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The budget workshop held May 23 included discussion about the City of Morristown’s allocation to the E-911 District, as part of its Fiscal Year 2024 proposed expenditures.

The proposed allocation from the city budgeted for the new fiscal year will remain at $259,880, according to a recommendation from city staff.

“We met with the county mayor (Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain) and the commission chairman (Chris Cutshaw) and explained the position as outlined by the Council through the Finance Committee,” City Administrator Tony Cox said.

“We indicated the fact they had been underpaying for a period of years; we’d like them to make up the difference.

“They indicated they would be going back to the commission with their presentation. They made no commitments, no promises. My understanding is the amount in their proposed budget is the amount requested by 911. We indicated to them we would be waiting to see what action they took before we make final determination on the city budget,” Cox said.

Council member Kay Senter asked if Council would be made aware of the determination prior to the Second Reading of the city’s FY24 budget scheduled for June 20.

“The County Mayor indicated he thought we would, but I am somewhat skeptical – but of course we can always amend our budget in July or whenever we do find out for sure,” Cox said. “I think part of the concern that was expressed in that meeting, of course, was the fact that 911 has gone ahead and awarded the raises without funding before consulting with the city and county, I know that was mentioned. It shouldn’t have any impact on where you are now; you’re already spending fund balance for their raises.”

Senter asked, “Have you calculated what the new formula, what the city portion would be, based upon the formula for this year and the information provided as usual?”

The number provided by City Finance Director Michelle Woods was $375,720.

“Regardless of what the number is, it doesn’t change our position that we’re going to wait on the county to step up. It doesn’t change our fundamental position on funding,” Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney said.

Senter requested clarification: “So in catching up, what you’re saying is the city would like for the county then to increase whatever the funding for ’24 is, bring that above to catch up in increments and then we would step or decrease ours by that amount.”

Cox said, “The ordinance that we are preparing, based on the direction from council, is that the funding for that will be flat.”

Council member Tommy Pedigo shared his viewpoint: “If we do anything besides stay flat we’re widening that gap between what the city pays and what the county pays; the city’s representing 30,000 people, the county’s representing 65,000 people. When that gap widens, we can’t go back next year and reduce it. If we were to increase that and they don’t, then we’re just widening that gap. So at some point in time, we have to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘This has got to stop,’” he said.

Cox referred to the state’s requirement for city budgets to adhere to maintenance of effort – “It requires you to maintain what you did last year,” he said.

“And I think we need to go back and find out why it was allowed to go on, at a deficit, for six years, it’s not 911,” Senter said.

Cox said, “The basic thing is that we went first (increasing the allocation), expecting them (the county) to follow through and they did not; and based on maintenance of effort you were locked in to your number.”

Chesney added, “I think what we’re saying is that Council is OK with what has been suggested, that we’ve discussed.”

Senter added, “Provided that we can continue to evaluate and assess based on the county’s decision,” to which Pedigo concurred.

The proposed allocation for E911 from Hamblen County for the new fiscal year, as listed in its draft budget uploaded to the county website, is $269,288 – an increase of $80,000-plus from the estimated expenditures for FY23. There has been no discussion of E911 funding during the county’s budget work sessions to date.