With little fanfare Thursday night, Walker County Commissioners approved a new millage rate for property owners as they unveiled a general fund budget proposal for the county for the next fiscal year.
In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved resolution R-026-24 to adopt a new rolled back millage rate at 5.328 mills in the unincorporated areas of the county and 7.027 mills in the incorporated areas.
“Everybody’s quick to come up and you know and have things they want to discuss in a negative fashion.” said District 2 Commissioner Mark Askew after Thursday night’s vote. “But I think you need to give your commissioners a little bit of commendation. So we’ve reduced your millage rates three years in a row and this year was a complete roll back, so I mean there’s a lot of things we need to work on, but we’re working on reducing your taxes every day; every year,” declared Askew to a round of applause from the audience.
The evening’s public forum once again centered on Rossville and two lingering questions; the status of the Walker/Rossville IGA for the operation of the Rossville Recreation Center and potential entanglements with Rossville Mayor Hal Gray’s dual position as the ceremonial Chief of the Walker County Police Department.
Citizens asked exactly of Gray’s employment status previously and currently with the County, his salary and why Walker County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield wants a “placeholder” Police department.
Rossville resident Scott McNabb questioned Gray’s quasi resignation from the non-operational force last year and then subsequent rehiring with no public notice.
None of the commissioners responded on the topic in their comments, with Chairman Whitfield saying to Commissioner Brian Hartline “we’ll address it at another time.”
As for the Inter Governmental Agreement on the operation of the county owned recreation center by the City of Rossville, county commissioners say they have yet to hear back from the city on the council’s acceptance.
In other business, commissioners adopted a 6 month moratorium on applications for retail alcohol sales licenses.
The commission says there’s a backlog of licenses already approved for future package store locations that have yet to be built. The 180 day moratorium has no impact on already approved licenses or renewals.
Commissioners also approved the surplus disposal designation for a 2008 Dodge ambulance that will be donated to Walker County Schools.
The board also authorized the upcoming retirement of Walker County Deputy Bill Bowman to keep his department issued firearm, as requested by Sheriff Steve Wilson.
