High Gas Prices May Increase Dale Hollow Summer Tourism
Byrdstown Officials expecting an increase in local vacation activity and rental bookings this season as high gas prices encourage people to stay closer to home. Mayor Sam Gibson said the community is fortunate to have the lake as a primary resource for visitors from nearby areas like Cookeville and Livingston. Gibson said he anticipates people […]
Growing Infrastructure Needs Gain Attention Of City Leaders Statewide
City leaders from across the Upper Cumberland say infrastructure needs and bill proposals highlighted this year’s Tennessee Municipal League’s Legislative Conference in Nashville. Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said most of the conversation last week centered on rising costs and the financial challenges cities are facing. Morrison said the discussion primarily focused on the growing […]
Hale Files Bill To Suspend Grocery Sales Tax For Seniors
State Representative Michael Hale has filed legislation that would suspend Tennessee’s grocery sales tax for seniors age 65 and older for three months beginning July 1. State Representative Michael Hale said seniors are struggling to cover basic expenses such as utilities, housing, insurance, and food amid continued inflation pressures. He said the bill mirrors a […]
New Budget Means New Funding Mechanism For Schools
The Putnam County Commission’s decision to use a percentage of sales tax revenue to fund schools a welcome revenue boost, according to School Board Member Kerry Ledbetter. The new county budget passed last week includes the change to a formula of 50 percent of sales tax revenue. Ledbetter said the change back will not only […]
Livingston’s First Budget Includes 5-Cent Tax Increase
A five cent property tax increase part of Livingston’s first reading of the new fiscal year budget. Finance Officer Joel Parks presented the budget. Parks said the general fund for the new budget is expected to increase to some $3.8 million, with expenses over by some $373,000. “When it’s all said and done, there might […]
Livingston Receives $623K For Downtown
A state rebate produced some $623,000 for Livingston downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown Revitalization Commission Chair Gene Gantt said the rebate allows the city to get a portion of their sales tax back each year. Gantt said that rebate funding must be spent on improvements to the city square or efforts to bring more people to […]
Livingston Ready To Pass Budget Friday, Small Tax Hike
The public can sound off Friday as Livingston Aldermen consider the second reading of this year’s budget which includes employee raises and a nine-cent property tax increase. Mayor Curtis Hayes said budgeting this year has been tight. He said after conducting a pay study two years ago, employee compensation has become a greater focus. “You’ve […]
Overton Budget Committee To Revisit Pay, Taxes
The Overton County Budget Committee will go back to work on a new county budget after hearing from residents upset with a property tax increase and some of the spending in the budget. Commissioner Geraldine Walker said the main concern she heard from the public about the last proposal was a $3 per hour raise […]
Dekalb Schools Asking County For Help With Salaries
Dekalb County School officials told the County Commission’s Budget Committee Tuesday night, it needs help funding salary increases for teachers and staff. Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said by keeping a healthy fund balance, the district has managed to fund raises itself in years past. He said as general expenses increase and the district works […]
Property Tax Elimination Could Pose Risks To Celina
Celina has the legal right to stop property taxes under state law, but the move could pose additional challenges to funding a city’s programs, personnel, and general operations. That according to Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Director of Communications John Dunn. The Celina Board of Aldermen discussed its desire to eliminate the town’s property tax in its […]
