Holly elected interim assessor
By Kathy Helms-Hughes
STAR STAFF
khelms@starhq.com
Gerald Holly, appointed interim property assessor
in March, will fill the unexpired term of John Holsclaw, who
announced his retirement in February.
Members of the Carter County Commission voted
Monday for Holly to continue in his present capacity until
a new election in 2004. Holly was selected from among seven
candidates, including: Dan Birkner, Luther Grindstaff, Rick
Kyte, Gregory McCracken, Teddy Weaver, and Michael Pritchard.
After the vote, Holly told commission members
that he appreciated their confidence in him. "With your help
and through God's help we can make Carter County a better
place," he said.
The commission also approved the appointment
of Dr. Jerry Gastineau to the Carter County Board of Health
and the appointment of Connie Blevins and Susan Lanier to
the Carter County Library Board.
In other action, commissioners passed a land
use study for areas of the county not currently covered by
zoning. According to Planning Administrator Chris Schuettler,
the land use study will identify exactly what is located on
property throughout the county. That type of mapping is helpful
when organizations such as volunteer fire departments apply
for grants, he said.
Commissioners also approved new stormwater fees,
as well as planning and zoning fees recommended by the county
planning commission. The planning and zoning fees would be
used to pay for part-time help in the planning office, Schuettler
said.
County Finance Director Jason Cody gave his own
version of a "State of the Union" address for the county as
this fiscal year winds down.
"We're going to close out very well. Our revenues
are going to run right in line with target; no shortfalls
anticipated," he said.
The only problem so far is in the solid waste
department. "We're coming in lower on our revenues there.
We think that's tied with the economy," he said. "However,
they're running lower expenditures so they'll actually be
able to make it up. It will be offset."
Cody said the county is working on next year's
budget with two key assumptions: "One, we're not going to
have any more revenue than we're at right now. It's basically
flat. Another assumption that we're working with is the current
budget proposal with the state -- the governor's proposal
of a 9 percent cut in state-shared revenue -- will actually
pass.
"That will impact us about $250,000. What I'm
trying to do is work with the different departments to try
to fund that $250,000 -- basically work within to try to find
our balance," Cody said.
Cody was given approval Monday by commissioners
to refinance the note on Hampton Elementary School. "There's
two years outstanding on it -- roughly $1.26 million. Basically,
what we're doing is really an interest rate swap -- we're
just getting a lower rate. Keeping to the same payment schedule,
we're going to save $23,000," he said.
Commissioners also approved:
* A motion to name a section of road from
U.S. Highway 19E to Hampton High School for Rachel Clawson,
a former Hampton High basketball player who was killed last
year while working on a highway construction project in the
Stoney Creek area.
* A one-time $1,500 raise for an employee of
General Sessions Court Judge John Walton, who had not had
a raise in four years; and,
* $1,200 for travel expenses for the property
assessor's office, to cover a discrepancy found in the county
audit. This was met with opposition from some commissioners,
who requested the matter be deferred to the district attorney's
office for investigation.
