Thread by @memangrum

I'm already nestled in the Hamilton County Commission chambers for today's meeting. Commissioners are expected to to vote on the FY 2020 county budget today - or an alternative.

@_SarahGTaylor and I will be reporting live from today's meeting.

timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto…

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. but chambers already had about two dozen folks in here when I arrived about 15 minutes ago. I've seen several educators mixed in the crowd including some of @hamcoschools chief officers and principals.

The @TimesFreePress has covered this eyar's budget process extensively since Superintendent Bryan Johnson unveiled the schools $443 million budget request in April.

Here's the story for backgroud >>> timesfreepress.com/news/breakingn…

Rumors of a 49-cent property tax rate increase first circulated shortly after Johnson's budget was presented and approved by the school board, but when Mayor Jim Coppinger presented his $819 million proposed budget the tax increase included became a 34-cent rate increase.

Here's an overview from Mayor Jim Coppinger's presentation to the County Commission earlier this month >>>

timesfreepress.com/news/breakingn…

Just a very high overview reminder of what's included in the county budget proposal: increase for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office so Sheriff Jim Hammond can add law enforcement and corrections officers as well as bump up pay to a competitive rate.

Cuts to several departments within county general government in order to fund the Sheriff's request, see @_SarahGTaylor's story for background >>> timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto…

And of course, the $34 million request for additional funding for operational costs for Hamilton County Schools, which include items such as these:

Side note: We're almost out of seats in the commission chambers. It's going to be standing room only, with folks in the hallway this morning.

District 9's Chester Bankston has been at the dais since I arrived. District 5's Katherlyn Geter just joined him.

It's a who's who mix of Hamilton County leaders in the room this morning. Folks are already lining the walls in the chambers and filing upstairs to the (very small) media balcony.

Superintendent Bryan Johnson has made his appearance. Most of his executive suite is n the room.

Remember to follow along with @_SarahGTaylor and I for live coverage of today's meeting. You can also watch @HamCoTNGov's livestream of the meeting here: youtube.com/playlist?list=…

You can also follow along via the @TimesFreePress live story, here >>>

timesfreepress.com/news/breakingn…

Personal request: Say a little prayer to the apple juice gods forha me that my laptop and iPhone make it through this meeting.

Unsure if they have stopped allowing folks inside, but it seems like they might've Not sure aht the fire capacity is for the room.

Chairwoman Sabrena Smedley has called the commission's recess meeting to order.

She informs the crowd that the room is at double capacity and asks the crowd to clear walkways and the stairways.

There's quite a lot of ruckus outside in the hallway, including clapping.

Chester Bankston has made a motion to approve the proposed FY 2020 budget without the 34 cent property tax increase.

Tim Boyd has seconded that motion.

Sabrena Smedley is reading a statement.

"Members of this body as well as members of the general public have had the opportunity to speak to this budget," she says, but also acknowledges that members of the general public here today would like to speak.

Smedley is going to allow "20 minutes for each side" to speak before today's vote. The usual rules such as a maximum of 3 minutes each will still apply.

This is pretty unusual. Typically the public addresses the commission at the end of the meeting.

Smedley commends her fellow commissioners for holding public meetings and for listening to their constituents.

At this time, Smedley asks for those who are supporting the tax increase to come forward. But county attorney Rheubin Taylor asks the chairwoman to hestiate.

He notes that Bankston's motion to vote on the original resolution - to vote on the budget without a tax increase - needs to be amended.

Chip Baker moves to vote on the original resolution, it is seconded by Commissioner Sharpe.

Commissioner Bankston is now making a motion to amend the resolution (the budget) without the 34 cent property tax increase, which is seconded by Boyd.

These motions are halted in order for discussion - which is typically among commissioner - from the public.

First up is an educator, Rebecca, who is here to speak as a mother. She has four children, including a child starting kindergarten and a special-needs child.

"I live in both worlds, I'm the mom of a child with an IEP and a child without an IEP."

"The budget includes 10 new special education teachers and 30 education assistants," she says. She emphasizes the work of the Chattanooga 2.0 Inclusive Education Working Group's three-year plan, which the proposed budget funds.

Background here >>> bit.ly/2X8nzII

She calls the commission's decision today "life or death" and receives applause from the crowd.

District 3 school board member Joe Smith is up next. He calls the commissioners his friends and emphasizes their support of the ministries he's been involved in over the years.

Sabrena reminds Joe that he is on a time limit.

Joe: A few weeks ago when Dr. Johnson presented his final budget to the school board...the very next day, he received a text from Commissioner Boyd.

"One of the things you said in the text spoke to my heart."

The text Boyd send him said "Joe, don't forget that there are a lot of senior citizens in Hamilton County that are not as fortunate as you and I."

Smith says that for the past few weeks it has also "haunted" him that there are thousands of young people around the county who also aren't as fortunate as his and Boyd's.

"When I was a little boy, my monsters were pretend," Smith said. "A lot of these kids, they're monsters are real."

"We want to say it's not government's responsibility to be the parent, and there's no more true statement. It's not," Smith said.

But he adds that teachers, because of their passion, have to be the counselor, the parent, the police..."and then we don't want to support them."

"My message today, there's nothing I'm going to say that's going to change your vote...my message today is really to those 44,000 students....Don't behave like us. Let's behave the way that would honor God," Smith said.

