The Claiborne County Commission resumed their monthly meeting on Sept. 25, following a series of recessed meetings last week. The continuation of the meeting on Monday night centered on the 2007 budget for the county.

Ron Woody of CTAS explained a few points about the proposed budget. He pointed out that the 2006 budget did not contain an item for debt service. Woody said that the 2007 budget includes 7.5 cents to make the debt service account balance. He also told the commission that information regarding some budget items directly related to grants was confusing and not understood. The commission will have to re-visit those items when the grant vs. matching funds issues have been clarified.

“This will be a tell-tale year for the sheriffs office and justice center,” Woody said.

Since this is the first year for the justice center there are many unknowns with accompanying questions about the actual cost of operation. Sheriff David Ray said he would do his best with the budget when it is approved.

Director of Schools Donald Dobbs told the commission that the school board has nearly $1 million in their fund balance. He added that the fund balance had been used in years past to make up for budget shortfalls and is declining.

“It's about to catch us,” he said.

Dobbs admitted that the school system may operate for the next year without the three cent increase in the tax rate he had requested but that things will be even tighter in 2008.

Woody suggested that the commissioners look beyond the next fiscal year. He suggested that a property tax hike is necessary immediately but that increased wheel taxes may be necessary during the next budget cycle. He added that the county is currently about $55 million in debt.

Following discussions on a variety of points, two motions were made to amend the proposed budget.

Fourth District Commissioner Dennis Estes moved that a $12,000 contribution to Cumberland Mountain Industries be deleted. Second District Commissioner Juanita Honeycutt moved that $18,000 be added to the budget for a sixth person in the court clerk's office in order to adequately staff three separate offices.

Both motions passed unanimously.

Budget Committee Chairman Barry Thomas (First District) made a motion to forward the budget for a final vote during a special called meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Again unanimously, the commission agreed to Thomas' motion.

A public hearing will be held in the courthouse on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. with the County Commission to meet at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of passing the budget.

At that meeting the commission will consider approval of a property tax increase of 39 cents to a rate of $300 per $100 of assessed value.