May 10, 2021 Census Bureau: TN Sees TN General Assembly Adjourns 2021 Session Nearly 9% Population Growth by KATE COIL TML Communications Specialist
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Save the Date 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 72, Number 8 May 10, 2021 Census Bureau: TN sees TN General Assembly adjourns 2021 session nearly 9% population growth By KATE COIL TML Communications Specialist Tennessee’s population grew nearly 9% between 2010 and 2020 and is now the sixteenth most pop- ulous state in the union, according to new information released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new data showed the addi- 2020 Census in TN tion of 541,466 new residents made by the Numbers Tennessee rank eleventh out of the the percentage 50 states and District of Columbia of the total U.S. in terms of which states gained or 2.07 population made loss individuals. The state’s 8.49% up by Tennesse. population increase made it rank seventeenth in terms a percentage change to population. million, the amount Overall, Tennessee is home to 6.91 of people who call 2.07% of the total population of Tennessee home. the U.S. Of Tennessee’s population, the percentage 6,910,840 – or 99.9% – are Amer- 8.49 the state’s popula- ican citizens. There are also 6,057 tion grew by since Republican members of legislative leadership assembled with Gov. Bill Lee for a post-session Tennesseans who were living 2010. news conference. Pictured are Rep. Jeremy Faison, House caucus chairman; Rep. William Lamberth, abroad – including active duty House majority leader; House Speaker Cameron Sexton; Gov. Lee; Lt. Gov. Randy McNally; Sen. Jack Johnson, Senate majority leader; and Sen. Ken Yager, Senate caucus chairman. military – at the time of the Census. How many U.S. This year’s legislative session offered a unique set of challenges as necessary precautions The state went from the sev- House sets TN brought about by COVID-19 limited visitor access to the offices of the General Assembly. However, enteenth most populous state in 9 has as determined your TML staff was able to maintain a high level of engagement and secure desired outcomes for the nation in 2010 to sixteenth in by the Census. terms of overall population. Ten- our membership. A separate legislative report will be sent to our members highlighting key legislation nessee recorded a total population Where Tennessee approved during the 2021 session. of 6,916,897 (almost 7 million) in ranks in popula- 2020, up from the more than 6.37 16th tion among the 50 million reported in 2010. states. Approved budget provides $100M in local funds The Tennessee State Data Center at the University of Tennes- State lawmakers passed the budget, the grant monies are to be see’s Boyd Center for Business and residents.” 2021-22 fiscal year budget on available in July and may be expend- Economic Research said the state Studies have shown that the Thursday, April 29, totaling some ed on any non-recurring expense. has actually seen a decrease in its increase in Tennessee’s population $42.6 billion. The main components of the population gains in the past two de- during the past 30 years is a result local government grants contained cades. The state saw its population of migration – more people moving Local Government Recovery and in the Senate and House budget increase by 16.7% between 1990 into the state than out – than it is by Rebuilding Grants amendments include: and 2000 and 11.5% between 2000 the number of new births exceeding For the second year in a row • Each city is to receive a mini- and 2010. This slowing increase the number of deaths. Tennessee TML worked with Gov. Bill Lee’s mum grant amount of $15,000, in population is mirrored on the has seen a decline in birth rates administration to secure one-time plus per capita distribution. national level with the U.S. seeing every year since 2007. disbursements of state grants to • Maximum grant amount for the lowest rate of population gain In addition to keeping tabs on municipalities. any single city or county is $5 experienced since the 1930s. population, Census numbers are an In his FY21-22 budget amend- million. “Although our growth rate important resource when it comes ment the governor proposed $200 • Grant monies may only be spent was slightly lower last decade, the to the allocation of funds and the million in non-recurring funds on non-recurring (one-time) 2020 population counts did exceed setting of political boundaries on to provide Local Government expenses. the pre-census estimate of an 8.3 all levels of government. Recovery and Rebuilding Direct • Monies are not required to be percent increase,” said Tim Kuhn, These recent numbers were a Appropriation Grants to cities and expended on specific