6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 70, Number 13 Aug. 26, 2019 A year after online sales tax ruling, are states reaping more revenues? BY LIZ FARMER Governing Magazine

One year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a decades-old ban on states collecting sales taxes from online sellers, nearly every state has instituted a tax. The swift and relatively painless Municipal elections transition has been a strong rebuke to the argument that requiring on- line sellers to remit sales taxes to held in 11 communities 40-some states would be too cum- BY KATE COIL comer Richard Gulley and Jimmy bersome for states and sellers. TML Communications Specialists Wayne Sanders defeated incum- “It’s absolutely amazing that just bent Roy F. Partin and fellow one year in, we’ve seen that kind of Nearly a dozen municipalities challengers Mark A. Bassett and widespread geographic coverage,” across Tennessee held summer Mary Nell Hess. said Charles Maniace, vice presi- elections, including eight elections dent of regulatory analysis for the held on Aug. 1. ESTILL SPRINGS consulting firm Sovos. Almost every state has enacted laws to tax online purchases and While most candidates won Estill Springs held a municipal As of this month, the District of require remote sellers to remit a sales tax. their races outright, 10 races in election on Aug. 1 with incumbent Columbia and 42 of the 45 states Metro-Nashville will have run-off Mayor David Kelley holding onto with a sales tax have enacted laws today, calling the old precedent ington, D.C., have passed laws or elections scheduled for September, his seat over challenger James or regulations requiring remote “flawed” and a “tax shelter for busi- regulations requiring marketplace including mayoral, at-large council, McCord. sellers to remit a sales tax. The nesses.” The 5-4 decision did away facilitators to collect sales taxes on and several council district seats. Incumbent aldermen Earl remaining three states – Florida, with the notion that governments behalf of their sellers, according to Davis and Bobby Taylor will also Kansas, and Missouri – have al- can only collect sales taxes on pur- the National Conference of State COWAN keep their seats in Estill Springs, ready proposed bills, “and it is only chases made from retailers with a Legislatures. Marketplace facili- Cowan held a municipal election on fending off challengers Jack a matter of time before they are physical presence in their state. In tators are online brokers, such as Aug. 1, electing two candidates to Burke and Scott Eslick. enacted,” said the Urban Institute’s doing so, the court overturned two Amazon or eBay, that sell a third the city council. Incumbents Wil- Lucy Dadayan. previous rulings that predated the party’s goods and services. More liam Anderson Jr. and Mark Led- GREENEVILLE The action comes in response to world of e-commerce. states are expected to take similar better defeated challenger Brenda A municipal election was held in the court’s ruling in South Dakota In addition to enacting laws for action in the coming year. Kay Johnson. Greeneville on Aug. 1. v. Wayfair, issued one year ago direct sellers, 32 states and Wash- See SALES TAX on Page 9 Incumbent Buddy Hawk and DECHERD newcomer Cal Doty took the two Voters went to the polls in Decherd open aldermen seats for Green- Memphis brings together public, private on Aug. 1, electing newcomer eville’s Ward 1, defeating incum- Michael Gillespie as mayor over bent Keith W. Paxton.John F. partners to tackle blight through the courts incumbent Robin Smith and chal- Honeycutt ran unopposed and was lenger Justin Stubblefield. elected to the water commission. BY KATE COIL In the alderman race, new- See ELECTIONS on Page 4 To deal with the ongoing is- sues of blight in the community, Mayors unite across state to the city of Memphis has partnered with Shelby County, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys promote civic engagement School of Law, and several non- Tennesseans profits and community-based once led the way on organizations for a multi-faceted civic engagement, approach to blight removal through but today Volunteer the court system. State citizens vote Both the city of Memphis far less regularly and Shelby County support an than most Ameri- environmental court made possi- cans. ble through the Tennessee General Voter turnout Assembly in 1991 and able to in Tennessee con- prosecute properties found to be in sistently ranks near violation of the state’s Neighbor- the bottom of the hood Preservation of 2007. nation. The state Those working with the Mem- was ranked 50 out of 50 for voter individual guidance and facilitate phis and Shelby County Environ- turnout in 2014 and 49 out of 50 a community of practice to help mental Court and as part of the A blighted home in Memphis is demolished to make room for new in 2016. tackle common challenges and greater blight removal initiative in development. The city works with Shelby County and a joint en- When it comes to many local scale solutions. the city addressed the Tennessee vironmental court to use legal avenues that encourage property elections, turnout is particularly “When it comes to increasing Municipal League during a panel owners to either bring their property up to code or demolish it for low. civic engagement at the local lev- presentation at the annual confer- new development. Rather than bid out demolition projects, the city Less than 25 percent of eligible el, mayors know best,” she said. ence in Memphis. instead sets its own price for demolition and uses a list of rotating voters participated in recent local “We’re thrilled to help mayors Steve Barlow is a partner in contractors until they find one willing to tear down any structures elections in the state’s four largest from all parts of the state and both the Memphis-based firm Brewer for that set price. cities with Memphis seeing only a sides of the political aisle come & Barlow PLC and a staff attorney 21.9 percent turnout in 2015, Nash- together to help move Tennessee for the city of Memphis who pre- and the state legislature to face the “Here in Memphis, we have ville a 17.3 percent turnout in 2018, forward.” viously served as the president and challenges in our community. The a lot of bank-owned properties,” Chattanooga a 14.1 percent turnout At the end of the year, Think- director of the nonprofit Memphis’ policy issues we focus on include he said. “One of the challenges in 2017, and Knoxville a mere 2.6 Tennessee will share a summa- Neighborhood Preservation, Inc. tax foreclosure, code enforcement, we face is that, as a result of the percent in 2015. ry report highlighting lessons Barlow splits his time between property maintenance, and also foreclosure crisis, we have a lot of To combat this trend and share learned and success stories from handling public nuisance litigation what we call land banking. The properties that were once home- best practices for increasing civic participating communities so that in the Memphis-Shelby County state law now authorizes the forma- owner-occupied that have since be- engagement, several mayors across others might replicate what they Environmental Court and the non- tion of land banks across the state. come rental properties. The banks the state are joining ThinkTennes- achieved. profit to deal with the community’s When you form these land banks that foreclosed on these homes sold see to launch the Tennessee May- The Tennessee cohort is the blight issues. you get a little bit of a special ability them – often in bulk – to an investor ors Growing Civic Engagement first of its kind in the nation. “Neighborhood Preservation to bring together and address them who is often out-of-town and even project. Current participants represent the was born to be a policy organiza- in a sort-of quasi-governmental out-of-country landlord.” Participating mayors will iden- geographic and political diversity tion and to create policy informed way.” The city and surrounding areas tify specific actions they can take of the state and include the fol- by action,” Barlow said. “The orga- Barlow said much of the blight soon realized that legal actions to increase civic engagement, from lowing: nization does some neighborhood issues the city faces began with the were often their only recourse with deepening engagement with local revitalization programs and a lot foreclosure crisis created by the these landlords. youth by creating Mayor’s Youth • Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, of policy work at the local and state subprime mortgage crisis around “We’ve had a very intentional, Councils to convening community • Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull level. We have worked a lot with the time the Great Recession be- focused, coordinated effort to deal members to discuss the importance (2019-) and former Mayor the city of Memphis, the county, gan. See BLIGHT on Page 3 of civic participation John Clark (2015-2019), Columbia Mayor Chaz Mold- • Nashville Mayor David Bri- er, one of the youngest city mayors ley, Tennessee tourism outpaces nation with in the state, said this engagement is • Chattanooga Mayor Andy vital to raising voter turnout. Berke, $22B in travel spending,119M visitors “Our community will succeed • Columbia Mayor Chaz Mold- with an increase of interest and er, Tennessee saw 119 million participation in the political and • Memphis Mayor Jim Strick- domestic visitors in 2018, up 5.1 governmental processes, and I am land, percent from 113 million the previ- proud to join with fellow mayors • Chester County Mayor Barry ous year and hit a record-high $22 across the state who share a vision Hutcherson, billion in domestic and internation- for increased civic participation,” • Shelby County Mayor Lee al travel spending. Molder said. “I am particularly Harris, Gov. Bill Lee and Department interested in the engagement of our • Weakley County Mayor Jake of Tourist Development Com- youth – an investment in the future Bynum, and missioner Mark Ezell made the in tourism across the country,” more than ever.” leaders is an investment in the long- • Williamson County Mayor announcement at the Ford Theater Lee said. “Our booming tourism Tennessee’s growth is outpac- term vitality of our community. Rogers Anderson at the Country Music Hall of Fame sector is outpacing the nation in ing the nation in all areas of travel; That’s what this effort aims to do.” and Museum in Nashville. every category. World-class food, including tax revenue, expendi- Over the course of the project, For more information about “From our thriving cities to music, and adventure are just a few tures, payroll and employment. Shanna Singh Hughey, ThinkTen- the project, including how to be- our beautiful rural landscapes and things folks find when they come “Tennessee’s diverse cities and nessee president, said her organi- come a participating mayor, please everything in between, Tennessee to Tennessee, and thankfully, folks small towns offer quality tourism zation will provide mayors with visit www.thinktennessee.org. has solidified its place as a leader are visiting this remarkable place See TOURISM on Page 5 www.TML1.org 2-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 Three Way breaks ground on new city hall

