Hall income tax receipts are down considerably to Lookout Mountain, Tn., and the Town Commission is having to raise the property tax higher than expected - by five percent.
The July commission meeting was scheduled later in the month than usual in order to know the amount of Hall tax that the town will receive. The bad news is that this year, it will collect $133,835 less than last year, said Town Consultant Dwight Montague.
He said that the state legislature continues increasing exemptions of the tax on dividends, and this is the first time it has been felt. The town will receive $573,938. The only source to replace the reduction in state funds he said is from a property tax increase. Additionally, each department made drastic cuts from the original budget that had been passed on first reading at the meeting in June, he said.
The fire and police departments eliminated $3,000 of planned medical and safety equipment, and the amount for repairs and maintenance was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000. The public works department removed a $45,000 skid-loader from its planned purchases, and $12,500 for technology improvements at the school will be put off. Less work will be done on Navarre Pavilion than was planned since the amount allotted has been reduced to $15,000 rather than the original $45,000. Town employees will still get a two percent raise to reward the excellent job they do, said Mayor Carol Mutter.
The new property tax has been adjusted to the five percent level from the two percent proposed in the original draft of the budget. The new tax rate will be $1.743 per every $100 of assessed value of a house (as appraised by the tax assessor).
The average home price in Lookout Mountain, Tn. is $400,000. The five percent property tax increase will add $6.92 per month, said Mr. Montague, and added that “we still have no debt.”
Statistics of the fire and police department for June showed 96 police calls, 4,021 miles patrolled, 24 false burglar alarms, 17 assist citizen calls, 11 calls to 911, no auto accidents, 19 traffic stops, one theft from an automobile entered around the Incline, one case of vandalism of the Commons press box, and one disorder. There were 12 medical calls responded to and one false fire alarm.
Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said since the security cameras have been installed, there has been a 100 percent conviction and arrest rate. In each situation, the department has been able to get good information to be able to close cases, said Chief Randy Bowden. "We’re grateful to all the people that contributed to that fund," said Commissioner Bentley.
The town, along with the PTA, provides support for Lookout Mountain Elementary to have fulltime music and art teachers, a science lab, and PE every day. The school was designated a Tennessee Rewards School despite not having the best computer technology, which the town had hoped to give this year, said Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett.
He would now like to appeal to the community for help along with the PTA, which is conducting a special Technology Fund Drive.
Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham told the commissioners that he no longer is allowed to contribute money from his discretionary fund to help schools, for roads or for bridges, but he can help with repairs to Navarre Pavilion, which would allow money the town has designated to be re-directed to the school. When school starts there will be a new 400-square-foot greenhouse that was provided by the Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club.
Two wind screens have been added to the tennis courts, reported Commissioner Brooke Pippinger.
The public works department is currently removing brush piles and fixing pot holes, said Commissioner Walker Jones. The dumpster will be on the mountain again on Aug. 1.
During citizen participation, Liesa Hill spoke saying she was dissatisfied with the results of a police investigation into her complaint that was made in 2012. She had charged that her husband had poisoned her coffee.
Attorney Brian Smith and Mayor Mutter said the case had been thoroughly investigated, but no charges had been brought.
Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church has started a new committee “Love Lookout.” The church is sponsoring a movie at the Commons for the entire community on Aug. 4. The church has also bought a “Gladiator Pit” game that is set up at the Commons beside the pavilion. Mayor Mutter said the town is really appreciative of their support.
The concert planned for the Sunday night before Labor Day is still on. The organizers have hired professionals to set up the venue and two bands that will perform.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn., Commission is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 5 p.m.