Committee Finalizes White County Budget, Vote Monday
White County Commissioners given the chance to review and ask questions about a final budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year at a Monday night meeting. The budget contains a $1.45 property tax rate, an estimated $20.6 million in revenue, and $20.9 million in projected expenditures. The gap of some $286,000 will be covered by […]
Mason Said Time To Find A New Convenience Center Site
White County Commissioner Roger Mason said it is time to pick up the pace on finding a new convenience center location. The Landfill Convenience Center will soon be going away as part of the selling of the facility. Mason said the loss of this convenience center will make it more difficult for the customers it […]
Budget Committee Finds Consensus On Tax Rate, Salaries
The White County Budget Committee agreed on a $1.45 property tax rate and a flat-rate salary increase for county employees Monday night. The committee was presented the details for each position’s salary with both an eight percent raise and a $4,000 flat salary increase. Committee members wrestled with creating a different raise for emergency personnel, […]
White County Employees, Residents Call For EMS Support
With the backdrop of a White County fire that stretched resources this week, several White County residents and employees asked the Budget Committee to consider prioritizing pay raises and resources for first responders. A Monday Sparta structure fire left three children and their father with burn injuries. Every Sparta and White County ambulance was on […]
White County Gets Law Enforcement Drone, Deputies Licensed
A new, grant funded police drone being utilized by the White County Sheriff’s Department in an effort to expand the department’s capabilities. Lieutenant James Blankenship said the Vantage Robotics drone has a thermal imaging camera. It will be used primarily for search and rescue, or high risk situations. Blankenship said there are some legal limitations […]
Raise Amount Biggest Question On White County Budget
Using feedback from White County Commissioners, the Budget Committee spent most of Wednesday’s session considering a budget with a $1.44 property tax rate. The Committee will resume work Monday on employee raises. One proposal includes an eight percent pay raise for all county employees, with some departments getting more. Commissioner Derrick Hutchings said eight percent […]
Hutchings: Reappraisal, Rising Costs Big Budget Challenges
As the budget committee prepares to go back to work on the White County budget, Commission Chair Derrick Hutchings said reappraisal has been the biggest challenge. Hutchings said many White County residents saw their home values jump some 80 to 90 percent or more. Combine that with a tax increases and many residents have been […]
Upper Cumberland RV Park Holding Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
A new White County RV campground will celebrate its official ribbon-cutting Monday, giving campers both short and long-term options. Upper Cumberland RV Park Co-Owner Katie Haynes said the park started out of love for the outdoors. Haynes said the family spent several years considering the idea. Ultimately, Haynes said the family knew they wanted to […]
White County Schools Partnering With Ayers Foundation
The White County School Board approved a partnership with the Ayers Foundation at Thursday’s night Board of Education meeting. The Ayers Foundation is college access and counseling program that serves distressed and at-risk Tennessee counties. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said that he is excited for students to benefit from the organization’s expertise. […]
Fentress, Jackson, Clay, White Open Shelters
Those worried about Wednesday night’s storms can find shelters across the Upper Cumberland, with Putnam and Overton announcing open shelters earlier Wednesday. In White County, the YMCA will be open tonight. Celina City Hall’s basement will be available to anyone needing a place to stay. In Fentress County, the Jamestown Community Center will be open. […]
