Niceley: Elect superintendents

Talk about an unlikely alliance.

Apparently state Rep. Frank Niceley, left, and the Tennessee Education Association are working together to get school superintendents elected, rather than appointed.

Heh.

The two sides haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye in 20 years. (His words. Not mine.)

“When a conservative like me and the TEA both agree on something, then it's time to take a look at it,” said Niceley, who represents parts of Knox County and most of Jefferson County. “This is one of the first times the TEA and I have worked together.”

I guess something most have frozen over.

Anyhoo, lawmakers should discuss the bill further next week.

Here's the gist:

If two-thirds of a county commission calls for a referendum and the voters sign off on it, then it's possible that we'd one day – again – hold elections for superintendents. (Back in 1992, the General Assembly phased out elections for school directors, letting school boards instead make the appointment.)

By the way, state Sen. Stacey Campfield is co-sponsoring the Senate version of the bill. (Yes, click on that – it gives you more detail.)

Niceley, the House bill sponsor, said he was recently in Union County when “the TEA – the teachers – asked me: 'Frank, what can we do. We need to have a director of schools that last more than a year.'”

Apparently, it's not uncommon for school superintendents to tick off school boards in some rural counties. They don't last long when that happens.

“Some of these counties are paying three (superintendents) at one time, kind of like a UT basketball coach,” Niceley said.

(Great quote!)

The state representative said “80-plus-percent of the people” in Jefferson county favor the proposal. He did, however, admit that Gov. Bill Haslam told him recently that he didn't support it.

(Not sure how he got that number, but I digress.)

“When 80 percent of the people want to do something and the experts say you can get just as good of a person through an election as appointing one, then we should do it,” he said. “There's no evidence from the test scores to suggest that one (way) is better than the other.”

This issue comes up a lot. But, I expect it will at least get out of committee this year.

Here's a note from Knox County School Board Chairwoman Indya Kincannon opposing it.

(My esteemed colleague, Scott Barker, a member of the KNS editorial board, sarcastically added: "Emulating Mississippi on education is the way to go."

Here's some reasons to change it.

Personally, I'm concerned that elections limit the hiring pool, since candidates would have to come from the area. (Although that probably doesn't upset all the “you're not from around here, are you” folks.)

But, it could stop the revolving door of directors, too.

We'll see.

Property tax collection story notes

I've got a story in today's paper about the increase in property tax collections.

I'll post a couple things here that weren't in the story because of length.

First, congrats go to John Duncan III, (left) who took over the county trustee’s office in September, and his crew for their hard work.

(You know, making phone calls, cashing and depositing checks, etc. No, I’m kidding. They worked hard. I'd hope.)

But, as the county administration – which doesn't oversee his office – said: Folks should remain cautiously optimistic about the state of Knox finances.

Will more money come in? Or is this it?

So far Duncan's office has collected roughly $231 million (this includes about $3 million that came in after the Feb. 28 deadline, but was postmarked before then). But, the Mike Ragsdale administration, which put together the county's current spending plan, expected to reap $247 million in property tax collections.

I asked Duncan what he thought about the projections, and it would have been easy to take a shot, say they were too high. But he didn't. (I don't know if they are or not. I expect they're probably about right.)

Instead, he pretty much said his office will “blow them out of the water.” He pointed out that this time last year, the office collected almost $200 million and then ended the fiscal year in late June with $235 million.

Now, I don't think he's going to collect another $35 million between now and then (because not everyone is going to pay up). But, I also figure he's going to collect more than the $17 million needed to make up the difference to what he's received now and what the budget calls for.

(The office also gets a $7 million payment from KUB, so, really, we're down to $10 million.)

Another thing.

A little more than a month ago Duncan partnered with three of the area's largest banks. It's a common-sense and long-overdue move, but for some reason Knox County wasn't doing it.

Duncan changed that. And it paid off. (Note: last week I got paid by the cliche. This week it’s by the pun.)

