(Smith County Insider Press) Gordonsville, Tenn. – The Smith County Commission Special Committee on Bridges and Roads met Monday at the Smith County Highway Department. The assembly was held in the Ralph Coble Memorial Building. One commissioner from each of the eight districts were present. Also, County Mayor Michael Nesbitt was in attendance.
Smith County Road Superintendent, Steve Coble, organized the meeting to allow inquiring citizens to speak their concerns and outlooks on county road conditions before the committee. Not including county employees or officials, around 25 citizens were present; most of whom spoke. The issues that were deliberated ranged from the financing of the County Highway Department to how individuals could become more active in participating in local and state government.
The overall message seemed evident by the end of the meeting: Funding for much needed road repair is going to be hard to come by in the county’s budget. What seemed to be the most comprehensive solution to finding the funds would come at the state level. Several times discussion of a state-wide gas tax seemed favorable to the group that was present.
Tennessee charges a 21.4 cent tax on each gallon of gasoline, and the levy brings in about $657 million per year. The tax was last increased in 1989.
Steve Coble presented to the group a detailed assessment of operating costs versus the tax revenue that is levied to his department. Currently, the County’s Highway Department basically is in the red just to cover essential operating costs. Coble stressed that he had cut his budget to the maximum. He noted since he took office his department employment went from 36 to 18 as a measure to decrease spending.
Some of the concerned citizens who were present spoke out stressing the importance of maintaining their roads for safety purposes.
The south side of the county has not seen major road improvements in 10 to 15 years.
Debate over increasing property taxes was also discussed. Commissioner Phillip Enoch recommended placing a referendum on the upcoming election’s ballot. This would allow the people to vote directly on the issue. The details on a property tax raise will have been researched by then. Early estimates indicate a 60 cent increase.
The committee approved two of Mr. Coble’s requests to be passed on to the budget and finance committee:
1. “If the Commissioners would borrow $12,300,000 at 3% interest, the County could make a payment of $118,769.12 per month on a 10 year note. Then, everyone in the county could have a new road which would take 2 to 2 1/2 years to complete.”
2. $200,000 request for painting double yellow lines. ($1000 per mile per stripe for 100 miles)
Once these requests go to the Budget and Finance committee, they then must go before the entire Commission for final approval.
The County Commission will meet on Monday, September 14, at the historic courthouse in Carthage. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. It is open to the public.
The commissioners on the Road & Bridge Committee include:
District 1: Billy Halliburton
District 2: Phillip Enoch
District 3: Carolyn Boles
District 4: Frank Gibbs
District 5: Bill Woodard
District 6: Charles Kent
District 7: Tommy Bane
District 8: David Gross