BRENTWOOD in the next five years as part of an Construction of a new, paved gre- expansion to its headquarters op- enway trail in Maryland Farms, erations in Franklin. The company connecting Powell Park to the presently employs 50 people at its Maryland Farms YMCA proper- Franklin location, and company of- ty, is set to begin this month and ficials said the expansion will help be completed by the end of the the company keep up with growing year. A contract for $918,833 was demand. Red Collar is a leading approved by the city commission manufacturer of mainstream and in July. The greenway is currently premium private label dog food, about 175 to 200 feet wide. Once dog treats, cat food and cat treats the trail is completed, citizens will for national retail customers. The be able to bike or walk from the far company produces dry dog and west end of Maryland Farms to the cat food, including mainstream, east side of Maryland Farms where premium, meat-first and grain-free The city of Three Way held a ground breaking ceremony on Aug. 3 for the new city hall building. Of- the Hill Center is located. varieties. Red Collar’s Franklin ficials and dignitaries ready to shovel dirt are (from left) Greer Lashlee of Lashlee-Rich, construction facility supports six other locations manager on the project, Alderman Danny Wade, former Alderman L.A. “Hoot” Gibson, former Mayor CHATTANOOGA across the U.S. Jimmy Hill, Mayor Larry Sanders, Alderman Mary Ann Tremblay and state Sen. Ed Jackson. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CAR- KINGSPORT Politicians, dignitaries, guests Plans for the new municipal new building will allow the city to TA) will replace its diesel buses Renovations have begun to a and residents of Three Way turned building began in November 2005, finally have its own space, includ- with all-electric buses thanks to a former bank building that will out for a ceremony on Aug 3. to when city leaders voted to purchase ing an office for the mayor. $2.2 million federal grant. Chatta- eventually become the new King- break ground on the new city hall the 15-acre site. The property was In May 2018, the city board met nooga was the only transit system sport City Hall. Renovations to building. selected due to its central location with architect Vaughn Associates of Tennessee and one of only 38 the former Regions Bank building The new Three Way Municipal and its proximity to the park. and construction manager, Lash- in the nation to share in the $84.9 on Broad Street include replacing Complex will be constructed next Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the proj- lee-Rich, to develop and approve million in grants awarded through three elevators, the installation of to Pine Hill Park. ect have been completed, which plans for the new municipal com- the Federal Transit Administration an emergency generator, new fur- Among those in attendance included the construction of the plex. through the Low or No-Emission nishings, running fiber-optic cable, included Three Way Mayor Larry city’s maintenance building, and Construction is expected to get (Low-No) program. Eligible proj- improving the city’s archive filing Sanders, along with Aldermen the development of the Pine Hill fully underway in the fall and finish ects include the purchase or lease system, and other improvements. Danny Wade and Mary Ann Trem- Park. sometime in spring 2020. of buses powered by modern, effi- The city purchased the 60-room blay, former mayor Jimmy Hill, Planning for a city hall building Funding for the new city hall was cient technologies which include building with its 72-space park- former alderman L.A. “Hoot” Gib- has been in the works basically procured through the Tennessee hydrogen fuel cells, battery electric ing lot last year for $2.82 million son, state Sen. Ed Jackson Jr., Ed since 1998, when citizens voted to Municipal Bond Fund with the engines, and related infrastructure to address overcrowding at the Jackson, III, field representative incorporate Three Way. City meet- assistance of market representative investments such as charging sta- current city hall facility, which for Congressman David Kustoff, ings have been conducted in the Tommy Green, along with funds in tions. For more information about also houses some functions of the Madison County Fire Chief Eric local fire station since 1998, but the the city’s general fund. the Low-No Bus Program Project, city’s justice center. The city will Turner, Greer Lashlee of Lash- visit www.transit.dot.gov. initially renovate the third through lee-Rich, city of Three Way staff sixth floor of the building for its and other guests. Memphis cleanup aims to CHATTANOOGA use while the bank retains use of ATN Hoelzel LP will expand its the first two floors until it can move operations in Chattanooga, invest- into its own new facility. The city recycle tires into park trails ing $6 million in an expansion will then begin a second phase of 5,800-square-foot addition to its and relocation of the company’s the project to renovate the first existing 32,500-square-foot-facil- North American headquarters and two floors. The project will mean ity and plans for new operations to creating 100 new jobs in the next that the main offices of city hall, be complete by the end of the year. five years. The automotive supplier the city’s engineering and other With its parent company head- plans to relocate its current facility departments will be consolidated quartered in Italy, Athena-SCE to an existing 55,000-square-foot into one building and then reuse produces gaskets and other sealing facility in Chattanooga. The com- or sell those former city properties. devices for automotive and indus- pany will retrofit the existing space trial applications. to include 15,000 square feet of of- LEWISBURG fice space as well as other upgrades CBC Group will invest $3 million NASHVILLE at the facility. The new operations and create 60 jobs as part of an The Metro Nashville and David- will function as the company’s expansion to its existing facility son County Assessor’s Office North American headquarters and in Lewisburg. The company plans has received the Certificate of manufacturing facility. ATN, a to build a 60,000-square-foot Excellence in Assessment Admin- subsidiary of German-based ATN addition to its current facility on istration (CEAA) from the Inter- Hoelzel GmbH, is a leading sup- 1013 Veterans Drive in Lewisburg. national Association of Assessing plier and system integrator of the Since 1948, the family-owned Officers (IAAO), a national and automotive industry with its main company has distributed church international organization which focus in fully automated and robot supplies and inspirational prod- is made up of approximately 8,000 With the help of Memphis City Beautiful and volunteers from Hope guided gluing equipment. The ucts under an assortment of brand members in the assessment profes- Church, Tennessee State Parks’ Tires to Trails Program was able company’s customers include pre- names. Its customer base includes sion and seeks to maintain the high- to help clean up another 1,500 illegally dumped scrap tires in Mem- mium automotive OEMs that fully religious institutions, Christian est standards of professionalism phis. So far the program has collected more than 15,000 tires and rely on ATN’s services, equipment retail stores, as well as secular gift in property valuation. The Metro is almost halfway to its goal of 36,000, all of which will be recycled and turnkey solutions. shops. Headquartered in Phoenix, Nashville and Davidson County and used in a new trail at T.O. Fuller State Park. The cleanup was Ariz., CBC Group currently em- Office is the only county assessor’s the second held at the park after one that brought 450 volunteers FAYETTEVILLE ploys approximately 80 at its distri- office in the state to earn the certi- out during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. A third cleanup The city has broken ground on bution and manufacturing campus fication, which lasts for a period of is also planned. The tires will be recycled by Patriot Recycling in the first phase of Fayetteville’s in Lewisburg. Once the expansion six years. The recognition comes Bristol, Tn., into pavement-like surfacing for an approximately three long-anticipated greenway project. is completed, CBC Group’s Lewis- after Assessor Vivian Wilhoite was -mile trail for pedestrians and cyclists within the park. City leaders and citizens gathered burg facility will span more than named Outstanding New Member at the end of South Elk Avenue to 200,000 square feet. The company by the Tennessee Association of break ground on the project, which anticipates starting construction in Assessing Officers in January was first planned in 2008 but was July 2019 and expects to complete 2019. The office will be presented Animal hospital donates shelved due to the recession. A the expansion in January 2020. with its Certificate of Excellence master plan for the project was cre- Award at the IAAO’s 85th Annual cooling kits to K-9 units ated in 2014 that outlined the first MANCHESTER Conference in Ontario, Canada in three phases of the project that also The Manchester Soccer Complex September 2019. incorporated an accompanying will receive a $672,000 upgrade blueway to the greenway. The first that will include the construction TOWNSEND phase of the project will connect of restrooms and installation of The Townsend community of the square with Stone Bridge Park new lighting. The city will only pay Fawn Hollow has joined 25 other and is expected to be completed $336,000 toward the project with communities across the state to within six months. The goal of the the rest coming from a Tennes- earn the Firewise USA recognition project overall is to connect all of see Department of Environment for its efforts to reduce the vulner- the city’s parks, including the sec- and Conservation (TDEC) grant, ability of the area to wildfire. The ond phase of a pedestrian bridge which will also cover the renova- program began in Tennessee in over the Elk River and connecting tion to a playground on the soccer 2002. The community received a Phase I to the Camp Blount Histor- complex site. The soccer complex commemorative plaque and street ical Site and Huntsville Highway is part of a 25-acre park along the signs at the Townsend Fire Station shopping district. The third phase Little Duck River and also features No. 4. For more information about will include a riverwalk from the greenway access and a community the Firewise USA program visit pedestrian bridge encircling Camp garden. www.BurnSafeTN.org. Blount. MEMPHIS TULLAHOMA FRANKLIN FedEx Corp. officials will invest EnableComp will invest nearly $1 Red Collar Pet Foods will invest an additional $450 million to the million and create 200 jobs over $3.65 million and create 30 jobs $1.1 billion Memphis Hub mod- the next five years at a new facility ernization project announced in in Tullahoma. The Franklin-based TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY March 2018. The total investment company is a full-service proces- Tennessee Town & City (ISSN 00403415, will now exceed $1.5 billion in sor of complex medical claims, USPS 539420) is published semi-monthly the next six years, facilitating the except in the months of June and December serving more than 800 healthcare 19 times per year by Tennessee Municipal construction of a new sort facili- providers across 39 states. The League, 226 Capitol Blvd, Suite 710, Nash- ty, installation of state-of-the-art company’s Tullahoma operation ville TN 37219-1894. Subscription rates: systems and construction of a new $6 per year to members, $15 to nonmem- will process medical insurance bers, $1 a copy. Periodicals Postage Paid bulk truckload building to support claims from submissions to ap- at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER:Send changing e-commerce needs. The peals. EnableComp will locate its address changes to Tennessee Town & City, Hub modernization efforts will be 226 Capitol Blvd, Suite 710, Nashville TN operations at 1400 Cedar Lane 37219-1894. complete by 2025 with significant in Tullahoma. The new facility is Official publication of the Tennessee job creation in addition to the expected to open sometime in Sep- Brighton Police Officer Blaine Max is pictured with K-9 Zorro wearing Municipal League. Publisher: Margaret Mahery (mmahery@ TML1.org); Editor: 11,000 employees who already tember. EnableComp, founded in a cooling collar. The Munford Animal Hospital donated cooling collars Carole Graves ([email protected]; work there. 2000, currently has approximately and vests to each K-9 Unit in Tipton County including to the Atoka, Phone: 615-255-6416. Advertising: Pub- 240 employees at its headquarters Brighton, Covington, and Munford Police Departments. Plans have lisher reserves the right to reject any adver- tising deemed unacceptable. Fax classified MT. PLEASANT in Franklin. The company pro- also been made to expand the program to help departments that ads to TT&C: Attention Carole Graves at Automotive supplier Athena-SCE cesses 180,000 claims annually also work on task forces with Tipton County departments including 615-255-4752, or e-mail cgraves@TML1. will invest more than $3 million and uses clinical expertise, data the Memphis Police Department and Oakland Police Department. org. Fax advertising copy to TT&C: At- tention Debbie Kluth at 615-255-4752, or and create 36 jobs as part of an ex- driven analytics, managed care and The collars help dogs stay cool when out in the elements, which e-mail to dkluth@ TML1.org. Opinions pansion to its facility in Mt. Pleas- proprietary technology to achieve is particularly helpful for working dogs like K-9s who often have to expressed by non League officials or staff ant. The company plans to build a spend hours outside without prior notice. do not necessarily reflect policies of TML. optimal results for its clients. 3-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 www.TML1.org Franklin holds “Kitty Hall” to encourage shelter adoption BY KATE COIL “We are absolutely over the will go to support the Williamson TML Communications Specialist moon of the response to Kitty Hall Animal Center, a very worthwhile at the city of Franklin,” the Wil- place in our community.” Franklin’s City Hall was trans- liamson County Animal Shelter Ondrea Johnson, director at formed into a “Kitty Hall” to help posted on its Facebook page after Williamson County Animal Cen- connect cats from the Williamson the event. “In four hours, four adult ter, said the event is a unique way County Animal Shelter with poten- cats – including our longest-term to promote adoption. tial adopters. cat Casey – and 18 kittens found “We have so many adoptable Sponsored by Mars Petcare, their forever home. The kitties had cats and kittens in our communi- the Downtown Franklin Associ- an absolute blast, and there were ty, and this event is a fun way to ation, Ruby Sunshine, Landmark piles of smiles all day long.” bring awareness to the need for Booksellers, and Heart and Hands, The event offered two kitten adoption,” she said. “The city of the event transformed the city’s adoptions for $10 or one adult cat Franklin is such a great partner, conference room into a “cat café,” for the same price. Visitors could and we appreciate their hosting hosting a meet-and-greet between also contribute financially to sup- Kitty Hall.” available cats and families, a kitty port the shelter through a mock According to the American election, and fundraising events. election held with the cats. Society for the Prevention of Food served at the event Visitors could “vote” for their Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), an was all feline-themed including favorite “catidate” for “meower” average of 3.2 million cats enter “meowmosas,” catfish and grits, or “aldercat” with their dollars. All animal shelters across the country “cattuchinos,” and “bananas foster proceeds benefited the Williamson every year. Some 860,000 of those kittens.” The event was held in Animal Center. cats will end up being euthanized. July, which is typically the biggest “This is an election year and About one-third of Americans intake month for cats at the shelter. we are having fun with the cat own a cat and nearly a third of those Franklin City Manager Eric Stuckey, left, and Mayor Ken Moore with As a result of the event, 22 cats puns and kitty election at Kitty cats were adopted from animal a kitten during the Kitty Hall adoption event held at Franklin City Hall. – 18 kittens and four adults – were Hall,” said Mayor Ken Moore. “All shelters. The event gave residents a chance to get to know animals available adopted. proceeds we made from the event for adoption from the local animal shelter. Memphis tackles the city’s blight through the court system BLIGHT from Page 1 municipal officials, and nonprofits with the large scale of vacant and like Neighborhood Preservation, abandoned property in our commu- Inc., also frequently work with nity,” he said. “We are encouraged small or locally-based developers that we have had some success, on how to get properties into shape though we are certainly not there. as well as try to get the local neigh- We do believe that with taking a borhood and community involved legal, coordinated approach that in the process. includes city and county officials “You can get a total rehabil- – regardless of administration or itation of the property,” she said. who gets alleged. We think that “Sometimes there is demolition, coordinated effort is the secret to which we often have the city do this challenge.” with costs paid for by the owner. Most of those legal challenges Then there is receivership where a wind up in the court of Shelby third party comes in and abates the County Environmental Court property. This only happens when Judge Patrick Dandridge. Before the owner is unable to abate the nui- being elected as judge, Dandridge sance of the property. The receiver served as director of the city of can rehab the property and then ask Memphis’ code operations and as the court to auction the property to a city attorney who handled con- earn back their fees.” demnation cases and advised the Dandridge said the city has code department before coming a system where they budget $25 to the bench. He filed the first 135 million a year to demolish danger- lawsuits under the city’s Neighbor- ous properties. The city sets the hood Preservation Act. price for the demolition and rotates Dandridge said that one of his through a list of available contrac- first responsibilities was finding tors until they find one willing to a way to ensure that blight issues As part of its blight removal efforts, the city of Memphis recently published this map showing the com- demolish the structure for the city’s were being handled in a timely panies and individuals most responsible for blight issues in the community. One of the challenges to set price. manner by the city. blight issues in the city stem from the foreclosure crisis when homes were sold off by banks to investors Overall, Barlow said that “You can’t fix the system if who don’t live in Memphis or in some cases even the U.S. Tracking down these owners and holding blighted properties do not have a there is no system,” he said. “One them accountable is one of the ways the city’s multi-faceted approach gets results. one-size-fits-all solution. of the things we looked at was how “I think it is important to think codes enforcement was operating about what kind of a challenge in Memphis and in Shelby County. property blight is,” he said. “There We found there was really no sys- is a school of thought about how tem. Things were different all over you approach different kinds of the place. It was difficult to get a challenges. A technical challenge grasp of what was really going on. is the type of challenge where you There was no one keeping track of can call up an expert, they can fix response time or even if there had it, you write them a check, and it’s been a response. What we have done. A lot of us wish there was now is a service request system.” a technical answer to blight, but Dandridge said the process of there is no such thing. Blight is an prosecuting blight issues begins adaptive challenge, which means when a local citizen calls into 311 we have to bring people together to report an issue ranging from junk in ways we’ve never done before in yards to dilapidated structures to and talk about the problem in ways cars parked on the grass. we’ve never done before.” “The call is then given a Schaffzin said the unique service request number that you partnership formed in Memphis is can track,” he said. “The service solving blight issues by bringing request goes to whichever depart- together various groups that have ment is responsible for enforcing the same interest in improving the that violation. The service request community. is put into a queue for the individual “Here you have a problem that inspector who then writes it up.” everyone agrees is a problem,” he The case is helped along by said. “These are problems in not students in a legal clinic at the Students at the University of Memphis’ Cecil H. Humphrey’s School of Law can participate in a spe- just how they look but in terms of University of Memphis Cecil H. cialized law clinic aimed at helping with the city’s blight issues. These students gain legal experience the damage they cause to our neigh- Humphrey’s School of Law. Brit- by helping prosecute blight violations on an “address by address” basis that allows them to focus on borhoods, our citizens, and our bot- tany Williams, code enforcement the individual needs of each property and find unique legal solutions to each issue. tom lines when it comes to property prosecutor for the city of Memphis, taxes and extended resources. We advised code enforcement and receive a referral from the area in- property is owned by someone who I introduce city and county offi- found that involving partners who public works and supervised in spector, a lawsuit is filed. After that, died 50 years ago or a company cials in court because their issues we don’t always partner together the University of Memphis’ Neigh- we send out our own inspectors that is nowhere near Memphis or overlap so much. I also know the really works. We found that sup- borhood Preservation Law Clinic. who handle only Neighborhood Tennessee or the United States or difference between city and county porting code enforcement at a local Williams also serves as a member Preservation Act cases.” that doesn’t even exist anymore.” codes and boundaries. We also level, a property-to-property level of the city’s Blight Eliminating Williams said lawsuits are As a result, Schaffzin said have in this court injunctive relief was really working.” Steering Committee. filed against the property itself it can be a challenge to hold the and contempt powers.” While bringing various stake- Williams said one of the first rather than the owner or occupant. owner of the property responsible The unique powers of the court holders together has helped tackle complicated legal issues that usu- A plan is then drawn up to help get for its condition. are one of the ways Dandridge said blight issues in the greater Mem- ally arises with a blighted property the property into compliance and “Often times, it involves cre- the joint environmental court is phis area, Schaffzin said there are is tracking down the owner. inspectors present regular status ative solutions and legal problem able to put more teeth into blight still some challenges the city faces “There are title issues, issues reports on whether or not this plan solvers,” Schaffzin said. “These regulations and enforcement. when it comes to blight enforce- with receivership, and even heir is being filed. All of this is reported properties often acquire individ- “This is a special and unique ment. property that can take you into fam- through the court system. ualized attention and have to be court,” he said. “When you are in “However, money and re- ily law and contract law,” she said. Danny Schaffzin, director of dealt with on a micro level in terms violation and you don’t come in for sources was always a challenge,” “One of the major tools that we use experimental learning and assistant of these issues but also on a macro proceedings, I can have contempt he said. “Our partnership with the for blight remediation is the Neigh- professor of law at the University level in terms of bringing togeth- violations ordered. That can in- city is just that: a partnership. In borhood Preservation Act. This is of Memphis, said taking an “ad- er various teams from different clude jail time in addition to fines.” general, my clinic does not repre- a state statute that only applies to dress by address” approach to the groups to create new strategies Schaffzin said having one sent municipalities, but here this certain communities or you can problem with the legal clinic has and evolving them, to see what is court to handle all of the blight is a way that works to benefit the set a land bank. The jurisdiction is shown success. working or not working.” issues has made a real difference. community. Our newspapers write under chancery court, circuit court, “There isn’t a single one of Dandridge said the fact that he “We have noticed the impor- positive stories about the blight and environmental courts.” these properties that can be solved has worked with both the city and tance of having a devoted court, issues and the challenges we have Williams said the cases only by one institution or one agency county helps him to employ knowl- one court, where all these issues overcome. It has been a win all appear before the court if there is doing all the work,” Schaffzin edge of the laws and issues for both come,” he said. “There is one court around for our city and our law no attempt made to remedy report- said. “There needs to be collabo- when ruling on blight cases. that is the source of all the jurispru- school.” ed issues. ration because of the legal nature “There are some zoning issues dence in this area. By having one To learn more about how “Our cases come only when of the problem. It’s not as easy as that are part of the city and the court instead of the cases going to Memphis has tackled its blight there has been non-compliance getting someone to fix a property county code,” he said. “I have been different places, it has been a game problem, visit the Memphis Blight with code enforcement efforts,” or tear it down. When you scratch the neutralizing person bringing changer.” Steering Committee’s website at she said. “Once we step in and the surface, you often find that the everyone together. Sometimes, Williams said the law clinic, memphisfightsblight.com. www.TML1.org 4-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 Roane State tech building renamed for Sen. Yager Steve Bosh- in 1979 as a certified operator for gineering. One of the first buildings con- ers, a city the city of Franklin before being She comes structed on Roane State Com- councilman hired as a certified operator for the to Lebanon munity College’s Roane County representing Harpeth Valley Utilities District in from the campus has been renamed in honor Columbia’s 1990. She came to Spring Hill in Stanstell of a lifelong public servant who is Ward 2, died 2002 and used her vast experience Electric now a state senator. unexpected- to help guide the city through the Company The Tennessee Board of Regents ly on Aug. 1. construction of the Spring Hill in Nashville has approved the community He was 54. Water Treatment Plant in 2003. and before Steve Boshers Kristen Rice college’s request to rename the Boshers was Giles is a member of the Duck that was a 41-year-old Technology Building first elected to the city council in River Agency Technical Advisory traffic engineer for Metro Nashville the Ken Yager Building. Sen. Ken Yager 2016. Boshers was also a territory Committee, the American Water Public Works. She has also held po- “Sen. Yager has been an advo- sales manager at O’Reilly Automo- Works Association (AWWA), the sitions with T-Square Engineering, cate for Roane State students for Building for me,” Sen. Yager said. tive and served as the senior pastor Tennessee Association of Utility RPM Transportation Consultants, many years, as Roane County “Roane State Community College of the Wrigley Church of God of Districts (TAUD), and was a past and Wilbur Smith Associates. She Executive, as a Roane State faculty provides life-changing opportuni- Prophecy. In addition to his public chair of the KY-TN AWWA’s Hon- holds a bachelor’s degree in civil member and dean, and now as a ties for our citizens throughout the service to the city of Columbia, he ors and Awards Committee. engineering from the University member of the Tennessee General region. I am proud to have been spent nearly a decade as a consta- of Tennessee at Knoxville and is Assembly,” Roane State President associated with the college and ble for Maury County and served Kenneth a registered professional engineer. Chris Whaley said. “He has dili- happy to be in a position to help.” as a reserve deputy for the Maury C. Griffin gently worked with local and state As a state lawmaker, Yager ad- County Sheriff’s Department. He Jr. has been Chuck Wil- leaders to ensure that the needs for vocated for more than $16 million was also a board member of the promoted liams has our students are supported.” in state funding, including recent Maury County Chamber and Eco- to assistant been select- “I am truly honored that Presi- improvements, for Roane State’s nomic Alliance as well as president chief of the ed as the dent Whaley and the Board of Re- Henry/Stafford East Tennessee of the county’s Cal Ripken Base- Decherd new assis- gents have named the Technology Agricultural Exposition Center. ball League. Police De- tant chief of partment. the Decherd Kenneth Griffin Randy Ellis Griffin is a Fire Depart- Tenn. Fire Chiefs elect new has been se- nine-year veteran of law enforce- ment. The Chuck Williams lected as the ment and previously served as a position of president, honor members new director master sergeant with the depart- assistant chief was recently cre- The Tennessee Fire Chiefs As- of the Har- ment. The assistant chief position ated for the department, which sociation elected a new president riman Visi- is new to the Decherd Police along with the Decherd Police at the 91st Annual Southeastern tors’ Center Department, which runs both its Department falls under the city’s Association of Fire Chiefs/51st known as police and fire department under public safety umbrella. Williams Annual Tennessee Fire Chiefs As- the Trail- a public safety umbrella. Griffin is has served as a firefighter for 19 Randy Ellis sociation Joint Conference. head and will the son of Ken C. Griffin, Sr., who years and began his career with Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony oversee local tourism. He will also also serves in law enforcement at the Decherd Fire Department in Watson was selected to lead the help coordinate special events for the Arnold Engineering Devel- March 2000. organization, taking over from the city as well as help manage the opment Complex. Father and son outgoing president and Brentwood new city history museum being made history by being the first Cyndi Fire and Rescue Chief Brian Goss. located to the Trailhead Visitors’ father-son duo to attend the same Wright, Several awards were also pre- Center from the city’s Temperance East Tennessee Regional Law longtime ad- sented, including a posthumous Hall. Ellis currently serves as a Enforcement Academy at Walters ministrative award given to Sparta Fire Captain Roane County Commissioner rep- State Community College. assistant for Chief Tony Watson Barry Brady who died of colon can- resenting a portion of the city, a seat the Franklin cer earlier this year. Brady’s family he was first elected to in 2010, and Phil Hen- Fire Depart- Tennessee Commissioner of Com- received a Distinguished Service has served as the county commis- derson has ment, will merce and Insurance Julie Mix Award in his name in honor of his McPeak, Brentwood Assistant Fire sion’s vice chairman for six years. been select- retire after Cyndi Wright 25 years of service. He is the county commission chair ed as the 15 years of Chief David Windrow, and Ruther- Distinguished Service Awards of the Roane County Chamber and new acting service with the city. Wright joined ford County Public Safety Director were also presented to former Alliance, a store manager to Reno’s chief of the the city as a secretary with the Kevin Lauer. Sporting Good, and co-owns a tan- Tullahoma police department in 2004 and was quickly promoted to serve as ning salon with his wife. Police De- Phil Henderson partment, administrative assistant for the fire David Manning dead at 69 Caryl Giles taking over the position from Jason department the following year. For David Manning, who served as will retire Ferrell who had served as acting several years, she was the only full- commissioner of the Tennessee as the water chief since January. Ferrell did not time administrative assistant in the Department of Finance and as treatment apply to retain his position as acting department and often worked be- Metro Nashville finance director, plant super- chief. Henderson has been with the hind the scenes answering phones, died earlier this month. He was 69. intendent in Tullahoma Police Department for handling payroll, scheduling, and Manning joined state govern- Spring Hill 32 years, serving 16 years as a pa- helping coordinate events ranging ment in 1974 as a budget analyst. after a 40- trol sergeant and two as a lieutenant from graduation ceremonies to He became deputy treasurer and year career in the support services division. retirement parties to awards cel- ultimately finance commissioner Caryl Giles in water ebrations. Before coming to the under Gov. Ned Ray McWhert- treatment. Giles was the first ever Kristen Rice has been selected as city of Franklin, Wright worked er, during which time he was in water treatment plant manager for the new transportation and traffic for a decade as a dispatcher and in part responsible for setting up engineer for the city of Lebanon. administration at a sheriff’s depart- TennCare, the state’s Medicaid Spring Hill when she was hired David Manning 17 years ago and paved the way Rice has more than 11 years of ment in Ohio. She also supported program. for women in water treatment and project management experience her husband during his 20 years of In 1999, Manning was hired as Health Care. Since leaving Metro, production. Giles began her career in transportation and traffic -en military service before beginning the finance director for Nashville Manning has served as receiver for his own career with the city of Mayor Bill Purcell. Prior to join- Guam’s solid waste management Franklin as a building inspector. ing Metro he was with Columbia system.

