Mayor Nesbitt bids to not seek re-election

January 14, 2018

Smith County Mayor, Michael Nesbitt, officially announced that he will not be seeking re-election for the August 2, 2018 election. Nesbitt has served as the Mayor of Smith County for four terms (16 years). Nesbitt released the following statement about his decision:

“I would like to thank all the people of Smith County for allowing me to serve you as Smith County Mayor for the last sixteen years. Sixteen years, is unbelievable. When I ran for office in 2002, I never dreamed that I would serve my community for sixteen years. I was raised in the best place in the world, by the best family. I married the most incredible woman and we have the most wonderful children and grandson. I have the most awesome friends a man could ask for. I say this because each member of my family and so many of my friends played a huge part in my success. They sacrificed much, so that I might succeed and for that, I am so very grateful, thank you is not enough.

I have worked hard and done my best to carefully spend the tax dollars of the people of our county in a way that will build a stable platform for growth for years to come. In business you can’t spend more than you profit and be successful. I have been mindful of every choice so that every tax dollar can be maximized and have been fortunate enough to see Smith County progressively develop into a successful government.

There is no way I could have done this alone. I have had the opportunity to work with many people on projects, committees and boards, to include four different Smith County Commission Boards, and have learned from each one.

I challenge my successor to maintain and carry on the progress we have made over the years. I challenge you to take time to learn where seeds have been planted for opportunity and be smart enough to foster their growth. I challenge you to stand up for the people of our county and lead them with integrity and honor and to make every dollar go as far as possible for their benefit.

I’ve spent every day getting up and going to work, never considering what all I’ve accomplished in the days before, rather thinking of what I have ahead to accomplish. As I prepared to make the announcement of my decision not to seek re-election, I compiled this list and I am speechless. I am blessed to have had this opportunity, thank you Smith County for believing in me and standing behind me, giving me the opportunity to serve you for the last sixteen years.

16 years of accomplishments:

  • Spending is under control because each department is responsible.
  • Increased Funding by Increased Revenue so each department can operate without being a heavy burden on the Citizens of Smith County.
  • Each Department has great respect for each other.
  • Purchased 9 New Fire Trucks
  • Purchase 7 New Patrol Cars every year or every other year
  • Finished the 2002 School Building Project
  • Constructed a New Career Center, Senior Center, Health Department, Head Start, and Fitness Center
  • Constructed a New Agriculture Center
  • Started the Smith County Fair after 20 Years of not having a Fair
  • Constructed a New Jail and Courts Facility
  • Smith County has obtained Millions of Dollars of Grants Funds to Assist us with Improvements
  • Paying off the 2002 School Debt Early (Approximately July 2019)(Original Payoff Date of April 2021), discontinuing the $50.00 Wheel Tax to put more money back into the pockets of Smith County Citizens, $900,000 per year.
  • Property Tax Rate has been held at a great rate of $2.14 per $100 of Assessed Value
  • Bought the Gordonsville Ambulance Station and Constructed two new Ambulance Stations (Carthage and Four-Way Inn Community)
  • Once the Smith County Landfill depended on a $100,000 transfer from the tax base of the General Fund. That transfer stopped in the 2003-2004 Budget year and is used for other purposes in the General Fund. Now the Smith County Landfill is supported by its own revenues. Also, the condition of the Equipment at the Landfill and Convenience Sites has improved dramatically.
  • Landfills in the State of Tennessee are required to have a diversion rate of 25% (Items Recycled and not placed in the Landfill that would have been placed in the Landfill). Smith County has consistently met 80% to 90% diversion rate.
  • Smith County General and Smith County Highway Department have worked together to help the Smith County Highway Department to acquire better equipment to work with and more Funding to work on the Roads in Smith County.
  • Unemployment Rate reached the double digits in 2009 13.4% and now it is 3.4%. Lower than it has been since oldest records I can find 1970.
  • In the current environment there are more jobs than there are people to work.
  • I have been involved with many years of regular audits and Smith County is set for one of the best audits that Smith County has every had. Another result of a County ran like a successful business.
  • Smith County currently has a Bond Rating of AA- and it had not been rated prior to 2015.
  • Refunding of old debt (2002 School Building Project and Jail & Courts Facility) resulted in 1,800,000 in savings to the Tax Payers of Smith County.
  • Applied and received three different AFG Grants for a total of $ 838,940 to purchase SCBA’s and Turn Out Gear for the Volunteer Fire Departments and Heart Monitors for the Smith County Ambulance Service. This helps our Fireman and EMS Workers, helps save lives of the people of Smith County and has saved Smith County from purchasing these items out of the County Budget.
  • Volunteer Fireman Pay has increase from $15 per call to $30 per call. This is still not enough but better than where we were.
  • Greatest Fund Balances in all Funds since 1998 which makes Smith County financially stable and able to better handle the future.
  • Smith County was able to purchase flood damaged properties on Kinslow Lane from grants totaling $1,033,245.75 with TEMA/FEMA Funds which helped the property owners get in a better place and clean up a terrible eye sore.
  • Secured Funding to help purchase future Industrial Property TVA and Tennessee Central for a total of $451,000.00
  • Applying for additional funding of $1,000,000 for site development for this Industrial Property.
  • Have adopted Centralized Accounting 1957 Act, Smith County General and Smith County Highway Department have joined together to have a centralized accounting system. This saves time and money. All payroll, accounting, and human resources are performed from the Budget Office. This allows the Road Superintendent and the Mayor time to take care of other important tasks.

Future Challenges for Smith County

  • Preparing Industrial Property as Pad Ready Industrial Property. Market it as High Tech-High Paying Jobs.
  • Skill Training for Smith County Workers
  • School Building Project in Gordonsville
  • Better Insurance Benefits for Smith County Employees
  • Renewable Energy Projects at the Smith County Landfill
  • Safe Affordable Water to all Residents
  • Internet Service to all Residents

I would like to announce that I am not seeking re-election in the 2018 for the Smith County Mayor’s Position. The reason is simple, I believe that my job here is done. I have prayed about this which I think I and all other people should pray about decisions in their life. After months of prayer, I feel like I need to pursue other challenges and opportunities. My Family has always believed and taught that you leave things better than you found them. I believe with the help of great people to work with, We have been able to accomplish this. My term ends on August 31, 2018 and I will work as hard on August 31, 2018 as I did the first day of my First Term September 3, 2002. God Bless You all and Thanks again for allowing me to serve as your Smith County Mayor for 16 years.”

 

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