LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The LaFollette City Council met on Monday morning for a budget workshop. After almost two hours, it appeared the budget was almost complete. Finance Director Terry Sweat told the council that the budget was balanced/unbalanced. Sweat explained the budget is balanced but appears unbalanced due to two pending reimbursements. The two reimbursements are for the Dossett Lane Bridge (named the Bert Loupe Bridge) and TDEC ARPA stormwater.

All departments turned in a wish list that totaled $432,033.95. However, there is a discrepancy on the list. It appeared that the Codes Enforcement wish had not been included. The council requested that the codes enforcement officer resubmit the quote for the vehicle he asked for by the end of the day. Items that are on the list are as follows:

  • A new public announcement system for the front office to use at events, $6,000.
  • The finance department requested a new server and equipment (nine desktop computers and security upgrades), $75,000.
  • Lights were on the list for the library, $6,500.
  • Four Chevy Tahoe’s ($54,723.87 each), $218,895.48 and roof replacement for the building on North Tennessee Avenue at West Iron Street, $9,500.
  • The street department requested a new backhoe, $109,422.67, the city will trade in the current backhoe and receive $34,000 off the price of the backhoe.
  • A Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was requested by the recreation department, $33,090.80.
  • The fire department requested two generators for station #2 and #3, $45,000 and a utility trailer for the ATV, $3,625.

All items were approved on the wish list except for one Tahoe for the police department. The council and Police Chief Steve Wallen agreed that council would purchase two Tahoe’s, and Wallen would purchase one using funds from the drug fund.

Salaries for the police department were discussed at the workshop. Chief Wallen requested that police officers receive a $3/hour raise to bring their hourly wages inline with other departments in the county. Wallen reported that his department was the least paid in the county. After a brief discussion, the council did not go forward with the $3/hour raise.

However, the council did decide to give employees across the board a three percent raise and a $1,200 Christmas bonus.

The council will meet prior to the workshop on Mon., June 26 to finalize the budget. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/13/2023-6AM)

Related