Apparently, taxpayers also liked this convenience. They opted to pay their bills – a combined $4.3 million – at one of the 50 or so branches ( with BB&T, First Tennessee and Home Federal)

Compare that to the $6.2 million collected at the Farragut satellite office (which collected the most tax dollars out of the satellite offices). But, Farragut was open throughout the tax season, which runs from September through the end of the year.

The bank branches were open for a little more than a month.

Another move he made – and something else not done under his predecessor – was send out two notices. The first in October, the second in late January. (The second one apparently cost $16,000, but there’s probably a savings in there if the trustee’s office doesn’t have to go after delinquent bills. I'd hope.)

Here’s a few other figures for the number nerds out there.

Duncan’s office billed folks for a combined $240 million. The county expected $247 million. But, the county numbers also included:

• $3.48 million in delinquent taxes
• $2.8 million from taxes collected through the courts
• $1.7 million in interest and penalties
• $7 million from KUB under a PILOT plan

Duncan’s office doesn’t have the breakdown yet, but they haven’t received the KUB payment, which it will in April when it’s due.

The projected $247 million is sent to the county and divided three ways:

• $105.7 million goes to the general fund
• $110.8 million to the schools
• $30.8 million to debt

Duncan’s office also gets a small cut. The rest will head to the reserve tank or go toward paying off debt, which has the folks on the sixth floor of the county’s side of the Deathstar running scared.

And speaking of those folks . . .

Just because tax collections are up, the administration doesn’t want to spend. And it’s still prepared to cut back, which includes laying off employees.

Both county Mayor Tim Burchett and his chief of staff, Dean Rice, said – despite the bump – county government is too big.

“We don’t feel it changes the direction of the administration,” Rice said. “Government (still) needs to be run as efficiently as possible.” (If it’s possible, he should seriously trademark that quote. I actually had it written before he said it.)

Added Burchett: “The public is demanding that we spend less.”

Personally, I'd like a check from the county if it has money left over.

So yeah, spend less.

On a side note, any company in the Knoxville Yellow Pages that says it will fix computers "24/7" is a fraud. Don't use them. Boycott them. Whatever. Best Buy sucks, too, by the way. My computer went down last night, and none of them came through. Lying *$&#@)*. That's why I'm late to post.

Safety center dies. Officials move on

I’m pretty sure the so-called public safety center proposal is dead.

The county just doesn’t have the money.

And residents aren’t going to foot the bill. Not if they have to make a choice between that and buying patrol cars or keeping teachers.

It’s just not happening. Finances being a roadblock and all.

But, county officials still want to do something to treat – rather than lock up – those taken into custody for public intoxication (like the average college kid and some of my friends) and the mentally ill who are arrested for nonviolent crimes.

It's not, however, going to be a $2 million diversion center. Instead, officials are taking a different route, one that started Tuesday in a meeting held by the mental health subcommittee, a panel county Mayor Tim Burchett formed in late January “to look at best practices and other potential solutions” to help thin down the jail population and help the mentally ill.

(By the way, Burchett isn’t a member of the subcommittee but he did drop by to wish the folks “good luck.” Then he said he was headed out to work on balancing the county’s budget. Members should have told him “good luck.” But I digress.)

Here's a snapshot of what was discussed:

The conversation was mostly informal; the group didn't have a set agenda. Members spent a good deal of the two hours talking about how the hospitals, courts and jails serve as revolving doors for the mentally ill.

As sheriff's office Chief Rodney Bivens noted: “Common sense tells you that if someone can't keep their clothing on then the judges aren't going to let them back out on the streets.”

In other words, they're going to jail. But, as Bivens also said: “That's not really the place for them.”

“They have no business being there,” he added. “Sometimes they don't even know where they're at. Other times their memory is so far gone that they don't remember what we tell them.”

I think what he was trying to say is that these people are really crazy. I mean crazy, crazy. But that's not politically correct. He won't say it. I will. I don't care. About political correctness, I mean.

But again, someone needs to find the coin to fund whatever the county wants to do. And that's tough to do, said the good doctor and county Commissioner Richard Briggs.

