The Rhea County Courthouse in downtown Dayton is famous for the 1925 Scopes Trial.DAYTON, Tenn. – Rhea County commissioners are planning a second litigation tax to help pay for courthouse security, but they delayed action this week on increasing the current litigation tax to clarify how that money can be spent.
The litigation tax is collected in civil cases from plaintiffs when lawsuits are filed, and in criminal cases from defendants if they are convicted and fines and court costs assessed, officials said.
Commissioners at a Tuesday workshop session agreed to put the new tax on the agenda for their Nov. 20 meeting after County Attorney Carol Barron explained the difference between the two taxes.
According to the agenda resolution, the new tax would be used “exclusively for the purpose of funding courthouse security.” Barron said the money could be used in the present courthouse or in a new jail or justice center once the commission determines which course to take.
But a second resolution that would increase the current $10 litigation tax to $25 was pulled from consideration after commissioners could not agree on the limits set on uses for the money.