No loan is too large or too small

Martin recently closed a $1,350,000 capital outlay note with the Tennessee McKenzie recently closed a $2.7 million fixed-rate loan with the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund (TMBF) issued to finance various public works proj- Municipal Bond Fund (TMBF) to finance energy saving improvements ects. Martin has used TMBF’s various loan programs 30 times since 1987 throughout the city. McKenzie has used TMBF’s various loan programs and has borrowed more than $25 million during that time. Pictured are Kelly since 1987. Pictured are Jennifer Waldrup, city recorder; Mayor Jill Hol- Wilson, city clerk; Mayor Randy Brundige; and Tommy Green, TMBF mar- land; and Tommy Green, TMBF marketing representative. keting representative.

See us for your special projects needs. (615) 255-1561 5-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 www.TML1.org Tennessee tourism outpaces nation with $22B in travel spending,119M visitors Tennessee has been named the eries reduce their environmental TOURISM from Page 1 state with the top climate for impact. Administered by TDEC’s products and remarkable brands business by Business Facilities’ Office of Policy and Sustainable that drive visitation,” Ezell said. magazine’s 15th Annual Rank- Practices (OPSP), the program “We would not have these num- ings report. As a result, Tennessee will reduce operational costs and bers if it weren’t for renovations, will be a top contender for the environmental impacts for wineries capital investments and passion magazine’s annual State of the Year and wine growers, breweries, and shown by tourism partners across Award. Tennessee was also ranked distilleries as well as serve as a the state. The record-breaking mil- third on the magazine’s workforce gateway to sustainability education lions who come here discover the training leaders list, fourth on its through popular brands. The new music, history and culture, family automotive manufacturing strength voluntary program improve oper- experiences and scenic beauty that and import activity lists, and ninth ational sustainability by promoting make Tennessee ‘The Soundtrack on its export activity list. The maga- best practices, providing technical of America.’” zine also ranked states on economic assistance, and developing rela- Travelers in Tennessee spend growth potential, cyber security tionships. Participating companies an estimated $60 million per day. growth potential, top manufactur- will receive a special designation Tourism generated more than $50 ing employment, top percentage from the state and access to in- million in new state and local tax of workforce in manufacturing, formation and programs to help dollars in 2018, approximately $25 installed solar power capacity, continue their sustainable practices. million of which supports public amount of electricity generated A pilot program has begun for the education. by solar power, installed wind initiative, and any businesses that power capacity, amount of wind wish to participate in the program Highlights of the report include: One of the new tourism initiatives Tennessee rolled out this past power-generated electricity, low- can apply at https://www.tn.gov/ • $22.02 billion travel expen- year was adding scenic viewers with speciality lenses that allow est industrial electricity rates, best environment/program-areas/op- ditures, a 6 percent increase red-green colorblind visitors to see the natural color and beauty of business tax climate, unmanned sp-policy-and-sustainable-prac- (Source: U.S. Travel Associ- the state. A video campaign showing colorblind participants seeing aerial systems, tech job employ- tices/business-and-private-sector/ ation). the state’s fall foilage in true form for the first time went viral and ment leadership, tech job growth, tennessee-sustainable-spirits/ten- • Growth rate was 20 percent generated more than $2.5 million worth of free media coverage for capital investment, biotechnology, nessee-sustainable-spirits-applica- more than the national average the state. The viewers are located in a dozen of the most popular aerospace leadership, opportunity tion.html. of 4.9 percent. outlook areas of the state, including along the Mississippi River, at zones, and semiconductors. • Travelers in Tennessee spend Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain, Big South Fork, and in the Great A new study by the Tennessee an estimated $60 million per Smoky Mountains. Tennessee’s unemployment rate Department of Labor and Work- day. increased in every county across force Development (TDLWD) • 119.37 million domestic visi- • Travel and tourism is the partment of Tourist Development the state in June after months of has identified the lowest and tors, up 5.1 percent from 113 state’s second largest industry received state budget funding to record-low rates. While 61 of the highest-paying jobs in the state. million in 2018, the highest by employment (Source: U.S. create the Office of Rural Tourism state’s 95 counties still have rates Management occupations reported growth in the past six years. Travel Association). and Outreach, led by Assistant below 5 percent, the Tennessee the highest annual median wage • 81.3 percent of visitors were • International spending growth Commissioner Melanie Beau- Department of Labor and Work- for the state with an annual salary leisure travelers, an increase is seven times the national champ. The new office will provide force Development (TDLWD) of $82,502 followed by computer of 5.5 percent average. outreach and resources specifically reported that 34 counties saw their and mathematical operations at • Daily spending per person - • There was a 5.4 percent tour- to help at-risk and distressed coun- unemployment rates at 5 percent second at $71,082 per year and $128 (Source: D.K. Shifflet & ism growth in Tennessee ties. or more. The lowest percentage is architecture and engineering jobs Associates). versus the 0.8 percent U.S. The Tennessee Department of 3 percent held by both Williamson at third with $69,705 per year as • Tourism generated 189,757 average. Tourist Development works with and Davidson counties while Han- a median wage. The lowest paid jobs for Tennesseans, a 2.9 • All of the state’s 95 counties the Tennessee Tourism Commit- cock County reported the highest occupations were in food prep with percent growth year over year. saw an increase in domestic tee, local convention and visitors’ unemployment rate for June at 7.7 an annual median wage of $19,496. • Travel in Tennessee generated travel spending. bureaus, chambers of commerce, percent. State officials said seasonal Personal care and service jobs were $1.81 billion in state and local • Each county saw more than city and county leaders, tourism employment rates may be why un- at the second lowest at $21,426 and tax revenue (Source: U.S. $1 million in direct travel attractions and the hospitality employment is on the rise. buildings and grounds cleaning or Travel Association). expenditures in the economic industry in all 95 counties to help maintenance jobs came in third • Travel generated tax revenue impact of tourism (Source: bring travelers to the state. The Tennessee Department of lowest with an annual salary of results in $712 in annual state U.S. Travel Association). Environment and Conserva- $23,589. The report found that the and local tax savings for the To view the full report, visit tion’s (TDEC) new Sustainable average state hourly wage is $16.78 average Tennessee household In response to Gov. Lee’s first https://industry.tnvacation.com/ Spirits program will help local and the average yearly salary in the (Source: U.S. Travel Associ- executive order to better serve sites/industry/files/component/ distilleries, breweries and win- state was $34,902. ation, U.S. Census Bureau). rural Tennessee, the Tennessee De- pod/EI_2019_Share.pdf Municipal elections held in 11 communities across state

ELECTIONS from Page 1 to the polls on Aug. 1 to elect a well as three challengers – Zulfat 16 were taken by incumbents while newcomer John Rutherford all ran HUNTLAND vice mayor, and several open city Suara, Howard Jones, and Gary 11 were taken by newcomers to unopposed for their seats. Ballots were cast on Aug. 1 for the council seats. Moore. the seat. municipal election in Huntland. Nashville will have a run-off There will also be run-offs for Winning candidates included SWEETWATER Incumbents Danny Benson, Ann race for its mayoral seat between eight of the 35 district council seats newcomer Jonathan B. Hall in Dis- Voters in the town of Sweetwater Gardner, and Ken Pendleton all incumbent David Briley and chal- up for grabs. Incumbent DeCosta trict 1; newcomer Jennifer Gamble cast their ballots on June 13. retained their alderman seats in the lenger John Cooper after neither Hastings will face off against Ky- in District 2; incumbent Robert Incumbents Sam Moser and three-seat race. garnered enough votes to win the zonte’ Toombs for the District 2 Swope in District 4; newcomer B.G. “Buster” West were joined by seat out right. seat. Newcomer Emily Benedict Sean Parker in District 5; incum- newcomer Marlene Prater on the LUTTRELL Cooper slightly led the race will face off against fellow chal- bent Nancy VanReece in District 8; city commission, defeating incum- Voters in Luttrell went to the polls with a little more than 35 percent lenger Clint Camp for the District newcomer Tonya Hancock in Dis- bent Edward Lee as well as chal- on June 6. of the vote while Briley garnered 7 seat. trict 9; newcomer Zach Young in lengers Richard Bettis, Travis Paul, Newcomer Jerry Lawson a little more than 25 percent of the Newcomer Russ Bradford will District 10; newcomer Erin Evins Alan Richeson, Cotton Upton, was elected mayor, beating out vote. A run-off between the two face fellow challenger Andrew in District 12; newcomer Tom Cash Patrick Upton, and Pam Weston for incumbent mayor Johnny Merritt candidates has been scheduled for Dixon for the District 13 seat; in District 18; incumbent Mary the three available seats. and challengers Dennis Nicley and Sept. 12. newcomer Ginny Welsch will face Carolyn Roberts in District 20; Elizabeth C. York. Briley and Cooper did manage off with former councilman Tony newcomer Gloria Hausser in Dis- TULLAHOMA Challenger Kyle Muncey and to defeat eight other candidates for Tenpenny for District 16. trict 22; incumbent Tanaka Vercher Tullahoma held a municipal elec- incumbents Jody G. Smith and the seat: Jody Ball, Julia Margue- Incumbent Ed Kindall will be in District 28, incumbent Delishia tion on Aug. 1 for two open alder- Lloyd Railey took the three open rite Clark-Johnson, State Rep. John challenged by newcomer Brandon Porterfield in District 29; newcom- man seats. council positions, defeating Barry Ray Clemmons, Bernie Cox, Jim- Taylor for the District 21 seat. In- er Joy Styles in District 32, incum- Newcomers Rupa Shukla Corum, Caleb Dyer, and Dona H. my Lawrence, Jon Sewell, Nolan cumbent Mina Johnson will face bent Antoinette Lee in District 33; Blackwell and Daniel Berry took Hall. O. Starnes, and Carol M. Swain. off against Thom Druffell for the incumbent Angie E. Henderson in the two open seats, defeating The city will also have a run- District 23 seat. District 34; and incumbent Dave incumbent Jackie A. Duncan and MILLEDGEVILLE off for four of its five open at-large Incumbent Jeremy Elrod will Rosenberg in District 35. challenger Stephen B. Landers. The town of Milledgeville held council positions. Only incumbent run against newcomer Courtney District 6 incumbent Brett A. a municipal election on May 25. candidate Bob Mendes garnered Johnson for the District 26 seat. Withers, District 11 incumbent WINCHESTER Incumbents Kevin Essary, Brenda the 10 percent of the vote necessary Newcomer Sandra Sepulveda will Larry Hagar, District 14 incumbent The city of Winchester held an Essary, and Tony McMurry all to acquire a seat out of a field of 15 challenge former State Rep. Sherry Kevin Rhoten, District 15 incum- election on Aug. 1 with Mayor retained their seats on the board candidates. Jones for the District 30 seat. bent Jeff Syracuse; District 17 Terry Harrell retaining his seat in of mayor and alderman as there The top eight candidates will Incumbent Jim Shulman gar- incumbent Colby Sledge; District an unopposed race. were no challengers for the three go on to participate in the Sept. 12 nered 80 percent of the vote and 19 incumbent Freddie O’Connell; Incumbent Cile Alexander and open seats. run-off. They include five incum- retained his vice mayor seat over District 24 incumbent Kathleen newcomer Steve Cagley defeated bent candidates – Sharon Hurt, challenger Robert Sawyers Sr. Murphy; District 25 incumbent challenger Mike Foster for the two NASHVILLE Sheri Weiner, Burkley Allen, Fa- Of the 27 district seats that will Russ Pulley; District 27 newcom- open seats on the Winchester Board Voters in Metro Nashville went bian Bedne, and Steve Glover – as not got to a run-off in September, er Robert Nash; and District 31 of Mayor and Aldermen.