“It's a hard time getting society to step and up and help these people,” he said. “When people are looking for ways to cut the budget, this is the thing they cut. If you're looking at cutting schools or helping the mentally ill, they're going to pick the kids over this.”

(On a side note, Briggs was not advocating picking kids over the mentally ill, or vice versa. He was just making a point. An obvious one. I'd do the same thing.)

Still, they can't ignore the problem, said John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols. It will only grow.

At this point, no one is sure what they will do.

The conference was more of a “get-to-know-each-other” deal.

But they did agree to come back with possible solutions, perhaps private-public partnerships, perhaps pilot programs. Perhaps nothing.

They are expected, however, to act on one suggestion by Burt Rosen, present of Knox Area Rescue Ministries. He asked everyone to “come up with what they think Knox County needs – regardless of the money.”

Perhaps, he said, volunteers could fill the roles.

We'll see.

They meet again in May.

Maybe they'll have better luck than the public safety center proposal did.

Special birthday for Halls senior

I occasionally get asked why I don’t write more “positive” stories.

Whatever that means.

But the truth of the matter? I don’t want to. I mean, really, why should I?

I might as well go down to the airport and write a story about how the plane landed safely.

I mean it’s SUPPOSED TO FREAKIN’ LAND SAFELY!

So, no, I don’t like “positive” stories.

(I hope that vent made sense. I feel better now.)

With that said, however, if you live to be 100 (like Elizabeth Hill DeYoung - above right) and the county issues a press release (and it’s a slow day on screams from the porch), then I’ll post it.

Anyhoo, here’s to your first 100, Ms. DeYoung. And to 100 more.

Happy Birthday!

Here's the release:

Knoxville, Tenn. — It’s never too late for dreams to come true. During her 100th birthday celebration in January, Elizabeth Hill DeYoung was given regal treatment, thanks to her family, the staff at Elmcroft Assisted Living, local media and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett.

During the celebration, Mayor Burchett surprised DeYoung with a proclamation honoring the centenarian’s life and declaring Elizabeth Hill DeYoung day in Knox County. After speaking with DeYoung, Mayor Burchett discovered her musical dream of playing the Tennessee Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, so he helped organize an event to make her dream a reality.

On Monday, March 7 she was honored during the James A. Dick Mighty Musical Program at the Tennessee Theatre. After the program, Mrs. DeYoung had an opportunity to play the Mighty Wurlitzer on the Theatre stage.

“It was a dream come true for me,” Mrs. DeYoung said. “Thank you to Mayor Burchett and Dr. Snyder for helping make this happen.”

“Our senior citizens have contributed so much to this community, and it’s important that we recognize all that they have done for those who come after them,” Mayor Burchett said. “Elizabeth is no exception, and she’s earned her moment in the spotlight.”

Organist Dr. Bill Snyder, who is also the managing director and development director at the theatre, personally helped organize this opportunity and believed it was important to get the entire community involved with the theatre performance.

“The Mighty Musical Program gives senior citizens the opportunity to come to the Tennessee Theatre where otherwise they might not get the chance,” Snyder said. “The program allows all individuals to have a memorable and enjoyable experience.”

Elmcroft Assisted Living, where DeYoung is a current resident, brought several seniors to support DeYoung at the theatre. Residents and management staff at the facility believe no one was more excited about the event than DeYoung.

“Mrs. DeYoung was very excited for today’s event. Elmcroft Assisted Living partners with 2nd Wind Dreams and playing the organ at the Tennessee Theatre, was DeYoung’s wish,” Amanda Crawley, representative from Elmcroft Assisted Living, said. “This is something she has always wanted to do, but never imagined possible.”

“I really appreciate everyone who has worked to make this happen, including Mrs. DeYoung’s family, the Elmcroft staff, the Tennessee Theatre and most importantly Dr. Snyder, who was so willing to help put this special day together for Elizabeth,” Mayor Burchett said.

Help Wanted: Election Commission

A “media alert” came in Friday when I was on vacation. Apparently, state Rep. Ryan Haynes and the rest of the Knox County Legislative Delegation are now accepting “letters of interest/resumes” for the Knox County Election Commission.

