Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tva Pilot Allocation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benton County urges state to revisit TVA PILOT allocation, seeks recognition of lake acreage
Summary
The commission passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to amend the TVA Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) allocation so lake acreage allocable to power generation is included; the measure was amended to add examination of formulas and calculator factors and was approved Jan. 21.
Benton County commissioners passed a resolution Jan. 21 calling on state lawmakers and relevant agencies to re-examine the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) allocation formula so that lake acreage allocable to power generation is included when distributing PILOT dollars.
Resolution 20200121-18, sponsored by Commissioners Rocky Presson and Ward Plant, cites the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 and asserts Benton County has significant lake acreage and shoreline. The resolution asks the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the PILOT allocation formula, to exchange language that allows the state to retain certain PILOT revenues for language that would allow counties to be paid for power-allocable lake acreage, and to use the same acreage formula used for land when calculating lake acreage.
The motion was amended on the floor to add a directive for lawmakers to 're-examine the formulas and calculator factors that are used in the pilot allocation formula.' The final resolution directs the county clerk to send signed copies to a list of state and federal officials and local governments and organizations, including Rep. Bruce Griffey, Sen. John Stevens, Rep. Mark Green, and the TVA West Tennessee District office.
Why it matters: PILOT distributions affect county revenues in places with TVA-managed reservoirs. Sponsors argued Benton County's lake acreage contributes to power generation and should be considered in allocation formulas.
What was said: The resolution text includes specific claims about Benton County's water coverage and lake acreage and references Section 13 of the 1933 TVA Act as justification for including lake acreage in allocation calculations; these claims are stated by resolution sponsors as the basis for asking state lawmakers to act.
Next steps: The resolution is an expression of the legislative preference of the Benton County Commission and asks county staff to deliver copies to named state and federal contacts; it does not change TVA policy directly.
