Homeowners rebuilding after the spring floods can receive valuable information from hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at hardware stores in Middle Tennessee, beginning Monday, Aug. 2.
The specialists can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster damage, as well as offer other home improvement tips and techniques. Topics will include mold and mildew cleanup and prevention, flood insurance, flood and wind-resistant building methods, wind straps and other measures to make homes stronger and safer. Publications on these topics will also be available.
FEMA mitigation specialists will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
Aug. 2 through Aug. 6
•Mitchum True Value, 17 E. Front St., Erin, TN 37061.
Aug. 2 through Aug. 7
•True Value Hardware, 810 N. Locust Ave., Lawrenceburg, TN 38464;
•Lowe’s, 10 Campbell Road, Madison, TN 37115.
There is no cost to talk with the specialists.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Gov. Bredesen Signs Executive Order to Create STEM Innovation Network
On July 29th, Gov. Bredesen signed an executive order to create the STEM Innovation Network. The STEM disciplines are Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The Network is charged with promoting and expanding the teaching and learning of these four disciplines in K-12 public schools across Tennessee. The Network will be associated with the State Department of Education which is authorized by the Executive Order to enter into an agreement with Battelle to be the manager of the Network and its activities. Battelle (the Battelle Memorial Institute) is a global research and development enterprise which jointly manages the Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the University of Tennessee.
For more, see this article by Tom Humprhey of the Knoxville News Sentinel or click here for a copy of the executive order.
For more, see this article by Tom Humprhey of the Knoxville News Sentinel or click here for a copy of the executive order.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Early Voting by County
Secretary of State Tre Hargett has posted the numbers for early voting through the 28th and projects that we may set a record.
See the rate of voting by county and by day here.
See the rate of voting by county and by day here.
What Every County Commissioner Should Know About The Jail
Jim Hart of CTAS shared a resource with me this week on jails. It is a 12 page article that highlights the things a county commissioner should know, and should ask, about the county's jail. The publication was written by Dr. Allen R. Beck who has worked as a consultant on correctional facilities since the 1970s and has a doctorate degree in Criminal Justice. The article is written from a national perspective and is not specific to Tennessee law. Nevertheless, it includes excellent common sense recommendations on what county commissioners should look for to ensure their jail is being managed in a cost efficient and proper manner.
County commissioners obviously have a different set of responsibilities from the Sheriff. The Sheriff is the individual chosen by the voters to manage the day to day operations of the jail. Commissioners should not interfere with these functions or try to micro-manage the Sheriff. However, as the author points out, the jail is one of the most expensive operations of the county and there is great potential for commissioners to be impacted by lawsuits and liability that can arise from a poorly managed jail. The article attempts to equip county commissioners with enough knowledge to be able to ask informed questions about jail operations and management to be able to evaluate current deficiencies and future needs. It can be found here.
In addition to the issues raised by this article, many counties in Tennessee have recently built new jails or additions or are in the process of evaluating the county's correctional needs. There are several more of Dr. Beck's articles available which relate to evaluating jail designs and needs. These articles can be found on the website for his Kansas City-based consulting firm called Justice Concepts Inc. at http://www.justiceconcepts.com/
Other articles include:
County commissioners obviously have a different set of responsibilities from the Sheriff. The Sheriff is the individual chosen by the voters to manage the day to day operations of the jail. Commissioners should not interfere with these functions or try to micro-manage the Sheriff. However, as the author points out, the jail is one of the most expensive operations of the county and there is great potential for commissioners to be impacted by lawsuits and liability that can arise from a poorly managed jail. The article attempts to equip county commissioners with enough knowledge to be able to ask informed questions about jail operations and management to be able to evaluate current deficiencies and future needs. It can be found here.
In addition to the issues raised by this article, many counties in Tennessee have recently built new jails or additions or are in the process of evaluating the county's correctional needs. There are several more of Dr. Beck's articles available which relate to evaluating jail designs and needs. These articles can be found on the website for his Kansas City-based consulting firm called Justice Concepts Inc. at http://www.justiceconcepts.com/
Other articles include:
- A Proven Jail Design that Cuts Construction Costs by One-half or More
- Example of How We Rapidly Reduced a Jail Population
- Jail Bloating: A Cause of Jail Overcrowding
- Deciding on a New Jail Design
- Two Approaches for Determing Jail Needs
- Forecasting: Fiction and Utility in Jail Planning
- Misleading Jail Bed Costs
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
US Department of Education Approves Budget for TN Race to the Top Funds
(From a Press Release from Gov. Bredesen's office)
Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Tennessee’s nearly $501 million Race to the Top budget has been approved by the U. S. Department of Education, allowing the state and all 136 school districts to move forward in implementing comprehensive school reform plans over the next four years.