(Not sure why they didn’t save a few words and just say “applications.”)

Anyhoo, this is the first step, I suppose, to more election commission drama and current election administrator Greg Mackay’s fight to keep his job. Again.

I blogged about this awhile back. But here’s a quick rehash:

A few years ago, local officials urged the county’s state lawmakers to see to it that a Republican was appointed to Mackay’s job, in light of the then-new GOP-majority county Election Commission. (Mackay is a Democrat obviously or this wouldn’t be an issue.)

After a lot of publicity, the commission in a 3-2 vote kept Mackay.

That was only because one Republican on the commission – Paul Crilly – crossed over. People haven’t forgotten. So, it’s no surprise that Crilly is probably on his way out. I’m not sure if he’ll even re-apply for the job.

(The commissioners, by the way, serve for two-years and are not term-limited. They are appointed by the State Election Commission, based on recommendations from the state Legislative delegation. The Republican caucus makes the Republican selections and the Democratic caucus picks the Democrats.)

I think by now everyone knows that state Rep. Harry Tindell and state Rep. Joe Armstrong (both Democrats) plan to keep the same Dems – Cassandra McGee Stuart and Cameron Brooks – on the commission.

The safe bet, too, is on Chris Heagerty and Bob Bowman (both Republicans) sticking around.

So, we’re technically down to one replacement.

I haven’t been following this that closely, since we’re still a ways off, but I’ve heard a few names kicked around, including former county commissioner Greg “Lumpy” Lambert, who is now helping to run courtroom security and swears he’s not packing a gun. (I’m not buying this rumor. The part about him applying, I mean. I’m still not sure about the gun part.)

But, Brian Hornback has an interesting theory.

He’s hearing that local attorney E. Michael “Breezy” Brezina III will replace Crilly. Brezina apparently works with Heagarty, also an attorney. (I swear there’s a lawyer joke in here somewhere.)

That actually makes some sense.

As the Metro Pulse recently noted:

“Heagerty is close to county Mayor Tim Burchett and will likely have some influence with Burchett over picking the next commissioner. The Republican delegation is likely to listen to Burchett, their former colleague, in making the appointment. So Heagerty will likely make the choice to replace Crilly . . . .”

So, does Heagerty pick his co-worker (Brezina) to serve with him?

He might.

But I’m not sure what role, if any, Burchett will play. He’s told me in the past that he doesn’t want to get involved in it. And at this point, I think he’s got more on his plate than that. Like the budget.

Additionally, the administration’s chief of staff, Dean Rice, told me tonight that: “They have a strong election commission and the delegation and the commission will be working together on these issues. That’s their job. There’s not a role for us to be engaged in (on that issue).”

So, what happens now?

We wait, I suppose.

For the drama.

Once the delegation makes its selections, the commission some time in April will probably meet to discuss Mackay’s job.

The big, not-so-secret, rumor is that the group will have Mackay and his deputy (who seems to be attached to his hip) Scott Frith, a Republican, swap jobs. That way, the Republicans are in charge, but the office still has Mackay's experience.

Then again, maybe nothing will happen.

Regardless, if you’re interested in some local election office fun, send your “letters of interest/resumes” (and no, you apparently can’t email them) to:

Rep. Ryan Haynes
Chairman, Knox County Legislative Delegation
301 6th Avenue North
Suite 214 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243

Good news for Carter. Maybe

Pre-proposal conferences aren't usually a big deal, so I'm not surprised that the one held last Tuesday for businesses to build a potential Carter Elementary School didn't get much (or any) serious mainstream coverage at the time.

But, Friday, the county released a statement about it.

And it actually is kind of a big deal. At least for those who want a new school.

It shows that county Mayor Tim Burchett's plan to give the Carter Community a new building is not only moving forward, but it's moving forward in earnest. I think a lot of people felt his plan – which involves someone building the thing at a cheaper cost than the Public Building Authority would (about $13 million) and then leasing it back to the county – was foolish.

