Tuesday agenda items* Commending Bradley County Road Department for its work during recent snowy weather* Asking the state for crossover lanes on U.S. Highway 64 at London Acres* Dissolving the county grievance committeeSource: Bradley County Commission
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Once again, county commissions across Tennessee are appealing to Nashville and Washington, D.C., to avoid unfunded mandates.
A new resolution is on the agenda when the Bradley County Commission meets Tuesday, a one-day delay for the regular meeting because of the Presidents Day holiday.
County Mayor D. Gary Davis said the resolution is recommended by the Tennessee County Services Association, whose members include county government officials. The concern is that state government will cut spending and expect local governments to take up the funding slack, he said.
“It seems like it’s going to be a big issue this year when they balance their budget in Nashville,” Mr. Davis said.
It was just about a year ago that the commission passed a similar resolution, Commissioner Ed Elkins said.
“This one expands to include maintenance of effort requirements as well as not to pass along cuts to local government,” Mr. Elkins said.
Maintenance of effort is a funding rule that prohibits local governments from cutting back on current levels of funding in areas such as education.
“Maintenance of effort is probably the cause for this,” Mr. Davis said. “They are required to maintain certain funding levels, yet they are cutting state funds for a lot of those programs.”
“I don’t think they should expect us to continue that maintenance of effort if they are not doing so,” Mr. Elkins said.
Remember that Washington fits into the equation, too, said Commissioner Howard Thompson.
“That’s where it needs to start, on the federal level,” he said.
Before the commission meets at 10 a.m., fourth-graders from North Lee Elementary School will hold a mock county commission meeting with children acting the roles of officials and media.