At the request of the county budget committee, most county departments kept their budgets at the same level as last year in light of the sour economy and lower tax revenues. In the final budget debate Monday night six amendments were proposed three of which were approved. 

First, Commissioner Don Miller requested the commission amend the proposed budget to keep the county's funding of the county schools at the same level as last year and rejecting the school board's request for an additional $800,000 for the school system's operating budget. By a six to four vote the commission voted not to supply the school system with extra funds for the operating budget. 

The other big ticket item that was the subject of an amendment was Commissioner Wayne Gardin's suggestion to cut out the proposed 2 percent pay increase for all Loudon County employees. Gardin said since the commission couldn't help the school system with extra operating funds "we should ask everybody to make a sacrifice."

Commissioner Nancy Marcus asked where the money would go if employee raises were cut from the budget. Miller said the savings would go to the Rural Debt Fund or to the County General Fund. The amendment was approved by a six to four vote with Commissioners David Meers, Harold Duff, Chris Park and Marcus voting against cutting the salary hike. The amount to fund the raises would have been approximately $166,000. 

Commissioner Bob Franke suggested amending the proposed budget by leaving the number of employees at the combined Office of Planning and Codes Enforcement at five instead of cutting it even further by eliminating one more employee. In the process of combining the offices the number of employees went from eight to five. The office presently consists of two building inspectors, one codes enforcement officer, Director Russ Newman and an administrative assistant. The county budget committee recommended cutting one more position. Franke told the commission he expects building to pick up again "in six months or so."

He moved the office remain at five employees. The commission voted seven to three to maintain the current level of staffing at the office with Commissioners Earlena Maples, Park and Duff voting against the amendment.  Director of Accounts and Budgets Tracy Blair said the vote to keep the employee would add approximately $36,000 to the budget. 

Office of Planning and Codes Enforcement was also the subject of another suggested budget amendment when Commissioner Austin Shaver proposed reducing Newman's salary by $16,000. 

Newman's current salary for overseeing the combined offices is approximately $67,000. Shaver said reducing the salary by $16,000 would bring Newman's compensation down to the level of the county purchasing director and the emergency management director. 

Commissioner Wayne Gardin said his research shows the planning directors in Blount County and the Cities of Maryville and Alcoa are paid approximately $70,000 per year. 

Gardin said that, combined with Newman's master's degree and 20 years of experience, made him eligible for his current salary. He also questioned how long Newman would stay in Loudon County if his pay was cut so severely.

Miller agreed with Gardin saying Newman's salary should be based on a comparison of compensation for planning directors in surrounding counties. The amendment failed by a six to four vote with Shaver, Maples, Bledsoe and Marcus voting in favor of cutting the salary. 

Franke next proposed giving the Loudon County Visitor's Bureau 33 percent of revenue the county collects from the Hotel/Motel Tax. The bureau has traditionally gotten 36 percent of the tax. He told commissioners bringing in tourist dollars is "critical at this time" The 33 percent was calculated to be approximately $18,000 in additional funds for the bureau that were not in the proposed 2009-2010 budget.

Shaver said he had "strong objections" to giving the bureau more than the amount proposed in the budget and adding such funding would be a "luxury expense" in this economy.

"This is not the best use of our money," Shaver said. The commission voted to deny the request from the Visitor's Bureau and leave its proposed funding at the budgeted level.  

Finally, Shaver presented an amendment to strike proposed raises for the county finance director, Blair, and the employee benefits coordinator but the commission rejected the notion by a five to five vote with Maples, Shaver, Marcus, Franke and Commission Chairman Roy Bledsoe voting in favor of the amendment.

Speaking after the meeting, Miller said he had the greatest admiration for Bledsoe for keeping the meeting and the votes on the various amendments on track. "That could have turned into total chaos," Miller concluded.