They felt that the mayor shouldn't stick his nose in school business. They felt he was overstepping his boundaries.

I don't buy it.

East Knox County residents sought Burchett's help. He obliged.

(The same residents also sought help from the school board, which said “no, we're just going to renovate it.” Then they went to the county commissioners, and after much hoopla from those officials about finding the money to build a new school, they weren't successful. But I digress.)

Anyhoo, on Tuesday, the Industrial Development Board, school and county officials met with roughly 100 representatives from more than 50 businesses (some from other states), and took them on a tour of the site and talked about the proposal.

Later, county Purchasing Director Hugh Holt, also a co-chair of the committee that developed the Carter request for proposal, said he'd “never seen this high of a turnout” for a pre-proposal conference.

That means people are interested in this thing. They want to build it. They want the money. The economy sucks right now and people need to work. That's no secret. But even the administration was surprised that this many people showed up.

The proposals must be submitted by April 4. Obviously not all 50 businesses will bid. But if even half that amount turns in a proposal, it will still be more than the county averages during the typical bidding process. An evaluation team will look over the bids and then turn what it feels is the best one over to the Knox County Board of Education for a final decision as to whether it will build a new school under the proposal, according to the release.

From there, unfortunately for the pro-schoolers (I couldn't resist using that phrase), it's a crap shoot.

(I don't like using phrases like “reliable sources” or “those close to the project” or “anonymous sources,” but I'm going to have to cite a few here.)

I have heard talk that some on the school board – no matter how good this project is, no matter what kind of deal the county can get – I have heard talk that some members will not sign off on it.

They're still not happy that Burchett got involved. If that's the case, then it's kind of petty. No one is going to admit it publicly, though. But it will be obvious if it happens.

Still, if even half the bidders who attended the conference on Tuesday submit something good, then the school board faces a lot more pressure than it did months ago when those officials wanted to move forward and do things their own way.

On a side note, I don't have a dog in this fight. I'm on the outside, looking in. I'm just telling you what I know.

And we'll all know more in the coming weeks.

Here's the release, by the way, if you're interested in reading it:

Knoxville, Tenn. — This week, the Industrial Development Board held a successful pre-proposal conference for any business interested in submitting a proposal for potentially building a new Carter Elementary School, according to Knox County Purchasing Director Hugh Holt, who is also co-chair of the committee that developed the Carter request for proposal.

According to Holt, approximately 100 people representing more than 50 businesses attended Tuesday’s pre-proposal conference, which included a tour of the site designated for the proposed new elementary school.

“In my tenure as purchasing director, I’ve never seen this high of a turnout for a pre-proposal conference,” Holt said. “This is a solid indicator that the construction community is eager to work in this economy, and they want to get involved in public projects, where maybe they haven’t been in the past.”

The purpose of the pre-proposal conference is to collect information from anyone interested in submitting a project bid, and to offer an opportunity for potential bidders to ask questions, get additional information and seek clarification on the RFP, if needed.

“It was certainly encouraging to see the level of interest in this proposal based upon the attendance at the pre-proposal conference.” RFP committee co-chair and Knox County Schools Supervisor of New Facilities Doug Dillingham said. “We look forward to seeing the proposals that are submitted and how they address our program standards.”

“I’ve been impressed with the work of the RFP committee, especially under the business-minded leadership of co-chair Mitch Steenrod. Also, the input from school system staff members will help ensure that, if built, the new Carter Elementary will be an example of a great Knox County School. ” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “Overall, the committee represented an unprecedented mix of school officials, county purchasing staff and private sector experts.”

All proposals must be turned in by April 4 at 3 p.m. After that, the RFP evaluation committee will select the successful proposal, which will then be considered by the IDB. If the IDB chooses to accept the evaluation committee’s choice, it will then go to the Knox County Board of Education for a final decision as to whether they will build a new school under the proposal.

Who really reads the KNS

Funny thing about reporting.

You write something that’s agreeable to your sources (or readers for that matter) and you get a pat on the back.

