Partnership funding nearly derails CLB meeting

NEWPORT — The Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB) met in special session on Monday evening to approve the tax levy resolution and budget for the year ending in 2025. While the budget and tax levy were approved, there was considerable, pointed discussion about the Cocke County Partnership (CCP) once again.

County Financial Director Heather McGaha pointed out three things in the new budget, employees receive a 3% pay increase, there is no tax increase and all non-profits except Newport Rescue Squad and the volunteer fire departments will receive half of the contributions they received in the past.

The budget committee made a recommendation to include in the budget that the CCP’s funding is to be held and would only be released by the CLB on an as needed basis. McGaha said she made a call to County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) regarding the request.

“They do not advise us to put that in the budget itself,” she said. “I have spoken with the county attorney (Melissa Gossman) who said the CLB should vote on that in a regular meeting.”

Chairman Norman Smith noted that the budget committee did ask for a copy of the letter regarding the CCP be provided, and he did not see a copy of that letter.

Commissioner Rick Vassar, who serves on the budget committee, then made a motion to adjourn the meeting. “We don’t have the proper paperwork,” he said. “So, I make the motion that we adjourn this meeting.”

Smith then said the paperwork Vassar was requesting was not required to vote in the budget and he did not think it would be in CLB’s best interest to adjourn without voting on the budget.

“I don’t see dismissing the whole meeting over a piece of paper,” Smith said.

Commissioner Dan “Pete” Bright seconded the motion made by Vassar.

There was then a motion by Commissioner David Veridal to stop questions, which received a second from Commissioner Gayla Blazer.

When a vote was taken to adjourn the meeting, five voted in favor — Jason McMahan, Jonathan Templin, Dan Bright, Wilma Ball and Rick Vassar. Those voting no were Andy Ford, Bill Miller, Gayla Blazer, Norman Smith, Tracy Stepp, David Veridal and Billy Hudson. Those absent were Tim Layman and Jeff Eslinger.

Smith said, “I do think the paper (the CCP amendment) should have come over here with the other paperwork.”

When he asked McMahan, who serves on the budget committee, about the stipulation, McMahan said that because of the alleged misappropriation of funding and the investigation by the comptroller’s office, they did not want to just release funding to the CCP. Instead, they wanted the CCP to come before CLB to request the release of funds and CLB would have final approval.

Smith explained he had called the comptroller’s office and was told they couldn’t confirm nor deny an investigation, but said it is much like a criminal investigation. He said he is also disappointed there is not a CLB member serving on the CCP board.

The motion was made to approve the budget as it is written with the exception of funding for the Partnership, which will be held until the report of the comptroller has been released.

CCP Board President George Barton was asked if the CCP has the funds to remain open, and he said they would but would need funds within a matter of months. Smith said when there was an issue, he needed to come before the CLB to explain the need for funding.

Upon a motion made by McMahan, the budget was unanimously approved with the stipulation regarding the CCP’s funding.

Upon a motion made by Blazer, the board unanimously approved the tax levy. The county’s tax rate remained the same without an increase.