Franklin County commissioners adopt FY2022-23 budget, set tax rates and review debt policy

Franklin County Mayor and Commission Chair David Alexander presided over an emergency special session Tuesday in Winchester, where the county commission approved the fiscal year 2022-23 appropriation resolution, set property tax rates and completed the annual review of the county's debt-management policy.

The measures passed on recorded motions. Commissioner David Elridge moved to adopt the annual review of debt-management policies and cash-flow statements (Resolution 8ESA-0822); Greg King seconded the motion and the board recorded a 14-0 aye vote. The board then approved the tax-levy resolution (Resolution 8ESB-0822) on a motion by Elridge and second by King, again with a 14-0 vote. Finally, the commission adopted the appropriation resolution that funds county operations for the year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023 (Resolution 8ESC-0822); that motion was moved by Scottie Riddle, seconded by Dale Schultz and recorded 14-0 in favor.

Why it matters: the appropriation and tax-levy resolutions finalize how much money county departments and the school system will receive next year and set the property tax rates that pay for those budgets. The packet filed with the minutes includes fund-by-fund line items, the county's debt schedule and related policy provisions that govern borrowing, transfers and reserve use.

Key details from the resolutions and packet: the appropriation documents list the General Fund appropriation at $20,830,277 and include the detailed departmental line items and fund tables included in the budget packet. The packet also contains the county's debt schedule showing outstanding GO bond principal of $61,775,000 and budgeted FY2023 debt-service payments (principal $3,305,000; interest $2,148,678; total $5,453,678). The tax-levy resolution sets combined property-tax rates at $1.6685 inside the cities of Winchester and Tullahoma and the town of Sewanee, $1.8268 within the remaining cities, and $1.8753 outside those cities; the document explains how each penny is allocated among funds (general, library, solid waste, local purpose/rural fire, highway, school and general debt service).

The appropriation resolution text also includes procedures and limits for in-year budget amendments, a provision authorizing the county executive and county clerk to issue revenue-anticipation notes (subject to Comptroller approval) of up to 60% of a fund's appropriations if necessary, and instructions about how delinquent tax collections and special revenues (for example, Nissan payments in lieu of taxes and state revenue-sharing) are to be allocated among funds.

How the votes unfolded: the minutes record the motions, seconders and the 14-aye tallies. The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with Sheriff Tim Fuller leading the pledge and Commissioner Johnny Hughes offering the invocation. After the votes were recorded the commission adjourned at 7:09 p.m.; Commissioner Angie Fuller offered the benediction.

What happens next: the resolutions and budget documents were spread upon the minutes and the appropriation and tax-levy provisions will take effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022. The packet includes routine instructions (statutory references) for reporting and Comptroller review where required.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 8ESA-0822 (annual review of debt-management policies & cash-flow statements): motion by Commissioner David Elridge; second by Greg King; outcome: approved, 14-0. - Resolution 8ESB-0822 (fixing the county tax levy for FY2022-23): motion by Commissioner David Elridge; second by Greg King; outcome: approved, 14-0. - Resolution 8ESC-0822 (annual appropriation resolution for FY2022-23): motion by Scottie Riddle; second by Dale Schultz; outcome: approved, 14-0.

The commission packet and signed resolutions were filed with the county clerk and appear in the official minutes.