Budget Committee seeks options to fund school plan

 Earlier, Budget Committee members heard a presentation from Mitch Meredith, the county’s finance and administration director, who said Washington County would need to borrow at least $56.2 million to fund Scheme 6 for the Jonesborough K-8 and related projects. Borrowing that amount would require the county to move 13 pennies of the county’s $2.38 property tax rate from capital projects to debt service.

'Thank a Vet' program launches in Washington County

Veterans who participate will be issued a identification card that could earn them as much as a 20 percent discount on purchases from businesses that enroll in the program. Bowman encourages veterans to call her at 753-1644 to learn more about the program, and to get a list of participating businesses.

Commissioners to consider TIF for John Sevier Center

The $4.6 million TIF project includes the Johnson City Development Authority’s purchase of the low-income apartment building at 141 E. Market St., as well as cover closing costs and work to make necessary improvements to the former hotel. The JCDA is requesting county commissioners amend portions of the 2008 redevelopment and urban renewal plan to bring it up to date with a state TIF law passed in 2012.

Budget Committee greenlights Jonesborough paving project

The Budget Committee also approved a request from the town Jonesborough for the county Highway Department to do paving work that would tie into East Maint Street, down Franklin Avenue to Spring Street. Town officials say they hope the county coud get the project completed before winter sets in.

District attorney general offices to move soon

The Washington County Budget Committee voted Wednesday to approve a four-year lease agreement. The deal calls for the county to pay the state half the cost for the lease, which comes to $69,882 annually.

Washington County closes books on current fiscal year

The Budget Committee approved a number of resolutions for line-item budget transfers to end the budget year. As a result of the amendments, Mitch Meredith, the county’s director of finance and administration, said the general fund budget will be more than $400,000 in the black to end fiscal 2018.

Washington County budget: No tax hike or pay raises

A public hearing on the county’s proposed budget will be held June 20 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 7 of the George Jaynes Justice Center. County commissioners are expected to vote on the new budget at their regular monthly meeting on June 25.

Sessions Court judges are asking for an assistant

Washington County Circuit Clerk Karen Guinn is seeking a new position in the proposed 2018-19 budget to lend a hand to the county’s three Session Court judges. Guinn told members of the county’s Budget Committee on Wednesday she had created an assistant’s position at the request of Judges Robert Lincoln, James Nidiffer and Robert Arnold.

What's going on with Washington County property tax growth?

Washington County Mayor Dan Eldridge told members of the county’s Budget Committee there are several issues they should keep an eye on. One of the most troubling, he said, is the county’s anemic property tax growth. Eldridge said while investments have grown, property taxes are projected to increase by just $70,000 in the new fiscal year.

Washington County facing $780,000 budget deficit

Mitch Meredith, the county’s director of finance and administration, said the proposed general fund budget does include some savings in the new fiscal year, which begins July 1. One comes from downsizing the County Commission from 25 to 15 members. The move will result in a $38,880 reduction in the new budget for commission salaries and benefits.

Budget panel recommends spending $1.09 million to replace Washington County Detention Center roof

Randy Christiansen, Burleson Construction Company’s director of building information modeling, said the cost of the new roof would not exceed $1,096,065 and could be completed in three phases.

Committee recommends shaving debt from county school funding

The Washington County Budget Committee on Wednesday agreed to send to the County Commission a resolution that would cap borrowing for three new and renovated schools at $78 million — a move aimed at keeping the county’s bond rating safe and its per capita debt manageable.

Washington County seeks financial route for rural water lines

A proposal for Washington County to spend about $778,000 for Johnson City, Kingsport and Jonesborough to extend water lines to rural parts of the county was put on hold Wednesday in lieu of a survey that will measure how many rural households qualify for federal assistance.

County may pull its share of TIF District funding in 2030

A resolution is headed to the Washington County County Commission that would end the flow of county tax dollars to the tax increment financing district at end of 2039.

Washington County commissioners, Board of Education form school projects oversight committee