Cleveland, Bradley leaders bicker over sales tax

As a sales tax dispute heads to Chancery court on Thursday, Cleveland's Mayor Tom Rowland and Bradley County Commission Chairman Louie Alford exchanged criticism Sunday and today.

There was no quorum this morning during a special council meeting to override Rowland's veto last week of a resolution that would have extended negotiations.

The city and county are arguing over how to share a small portion of sales tax revenue.

"I am disappointed with the city's lack of interest in working toward a compromise that would benefit all tax payers," Alford said. "I appreciate the continued efforts of councilman [Richard] Banks to find a compromise."

Rowland said today that he told Alford last Wednesday that he would issue the veto.

"I am totally surprised that now Bradley County wants to delay the hearing. This is the first time I have ever heard this from the county's side, and that was only through reading the Sunday's newspaper," Rowland said.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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