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Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee TNCleanFuels.org www.TML1.org 6-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 100 years later, what does suffrage mean to women in government? BY KATE COIL Clarksville’s Lulu Bringhurst TML Communications Specialist Epperson bought the Hotel Mont- gomery and used it as a meeting The American Women’s Suf- place for the local suffrage group. frage Movement is generally con- Pulaski’s Lena Springs became sidered to have gotten its start during the first woman ever nomimated to two days in July 1848, when a group serve as vice president of the U.S. of women and abolitionist Frederick in 1924. Douglass convened to hold the Sen- Nashville’s Anne Dallas Dud- eca Falls Convention, a discussion ley was president of the Women’s of the social, civil, and religious Suffrage League when the vote rights and condition of women in came to Tennessee and used the America. city’s Hermitage Hotel as her head- It was 30 years later in 1878 that quarters for the campaign, which the first amendment was introduced brought national figures like Carrie to Congress that would allow wom- Chapman Catt to the state. en the right to vote, but the proposed East Tennesseans like Chat- amendment would not be passed by tanooga’s Abby Crawford Milton the U.S. House of Representatives and Knoxville’s Lizzie Crozier until May 21, 1919, and the U.S. French, who organized the Ossoli Senate on June 4, 1919, more than Circle, were also influential on the 40 years after the bill was first in- movement. troduced. However, no woman may have However, the proposed 19th had more influence on the fight for Amendment had one more step to women’s suffrage than Niota’s Febb becoming law of the land: it had to Ensminger Burn whose letter to be ratified by at least 36 of the then- her son Harry T. Burn, a state sen- 48 states. ator representing McMinn County, Tennessee proved to be the tipped the vote in favor of suffrage. “perfect 36th” state, passing wom- In addition to giving women the en’s suffrage on Aug. 18, 1920. It opportunity to vote, the bill also led would be 16 days later – Aug. 26, to more women becoming involved 1920 – that the 19th Amendment in government, ranging from city became federal law. mayors and locally-elected officials While the final showdown for to women running for state and women’s right to vote happened in federal office across Tennessee and Nashville, the fight for women’s the nation. suffrage touched every corner of the Beginning with the centenary of Volunteer State. the House passing the amendment Memphis was home to suffrag- bill this past March and ending with ettes like journalist Ida B. Wells the centennial of the ratification next Barnett and Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, August, Tennessee will join other who served as the first president of states and the nation at-large in cel- the Tennessee Suffrage Association. ebrating this moment in American Elizabeth Meriwether founded the history. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee state’s first women’s suffrage group has issued a proclamation declaring in Memphis in the 1870s. Aug. 18, 2019, until Aug. 18, 2020, Born in Henderson, Sue Shel- as the Tennessee Women’s Suffrage ton White became famous after she Centennial. was jailed in Washington, D.C., at Here’s what the women munic- a suffrage rally. The Jackson-based ipal leaders who serve on the TML lawyer was instrumental in getting board had to say about the impor- the amendment passed in Tennessee. tance of this anniversary.

A statute of Febb Ensminger Burn and her son, state Sen. Harry T. Burn, was recently unveiled in Knoxville. Located outside the Knox County East Tennessee History Museum, the statute is one of many that have been recently erected across the state to honor Tennesseans who were instrumental in the suffrage movement, including monuments to Anne Dallas Dudley and other suffragettes in Nashville, a statue honoring Sue Shelton White in Jackson, and a statue unveiled this past month in Clarksville. After the Burn monument was unveiled, it was decorated with yellow roses, a symbol of the suffrage movement.

“More than 70 years of sacrifice and intense “Women’s suffrage gave women of all struggle by countless remarkable women from ages, background, and educational levels the every walk of life resulted in the passage of the opportunity to grow, develop, and contribute to 19th Amendment. their communities. This inalienable right for women to cast our Women should never take their right to ballot has paved the way for a more diverse vote lightly, and they should always take every and non-discriminatory government, as women opportunity to vote in local, state, and national are allowed to run for office and assume roles elections. as essential, contributing lawmakers of federal, In Tennessee, we have been fortunate to state, and local governments whose decisions have many talented and knowledgeable women help to shape our democracy. who serve in local, state, and national offices. It is important to remember the unwavering This would not have been possible had dedication of the suffragettes who secured this Harry T. Burn not voted ‘yes’ in 1920, giving all cherished right and fundamental responsibility Jill Holland women in the U.S. the right to vote. We should for all American women and to always exercise TML President and never forget our history and never neglect our Margaret Mahery our right to vote.” Mayor of McKenzie responsibility to vote.” TML Executive Director

“As a result of women’s suffrage, women “It is especially meaningful to me as a wom- have progressed from being allowed to vote an in government in Tennessee to celebrate to being recognized as capable, visionary in- the centenary of women’s suffrage. dividuals who can lead through their strength, Tennessee played such a vital role in the courage, wisdom, and experiences. passage of the 19th Amendment, and Nash- The equality of women today presents ville was the center of national attention. greater possibilities for future generations..” It was an exciting and historical time for our state and country, and I would not be where I am today were it not for those brave women who tirelessly fought for the right to vote. I’m very grateful to them and strive to represent women in leadership to the best of my abilities.” Doris Hensley Gina Holt Mayor of Erwin City Manager of Springfield 7-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 www.TML1.org

“Any woman in govern- ment, elected or appointed, Political Milestones for should understand very clearly that she stands on Tennessee Women the foundation established by the strong, strategic, 1919 and intentional women who Etta Stockard Craw- participated in the women’s ford becomes the first suffrage movement. woman to legally cast 1920 These women were vi- a ballot in a municipal After a letter from his election in the state sionary leaders who knew the mother Febb after Lawrenceburg right to vote was paramount Ensminger Burn, becomes the first Ten- Tennessee State to our existence and choices nessee city to let women in life. Rep. Harry T. Burn, Christa Martin vote - before the passage R-Niota, casts the I am able to serve as vice Vice Mayor of Columbia of the 19th Amendment. deciding vote in mayor because of them. We the state legislature honor them for their work as roles today. that ratifies the 19th positioned women to serve There is still much work 1921 Amendment. in high-level decision-making to do!” Anna Lee Keys Worley of Bluff City becomes the first woman to serve in the Tennessee legislature after being 1923 appointed to fill the “Women’s suffrage en- Marion Griffin of Memphis seat of her late becomes the first woman to ables me the opportunity to husband. She be elected to the Tennessee place my name on a ballot carries a bill that House of Representatives. and hold an office. allows women to She was also the first wom- It empowers me to have a run for political an admitted to the Tennes- office in the state see State Bar. voice and know I can make a and hold clerk po- difference in local, state, and sitions in the legisla- national government.” ture, which passes and 1932 is signed into law later that session.

Fayetteville native Willa 1940 McCord Blake Eslick is Katie Lamb Mary Ellen Mayor of Collegedale the first woman elected to “Ma” Pres- serve Tennessee in the U.S. nell Brendle House of Representatives. “I wouldn’t be in this po- is believed to sition today if it weren’t for be the first woman to be elected as a city the determination of brave mayor in Tennessee women suffragists and the when she is elected 1966 enlightened men who sup- the first female mayor of Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown of ported them. Englewood. Nashville becomes the first The best way to honor African-American woman elected to the state legisla- their legacy is for women ture, serving in the Tennes- to vote, work to elect good 1977 see House. “Dr. D” was also candidates, and run for office. the first African-American In turn, we must ensure During the Annual TML woman certified as a surgeon Conference, Oak in the South. that others are not denied the Ridge councilwoman right to vote de facto due to Jo Roe and 17 other arbitrary legislation or election female TML members policies. Madeline Rogero organized Women 1980 We are stronger when we Mayor of Knoxville in Municipal Govern- ment. The TML-affiliat- Jane Eskind becomes are inclusive.” ed group worked locally the first woman to win and with the National League statewide election of Cities to encourage more women in Tennessee when she is elected to “Tennessee’s deciding to run for municipal office across Tennessee. the Public Service vote granting women the right Commission. to vote also laid the foundation that opened doors for women to pursue leadership roles on all levels of government. 1987 In 1993, I walked through Memphis’ Lois De- that open door to become a Berry becomes the first African-Amer- member of the Morristown ican woman se- City Council. lected as Speaker We honor the sacrifice of Tempore of the 1990 the brave women who strug- Tennessee State House. Newport’s Jeanne gled to ensure all women Wilson Birdwell could vote by exercising our becomes TML’s right to vote at every opportu- Kay Senter first female Mayor nity and pursuing leadership Vice Mayor of Morristown of the Year. After roles.” serving her city as 1991 an alderman and Nashville’s Thelma mayor, she returns Harper becomes the as an interim city “I believe the increase first African-Ameri- manager in 2009. in female legislators at the can woman elected national and state level has to serve in the State influenced public policies Senate. She also be- that were historically either comes the first wom- an to preside over neglected or not prioritized the Senate. 1994 by male legislators. Women bring a perspec- Athens Mayor tive and influence to legis- Margaret Mahery lative decisions that affect becomes the first issues close to home and 2002 female president have consideration for the of the TML Board. Kim McMillan be- She became the quality of life of families. comes the first wom- executive director On the local municipal an to be selected as of TML in 2002. level, I am the first female Mary Ann Tremblay Tennessee House elected to my town’s board Vice Mayor of Threeway Majority Leader. She of alderman and serve on an space, playground, and walk- goes on to become all-male board. ing trail into the municipal the first female mayor of Clarksville in 2010. When I was elected, there complex plan that was not in was a development planned the original plan. for a new municipal complex, Without the ability of wom- and my ability to bring a voice en to vote, I may not have to the needs of women and been elected, and therefore, families in my town enabled not able to influence the de- Nashville’s Beth me to shape the decisions cisions affecting the local cit- Harwell is elect- to include a park with green izens in such a positive way.” ed the first female Speaker of the House in the state legisla- ture. 2011 For more information on ways Tennesseans are celebrating That same year, the centenary of women’s suffrage, visit the Official Commit- Madeline Rogero is tee of the State of Tennessee Woman Suffrage Centennial’s elected the first -fe website at TNWoman100.com male mayor of Knox- ville and the first 2018 female mayor of any To learn more about Tennessee’s suffrage history and the Marsha Blackburn of of Tennessee’s “big people who made the ratification of the 19th Amendment Brentwood becomes four” cities. possible, visit the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Heritage Trail the first woman elect- ed to represent Ten- at https://tnwomansuffrageheritagetrail.com nessee in the U.S. Senate. www.TML1.org 8-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019