You get an “atta boy.” You get a “good story, man.” You get a “way to go.”

You get a “hot damn – make the bad man go away!”

Whatever.

You write something that’s not agreeable and all of a sudden everyone forgets about that last story.

You get a “don’t you have anything better to write about.” You get a “you’re biased – why don’t

You write about the corruption going on in the (insert whatever department you want here).” You get a “and you call yourself a journalist – you suck.”

You get a “damn you’re bad, man – go away!”

Whatever.

So, I’ve got to do this blog. It’s a little snarky, I suppose. But I get bored easy, so if I offended you, then I apologize.

Kidding.

With that said – and in the spirit of having a good time – I’ll poke a little fun at something else for a change. I’m sure everyone but my bosses will like this one.

And I'm also sure someone out there will say “at least you got something right – your best post yet!”

Whatever.

Anyhoo, it’s an email I got awhile back. (You might have seen it before. I don't know where it originated. It's not mine. Well, the email is but I didn't write it.) I did have to tweak it a little bit. Been saving it for a slow day. (And by slow I mean when I’m not at work.)

Here ya go:

How to keep all the “political news” in perspective:

1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
   
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
   
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
   
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
   
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could find the time - and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
   
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.
   
7. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
   
8. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.
   
9. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is read by people who want only the score of the Cardinals game. They drink Budweiser, Budweiser, and - wait a minute - what was the question?
   
10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
    
11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
    
12. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
    
13. The Knoxville News Sentinel is read only by my loving mom.
    

There ya go.

Have a good weekend, folks.

Harmon doesn't get 3 pensions

Was asked a question the other day about Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan Harmon (left).

Does he receive three or four pensions for his time as a city employee, city councilman, county commissioner and school board member (way back when it was under the city's purview)?

The quick answer is: No, he doesn't.

He gets one – from the city. And a 401k – from the county.

That was pretty much as far as I was going to go with the information. But because I'm under company policy to do a blog (despite claims otherwise from our Web guru), I need to post something.

Also, if one person was curious, maybe others are, too.

And pensions are a big deal right now. They're crippling governments everywhere. And Knoxville officials have even put together a committee to study the city's retirement plan.

So, I figure it will be an issue during the upcoming city election. And someone is bound to ask Harmon about it then.

Here's the deal (and all this information is public record):

Harmon gets a pension from the city for his time in the engineering department and on the council. He gets a 401k from his time on the commission. He apparently doesn't get anything for the two years he served on the school board.

His city pension is a complicated formula that I won't go into. But he's credited with a little more than 20 years of service with the city (12 years on the council, eight in the engineering department). Normally, he would get $1,983.42 a month in pension, payable for life.

However, Harmon elected to choose an alternate beneficiary to receive his pension. Upon his death, he receives $1,761 a month. His beneficiary will one day receive $1,286.09 a month. (By the way, it felt kind of ghoulish typing those last two sentences.)

Harmon, who began working in the engineering department in January 2002, retired “for pension purposes” in January 2010. Yes, he still worked but he enrolled in the city's delayed retirement option program (DROP). Under the plan, he can work for two more years. The pension money during those years accumulates into another money pot, and when the employee retires, he/she gets it paid out in a lump sum.

Harmon didn't stick around for the full two years, but he will get a one-time payment of $20,624.64.

On a side note, the pension formula is based on the two highest years of salary. I checked to see if he got any unusual last minute raises. He didn't.

Like all employees, he received a 2.5 increase in wages in July 2008 and in July 2009. (He also got $120 longevity bonus those years.) In total, Harmon left making $56,962.

In regards to his 401k, he gets whatever he paid in. Those numbers aren't as available as the city numbers, which fall under the state's open records laws.

Mike Arms makes his return

Was just scanning though the minutes to the Feb. 24 East Tennessee Development District meeting.

Someone around here has to.

Because it's not like anyone from the Deathstar (city or county side) attends these things.

(By the way, the ETDD is an association of local governments that provide the area with planning and development services and serves as a forum for the members to talk about problems associated with economic development and growth, according to its website.)

