[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6266755,"mediaKeyId","3085765-a01dbe76309f85ed85d435023bc9d0d0","parentId",3085765,"title","Commission rejects proposed mineral severance tax after mining industry testimony","audioSeconds",7328,"startMs",3432000,"endMs",10760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085765-a01dbe76309f85ed85d435023bc9d0d0&start=3432&end=10760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085765-a01dbe76309f85ed85d435023bc9d0d0/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266755/Tennessee/Commission-rejects-proposed-mineral-severance-tax-after-mining-industry-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266755-94d8cf1f72884e86771e1b32c1d88456/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886218&Signature=FmVlMfKf3pXgftYfY4amBjKShloe6QnCYQ5fTSFAJDlIBRimOtzCiA7k9X-7IubCvrVK9is5~GOecj6F-UTRSzQJHL7q5RyyBeOUrz2hvsBx9i~i0PToEH3hyqoJ9laoITR51sOEHkXGbqSDFqiOlSMJjAMvG7ADcdFNuAtSQOewF2o8vft7P~A3ioZByMCyN7objmH7bZG~p4xY-rPfeKW8WnzpbWsLPZ~Q7h-0GrXPAfC4c73ccfMJqwPqjYHIeqkJ2tvbiihXfQcb5sLcBybeeHjb0RA52hN6wJW6-p3qFtzNdnxVpsdaSeAOxe7ME8Mp~HtqxubpEtuntXjb1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County, TN","date","2025-04-22T21:51:56.21Z","article","Jefferson County commissioners declined to adopt a proposed mineral severance tax after industry representatives and residents warned the tax could force the local zinc-mining operation to cut output or send workers home.

The resolution would have imposed a county-level tax on sand, gravel, sandstone, chert and limestone severed from the ground in Jefferson County. Mining executives and local contractors told the commission the county’s mines operate on narrow profit margins and that a new tax could threaten local jobs and supporting businesses, including a trucking fleet that hauls mined material.

NearStar Mines and job-site representatives testified that the domestic zinc-mining and processing chain in the region provides hundreds of jobs; one employee said the site employs more than 500 people across East Tennessee operations. A representative from Walker Trucking said about 40 of the company’s 75 trucks are dedicated to hauling from the local mine; he said a shutdown would affect those drivers and local subcontractors.

Commission discussion focused on whether the proposed tax would apply to the mined zinc byproduct or only to rock and crushed stone sold commercially. Commissioners and speakers clarified that the resolution’s language specifically targeted sand, gravel, sandstone, chert and limestone “severed from the ground” in Jefferson County, which would capture the rock byproduct of mining operations sold into the commercial market.

Proponents of the tax argued it would raise revenue for county roads and other capital needs; opponents argued that the tax would simply push costs onto operations that already face low margins and could lead to reductions in local employment.

When the commission called the question, the resolution failed on the record: 6 voted in favor, 12 opposed. The measure therefore did not pass.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21, 2025 - Jefferson County, TN - County Commission Meeting - Voting Session","oneSentenceSummary","A resolution to levy a mineral severance tax in Jefferson County failed after testimony from mining operators and contractors about local jobs and narrow margins. The measure failed by recorded vote.","taxTitle","County Commission Meetings, Jefferson County, Tennessee","taxId",73404,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266761,"County commission approves $24 million for Jefferson Elementary renovation after weeks of debate",3461,3193000,6654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085765-a01dbe76309f85ed85d435023bc9d0d0&start=3193&end=6654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085765-a01dbe76309f85ed85d435023bc9d0d0/thumbnail_3193000.jpg","/articles/6266761/Tennessee/County-commission-approves-24-million-for-Jefferson-Elementary-renovation-after-weeks-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266761-ffe883d6cd2c3d10b850046814502457/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886218&Signature=g6wismNFSJ9nudGmU5JC51aKRbirGGFLFCZj625-KmPVMbKFJ65Hr0Q3V88ZUatsLWLsHkAL8izTrTcd7jWAa3TJtO-PQFA8-QKA1vSJ5zu6CtD0AZZO-AdTpDQNyl22m4grpZ774O6b23jPObqccAUIO37xf2ruiVXwDq4rqJAtmEGcYY2QzmHE7ViwgqEqwoVO7N-~obTJWLZ8ks492zlfUtqGgVFKPDbK-Z10h1glC8PzR-cWhLiOb-TpKTUBDzQJK22H2X6jD6VR7c7OxFwWZyBC5JsQZ-VTL8tklGVBgLEo4Q2~zH0f15v1U6XwkUtjqoQRJKqbqzuBPFnS4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners voted to provide $24 million to renovate Jefferson Elementary School, approving separate budget moves that together fund the school board’s renovation plan.