fi lings, premium administration, asset control can be viewed at http://www.mcminnvilletn. wastewater treatment procedures and methods, and reporting; Assists in preparation of annual gov.The salary for this position is dependent on and operation of pumps, motors, drive units, budgets and budgetary reporting for all funds of experience and qualifi cations. In addition the electrical controls, etc.; Must be computer literate the city; To apply, visit https://cityofportlandtn. city offers a progressive benefi t package that in- in spreadsheet and word processing software gov/government/careers/, or send resume and cludes paid vacation, paid holidays, an extensive and be able to create and maintain documents Advertising: $9.25 per column inch. No charge cover letter to: City of Portland, ATTN: Hu- benefi t package that includes; health insurance, and spreadsheets. Starting salary is $51,701.00 to TML members. Send advertising to: Carole DRAINAGE ENGINEER man Resources, 100 N. Russell St., Portland, dental, vision etc., and contributions to the state - $61,456.25 annually DOE with an excellent Graves: [email protected]. CLEVELAND. The city of Cleveland is accept- TN 37148 of Tennessee retirement plan. Qualifi ed persons benefi ts package. To apply for this position, you ing applications from qualifi ed individuals for should submit an application, a resume of expe- must submit a city of White House application. BUILDING AND CODES INSPECTOR the position of Staff/Drainage Engineer in the PLANNER rience and qualifi cations, letter of interest, salary Applications and additional details on how to HENDERSONVILLE. The city of Hender- Development and Engineering Services Depart- ARLINGTON. The town of Arlington is seeking history and professional references to: Jennifer apply are available on the city of White House’s sonville is currently accepting applications for ment. Qualifi ed applicants will possess a bache- a highly motivated individual for a full-time Rigsby, Human Resource Administrator, City of website at www.cityofwhitehouse.com or in a building and codes inspector. This position is lor’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent position at town hall. Applicants shall have McMinnville, P.O. Box 7088, McMinnville, TN, person at the Human Resources Offi ce at 105 responsible for performing all necessary and combination of training and experience. Engineer excellent project management, oral and written 37111. Deadline for applications is Sept. 27. College Street, White House, TN 37188. This required inspections of buildings, property, Intern (EI) Certifi cation is preferred. Anticipated communication skills. Applicant must have an position is open until fi lled. and related systems to ensure compliance with Starting Salary Range $50,500 - $55,900. Re- a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR applicable building codes. This position is el- sponsibilities include collect storm drainage from an accredited college or university in SPRINGFIELD . The city of Springfi eld is WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT igible for possible merit and COL increases as data and prepare drainage studies for stormwater urban or regional planning, civil engineering, currently seeking a new director for the public CHIEF OPERATOR well as longevity and other excellent benefi ts. culvert design. Investigate fi eld drainage issues landscape architecture, or a closely related fi eld. works department. The public works department PORTLAND. The city of Portland is accepting Monthly Pay: $3,944 - $4,248 or DOQ. Candi- affecting property owners and assist public works At least fi ve years of public management and is vital to the success of the mission of the city of applications for the position of Wastewater date must possess one or more valid and current maintenance operations with resolving drainage professional planning experience, preferably in Springfi eld and contains four primary functions Treatment Plant Chief Operator until fi lled. ICC Inspector certifi cations, one of them being issues. Perform land topographic surveying and a municipality. AICP certifi cation is preferred. of the city: street maintenance, sanitation/refuse The position reports to the Utilities Director building (either residential or commercial); 1-3 construction staking for capital improvement Applications should be sent to Human Resources collection, stormwater management, and vehicle and is responsible for the daily operation of the years of related work experience; high school projects (CIP). Use computer aided design soft- P.O. Box 507 Arlington, TN 38002 or by email maintenance. The public works director plans, wastewater treatment plant including wastewater diploma or GED; possession of or ability to ware under the charge of engineers. Candidate to [email protected] organizes, directs, controls and evaluates all testing, monitoring and compliance responsibil- obtain a valid TN driver’s license; and the must have 1- year minimum experience in the activities of the department and oversees depart- ities; maintenance of the plant; and department ability to satisfactorily utilize basic computer design and preparation of civil engineering con- POLICE OFFICER ment personnel. The position is also responsible personal training and supervision. Competitive applications.To apply go to www.hvilletn.org or struction documents using AutoCAD/Civil 3D WHITE HOUSE. The city of White House is cur- for administrative function such as budgeting as starting pay, depending on experience, education, come by Hendersonville City Hall at 101 Maple or Bentley Micro station/Bentley Open Roads. rently accepting applications for police offi cer. well as preparing cost estimates for construction and qualifi cations. This position is a Grade 10 Drive North, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Open Research property owner deed information, Applicants must have a high school diploma or projects. The Director works under the general on the City of Portland Pay grades and ranges until fi lled. EOE prepare technical descriptions of easement and GED. They must possess an appropriate driver’s supervision of the city manager. Bachelors’ ($48,964 – $73,446). Position is full time, with right of way boundaries for legal documents, license valid in the state of Tennessee. P.O.S.T. degree from an accredited degree-granting, full benefi t package available including vacation, CODE ADMINISTRATOR BUILDING assists with obtaining easements and properties Certifi cation must be obtained within six months four year college or institution in management, sick days, paid holidays; health, dental, vision, OFFICIAL for public use. Prepare plans and cost estimates of employment. Must meet Minimum Standards public administration, business administration, life/AD&D, TCRS retirement and supplemen- BRISTOL. The city of Bristol Tennessee is for (CIP)s that include streets, storm drains, Law (TCA 38-8-106) requirements. Applicants construction trades, engineering, political sci- tal voluntary benefi ts. Candidate prepares a accepting applications for a code administrator sidewalks, greenway, etc. Perform construction must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 ence, or applicable area of study; prefer 10 + variety of standard managerial reports and building offi cial Under direction of the devel- inspections to ensure conformance to construc- years of age and meet the physical, psychological years of progressively responsible supervisory/ special reports as required by state and federal opment services director, the person will be tion plans and specifi cations on (CIP)s such and criminal records and other standards for management experience in street construction regulations; supervises and participates in plant responsible for professional, technical, man- as, storm sewer projects, street improvements the assignment established by the White House and maintenance, stormwater operation, drainage operations; performs the more skilled and tech- agerial, and administrative work of the Code projects, and TDOT Locally managed projects. Police Department. Starting salary is $14.86 - construction and maintenance, and management nical work; performs laboratory tests relating to Enforcement Department. A degree in building Coordinate Engineering Division activities with $17.66 hourly ($35,233.06 - $41,871.86 annual- of employees – 5 of which were in a mid- level PH, dissolved oxygen, sediments, BOD, COD, technology, construction management, business other city departments and outside agencies such ly) DOE with an excellent benefi ts package. To or higher decision-making position; or a com- ammonia, Fecal coliform and various other administration preferred. At least 5 years in man- as Tennessee Department of Transportation and apply for this position, you must submit a city bination of experience and training equivalent microscopic tests; conducts special tests and aging building and code enforcement functions. Cleveland Utilities. Prepare special engineering of White House application. Applications and to the required knowledge and abilities. Salary inspections requested by City management or Have or be eligible to obtain building, electrical, studies, reports, and permitting applications. additional details on how to apply are available range is $74,737 - $102,847 (DOQ); plus full State authorities; comprehensive knowledge of plumbing, mechanical certifi cations designated Interested applicants may apply online at the on the city of White House’s website at www. health, dental, and vision insurance plans; and the principles, practices, methods, techniques, by the state of Tennessee. Prefer certifi cation as city of Cleveland’s website: www.clevelandtn. cityofwhitehouse.com or in person at the Human 100 percent of retirement costs as a member of tools, and equipment used in wastewater treat- a certifi ed building offi cial from the ICC. Expe- gov or may submit a resume with cover letter Resources Offi ce at 105 College Street, White the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System’s ment plant operations; and performs the public rience in plan reviews. Profi ciency in Microsoft to the city of Cleveland Human Resources House, TN 37188. Open until fi lled. defi ned benefi t plan.To apply or for more infor- relations function including handling of com- Offi ce Suite. Prefer experience with Blue Prints Department Offi ce, PO Box 1519, Cleveland, mation, visit our website at springfi eld-tn.org or plaints of customers and contractors. Required and EnerGov software. To read additional infor- TN 37364-1519 or submit by email to Kimberly POLICE OFFICER contact the Personnel Offi ce at (615) 382-2200. Qualifi cations include high school diploma/ mation concerning the city of Bristol and the code Spence, HR Director @ kspence@clevelandtn. PITTMAN CENTER. The town of Pittman The city of Springfi eld is an AA/EO Employer. GED; 3+ years of experience in the operation administrator-building offi cial position, please gov who may be contacted at (423)472-4551 for Center is seeking candidates for the position of a wastewater treatment facility; 2+ years in apply and upload a resume at: http://bristoltn. questions. The city offers a competitive benefi ts of police offi cer. Starting salary is $32,000 - TOWN ADMINISTRATOR supervision; additional formal training includ- org/jobs.aspx. EOE package. Open until fi lled. EOE $40,000 DOQ. The town offers an excellent NOLENSVILLE. The town of Nolensville is ing state of Tennessee Grade IV; Wastewater comprehensive benefi t package including TCRS, seeking an energetic, proactive, local government Treatment Plant Operators license; and valid COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SPECIALIST the town covers 100 percent of an employee’s professional to be their next town administrator driver’s license. Preferred Qualifi cations include BRISTOL. The city of Bristol Tennessee is SPRINGFIELD. Hiring Range: $64,625 - medical, dental, and vision insurance. pplicants The town (pop. 11,097), comprising an area of bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, sanitary accepting applications for a community relations $73,881/YR. The city of Springfi eld is accepting must be POST certifi ed. Application packets are 9.5 square miles, is located 18 miles southeast of and/or environmental engineering or related director. Under direction of the city manager, the applications for an engineering specialist with available at Pittman Center Townhall located at downtown Nashville in high growth Williamson fi eld as applicable to the wastewater treatment community relations director performs work Springfi eld water/wastewater department from 2839 Webb Creek Road Sevierville, TN 37876 County. The town administrator is appointed by industry. An application and job description may related to communications, public relations, and July 15, 2019, until fi lled. Essential responsi- Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; (865) 436 and reports to the Board of Mayor and Alder- be obtained from Portland City Hall, Monday marketing. The community relations director bilities include professional work in the design - 5499 (packets may also be emailed). Completed men comprised of a mayor and four aldermen through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. Completed drives the development and execution of the and maintenance of water treatment and water packets must be submitted either by mail, in elected at-large to staggered, four-year terms of applications and resume must be returned to city’s communications and public relations distribution systems and wastewater collection