Tennessee was just one of two states selected to receive funding in the federal government’s Race to the Top competition in March.
For more, go here.
Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Tennessee’s nearly $501 million Race to the Top budget has been approved by the U. S. Department of Education, allowing the state and all 136 school districts to move forward in implementing comprehensive school reform plans over the next four years.
Tennessee was just one of two states selected to receive funding in the federal government’s Race to the Top competition in March.
For more, go here.
Additional Federal Flood Assistance Coming to Tennessee Communities
A supplemental war funding bill passed by Congress and sent to the President this week included a provision to provide more than $200 million in federal aid for Tennessee communities impacted by the 2010 flood.
See this article
from the Tennessean for more information.
According to a spokesman from the Governor's office, one of the most significant provisions of the bill would be a reduction of the required local match for FEMA projects from 25% to 10%. During its budget deliberations, the State had pledged to split the 25% match with local governments. As reported in the article linked above, the Governor's office indicates it still plans to split this reduced local match. This means that a county now will only have to provide 5% of the funding for a FEMA project with the State providing 5% and FEMA picking up 90%.
This is good news for many Tennessee local governments that were overwhelmed by the May floods and facing extraordinary costs to rebuild roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, schools and other infrastructure.
See this article
from the Tennessean for more information.
According to a spokesman from the Governor's office, one of the most significant provisions of the bill would be a reduction of the required local match for FEMA projects from 25% to 10%. During its budget deliberations, the State had pledged to split the 25% match with local governments. As reported in the article linked above, the Governor's office indicates it still plans to split this reduced local match. This means that a county now will only have to provide 5% of the funding for a FEMA project with the State providing 5% and FEMA picking up 90%.
This is good news for many Tennessee local governments that were overwhelmed by the May floods and facing extraordinary costs to rebuild roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, schools and other infrastructure.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Updates to the County Uniform Chart of Accounts
The Comptroller's Office has released an updated 2010 Chart of Accounts for county governments. The new version and a short summary of the changes are available from this website.
CTAS Index of Acts Available
The UT County Technical Assistance Service has released its 2010 Index of Acts Affecting County Government. This publication summarizes all legislation that passed the Tennessee General Assembly in 2010 that affects county government. It even includes summaries of private acts that only apply to a single county.
You can access or download a copy of the publication here.
You can access or download a copy of the publication here.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Regional Meetings for This Fall
After the August County General Election, the Tennessee County Commissioners Association will once again be holding a series of regional meetings across the state. These meetings are one of the most important functions of the association. They are an excellent opportunity for county commissioners to meet, network over a meal and discuss issues impacting county government. The meetings also play an important part in formulating the association’s legislative platform for the next year. We invite state legislators and our congressional delegation to the meetings as well and it becomes an opportunity for county officials to express their views to these important governmental partners.
In order to allow participation by newly elected county commissioners, all meetings this year will be held after September 1 when the new term begins. The meetings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. local time with a dinner, followed by programs and discussions and usually wrap up around 8:30. Two of our locations have changed this year. For the meeting in Putnam County, the Leslie Towne Center was not available and we will instead be meeting at the DelMonaco Winery in Baxter, Tennessee. Additionally, we are moving the Northern Middle Tennessee meeting that had been held on the Vol State Campus the last two years to the Robertson County Courthouse in Springfield. The dates for the meetings are listed below. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the meeting in your region.
September 7th UT AG Center, Jackson, Madison County
September 9th Henry Horton State Park, Marshall County
September 14th Mountain View Holiday Inn, Cleveland, Bradley County
September 21st Visitors’ Center, Jonesborough, Washington County
September 22nd Knoxville City/County Building, Knox County
September 23rd DelMonaco Winery, Baxter, Putnam County
September 28th Robertson County Courthouse, Springfield
September 30th Paris Landing State Park, Henry County
In order to allow participation by newly elected county commissioners, all meetings this year will be held after September 1 when the new term begins. The meetings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. local time with a dinner, followed by programs and discussions and usually wrap up around 8:30. Two of our locations have changed this year. For the meeting in Putnam County, the Leslie Towne Center was not available and we will instead be meeting at the DelMonaco Winery in Baxter, Tennessee. Additionally, we are moving the Northern Middle Tennessee meeting that had been held on the Vol State Campus the last two years to the Robertson County Courthouse in Springfield. The dates for the meetings are listed below. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the meeting in your region.