Supporters of renovation and opponents who urged construction of a new school sparred at the mic during the commission’s public-comment period and in the debate that followed. The commission approved moving $11.5 million into a Jefferson Elementary renovation reserve and transferring county debt-service money so the county could contribute an additional $12.5 million; combined, commissioners said, the votes enable the $24,000,000 renovation package the school board presented.

The question of whether to renovate or build a new facility drew repeated public testimony. Pamela Hester, a Jefferson Elementary teacher of 19 years, told commissioners the school houses 513 students including a developmental preschool and two CDC (special education) classrooms and warned that renovation work “would be very disruptive” to young and vulnerable students. Major Treadway, a parent, said the renovation estimate’s square-foot cost was higher than a new build and that required optional items were excluded from the renovation total. Lawyer Alex McFaul said he had consulted environmental attorneys and argued that building new would avoid legal risk tied to asbestos removal and EPA compliance.

Other residents urged renovation. Michelle White, who has followed the bids closely, said a realistic renovation bid had been obtained and that a new build would force students to occupy temporary sites for years. Commissioner Jim Snodgrass and other commissioners said they favored moving forward with the renovation now that more concrete estimates exist.

County finance staff presented the motions. County staff member Jessie (identified in the meeting as presenting budget items) described the first budget amendment (General Fund 141, BA #15) as moving $3 million already held as a construction reserve plus $8.5 million of unassigned school fund balance into an $11.5 million Jefferson Elementary renovation reserve. Commissioners voted to move those funds into the school capital projects fund (Capital Fund 177) so the school system could proceed; that item passed in roll-call and voice votes and was recorded as approved by a 13–6 tally.

A second county motion moved $12.5 million from debt-service/county capital sources into the school program; that transfer passed separately with a recorded 12–7 vote. County staff and several commissioners noted that the county would book the $12.5 million into the FY2025–26 budget year and described the two transfers together as the county’s contribution to the school board’s $24 million renovation plan.

Commissioners who opposed funding said they worried the renovation would be more disruptive and more expensive once abatement and hidden conditions (including PCBs and asbestos) were fully addressed. Several commenters and Commissioner Katie Huffaker asked whether all hazardous materials, including PCBs in caulk and paints, had been tested for and whether continuous air monitoring would be guaranteed during any renovation.

Commissioners who supported the funding said the school district had repeatedly returned with updated estimates and that moving funds now would allow renovations sooner. After the final motion passed, county officials and some commissioners said the board and school staff must follow regulatory abatement procedures and coordinate with state and federal regulators as required.

Votes at a glance: General Fund 141 (BA #15) — move $11,500,000 to Jefferson Elementary renovation reserve; outcome: approved (yes 13, no 6). Capital Fund 177 (BA #5) — accept $11,500,000 into school capital projects fund; outcome: approved (yes 13, no 6). Debt-service/county capital transfer — authorize $12,500,000 county contribution to school capital; outcome: approved (yes 12, no 7).

The commission did not adopt a separate policy mandating a specific relocation plan for students during construction; several speakers said they expected the school board to present those details. The board clerk said the school system will next finalize contracts and remediation plans and share further schedules with the commission and the public.","After more than two hours of public comment and discussion, the Jefferson County Commission approved moving $24 million toward a planned renovation of Jefferson Elementary School. The funding passed in separate votes: $11.5 million from school reserves and $12.5 million via county debt-service transfers.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission rejects proposed mineral severance tax after mining industry testimony

County commission approves $24 million for Jefferson Elementary renovation after weeks of debate