The Signal Mountain Town Council is discussing several major projects involving millions of dollars. Among these are proposals for the MACC, a new fire station on Shackleford Ridge Road across from Windtree Subdivision, and a new gym. Price tags range from $4,000,000 for the MACC, $2,000,000 for the new fire station and $800,000 for a new gym.
These proposals give rise to two important issues. The first is funding for these projects. At present, a whopping $6,800,000 is the price tag on these projects. How is the town to pay for this? A huge property tax increase seems to be the only option available to the Council. Property taxes are the main funding source for our town, especially since the state of Tennessee is eliminating the Hall Income Tax. Last fiscal year, that tax provided about 15 percent of the Town’s budget. A property tax increase of 30 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value is necessary to replace just these funds.
The second issue is the fiscal responsibility the Council owes to the entire town. The Council is considering spending $4,000,000 on a non-essential service providing art opportunities for a few hundred people, many of whom are not residents of the town of Signal Mountain and do not share the financial burden. Are essential services being over looked? Sewer issues, water issues, road issues and other unanticipated expenses seem to be on the back burner. Most of the streams in the area are contaminated with sewage. Microscopic testing isn’t necessary. The aromas on warm days are convincing evidence. The Council is discussing selling the water company. If this happens, how will this impact the cost of water for citizens? There are fire hydrants in the town where there isn’t enough water pressure available to function. You may have seen them. They are the ones wearing the black “hats”. James Boulevard is a mess. A meeting held over two years ago promised that repaving was imminent.
Meanwhile, the town budgets for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 show that the town has been operating at a deficit of over $1,000,000 per year. The ending cash balance has dwindled from a healthy $5,000,000 plus to a little over $3,000,000. That much larger expenditures are being proposed is frightening.
Any proposal for a tax increase for non-essential services must come before the entire citizenry and be authorized by referendum as was the tax for the middle-high school. I urge this Council to put sound fiscal policy above sentiment and nostalgia and to consider the needs of all of our citizens.
Barbara G. Womack
Signal Mountain