uses and director of the Tennessee State Data part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s an- counties on a per capita basis. expenditures are not required to Center. “We have to wait to learn nual apportionment results, which The House and Senate ulti- be consistent with any specific The reduction in local govern- more, but we are very thankful to use the population of each state to mately passed a budget that pro- categories. ment grants was not the only ele- the Tennesseans who completed the determine how many members of vides $100 million in funds for • Cities and counties are not re- ment of Gov. Lee’s revised budget census and to the public and private the U.S. House of Representatives local government grants for Fiscal quired to file a plan of the use affected by the Senate and House leaders across the state who helped each state is allotted. Tennessee Year 2022. of grant monies or a resolution amendments. promote a complete count of our See CENSUS on Page 3 The amount approved by the from the local governing body The governor’s proposed fund- Senate and House represents a $100 requesting use of the grant ing for broadband was reduced by million reduction in the amount funds. $100 million. proposed by Gov. Lee. However, • Grants are to be paid out by In addition, the governor’s pro- Municipal elections held unlike under the governor’s revised July 31, 2021. See BUDGET on Page 5 in 12 cities across state By KATE COIL Athens online budget tool aims to educate, A dozen municipalities across engage citizens in city budgetary process Tennessee held local elections at the end of April and early May with By KATE COIL both new and familiar faces taking seats on city councils, commissions, As budget season arrives, of- and boards of mayor and aldermen. ficials with the city of Athens are giving local residents a unique tool ALAMO to both learn more about the bud- Voters with the city of Alamo geting process and give officials went to the polls to decide local feedback on what they want to see office on May 1. funded in the city. Incumbent mayor John Avery Incumbents Dabney Long and Athens City Administrator C. Emison defeated challenger and sit- John Pigue will be joined by new- Seth Sumner said the city has made ting alderman Kenneth L. Bodkins comers Ricky Pender, Alice F. available a budget tool through by 7 votes to retain his seat. Emison McDearman, and John Pigue on the Balancing Act, a creation of Col- earned 247 votes while Bodkins Bells Board of Mayor and Aldermen, orado-based public policy consult- earned 240. defeating incumbent Scotty Runions ing firm Engaged Public, that helps Incumbents John Reddick and and challenger Lee Overton for the communities educate and engage Paul B. Conley IV will be joined by five available alderman seats. citizens in the often-complex bud- newcomers Jim Knox and Michael Pender led the vote count with geting process. Moore on the Alamo Board of 159 followed by Long with 144, Mc- Sumner said the city had been Mayor and Aldermen. Challenging Dearman with 115, Bob Pigue with looking for ways to better involve While past city budgets have largely relied on public meetings, con- candidates Rate Randall and Brad 111, John PIgue with 109, Runions citizens with the budget process, cerns about the pandemic and a desire to reach a bigger audience York failed to garner enough votes with 107, and Overton with 87. especially as the pandemic made of citizens prompted Athens officials to look for an online way to to obtain one of the four open seats the typical meeting process less bring the budget process to local residents. on the board. BRENTWOOD desirable for many. dents what their personal taxes pay to balance the city’s budget based Reddick led the vote count with Incumbents retained the three “We are still living in the 356 followed by Knox with 315, open seats on the Brentwood City for in terms of city services. on what is important to them. pandemic, but wanted to find some “More than four-to-one en- Citizens can subtract from Conley with 281, Moore with 223, Commission during the city’s May way we could reach out and listen Randall with 183, and York with 3 election. gagements are on the taxpayer some departments and add to oth- to our citizens to allow their input receipt,” Sumner said. “Residents ers to change funding allocations 167. Incumbent alderman Larry Incumbents Mark Gorman, on our budget process really for the Conder did not seek re-election Regina R. Smithson, and current plug in their home value, and based for various departments. The only first time outside the normal public on that it will calculate roughly way to add cash to the budget, while Bodkins ran unsuccessfully Mayor Rhea Emory Little defeated hearing process,” Sumner said.