person, or emailed to tkwatts@pittmancentertn. offi ce. The town has a $10.99M budget with 33 city hall receptionist or faxed to 615-325-1481 strategy, directly managing communications and wastewater treatment systems. Graduation gov. Open until fi lled. full-time and part-time employees serving the or mailed to the address below. The position activities that promote, enhance and protect from a four-year college with a bachelor’s degree community.Candidates should possess a bach- is open until fi lled. Portland City Hall; Attn: the organization’s brand reputation and further in Civil or Environmental Engineering or En- SOLID WASTE MANAGER elor’s degree in public administration, business Human Resources; 100 South Russell Street; its mission. This position is responsible for the gineering Technology (ABET); some practical JOHNSON CITY. The city of Johnson City is administration, or a fi eld closely related to mu- Portland, Tennessee, 37148. Pre-employment development, integration and implementation experience in design and construction of public accepting online applications for a solid waste nicipal management, with a master’s degree in background screen, post-offer/pre-work drug for a broad range of public and media relations water and wastewater systems; or any equiva- manager. This position has overall responsibility a related fi eld preferred; and a minimum of 10 screen and physical required. EOE. activities, building strong relationships with the lent combination of education, experience and for planning and directing solid waste crews years of progressively increasing professional media and other key infl uencers to expand the training which provides the required knowledge, engaged in refuse collection and disposal, re- experience with a municipality. Salary: $100K WATER/WASTEWATER OPERATIONS reach and impact of the city message and mission. skills and abilities. EIT Certifi cate required. cycling collection, roll off collection, and other - $120K, DOQ. Position profi le is available at MCMINNVILLE. The city of McMinnville is It is essential that the candidate has the ability to Professional Engineering Registration in the related activities. Prepares the annual budget www.nolensvilletn.gov. Send cover letter and accepting applications from qualifi ed individuals work with others who want to build a remarkable state of Tennessee preferred. Applications may for the division to include personnel, capital resume to Joe Cosentini with the UT-MTAS at for the position of director of water/wastewater and vibrant city. A master’s degree in marketing, be submitted on-line at the following website: improvements, regional and city collections and [email protected]. Initial review operations. The ideal candidate will possess communications journalism or related fi eld with www-springfi eld-tn.org. Applicants who applied recycling. Will frequently communicate with of applications will occur on Aug.30. Please highly developed technical, presentation and seven years of relevant experience and three to within the last six months will be re-considered the public regarding solid waste operations and direct questions to Joe Cosentini. communication skills. The ideal candidate will fi ve years of progressive supervisory experience and need not re-apply. Send to City of Springfi eld will respond to complaints and inquiries. Will have in-depth knowledge and experience in preferred; or equivalent combination of educa- Personnel Department, 405 North Main Street, work closely with other city departments related TOWN RECORDER management of water/wastewater systems. The tion and relevant experience. To read additional P.O. Box 788, Springfi eld, TN, 3712. EOE to budget and customer billing. The solid waste ENGLEWOOD. The town of Englewood is ideal candidate will have signifi cant operational information concerning the city of Bristol and manager reports directly to the public works looking for applicants to fi ll the position of town experience, and will be responsible for the gen- the community relations director position, please FINANCIAL ANALYST director. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from recorder. The position requires highly responsible eral administration of the department’s operating apply and upload a resume at: http://bristoltn. PORTLAND. The city of Portland is seeking a an accredited university with emphasis in civil administrative and supervisory work in planning budget and enforcement of city policies regarding org/jobs.aspx. EOE fi nancial analyst to be responsible for a broad engineering, business or public administration, and directing all fi nancial management activities employees, facility use and overall supervision range of administrative, accounting, and support or other related fi eld. Extensive and verifi able of the town. Responsible for all fi nancial and of the activities of three divisions of the water COMPTROLLER services under the direct supervision of the fi - experience in refuse collection activities at the accounting, purchasing and control to include department. The duties of this position include, GERMANTOWN. The city of Germantown nance director. The qualifi ed candidate will have management level. This position will be open AR, AP, payroll, taxing, and town court. Can- but are not limited to, preparing operating bud- is seeking a qualifi ed individual to serve as a a bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or business due to the impending retirement of the current didates must have a high school diplomas. A get, working with city administrator and water comptroller. Under general direction of the bud- administration and 1+ years of accounting/ solid waste manager. Salary DOQ. To apply bachelor’s degree in fi nance, accounting, or committee to develop capital plan and budget get & fi nancial services director, this position is fi nance experience, preferably in a government visit our website at www.johnsoncitytn.org. public administration is preferred. Must be able for department, overseeing and coordinating the responsible for managing fi nancial compliance, setting. Starting pay $23.08/hr. DOE. Must have to obtain a CMFO certifi cation within two years various operations at city facilities, and the ability internal controls, internal/external auditing and the ability to be bonded and possess a valid PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR of employment. Minimum fi ve years’ experience to plan, organize, delegate, supervise and inspect cash fl ow processes. Responsibilities also include driver’s license. CPA candidate is desirable; must MCMINNVILLE. The city of McMinnville is in accounting and knowledge of GL, AR, AP, work of subordinates. The ideal candidate will analyzing a variety of fi nancial operations, ac- have ability to achieve CMFO (Certifi ed Mu- seeking qualifi ed candidates for the position of purchasing and payroll is a must. Applications have a minimum of fi ve years of progressively counting systems, policies and procedures with nicipal Financial Offi cer) certifi cation within 1.5 public works director. The director is responsible available online at www.townofenglewood. responsible experience in water and wastewater standard preparation of fi nancial statements in- years of employment. Additional qualifi cations for planning, organizing and directing the overall com or by calling 423-887-7752. Compensation operations of which two years must have been cluding statistical sections in the Comprehensive include: knowledge of accounting principles and operations of the public works department in- DOQ. EEOC and drug free employer. in a responsible supervisory consultative, or Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This position procedures for governmental fi nance; knowledge cluding street, sanitation, urban forestry, animal administrative capacity or a bachelor’s degree manages the external, independent, annual fi nan- of best supervisory and management techniques control, and vehicle maintenance. Responsibil- WASTEWATER SYSTEMS MANAGER from an accredited four year college or university cial audit process along with fi scal year reviews. and skills; advanced skills in Microsoft Offi ce ities include overseeing department projects WHITE HOUSE. The city of White House is with a major in civil engineering or related fi eld Selected candidate will develop and administer Excel and Word, data entry and use of a ten-key and coordinating efforts with the public works currently accepting applications for wastewater or an associate degree may be substituted with control systems to comply with new accounting calculator; strong organization skills and ability street maintenance supervisor, consulting with systems manager. Applicants must have a bache- eight years of progressively responsible expe- procedures, laws, ordinances, regulations, best to work effectively with minimum supervision; engineers, contractors and design professionals lor’s degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, rience required. The successful candidate will practices, and generally accepted accounting skilled active listener with ability to read with on construction and maintenance projects, inter- environmental science, environmental health or be examined by city physician to determine if principles (GAAP). The comptroller has direct understanding and speak and write clearly and acting with state and federal agencies, preparing related fi eld. They must possess an appropriate applicant can perform all essential duties required supervision of payroll and accounts payable/ effectively; ability to learn and accurately use bid documents and specifi cations, writing grants driver’s license valid in the state of Tennessee. of this position. Residency requirements per the receivable.The minimum requirements for applicable computer programs/software and or assisting with grants. The ideal candidate must Applicants must possess a valid Class II Waste- city’s personnel policy and procedure manual is this opportunity include: bachelor’s degree in offi ce equipment including fax, scanner, copier have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, water Treatment Plant and Collection System required within 90 days of employment. The full accounting, fi nance, business or public admin- machine, etc.; ability to communicate effectively public administration, public works or related ar- Operator’s certifi cate issued or recognized by job description can be viewed at http://www. istration and seven years experience managing both verbally and in writing and deal effectively eas, fi ve years of progressively responsible expe- TDEC, or have the ability to obtain an appro- mcminnvilletn.gov. The salary for this position accounting and cash management operations, with the public; ability to perform mathematical rience in, construction trades, road maintenance, priate state certifi ed license within 12 months of is dependent on experience and qualifi cations. including two years professional experience in computations accurately and quickly; ability to business management, or civil engineering of employment. This position requires a minimum In addition the city offers a progressive benefi t governmental accounting; or any combination work under pressure and deadlines with frequent which two years experience must have been at a of 5 years of directly related experience in the package that includes paid vacation, paid holi- of education, training, and experience providing interruptions and minimum supervision; must responsible supervisory or administrative level. operation and maintenance of wastewater sys- days, an extensive benefi t package that includes; the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to have strong work ethic and excellent work Ten years of heavy construction management tems similar in size and complexity to the city health insurance, dental, vision etc., and contri- perform essential job functions. All qualifi ed ap- and attendance records. Performs, plans, and experience may be substituted for the above of White House. Applicants must have proven butions to the state of Tennessee retirement plan. plicants must have local government experience. organizes duties of the general accounting depart- educational and experience requirements. The management skills; a minimum 2 years of expe- Qualifi ed persons should submit an application, A master’s degree is preferred. Certifi cation as ment, billing and utilities collection department successful candidate will be examined by city rience developing and managing budgets; good a resume of experience and qualifi cations, letter CPA strongly preferred. For more details and and general administration; responsible for physician to determine if applicant can perform communication skills, both verbal and written. of interest, salary history and professional ref- applications, please visit https://www.govern- accounting and fi nancial records for all funds all essential duties required of this position. Applicants must have a strong knowledge of erences to: Jennifer Rigsby, Human Resource mentjobs.com/careers/germantown. Open until of the city; performs and supervises treasurer Residency requirements per the city’s personnel applicable compliance requirements and state Administrator, City of McMinnville, P.O. Box the fi lled. EOE. and cash management functions; responsible policy and procedure manual is required within and federal (EPA) regulations; Must have 7088, McMinnville, TN, 37111. Deadline for for risk management administration including 90 days of employment. The full job description knowledge in the operation and maintenance of applications is Sept. 27.

