax comes in at $600,000. If it does not, he said, the commission is reduced to raising property taxes to meet the budget. The budget for FY2011 will be more difficult than this one, the mayor said.

The proposed budget does not include an increase in property taxes. The current property tax rate will have to be adjusted downward to offset the increased Hamilton County property appraisals. By law, a reappraisal must be revenue neutral.

The town has not had a property tax increase in four years, Mayor Brown said.

Town Judge John Higgason appeared before the commissioners to advise them of some changes he is going to make in his court. Judge Higgason said Court TV has been a bad influence on real court behavior. Numerous people appearing in his court, he said, have argued or tried to talk over his voice. Proper court etiquette is not observed.

The changes he plans to make include wearing a robe during court. He has talked with judges from other area municipalities and has found much support for wearing a robe. The Chattanooga Bar Association has offered to furnish him a robe and he expects to accept the offer. The robe sets the tone that this is court and not a social situation, he said.

Another change will have everyone rising before court starts as he approaches the bench. He also said he plans to have his court officers play a more prominent role.

One final change is to move the court clerk to the end of the table rather than sitting beside him. This change will remove the appearance of paying the judge when fines are assessed and collected.

The commissioners agreed with the proposed changes and thanked Judge Higgason for his excellent work in the court and for making a smooth transition in succeeding Judge Bradley Weeks who resigned in February.

Parks and Playgrounds Commissioner Will Moses said the new Mountain Maze is just days away from completion. He hesitated to set a date that it would be complete but said crews are working on the protective ground cover to meet the ASTM F1292 standard for impact and falls. All structural pieces are in place.

“I think it looks great,” Commissioner Moses said. The Mountain Maze will open as soon as construction crews finish. A playground celebration will be held Labor Day weekend, he said.

Ansley Moses told the commissioners he has received three bids for fencing the Mountain Maze. The bids are $6,925, $7,100 and $6,675. Raindance had the $7,100 bid, he said, and he recommends the commissioners approve it because of the good relationship and good work the firm has provided the town. The ball field fence was installed by Raindance, he said.

The commissioners approved a motion to accept the bid from Raindance.

Public Works Commissioner Dan Crates said town crews are working on a low spot on Bartram Road that is sinking again. The area was repaired three years ago at a cost of more than $3,000. Eventually, a permanent fix will be required.

Mayor Brown suggested Mr. Crates get a couple of bids from contractors to permanently fix the road and report back to the commission.

Police Chief Randy Bowden told the commissioners his department has been informed by Reflection Riding that 10 vehicles have been broken into on their lots recently. Chief Bowden said residents should not leave purses, phones, cameras or other valuables in plain sight. He also said residents should always lock their cars and their homes.

Education Commissioner Bill Mitchell said the school library is open for the summer. School Principal Paula Gossett said new state standards go into effect next year and teachers are preparing for the changes. Teachers will report on Aug. 3 and the first full day of school will be Aug. 12.

In the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Brown said he would like to extend an invitation to Covenant College president Niel Nielson to talk with the commissioners at the August meeting. The mayor said he recently visited the college and was impressed with what he experienced and would like the college president to share with the commission his vision for the college. The commissioners said they look forward to hearing from Mr. Nielson.

Mayor Brown said he received a letter from Lookout Mountain, Ga. Mayor Tom Gifford asking the town to share in the cost of hiring a land planner to prepare a planned unit development (PUD) ordinance for the Georgia city. The reasoning being that Lookout Mountain, Tn. would benefit from developments built as a result of the PUD ordinance.

Mayor Brown said Mayor Gifford is not suggesting a dollar for dollar agreement. The Georgia city would bear the largest burden of the cost. Mayor Brown said he will reserve comment and get with Mayor Gifford, then come back next month with more details.

The commissioners agreed to change the date of the next meeting to July 21 to accommodate Ansley Moses who would be unavailable on July 14.

Dana Wilbourn

dbwilbourn@yahoo.com

- Photo2 by Dana Wilbourn