JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell County commissioners held an online budget and finance meeting on Thursday evening. Commissioners discussed and voted on various budget funds to be approved by the committee including the sanitation and solid waste fund, the ambulance service fund and the industrial economic development fund.County Commissioners approved the sanitation fund budget, which included a pay raise clause that would allow a 50-cent across the board pay raise, but only if revenues stay as projected. According to officials, the revenues will be looked at after the first four months and if revenues match projections, then the raises will be awarded retroactively to July 1.

Also approved to the sanitation budget is $30,000 to be set aside for the purchase of a truck for the recycling center and another $30,000 for other equipment needs. Landfill costs are expected to increase by 2 percent. Commissioners also discussed the increase in the amount of trash that is being processed by the sanitation department. Due to everyone being quarantined at home, more people have been cleaning up property and garages, resulting in around a 70 ton a day increase in trash, according to county officials.

In the ambulance fund, revenues and call volume are down slightly due to the Coronavirus and people not going to the hospital as much.  Patient revenue is expected to bring in $2.17 million.  Pay raises for this department are also contingent on revenues, which will be reviewed after the first four months and if revenues match projections, raises will be given retroactively to July 1.  Several thousand dollars will be appropriated for office equipment in this department as well.

The 119 industrial economic development fund was discussed. Plans for this fund include around $100,000 earmarked for tourism and the chamber of commerce, as well as additional funds for development of communications, and website maintenance. Commissioners discussed the approximate $65,000 that had been set aside for the salary of an industrial recruiter which had been moved over to the contributions fund. The Joint Economic Community Development Board voted to move those funds. Commissioner Ralph Davis asked what they needed to do to “stop that and hire an industrial recruiter.” The commission and the economic development board would have to be in agreement for those funds to be used for that position. Commissioner Rusty Orick said he would like to continue discussion on the industrial economic development fund next week. At that time commissioners will also discuss the 131 highway fund.

Commission chairman Johnny Bruce announced to commissioners that the animal shelter was getting close to opening. He said he had received a request from the shelter to fix and paint the floor in the laundry room “at no cost to the county.” A building and grounds committee meeting was set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, to bring the question before the board.

The next county commission meeting will be held Tuesday, June 2 online via Zoom at 6 p.m. where budget and financial discussions will continue.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/29/2020-6AM)

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