Kingsport To Redirect Regional Sales Tax Fund To Plant Trees
The City of Kingsport, Tennessee is applying for a grant to plant trees that will have matching funds that come from the regional sales tax fund and the visitor enhancement program. The Meadowview Convention Center was paid off in 2007 and the city refuses to rescind the 1/4 percent sales tax, but wants to use excess regional sales tax money to plant trees.
Mallicote stated in a radio interview that if the regional sale tax goes into the general fund, then it should be taken to the taxpayer to decide what to do with the regional sales tax. When can the voters expect the referendum Mr. Mallicote?
It would not surprise me to see the trees planted in the Meadowview area to make it more attractive.
Voted on and passed at the August 4, 2009 BMA meeting
Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Mayor to Sign alt Documents Necessary to Apply and |Receive a Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program – Community Tree Planting Project Grant
Executive Summary:
The TAEP (Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program) grant funds for community tree planting were provided by the 2008 State Legislature to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The goal of TAEP community tree planting grants is to increase the tree resource base in cities and towns across the State of Tennessee. It is NOT to provide beautification. Trees are work horses for our communities, providing energy savings through shading, storm water mitigation through rain interception, and air quality improvement through filtration and absorption. Beautification should not be used as an objective for a TAEP tree planting project.The city is eligible to apply for up to $20,000 with a dollar for dollar cash match required. This match will be provided from money in the budget for trees from the regional sales tax and visitor enhancement program.
The school system is a partner in the grant and will be implementing a project through the agricultural class at Dobyns-Bennett.
Listen to the April 23 WJCW radio interview with Ben Mallicote who is seeking re-election as Alderman on the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman
In the radio interview, he is asked about the regional sales tax and he stated that there is still debt that needs to be paid off at Meadowview. The Convention Center was paid off in 2007 and the debt that Ben Mallicote mentioned must be for the debt for the Cattails Golf Course. When the voters voted for the regional sales tax to be used for the convention center, I am sure that the golf course had not been dreamed about.
Since the Convention Center had been paid off, Alderman Marsh and Shull voted to return the regional sales tax to the citizens by the way of a property tax deduction.
Mallicote also stated that if the regional sale tax goes into the general fund, then it should be taken to the taxpayer to decide what to do with the regional sales tax.
Mr. Mallicote should check the current budget he voted for, because part of the regional sales tax is going to the general fund. When can the voter expect the referendum Mr. Mallicote?
1/4 percent Regional Sales Tax Fund Revenue
$2,816,600Transfer to Cattails
$ 783,100Transfer to MeadowView CC
$1,233,500Transfer to General Fund
$ 800,000
