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During its regularly scheduled meeting on June 6, Morristown City Council voted to adopt, on its first reading, the annual budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.

The second reading and related public hearing will be held at the Council’s second meeting of the month, June 20.

The council also approved its members’ pay structure, along with increased garbage fees (from the current $15 to proposed $20). These ordinances will also be part of the public hearing on June 20.

The council pay structure, which includes the city mayor’s salary, had not been adjusted since 2012.

“It is just catching up with the county commission and the school board,” City Administrator Tony Cox said during the pre-agenda work session.

Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney’s salary would be increased to $950 per month. Council members’ individual salaries would be increased to $500 per month.

Both County Commission and HCBOE members’ salaries were increased in FY23.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Morristown City Council also voted to appropriate additional funds for the Fiscal Year 2023 in relation to to a purchase of land (the former Home Lumber site) various operational needs, an increase in Hotel/Motel Tax and, and a grant-funded airport project; and to appropriate and establish the funding source for each appropriation via the General Fund.

Additional funds were also approved for necessary vehicle repairs and salary-related items via the Solid Waste Fund.

In other business, Council approved the rezoning of 1.3 acres containing the buildign set to house Tri-Star Physical Therapy (formerly As-Is Furniture) at 325 W. Morris Boulevard from Central Business to Intermediate Business.

The owners were seeking to place a sign that is taller than what is permitted in the CB district but would be permissible in the IB district.

Council member Kay Senter remarked that it would be her wish to ensure that the sign is not located too close to Fred Miller Park – and city staff agreed to discuss the matter with the building owners.

According to the city’s planning department staff, although the property is zoned CB, it is located on a major 4-lane corridor and most of the nearby properties on this corridor are all suburban in development style and not the typical urban style seen in the downtown. Thus, staff recommends the rezoning to IB and the Morristown Regional Planning Commission supported the request by a 9-0 vote.

Council also approved staff’s request to declare nine City-owned vehicles as surplus, including four Morristown Police Department vehicles and five Morristown Fire Department vehicles.

The council recognized the 79th anniversary of D-Day with a moment of silence.

For more details on the Council meeting and Tuesday’s work sessions, see upcoming editions of the Tribune.