Delays Again in School Systems Reports

According to this article in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, the release of Adequate Yearly Progress reports for school systems has been pushed back again. Now, Department of Education officials expect to release that report and the official report card for the state and school systems around mid-December. Click on the link above for more information.

Tennessee Improves High School Graduation Rate

According to an article in the Commercial Appeal (click here for the link), Tennessee has made dramatic gains in its high school graduation rate. In 2002 we had one of the lowest rates in the country at 59.6%. By 2008 that had improved to 74.9%. This 15% improvement led the nation. This article is reporting findings from a study by Johns Hopkins University and America's Promise Alliance, founded by Gen. Colin Powell. The website for that organization and a link to the full report can be found at http://americaspromise.org/ and at full graduation rate study report.

Busy Times

Over the last couple of weeks, we had a tremendously successful TCSA fall conference, announced a new training program for county commissioners in conjunction with CTAS, welcomed several new members to the TCCA board and saw an election that had dramatic results. All these developments have made for a busy work schedule. I hope to update you soon on all these developments, as time permits.

Today, I'm at a hearing of the business tax study committee which is considering several issues today and tomorrow that impact county governments. Tomorrow afternoon I hit the road to Oak Ridge to teach the first training class in a new program designed to provide county commissioners with evening training opportunities to help make them better informed about their job. Three more classes will be taught across the state this month in Cookeville on the 8th, Gallatin on the 16th and Jackson on the 18th. I hope to see you at one of these classes. We hope to hit at least three more locations in the future if one of these locations is not convenient to you. This first class is a basic overview. More classes are planned on budgeting, capital planning, parliamentary procedure, education funding and several other issues.

NACo Database of Sample Codes and Ordinances

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has created an online database of sample codes and ordinances that are listed by subject. This materials may be of interest to your county if you are considering a specific issue. Keep in mind that these are not tailored to Tennessee law. They may give you a starting place for drafting but should not be adopted "as is." A county commission interested in one of these samples should have the code or ordinance reviewed by the county attorney to see if there is authority in Tennessee law for a county to take such action and to determine whether the sample needs to be modified to conform to Tennessee law.

See the link below.
http://www.naco.org/research/solutions/Pages/CodesandOrdiances.aspx

TCSA Fall Conference Coming Up

In less than two weeks, TCSA will be holding its annual fall conference and trade show in Pigeon Forge, TN. During the event, TCCA will have a membership meeting, board meeting and nominating committee meeting. This conference is when our new officers and board members will be selected. In addition to these meetings, there are numerous training and break-out sessions on topics of interest to county officials. With over 10 days still to go, we already have more folks registered for this year than attended the conference last year. It looks to be a great turnout. Hope to see you there.

State Revenue Collections

Tennessee sales tax collections showed positive growth in September, as overall revenues grew compared to the same period last year. Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz reported that overall September revenues were $977.5 million or 6.14% above September 2009 collections.

September collections were $41.0 million more than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was over collected by $28.5 million and the four other funds were over collected by $12.5 million.

Sales tax collections were $1.0 million more than the estimate for September. The September growth rate was 2.15%. Franchise and excise taxes combined were $22.9 million above the September budgeted estimate of $246.6 million. The September growth rate was 10.36%.

Gasoline and motor fuel collections for September increased by 15.08% and they were $3.9 million above the budgeted estimate of $70.8 million.

Year-to date collections for two months were $35.6 million more than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was over collected by $17.8 million and the four other funds were over collected by $17.8 million.

"Tennessee Downtowns" Program Accepting Applications

Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced today that applications are now being accepted for Tennessee Downtowns, a competitive community improvement program for cities and counties seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts. The program is open to communities with downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago and whose citizens are ready to organize efforts for downtown revitalization based on the successful program “Main Street Four-Point Approach to Downtown Revitalizationtm.” Applications are available online at www.tennesseemainstreet.org and must be completed by Monday, Nov. 8.

For the full press release on this program announcement, go here.