Anyway, close to the end of the 10-page report, I came across a familiar name: former Knox County Chief of Staff Mike Arms (above).

Remember him?

Arms and former Mayor Mike Ragsdale are working as consultants, doing something with education. (It's early in the morning. I can't remember.)

But, Arms gave a presentation to the board about the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments “and the top 10 reasons why you should join the ATVG.”

So, Arms is now an advocate for the advocates.

I guess.

Here's the Top 10 reasons if you're interested (and my side comments because I'm a smart ass):

• Your active, paid membership will increase the group's effectiveness in giving voice to the collective interests and concerns of local government and their constituents throughout the Tennessee Valley. (Give us your money!)
• There is strength in numbers (We want more money!)
• Issues represented by ATVG include TVA tax equivalent payouts, power rates, agriculture, forestry, economic and tourism and development, recreation, environmental protection, water policy, land use, hazardous waste and solid waste disposal. (We have a lot of ways to say the same thing!)
• The primary purpose is to serve the interests of local governments and the people they represent. (We put you before the people!)
• Is committed to creating a climate for cooperation where everyone benefits. (We're gonna make you rich!)
• Addressed challenges in the seven-state Tennessee Valley region by encouraging partnerships between local governments and the public and private sectors. (We know all the tricks of plundering and pillaging!)
• The ATVG network puts you in touch with 201 county plus 198 county seat governments (no I didn't make a typo) in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. (We're getting money from all over the place!)
• When Congress debates issues like appropriated funds for TVA, deregulation in the electric utility industry, privatization, or the sale of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer lakes, dams and hydro facilities, ATVG represents members' interests. (We keep you in business – not the other guy!)
• Give you a voice, as well, with other government agencies at both state and federal level. (Because, you know, you can't pick up the phone and call your local representative yourself!)
• Provides local governments with an organized and unified approach to strengthening their relationship with TVA. (Because TVA won't talk to you if you don't join!)

According to the ATVG website the dues for local governments are based on the 1990 census as follows:

Counties: 1.2 cents x 1990 population or $400/minimum and $2,200 maximum.

Towns/Cities: 25 percent of county payment or $300 minimum and $700 maximum.

Update: By the way, Knox County under the Ragsdale administration paid dues - $2,200 each year - to join the ATVG. In fact, the county is a member right now. I imagine that will change when Mayor Tim Burchett puts together his upcoming budget.

Wright: Do as I say, not as I do

Not really sure where I’m going with this post; it’s more of an observation made today.

But, let me start at the beginning.

For weeks now, the county administration has talked about making drastic cuts to it's annual spending plan.

County Mayor Tim Burchett and his chief of staff, Dean Rice, say they’re not balancing the budget (which goes to the county commission on May 1) with reserve funds.

That's what the last administration did. To the tune of $3 million.

So right off the bat, Burchett and Co. need to save that much.

But really, they want to save – or cut – more. They feel that local government is too big right now.

And don't forget: They’re running scared of the debt Knox County accumulated over the years and they want – I believe – to pay it off quicker than they need to.

Now, however, they need to find even more savings.

Last night, the commission – against the mayor’s wishes – signed off on the sheriff’s request to take $2.2 million from the reserves so he could buy the department 65 new patrol cars.

(The county’s rainy day fund before the vote was around $39 million.)

The mayor felt the sheriff should wait until the new budget cycle starts – not take it out in mid-stream – to make the request. He was also concerned that government rating agencies might frown upon such practices.

Now, I’m not saying the sheriff doesn’t need the cars. He probably does. I was behind one this morning and it looked kind of busted up.

So, what am I saying?

OK, getting to that right now.

Flash forward to today’s audit committee hearing.

Just before – or right after – the meeting began, county Commissioner Dave Wright (also a member of the committee) said he had something on his mind and wanted to make a statement.

Now, I have no idea why he did this. (No, I didn’t ask. Don’t care. I'm just like to ramble.)

He looks into the audience of about 10 people, and tells the group that he and county Senior Director of Finance John Troyer (who was in the audience) are friends.

