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Claiborne County supervisors probe whether 5 mills once for hospital were shifted to ambulance fund
Summary
A supervisor alleged that five previously listed mills intended to support a hospital were moved into an emergency ambulance levy; County Administrator Ross said he will investigate and warned that changing the levy now would require immediate action and could raise legal concerns.
Supervisor raised concerns that mills previously associated with hospital support appear to have been redirected to the county's emergency ambulance service and said constituents may still be paying that amount. County Administrator Ross said the levy listings do not clearly show such a transfer and that he would investigate the records. Ross also warned that formally changing a levy would require action that day and could implicate public-hearing and adoption rules.
Why it matters: Millage rates affect property-tax bills for county residents; questions about whether a levy is being levied under the correct purpose can require administrative correction or public notice and, if mishandled, may create legal exposure for the county.
What was said: "If 5 mills was a contribution to support the hospital, you had a 2 mil loan outstanding," Ross said, describing how the current accounting appeared in his files. The supervisor pressing the point said, "I'm trying to take away those 2 or those 5 mills that we shouldn't be charging our constituents," and argued the board needed clarity immediately. Ross told the board that "if you're going to change the levy, it has to be done today," noting procedural constraints and the need to investigate whether an emergency meeting would be required.
Board response and next steps: The administrator agreed to check the levy listings and coordinate with Chancery Clerk records; the attorney cautioned that removing or changing a levy that had not been the subject of a public hearing could raise legal issues. The board ultimately tabled immediate action pending the administrator's review and indicated it may convene an emergency session if a change is required.
Procedural note: The board discussed levies and adoption timing in the context of tax-levy rates adopted at the county's budget hearing on Sept. 12; no final change to the levy was adopted during the meeting.
What's next: County Administrator Ross will investigate ledger/levy records and report back; supervisors signaled urgency but did not adopt a levy change at this meeting.
