At their monthly meeting in May, commissioners for the town of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., adopted the annual budget and tax rate for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022. The new tax rate has been set at $2.02 per every $100 of assessed value, which equates to a 7.4 percent tax increase. Mayor Walker Jones said the increase is necessary because the town is primarily property tax-driven. This $4,412,905 budget includes a 3 percent payroll raise across the board, $300,000 for paving North Bragg Avenue, a new fire truck, two new police vehicles and a new pickup truck. The budget includes salary for a new town manager and a one-time $2,500 bonus for all full-time employees who were at risk during the pandemic. The bonuses will come from the federal American Rescue Plan funds that the town received.
The mayor said that the commissioners are trusted to be stewards of the residents’ tax dollars, in addition to making sure that quality services are provided to the community and keeping the morale of employees high. He hopes that next year capital needs will be less, allowing a lower property tax rate. “We have an A-plus team within all departments; it’s incredible, and we are fortunate,” Mayor Jones said, adding, “The public works department wears 1,000 hats and provides many services; the parks and playground department has great programs, and the fields are kept full, and we’re lucky to have Lookout Mountain Elementary School.”
Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds David Paschall said burned out lights at the tennis courts are being replaced. Commons Camp will take place for seven weeks starting June 6, the first Monday of the month, and lasting until July 22. Soccer is coming up next, after a successful baseball season.
Commissioner of Schools Brooke Pippenger thanked Principal Ruth White and the staff and faculty at the school for a great year despite the substitute and staffing issues during the year. In April, the town received the second payment from the PTA for $94,000, which helps provide additional teachers and enrichment programs at the school. Commissioner Pippenger would like to remind parents that students who are currently enrolled in a Hamilton County school are required to update information for the upcoming year in the parent portal.
Public Works Commissioner Frank Schriner will follow up on the paving bids the town sent out because no bids have been received. Plans are in the works to pave North Bragg Avenue from Morrison Street to Scenic Highway; the town has reserved $300,000 for this project. Brush is again out of hand, said the commissioner, with contractors leaving large and high piles on the streets. He emphasized that piles can be no larger than 4-by-4-by 8-feet, and must be made by the homeowner; public works employees will not pick up brush piles made by contractors.
Most residents are well aware of the traffic issues created when the Ochs Extension was closed for repairs, and understand police are present and watching for violations on the detours through the Tennessee side of the mountain. Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said the strict enforcement will continue. Summer means people have begun using leaf blowers and mowers, and the commissioner noted that there is an ordinance designating when the noisy power equipment can be used. This sort of equipment cannot be operated after 8 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first, or before 8 a.m., Monday - Saturday, and on Sunday, after noon until 8 p.m. or sundown.
In response to concerns about speeding vehicles from residents who live on Willingham Lane and Glenview Street, which both have a lot of children and people who walk, Mayor Jones suggested conducting a study by running radar. Chief Chuck Wells said the police will focus on that area and may use a speed detection sign. He warned that everyone must use caution because it is a roadway and not a sidewalk.
Brooke Pippenger, who has been a town commissioner for eight years, is leaving that position to become the new town manager. She is very qualified, said Mayor Jones. “She is familiar with the process of budgeting, she has raised her children in Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and she has been both president and vice president of the PTA at LMS. She is smart and honest, and I can think of no one who would do a better job,” said the mayor as he welcomed her to the new position.
The next Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Commission meeting will be June 14 at 5:30 p.m.
The mayor said that the commissioners are trusted to be stewards of the residents’ tax dollars, in addition to making sure that quality services are provided to the community and keeping the morale of employees high. He hopes that next year capital needs will be less, allowing a lower property tax rate. “We have an A-plus team within all departments; it’s incredible, and we are fortunate,” Mayor Jones said, adding, “The public works department wears 1,000 hats and provides many services; the parks and playground department has great programs, and the fields are kept full, and we’re lucky to have Lookout Mountain Elementary School.”
Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds David Paschall said burned out lights at the tennis courts are being replaced. Commons Camp will take place for seven weeks starting June 6, the first Monday of the month, and lasting until July 22. Soccer is coming up next, after a successful baseball season.
Commissioner of Schools Brooke Pippenger thanked Principal Ruth White and the staff and faculty at the school for a great year despite the substitute and staffing issues during the year. In April, the town received the second payment from the PTA for $94,000, which helps provide additional teachers and enrichment programs at the school. Commissioner Pippenger would like to remind parents that students who are currently enrolled in a Hamilton County school are required to update information for the upcoming year in the parent portal.
Public Works Commissioner Frank Schriner will follow up on the paving bids the town sent out because no bids have been received. Plans are in the works to pave North Bragg Avenue from Morrison Street to Scenic Highway; the town has reserved $300,000 for this project. Brush is again out of hand, said the commissioner, with contractors leaving large and high piles on the streets. He emphasized that piles can be no larger than 4-by-4-by 8-feet, and must be made by the homeowner; public works employees will not pick up brush piles made by contractors.
Most residents are well aware of the traffic issues created when the Ochs Extension was closed for repairs, and understand police are present and watching for violations on the detours through the Tennessee side of the mountain. Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said the strict enforcement will continue. Summer means people have begun using leaf blowers and mowers, and the commissioner noted that there is an ordinance designating when the noisy power equipment can be used. This sort of equipment cannot be operated after 8 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first, or before 8 a.m., Monday - Saturday, and on Sunday, after noon until 8 p.m. or sundown.
In response to concerns about speeding vehicles from residents who live on Willingham Lane and Glenview Street, which both have a lot of children and people who walk, Mayor Jones suggested conducting a study by running radar. Chief Chuck Wells said the police will focus on that area and may use a speed detection sign. He warned that everyone must use caution because it is a roadway and not a sidewalk.
Brooke Pippenger, who has been a town commissioner for eight years, is leaving that position to become the new town manager. She is very qualified, said Mayor Jones. “She is familiar with the process of budgeting, she has raised her children in Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and she has been both president and vice president of the PTA at LMS. She is smart and honest, and I can think of no one who would do a better job,” said the mayor as he welcomed her to the new position.
The next Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Commission meeting will be June 14 at 5:30 p.m.
RSS Feed