He then mentions how the commission not only signed off on the new cars – yes Dave was one of the seven who supported the move – but that when the administration brings the commission its budget, he wants “to see considerable savings” in it.

He reiterated this three or four times. (I lost track. Was playing a mean game of Angry Birds on my phone.)

Well, what was the point of that?

I mean, here’s JT sitting in the meeting, minding his own business and a commissioner calls him out. Hey, it’s not Troyer’s problem that the board just sandbagged the administration by $2.2 million. He pretty much argued against it along with the mayor.

Now, don’t go yet.

There’s more.

Again, Wright wants “considerable savings” in the budget.

But, during Monday’s commission luncheon Wright sided with the majority that also doesn’t want to cut the board’s auto allowances (which the mayor did to his own staff), and wants to increase the board’s discretionary funds.

(The commissioners have their reasons, and I have a story about it tomorrow – or today, or yesterday, or whenever you get around to reading this nonsense. My nonsense. Not theirs. Well, maybe their nonsense. That’s up to you to decide. Not me.)

Anyhoo, like I said: It was just an observation.

Troyer probably thinks I’m picking on him, but I’m not.

I’m picking on Wright.

Heh.

You have got to be kidding me

There are so many jokes I can make right now but won't.

Anyway, if you're looking for work and you're qualified, then the county - despite Mayor Tim Burchett's insistence that layoffs are coming - has a job for you. Click here.

On a side note, the mayor did say that he wouldn't initiate a hiring freeze, and that crucial, or critical, or whatever, jobs that were vacant might get filled. I guess this one qualifies. And apparently fits the bill. Or bra. (OK, that was a bad joke.)

Also, the job is actually funded with a federal grant under the WIC program, according to county Communications Manager Michael Grider, who started doing damage control right after I initially made this post.

Still, it's your tax dollars. It's just not coming out of the county's budget. I hope.

• Credit goes to Dan Andrews who blogs on Political Leverage. He showed this to me on Facebook.

Burchett: Severances still a no-go

A little over a month ago, the Knox County Commission officially backed the mayor’s plan to eliminate severance packages for employees, agreeing to insert the policy into the county’s code.

That, however, changed tonight.

On the second reading of the ordinance (they need to approve these things twice), the commission balked.

Last time it was 10-1, with only Commissioner Amy Broyles dissenting. Tonight, though, it was shot down in a 6-4 vote, with commissioners Ed Shouse, Dave Wright, Tony Norman, Sam McKenzie and Chairman Mike Hammond jumping ship.

(Commissioner Mike Brown wasn’t on the dais during the vote.)

So, what happened? Apparently, some commissioners felt that the move would tie the hands of the next mayor. Or that’s what they said.

As Hammond put it: “I just think the mayor – whoever he is – needs to decide what their policies are going to be.”

Well, that’s cool, but the commission's decision really doesn’t change a thing for right now. County Mayor Tim Burchett doesn’t need their support. He never did. He was being polite.

The policy has been set. For at least the next four years.

Because if the mayor says that he’s going to ban severance packages for employees who fall under the executive office’s purview (about 900 of them), then it happens.

And that’s just what he said tonight after the vote.

“We really just wanted buy-in from the commission, but it’s OK,” he said. “It’s not a beach to die on. It’s old news. We’re not going to be paying (severance packages) out, anyway.”

On a side note, Burchett might not have gained full commissioner support tonight, but support is coming from other places throughout the Deathstar.

In recent weeks, for example, county Trustee John Duncan III said he banned severance packages from his office. Sheriff Jimmy “JJ” Jones, County Clerk Foster Arnett and Criminal Court Clerk Joy McCroskey also sent letters to the administration, saying they support the mayor’s request.

Officials with the Public Building Authority, which has long handed out the packages, also sent a note to the mayor, but didn’t take a side. In the letter, officials said they were hiring a new lawyer and wanted to wait before making a decision.

Knox County Register of Deeds Sherry Witt told commissioners awhile back that she is not on board.