Jay GreesonWalking out of the door of the Hamilton County Commission chamber on Wednesday, Commissioner Jim Fields said, rather plainly, "I think that was good government at work."
For most of us, in a time of mistrust and angst, that seems as oxymoronic as "acting naturally" or "clean dirt."
Good government? Puh-lease, we've been conditioned to say.
Well, Fields and his eight colleagues, as well as Assessor of Property Marty Haynes and county Mayor Jim Coppinger, fit the bill Wednesday.
On the docket was a resolution pitched by Commissioner Tim Boyd to waive fees charged to the county's municipalities for property assessments performed by Haynes and the folks in his office.
It's a convoluted issue with many layers, but here's a quick recap, and see if you agree that there was some pretty good government at work Wednesday before you had lunch:
- Hamilton County had been in violation of state law by not having any type of agreement with the municipalities for property assessments. The statute says either split the fees with the cities or waive the fees, but indifference was illegal.
- Haynes presented the cities with what it would cost to split the costs; understandably the cities were less than jazzed by a surprise expense this deep into a budget year when they are rubbing their pennies more and more tightly.
- The assessment cycle runs over a four-year period that is coming to a head in the coming months. Considering that Hamilton County has more municipalities than any other county in the state, the amount presented to each city would have combined to be more than $772,000 added to the county budget.
- The municipalities showed up in mass. Officials from Signal to Soddy and Lookout to Lakesite were in the audience; several addressed commissioners.
- The discussion from the dais was deliberate and intelligent without being insulting.
Sounds refreshing, right? Wait, there's more.
After the dust cleared, it was obvious that when the vote comes on this in the coming days, the county commission will approve the agreement to waive the fees for the municipalities. At least four commissioners pledged their support, meaning the needed five votes seems destined.
But Commissioner Greg Martin raised an interesting point, asking about the other "agreement" fees and services.
Martin's point is valid on its face. If waiving one fee makes sense, then some cities may ask about other agreed payments for services the county provides, duties that range from hotel-motel taxes to sanitation in some cities and tax collections. According to county documents, Hamilton County collected almost $436 million over the last five years for a variety of services provided to municipalities.
There will be more discussion on this for sure - remember, Boyd's resolution was directed only at this assessment cycle - but the unexpected and untimely bill for cities in Hamilton County almost certainly appears to be waived for now.
At least this day was highlighted by good debate and in the end a good decision - and is a good precursor for what could be an explosive year for county elected leaders.
"I've been where you are and it's not a pleasant place to be," Coppinger said about Haynes' difficult role in this process. "But the increases in costs to run these offices are real and the burden continues to be shifted to county government."
Coppinger went on to mention the county's need for a new jail - the county spends $84,000 a day incarcerating people, he said - and the backlog of the capital projects the school system needs.
In truth, Coppinger's final message was another part of good government, even if it may not be popular government.
"I understand you city leaders are doing what you have to for your budgets," Coppinger said before a dramatic pause, "but I do expect you in this room to be supportive if there is a tax increase [in the future]."
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.