September 7th UT AG Center, Jackson, Madison County
September 9th Henry Horton State Park, Marshall County
September 14th Mountain View Holiday Inn, Cleveland, Bradley County
September 21st Visitors’ Center, Jonesborough, Washington County
September 22nd Knoxville City/County Building, Knox County
September 23rd DelMonaco Winery, Baxter, Putnam County
September 28th Robertson County Courthouse, Springfield
September 30th Paris Landing State Park, Henry County
Tennessee Ties for Economic Development Award
Southern Business and Development magazine’s annual "Top Deals and Hot Markets" rankings have been released, and Tennessee is at the top of the list. The Volunteer State, alongside Louisiana, has been named the Co-State of the Year for the second year in a row.
“I am pleased that Tennessee has received this recognition for our success in economic development,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “We’ve worked hard to bring better paying, high skilled jobs to Tennessee, and this award reflects the success of our efforts.”
To determine these rankings, SB&D considers only companies making public commitments of 200 jobs or more, or $30 million in capital investment.
“Despite the economic downturn, Tennessee welcomed more than 21,000 new jobs and almost $6 billion in new capital investments in 2009,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “It is rewarding to see Tennessee acknowledged for our economic development wins in light of what Southern Business and Development recognizes as a challenging time.”
For more information, see the full press release here
“I am pleased that Tennessee has received this recognition for our success in economic development,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “We’ve worked hard to bring better paying, high skilled jobs to Tennessee, and this award reflects the success of our efforts.”
To determine these rankings, SB&D considers only companies making public commitments of 200 jobs or more, or $30 million in capital investment.
“Despite the economic downturn, Tennessee welcomed more than 21,000 new jobs and almost $6 billion in new capital investments in 2009,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “It is rewarding to see Tennessee acknowledged for our economic development wins in light of what Southern Business and Development recognizes as a challenging time.”
For more information, see the full press release here
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
State Revenue Collections for June
The revenue report for June once again includes mixed news. Total state tax collections for the month were below budgeted estimates, but recorded positive growth in sales and corporate taxes. Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz announced that overall June revenues were $1.062 billion, which is $6.2 million less than the state budgeted. June sales tax collections represent consumer spending that took place in the month of May.
““This marks the third consecutive month in which sales tax collections recorded positive growth over the same month a year ago,” Goetz said. “While the positive growth for June is small, remember that consumer spending was depressed in May as a result of the unprecedented flooding the state endured. Although we believe that Tennessee is in the early stages of economic recovery we will continue to be diligent in monitoring the state’s spending in order to keep our budget in balance on a recurring basis.””
The general fund was under collected by $9.3 million, and the four other funds were over collected by $3.1 million. Sales tax collections were $16.8 million less than the estimate for June. The June growth rate was 0.73%.
Year-to-date collections for eleven months were $225.5 million less than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was under collected by $179.3 million and the four other funds were under collected by $46.2 million.
For more information, click here.
““This marks the third consecutive month in which sales tax collections recorded positive growth over the same month a year ago,” Goetz said. “While the positive growth for June is small, remember that consumer spending was depressed in May as a result of the unprecedented flooding the state endured. Although we believe that Tennessee is in the early stages of economic recovery we will continue to be diligent in monitoring the state’s spending in order to keep our budget in balance on a recurring basis.””
The general fund was under collected by $9.3 million, and the four other funds were over collected by $3.1 million. Sales tax collections were $16.8 million less than the estimate for June. The June growth rate was 0.73%.
Year-to-date collections for eleven months were $225.5 million less than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was under collected by $179.3 million and the four other funds were under collected by $46.2 million.
For more information, click here.
Webinar for Local Building Permit Issuing Agents
The State Fire Marshall's Office is holding an informational webinar on July 29th for persons who may be interested in serving as local building permit issuing agents.
In October of this year, the State Fire Marshal’s office will begin permitting and inspecting new construction of one and two family residences and townhomes. The state program will not apply in jurisdictions that enforce their own building codes (having elected to continue local enforcement) or that opt out of state residential building code enforcement. The State Fire Marshal desires to contract with local government officials and electrical permit issuing agents to serve as issuing agents for these permits.
