Collegedale officials said Monday they oppose an effort by County Mayor Jim Coppinger for the county to get a share of sales taxes with the municipalities.
Mayor Katie Lamb said she attended a recent municipal meeting about shared sales taxes with the state of Tennessee. Of the 7 percent state sales tax collected by the state, 4.6 percent of 6 percent of the total is given to each municipality according to its population.
County Mayor Coppinger has a plan for unincorporated areas in the county to begin sharing the returned taxes, which would reduce the amount that each city receives.
This would mean that in the fiscal year 2016-2017 Hamilton County would receive over $5.5 million and Collegedale would receive $221,557 less than it will get this year, said Mayor Lamb. She added that other county mayors have heard of this plan and they too want to get in on the tax. Not one city mayor is in favor, she said. However, County Mayor Coppinger said he would still seek to go forward with the proposal.
Commissioner Ethan White said that, in reality, this would force the cities to increase taxes instead of the county doing so. Collegedale is considering creating a petition to let the legislators know that the city is not in favor of this plan, and Red Bank Mayor John Roberts is creating a petition for all of the cities in northern Hamilton County to fight it. He will speak at the next Collegedale Commission workshop
Apison Pike is in the process of being widened to accommodate growth in the city. Because this road is considered to be the entrance to Collegedale, the commissioners would like to have power lines buried as the new road is constructed. Several months ago EPB let them know that the cost would be prohibitive, but the commissioners have asked that a representative come to talk with them directly about the project in hopes that current plans can be changed.
Addressing a concern from Commissioner Phil Garver about synchronization of traffic lights, Director of Public Works Eric Sines said he was aware that some wires that control the signals are broken but that TDOT will fix the problems when the roads in question are replaced.
An update was given on the Collegedale Station project. The commissioners were told that there is a plan to kick off fundraising for it at the Labor Day fireworks sponsored by the city. Discussions with the Chattanooga Market about managing the one in Collegedale are in process.
The city acquired property on Tallant Road when a lawsuit about the police firing range was settled. The commissioners now would like to dispose of it. Strategic Planner Kelly Martin’s recommendation was approved for contracting with Mike Givens with Remax Realty to handle the sale.
On second and final reading the city accepted the sewer lines for the Village at Apison Pike apartments from the developer, who built them according to city specifications.
A concerned citizen asked for the city’s help to control the increasing Canada geese population around a pond at Greenbrier Cove. Mayor Lamb said the city has no authority over privately owned property. It was suggested that the homeowner’s association contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for help.