JACKSBORO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- The Legislative Affairs committee held its monthly meeting on Monday afternoon at the courthouse. Here are the minutes from that meeting.

Legislative Affairs

February 10, 2025

Members Present:  Zachary Marlow (Chair), Beverly Hall, Rusty Orick, Charles Baird, and Derrick Sharp

Others Present:  Shane Prater- Veterans Affairs, Scott Stanfield, Johnny Bruce and Robby O’Daniel – Lafollette Press

Chair Zachary Marlow called the meeting to begin at 5:10 with the first order of business to discuss items that were discussed in the Legislative meeting held the past weekend in Lebanon Tennessee.

Marlow begin going over Bill’s that were introduced to the Legislation on February 7th and 8th in Lebanon starting with bill 31

Local Gov/Revenue, Dept. of – As introduced, reduced from 1.125 percent to 0.75 percent the administrative fee percentage the department takes from the proceeds of the business tax, short-term rental unit occupancy tax, local tax surcharge, coal severance tax, and local option sales tax to assist in defraying the expense of administration and collection, before remitting proceeds to the appropriate count, city, or town.  Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4; Tile 67,Chapter 6, and Title 67, Chapter 7.

Marlow continued with explaining to the committee some bills that would also be beneficial to the Veterans Affairs and asked the committee if anyone has anyone to add to the meeting before introducing Shane Prater with the Veterans Affairs office to give the committee some updates on things he is doing at the local Veterans Affairs office.

Shane Prater explains to the committee some updates he and his staff are doing at the local Veterans Affairs Office. Shane explains to the committee the things him and his staff do to file a claim is to go down the medical charts of the Veteran and find the diagnosis to be able to find the claim. He and his staff also get on the phone and advocate with the federal judge to help the Veteran get benefits along with helping widows be able to obtain benefits.

Prater explains to the committee that 2023-2024 was his first year and in that year him and his staff brought in 1.6 million new dollars to the county that year and the past year brought 2.2 million new dollars into the county with helping veterans.  Prater says that him and his staff had been partnering with Eastlake Medical to help local Veterans, speaking with the Mayor and setting up at job fairs, setting up at the local VA clinics, and was able to get the military helicopter for Campbell County High School in the past year. 

Bruce spoke and said that the employment evaluation is top notch and you can tell he does the job he does from the heart. Bruce says that they are a small amount of money in the 119 fund and he asks the committee looks at an increase in his salary.

Marlow spoke and said that Prater does do well with the Veterans Office and he would be happy to obtain a motion for a salary increase of the $5,000 that the commission has in the 119 fund.

Prater did thank the committee for the consideration of the salary increase and asked the committee if it would possible to split that additional money with him and his two employees other than receiving it for himself.

Motion made by Beverly Hall and 2nd by Charles Baird

Motion 1:  Chairman Bruce to get with Shane Prater to evaluate in using the 5,000 set aside from a previous employee out of fund 119 for him and his two employees a salary increase.

Zachary Marlow-Aye, Beverly Hall- Aye, Charles Baird- Aye, Derrick Sharp- Aye

Motion Passes with 4 Aye’s

Motion to adjourn:  Orick and 2nd by Baird

Meeting adjourned at 5:30. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/13/2025-6AM)

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