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6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 68, Number 1 January 23, 2017 110th convenes; McNally, Harwell elected speakers TML Legislative Conference set for March 20 - 21 Make plans now to attend the Tennessee Municipal League’s An- nual Legislative Conference, slated for March 20 - 21 at the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown Nashville. The two-day conference pro- vides an excellent forum for city officials to interact with their legis- lators and to be updated on the many legislative issues being addressed by the 110th Tennessee General Assem- bly. City officials are also encour- aged to use their time in Nashville to attend Monday evening floor ses- sions and to schedule time to visit with their legislators. The voice of Tennessee’s mu- nicipal governments must be heard in the legislative process, and the TML Legislative Conference is a Tennessee Town & City file photos key opportunity to communicate It was the changing of the guard on Jan. 10, when Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey turned over the Speaker Beth Harwell was unanimously re-elect- with your legislators. gavel to Sen. Randy McNally. McNally was elected by his fellow senators to serve as ed by her colleagues to a fourth term as speaker To register, go to www.TML1. the 87th speaker of the Senate and lieutenant governor of Tennessee. of the House. org. Contact the TML offices at 615-255-6416 for more information. State Sen. Randy McNally was were elected by their fellow peers was prepared well in advance by the may do so little; together we can do Deadline for hotel registration is elected as the new speaker of the when the 110th Tennessee General many interactions I’ve had with you so much’.” Feb. 15. To reserve a room and to re- Tennessee Senate and Rep. Beth Assembly convened on Jan. 10. and other people and friends and Following its three-day orga- ceive the group rate of $153, contact Harwell unanimously won a fourth McNally replaces outgoing Lt. family. But I recognize that I can’t nizational session, the legislature the DoubleTree at (800) 222-8733. term as speaker of the House. Both Gov. Ron Ramsey, who chose not complete that job alone.” adjourned until Jan. 30, when Gov. to run for re-election. McNally was Speaker Harwell thanked her Bill Haslam will deliver the State of sworn in as 87th speaker of the Sen- colleagues for their trust and con- the State address to discuss his 2017- Tennessee cities recovering ate. fidence, and said “Let’s work to 18 budget recommendations. “It’s a big job, and I’m certainly discover what we can accomplish Legislative leadership and from November disasters humbled by the trust you placed in together this year to live up to our committee assignments for 2017-18 me,” McNally said. “I’m confident state motto, ‘America at its best.’ In in the Senate and the House can be that my journey to this time and place the words of Helen Keller, ‘Alone we found on Page 9. Haslam unveils transportation funding, surplus spending plan Proposal includes increase in gas tax; reduction in Hall, F&E and sales tax on groceries Joined by mayors from across the state and leaders in the manufac- turing and trucking industries, Gov. Bill Haslam announced a compre- hensive and strategic plan to cut tax- es on food and manufacturing while updating how the state provides Tennesseans the safe and reliable transportation network needed to support future job growth. The IMPROVE Act, “Improv- ing Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for a Vibrant Econo- TV host Robin Meade with CNN’s Morning Express and Gatlinburg my,” is the first piece of Haslam’s Mayor Mike Werner made a plea for private donations during Dolly NextTennessee legislative plan, pol- Parton’s “Smoky Mountains Rise” telethon to benefit those affected by icy proposals aimed at building and the wildfires that ravaged Sevier County on Nov. 28. sustaining economic growth and the state’s competitiveness for the next BY KATE COIL tornados. generation of Tennesseans. TML Communications Specialist Private donations from individ- “This proposal is the next step Photo by Carole Graves ual citizens, companies and charita- in the conversation about how we’re Gov. Bill Haslam outlined his plan for increasing road funding while de- Disaster recovering funds will ble groups have been raised to help going to position the state to address creasing taxes on groceries, the Hall, and Franchise and Excise taxes. soon be made available to help com- disaster victims, including nearly $9 expected growth, maintain Ten- munities rebuild from devastating million raised through Dolly Parton’s nessee’s economic momentum and tornados and wildfires that ravaged “Smoky Mountains Rise” telethon to remain competitive as we continue much of East Tennessee in Novem- benefit her My People Fund. recruiting high quality jobs,” said ber. Government funding is