Under contracts with the state, local issuing agents will be paid a fee of $15 for issuing a building permit and collecting and transmitting permit fees to the state. The State Fire Marshal’s office is seeking issuing agents in every county participating in the state program. Issuing agents could be electric departments or other issuing agents currently serving as electrical inspection issuing agents, or a city or county office. All inspections will be scheduled through the State Fire Marshal’s office using an automated system and not through the issuing agent.
The State Fire Marshal’s office will be conducting an informational webinar to outline the process for building permit issuance for any who might be interested in becoming an issuing agent. You may pre-register for this interactive webinar or ask questions relating to the webinar by emailing greg.adams@tn.gov. Written materials for the webinar will be emailed to you for printing prior to the webinar’s start time.
If you want to participate, on July 29, log on to http://stateoftennessee.na6.acrobat.com/residentialpermits/ at 9 A.M. (CST) to attend the webinar. To hear audio for the webinar, call 615-532-2242 (outside area code 615, call 877-436-2482). While additional training will be offered for issuing agents, anyone who is possibly interested in serving as an issuing agent should participate in this informational webinar.
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:
Test your connection: http://stateoftennessee.na6.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview
In October of this year, the State Fire Marshal’s office will begin permitting and inspecting new construction of one and two family residences and townhomes. The state program will not apply in jurisdictions that enforce their own building codes (having elected to continue local enforcement) or that opt out of state residential building code enforcement. The State Fire Marshal desires to contract with local government officials and electrical permit issuing agents to serve as issuing agents for these permits.
Under contracts with the state, local issuing agents will be paid a fee of $15 for issuing a building permit and collecting and transmitting permit fees to the state. The State Fire Marshal’s office is seeking issuing agents in every county participating in the state program. Issuing agents could be electric departments or other issuing agents currently serving as electrical inspection issuing agents, or a city or county office. All inspections will be scheduled through the State Fire Marshal’s office using an automated system and not through the issuing agent.
The State Fire Marshal’s office will be conducting an informational webinar to outline the process for building permit issuance for any who might be interested in becoming an issuing agent. You may pre-register for this interactive webinar or ask questions relating to the webinar by emailing greg.adams@tn.gov. Written materials for the webinar will be emailed to you for printing prior to the webinar’s start time.
If you want to participate, on July 29, log on to http://stateoftennessee.na6.acrobat.com/residentialpermits/ at 9 A.M. (CST) to attend the webinar. To hear audio for the webinar, call 615-532-2242 (outside area code 615, call 877-436-2482). While additional training will be offered for issuing agents, anyone who is possibly interested in serving as an issuing agent should participate in this informational webinar.
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:
Test your connection: http://stateoftennessee.na6.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Class Action Suit that Counties May Wish to Join
Earlier this year a class action lawsuit was certified against several on-line travel companies for the under payment of local hotel/motel taxes. For details, see this Nashville Post article here.
If your county levies a hotel/motel tax, it may be entitled to a portion of the damages that could be awarded in this suit. A similar class action in Texas resulted in an initial damage award of more than $20 million.
UPDATE: According to additional information I have received today, the certified class in the litigation already includes all Tennessee cities and counties that levy a hotel motel tax. No action is necessary for them to be a part of the suit.
If your county levies a hotel/motel tax, it may be entitled to a portion of the damages that could be awarded in this suit. A similar class action in Texas resulted in an initial damage award of more than $20 million.
UPDATE: According to additional information I have received today, the certified class in the litigation already includes all Tennessee cities and counties that levy a hotel motel tax. No action is necessary for them to be a part of the suit.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Awarded to 42 Cities and Counties
Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced today that 42 additional Tennessee cities and counties were awarded around $3.8 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This announcement comes just months after $9.2 million in EECBG grants was distributed to 100 Tennessee cities and counties. The grants will enable communities to implement cost-effective strategies which reduce total energy expenses and save taxpayer money through improved energy efficiency in buildings and transportation systems, creating an estimated 45 new jobs in the process.
For more on this award, click here.
For more on the EECBG program in general, click here.
For more on this award, click here.
For more on the EECBG program in general, click here.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tennessee Makes Education Gains - But Battling Growing Poverty
According to an article from the Commercial Appeal out of Memphis (click here for the full article), Tennessee has made gains in high school graduation, average ACT score and other education measures. However, these gains are at risk due to growing numbers of children living in poverty.
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