Let’s Build BlueCross Healthy Places Together

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is creating active, healthy spaces across our state that bring people and communities together. We’ll reach urban and rural areas taking on projects of all sizes.

If you want to create a Healthy Place in your community, we’d like to hear from you.

We’re accepting proposals the entire month of August 2019. Learn more and submit your proposal at bluecrosshealthyplaces.com.

©BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 9-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 www.TML1.org Tennessee Municipal League 2018-2019 Offi cers and Directors PRESIDENT Are states reaping more revenues from online sales taxes? Jill Holland Mayor, McKenzie SALES TAX from Page 1 In total, sales tax revenue is legislation this year, for example, VICE PRESIDENTS Has the ruling helped state projected to grow by 3.5 percent in California bumped up its nexus Mike Werner budgets? fi scal 2019, an increase NASBO at- to $500,000 and got rid of the Mayor, Gatlinburg Prior to the Wayfair ruling, Ken Moore tributes at least in part to the uptick transaction minimum. The higher some observers estimated that TENNESSEE Mayor, Franklin in online sales tax collections. threshold makes more sense for a FESTIVALS Bobby King states were collectively missing And with more states imple- state with the fi fth-largest economy Mayor, Henderson out on anywhere from $13 bil- menting a tax over the coming year, in the world. Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Cookeville DIRECTORS lion to $23 billion a year in po- states collectively are projecting Other states are taking similar Muddy Roots Music Fest 2019 Jimmy Alexander tential online sales tax revenue. even stronger growth -- 4.8 percent action to redefi ne what their thresh- Three days of music, camping, and Mayor, Nolensville It’s too early to know whether Andy Berke in 2020. Among those, California old is, according to Sovos. So far, vendors bringing together unique Mayor, Chattanooga those estimates are accurate. is projecting $616 million in addi- Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota, acts ranging from hardcore punk David Briley For one, it’s nearly impossible tional sales tax revenue, and New and Washington have done away to hillbilly to classic country to Mayor, Metro Nashville to separate out the impact of the York is projecting $346 million with their minimum transaction re- blues and singer/songwriter genres, Tony Cox ruling from economic growth more. quirement but kept their $100,000 this festival aims to showcase the City Administrator, Morristown (District 2) that would have occurred any- Still, Dadayan warns, the reve- threshold. musical roots of Tennessee. For Vance Coleman way over the last year. Further- nue boosts “might be more modest Meanwhile, the threats to ban more information, visit http://mud- Mayor, Medina more, the data for this year is Mike French than expected if the economy slows online sales taxes that emerged in dyrootsrecords.com/mr_events/ Alderman, Somerville (District 7) incomplete because states began down and if consumer spending the months following the Wayfair mr_musicfest/index.php J.H. Graham offi cially collecting online sales declines.” decision appear to have subsided. Councilman, Crossville (District 4) taxes at different points through- And while a bill still lingers in Con- Sept. 2: Harrogate Doris Hensley out the past 12 months -- some What’s next? gress that would create a federal Annual Labor Day Celebration Mayor, Erwin will start collecting them later With a tax in place, most states sales tax standard for online sellers, The city of Harrogate will sponsor John Hickman this year. are now looking at how to make it doesn’t appear to be heading its free Annual Labor Day cele- City Manager, Waynesboro (District 6) Still, there are signs that the Gina Holt their process for collecting online anywhere. bration featuring live music and City Manager, Springfi eld (District 5) new taxes are helping state bud- sales taxes more effi cient. States’ swift action to implement entertainment, craft vendors, food Avery Johnson gets. The main way they’re doing that their own standards, plus their vendors, kiddie rids, and infl atables. Vice Mayor, Cleveland For starters, sales tax growth is by defi ning how much business work with technology companies Bring a lawn chair to Harrogate Terry Jones over the past fi scal year, which an online retailer needs to do for and vendors, has done a lot to quiet City Park to enjoy the festivities, Mayor, Millington (District 8) for most states will end on June it to be worthwhile for the state to any concerns, said Sovos’ Mani- beginning at 3 p.m. and lasting until Katie Lamb 30, has exceeded expectations. Mayor, Collegedale (District 3) tax. This threshold is referred to as ace. a fi reworks display at 9 p.m. For Christa Martin According to the latest data “economic nexus” in tax circles. “There was a bit of ‘the world more information, call 423-869- Vice Mayor, Columbia from the National Association In most places, that means a would come to an end’ reaction on 0211, or visit our website at www. Keith McDonald of State Budget Offi cers (NAS- retailer has to either sell more than the idea that governments would harrogate-tn.com Mayor, Bartlett BO), 32 states are collecting $100,000 in goods or services, impose a sales tax on all these Wade Morrell more than they anticipated. The or conduct more than 200 trans- small businesses,” he said. “I think Sept. 2: Monterey President-CEO, TN Municipal Bond Fund tax is outperforming budget actions in a certain state over the we’ve found that states have been Monterey Labor Day Celebration Lonnie Norman forecasts by 1.4 percent, or $3.6 Mayor, Manchester course of a year to qualify as having pretty reasonable about things, and Monterey will hold its annual Labor Madeline Rogero billion. That’s better than the an economic nexus. But that nexus the technology is there to provide Day celebration at Whittaker Park. Mayor, Knoxville income tax, which is exceeding doesn’t make sense for all states. management and compliance in a The event will include a fl ea market, Todd Smith forecasts by 0.6 percent. After it enacted its sales tax way that’s affordable.” food, live music, Monterey Civitan City Manager, Greeneville (District 1) Auction and more. Visit www.mon- Jim Strickland tereytn.com/ for more information. Mayor, Memphis Mary Ann Tremblay Vice Mayor, Three Way Sept. 5-7: Clarksville PAST PRESIDENTS Riverfest Wallace Cartwright (2018) Mayor, Shelbyville The U.S. economy added Reserve also announced it would ment and other related expenses Riverfest is Clarksville’s longest Bo Perkinson (2017) Vice Mayor, Athens 164,000 jobs in July, while cut interest rates for the fi rst time according to research from the running community festival, and John Holden (2016) Mayor, Dyersburg unemployment held even at brings more than 30,000 people to Curtis Hayes (2015) Mayor, Livingston since the fi nancial crisis of 2008. University of Pennsylvania. The Dale Kelley (2013) Mayor, Huntingdon 3.7 according to the U.S. Depart- study estimated that states spend the banks of the Cumberland River Kay Senter (2011) Morristown Vice Mayor ment of Labor. While the labor The U.S. fertility rate fell to somewhere between $6 billion and in an arts and recreation celebration. Sam Tharpe (2010) Commissioner, Paris force participation rate remained another all-time low in 2018, $10 billion yearly on the ongoing Music, art, family events, and more Tommy Pedigo (2009) Councilman, Morristown unchanged at 63 percent, econ- according to new information re- crisis. The study also found that will fi ll Liberty Park on Sept. 5, AFFILIATE DIRECTORS omists said the jobs gain was a leased from the Centers for Disease despite a high percentage of money and McGregor Park on Sept. 6-7. Eric Stuckey, Franklin (TCMA) positive sign amid recent con- Control and Prevention. The report spent on incarceration and legal Admission and entertainment at the TML AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS cerns for the long-term health of festival are free and open to the pub- (Ex-Offi cio Directors) found that the amount of women responses to the opioid crises, the TN Assn. of Air Carrier Airports the U.S. economy. The country between the ages of 15 and 44 hav- use of the criminal justice system to lic. Visit www.clarksvilleriverfest. TN Building Offi cials Assn. reported a dismal gain of 62,000 ing children declined by 2 percent correct opioid misuse may actually org for more info. TN Assn. of Chiefs of Police jobs in May while 192,000 jobs over the previous year, putting the make the amount of money govern- TN Assn. Municipal Clerks & Recorders were recorded in June, 41,000 rate at a 32-year low. America’s ments have to spend on the crisis Sept. 7: Goodlettsville TN Government Finance Offi cers Assn. less than initially reported. The worse, rendering more people Salty Dog Festival TN Fire Chiefs Assn. fertility rate has been on the decline service sector has been the focus for several years and has been unable to fi nd jobs or housing and Arts and crafts vendors from TN Fire Safety Inspectors across the southeastern region will TN Assn. of Floodplain Management of most job creation in recent below the level needed to replace not actually working to end opioid TN Assn. Housing & Redevel. Auth. months while job gains in the the U.S. population. The birth rate abuse. To try and generate a more showcase their handmade goods TN Municipal Attorneys Assn. manufacturing sector have re- decline was reported across all comprehensive cost estimate, re- and products. Live band perfor- TN Municipal Judges Conference mained fl at. Industrial activity ethnicities and age groups with a searchers analyzed information on mances all day and more than 10 TN Chapter, American Public Works in the U.S. has remained fl at seven percent decline in teen births. states ranging from incarceration food trucks will be present. Kids TN Recreation and Parks Assn. and the country has seen a 5.2 activities include a petting zoo, TN Chapter, American Planning to child care to Medicaid costs to percent decline in exports during The opioid epidemic has cost declines in employment to losses in kiddie train, dog costume contest, TN Personnel Management Assn. woodcarving, and DIY craft sta- TN Assn. of Public Purchasing the second quarter. The Federal states some $130 billion in treat- tax revenue to arrive at the fi gure. TN Section, Institute of Transport tion. Visit https://www.facebook. TN Public Transportation Assoc. com/events/264709367789466/ for Assoc. Independent & Municipal Schools more info. TN Renewable Energy & Economic UT-MTAS SEPT MAP CLASSES Development Council Sept. 7: Hendersonville TN Urban Forestry Council 2018 Tennessee Honey Festival TN Stormwater Assn LEADING A CULTURALLY DIVERSE WORKFORCE TML SPONSORS Founded by U.S. Pest Protection, the Tennessee Honey Festival has 5 STAR SPONSOR This workshop provides partic- Dates/Locations/Times Voya Financial Advisors ipants with insights, knowledge garnered attention all across Ameri- 4 STAR SPONSOR and practical strategies to sen- Sept 24 Jackson ca. This public awareness campaign Blue Cross Blue Shield sitively manage the issues and 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT will continue to bring the honey bee 3 STAR SPONSOR challenges associated with lead- Sept 25 Franklin crisis to the forefront of community First Tennessee Bank To register for a course go to the minds with more honey vendors, 2 STAR SPONSOR ing a culturally-diverse team. 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT MTAS website at www.mtas. AARP Managers will understand how Sept 26 Knoxville food trucks, live music, unique arts tennessee.edu and select training and crafts for the kids, a VIBee Alexander, Thompson, Arnold, CRA’s cultural diversity impacts hu- 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT calendar under the “Training” tab. Alliance Water Resources man behavior and learn effective Experience, interactive beekeeping Target Audience: Managers, You can pay upon registering with Bank of America strategies to negotiate and deal classes, and extraordinary exhibits. Bank of New York Mellon, Co. Supervisors, City Recorders, HR a credit card or request an invoice. with the competing challenges For more info, visit https://uspest. Barge Design, Inc. Directors For registration assistance, call com/tn-honey-festival/ Entegrity arising between staff from cul- 865-974-0411. turally and linguistically-diverse Master Meter, Inc. Credits: 4 CPE Waste Management Inc. of Tennessee backgrounds. 1 STAR SPONSOR Charter Communications Employee Benefi t Specialists, Inc. J.R. Wauford & Co. Consulting Engineers Local Govt. Corporation Mattern & Craig, Inc. NORESCO Pavement Restorations, Inc. Republic Services Smith Seckman Reid Tennessee 811 Trane Commercial Systems & Services TLM Associates, Inc. Waste Connections of Tennessee Inc. Waste Industries USA, Inc. Retirement is a journey TML SPONSORED PROGRAMS Public Entity Partners Tennessee Health Works Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund TML PARTNERED PROGRAMS American Fidelity GovCard GovDeals For more than 30 years, Voya in partnership with the Tennessee Omni Partners Peachtree Recovery Services, Inc. Municipal League has provided retirement plan services to municipal Reach Alert TN Drug Card employees all across the great state of Tennessee. VC3

TML STAFF Margaret Mahery, Executive Director Competitive Retirement Plan Services for Chad Jenkins, Deputy Director Mark Barrett, Legislative Research Analyst Kate Coil, Communications Specialist Tennessee’s Towns & Cities Jackie Gupton, Administrative Assistant Carole Graves, Communications Director Contact Ed Stewart at 615-627-5936 or [email protected] & Editor, Tennessee Town & City Ed Stewart,ChFC,CLU,CFS Sylvia Harris, Conference Planning Director Investment adviser representative and registered representative of, and securities and Financial Advisor John Holloway, Government Relations Debbie Kluth, Marketing Director / investment advisory services offered through Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (member SIPC). Member Services 385783777_0321 Kevin Krushenski, Legislative Research Analyst Denise Paige, Government Relations www.TML1.org 10-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/AUG. 26, 2019 Thousands of Public Entities. Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars. Protected.

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