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Commission removes referendum language, approves wheel-tax plate waiver for Sumner County volunteer firefighters
Summary
Commissioners approved a waiver of the motor-vehicle privilege tax for qualifying Sumner County volunteer firefighters and removed earlier referendum language; the measure was amended for clarity and passed with one recorded no vote.
The Sumner County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a waiver of motor-vehicle privilege taxes for qualifying Sumner County volunteer firefighters, removing earlier language that would have tied the measure to a referendum.
Commissioner Wynne proposed and won an amendment to remove the referendum clause and to specify that the program applies to 'Sumner County volunteer firefighters.' The commission also changed permissive language to require certain documentation, swapping "may" for "shall" in a procedural section to tighten administration. The amended resolution passed by voice vote with one recorded no.
Supporters said the waiver is a modest recruitment and retention tool for mostly volunteer departments and will cost the county little in direct dollars. Opponents cautioned against using local funds for what some view as a state-level funding problem; debate included differing views about whether the relief could or should be accomplished without a future referendum.