also Gov. Bill Haslam. Two juveniles have been charged being sought for disaster recovering The IMPROVE Act includes with starting the Nov. 28 wildfires efforts. a balanced and equitable transpor- in Gatlinburg that killed 14, injured On the state level, Sen. Doug tation plan that keeps Tennessee a dozens, destroyed more than 2,400 Overbey, R-Maryville, said he plans pay-as-you-go state and its roads structures and created some $500 to introduce a handful of measures debt free. million in property damages. During that will help victims of the fires. The IMPROVE Act increases the disaster, some 14,000 people were These proposals include providing the road user fee by 7 cents for a gal- evacuated from the area and more property tax relief on structures that lon of gas and 12 cents for a gallon of than 12,000 Sevier County residents have been destroyed, creating a relief diesel, and increases car registration were without power. fund with non-recurring money to fees by $5 for the average passenger The following day, a series of provide aid to Sevier County, and vehicle. tornados struck several counties in providing sales tax relief on pur- Tennessee last addressed how it Tennessee and northern Alabama. chases such as building supplies and funds its roads and bridges in 1989 Four deaths were attributed to the appliances. when it raised its fixed tax rate to 21.4 storm including two in Polk County, Overbey said these measures are cents per gallon, creating a trans- according to the Tennessee Emergen- based on similar bills the state legis- portation network that spurred the cy Management Council. Dozens of lature passed to help victims of the economic growth the state has seen injuries were also reported through- Middle Tennessee floods in 2010. during the last three decades. Due to out Coffee, McMinn, Polk and Se- Gov. Bill Haslam has asked inflation, increases in construction quatchie counties. for an expedited federal disaster costs and the cost of land and better According to the National declaration for Coffee, McMinn, gas mileage, the state comptroller Weather Service, two EF-1 tornadoes Polk, Sequatchie and Sevier counties estimates that 21.4 cents in 1989 is with wind speeds of 105 miles per with costs including debris removal, now worth approximately 11 cents a hour struck in Tullahoma and Man- emergency protective measures, and gallon. chester while Whitwell and Athens rebuilding important facilities, roads In July 2015, Haslam launched both experienced EF-2 tornados. and infrastructure. a statewide discussion on the state’s Ocoee was hit with an EF-3 tornado “My goal is to help ensure transportation and infrastructure with wind speeds of 140 miles per these counties have what they need needs. In November 2015, he put out hour. Schools were closed as a result to rebuild and recover from these a list of projects already approved by and crews sent help with wildfires heartbreaking disasters,” Haslam the General Assembly but lacking in the Gatlinburg area were called said. “The state and our local partners funding, in addition to project needs back to help with recovery from the continue to work through the damage heard during the 15 meetings across tornado. Some 4,000 residents were assessments, provide necessary ser- the state. without power and at least 40 struc- vices to help those in need, and get The Act places an annual road tures were destroyed as a result of the See DISASTERS on Page 6 See FUNDING on Page 5 www.TML1.org 2-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JAN. 23, 2017 Farragut celebrates largest capital improvement project in town history ADAMSVILLE initiated work on a $1.5 million who credited his staff’s “insistence Sparks Custom Fabrication, LLC water line replacement project tar- on accuracy, precision and transpar- (SCF) will expand in Adamsville, geting six miles of old galvanized ency.” To receive the distinction, the creating approximately 140 jobs lines. The council agreed to begin city of Knoxville satisfied nationally during the next five years. SCF spe- the engineering process for the proj- recognized guidelines designed to cializes in millwork, stainless steel, ect, which will replace water lines assess how well an entity’s budget stone, and refrigeration products believed to cause discoloration in serves as a policy document, a finan- used by the food industry. SCF’s local utility water. While the Tennes- cial plan, an operations guide and a customers include restaurants, see Department of Environment and means of communications. Budget schools, the military, and hospitals Conservation (TDEC) has deemed documents must be rated “profi- across the country. All of SCF’s the water safe to drink, the town cient” in all four categories, plus the foodservice equipment is custom is hoping that replacing the pipes 14 mandatory criteria within those made, ranging from hot and cold – some of which date back to 1930 categories, to receive the award.