Smith: "I look around this room and I know that come Sunday morning there will be 60,000 people in a church of their choice. What if every single one of them took home a kid and loved on them."

Smith also emphasizes that @hamcoschools has the right leadership.

"Dr. Johnson, I didn't vote for you two years ago...When I cast my ballot two years ago, I was wrong."

Bill Killbride, former Chamber CEO, is up next. He is speaking to careers and jobs after school. Can barely hear him over the crowd outside.

Killbride: "Our education leadership si the right leadership. It won't change tomorrow morning. It takes longer than that, but it's working."

Killbride: "We can't leave our teachers behind. We can't leave our teachers behind in our economic development," he says. He says people is our greatest asset.

If Hamilton County doesn't have the workforce needed, big industries will "pack up and go down the road."

"I hope that in the time that we have left this morning, I hope something will move the rest of you that this is the right thing to do," Killbridge.

Principal of Dupont Elementary is up next. She says she was instructed by a @hamcoschools official to speak.

She said a misstatement was made that this "budget supports whats best for children."

"This budget can't do that, no budget can do that," she says. "What this budget does is provide what's needed...what's needed for our children in our schools."

"My 35 teachers play all the roles," she says. "I'm asking for you to support it. I'm asking you to support our schools because it supports our kids."

Up next is @DavidTadRussell, who is holding his infant.

"I've been teaching sixth grade science for 4 years. In that time, what Mr. Smith says is correct. Sometimes we get to teach, but most of the time, we're doing other things."

"Your teachers work everyday. This pay raise will go a long way to helping families feel more secure," Russell says.

Another teacher is up.

"This past year, I had an inclusion student with an aide, in my classroom and it was huge eye-opener to what is needed."

She urges the commission to vote yes.

At this time, Smedley calls for anyone who would like to speak against the increase.

Brendan Jennings of the Chattanooga Tea Party is up first.

Jennings complements Mayor Coppinger's presented budget.

And says that the school board's "$53 million" budget generates important questions.

Jennings asks when the public will see the facilities report and what impact it will have on the community.

He also asks if the continued growth of Central Office is needed.

He claims that fewer than 60 of the 350+ additional teachers are in the classroom.

Note: This is not quite correct. Of the 350 positions, includes 42 classroom teachers, 11 art teachers, 10 special education teachers, 30 special education assistants (and possibly other positions, this list isn't comprehensive).

Jennings also notes that the commission might need to look at other revenue possibilities in the future.

Next up is Craig Mcgarvey, who is a retired educator and former school board member for a district in Florida.

He notes the financial impact of the 2017 tax increase.

Mcgarvey says that the school budget should be rejected. It won't improve the performance of failing students, he says.

"Commissioners, you control the money. Demand current accountability for failing students. Demand it now," Mcgarvey says.

Mcgarvey urges the commission to vote no and then establish a permanent oversight committee/board to oversee the commission and the school board and demand a "classroom first" model.

Dean Morehouse - yes, of the WWTA saga - is up next. He says he is not here to disparage teachers.

"I think the questions is if operational efficiency," he says.

In 2009, we had 79 facilities he says, we have 81 now. He says the district has consolidated 4 since then...but also asks what else is going on with the facilities.

(I have no idea if these #s are correct).

Morehouse notes that Hamilton County has more administrators than Rutherford County (which is a fairly similar size). He cites the Tennessee Department of Education for those stats.

"In the last decade, our school budget has grown by 67%. The number of students have only grown by 10%. Inflation is only 19.4%. A school budget growing 67% far exceeds inflation," he said.

Morehouse said if the district didn't have "operational inefficiencies, the money would be there for the classroom."

Morehouse is citing a Beacon study of per-pupil-spending in Tennessee and says that Hamilton County spends more than the state average and Knox County.

Morehouse: This study points to a bloated burearchy, not just in Hamilton County, but statewide.

Morehouse: "My point is, we are not opposed to kids and the hardworking teachers, what we are opposed to is the lack of operational efficiency."

Next up is a business owner, Lucy Nelson.

"To most of us, it is known that Hamilton County Schools is not graduating future-ready students...HCDE should not be asking for a tax increase...when they are not fulfilling their own job to educate our children."

Nelson mentions @UnifiEdHC's APEX report.

"The APEX report uses the word "equity" which is nothing more than a socialist agenda to indoctrinate our children."

"We don't need equity in education," Nelson says. "We need academic excellence."

Nelson says "Stop sexualizing our kids in public education" which gets sighs and uproar from the crowd. Smedley calls for the crowd to call down.

Nelson is making a point about educating children about multiple gender roles.

Nelson: It is very hypocritical that our Superintendent rallied to prevent children in poverty and non-English learners to getting vouchers. Very hypocritical.

Nelson: "Today, I'm here to talk on behalf of our precious children in Hamilton County. They do not deserve indoctrination, they deserve an education."

Next up is a Cuban immigrant, Eugene George.

George: "Every fiber of my being is American, but I happen to be born in Cuba and experienced 21 long dark years under communism."

He quotes former President Barack Obama and a comment he made that this "country was not a Christian country." That was an ignorance statement, George said.

George is reminding commissioners that "our society is built on Judeo-Christian values."

Smedley told George that his time is up.

George: "It is our duty and our right to demand of the public school system to develop an excellent education curriculum that depends excellence and is tied to moral excellence."

George begins to say socialism and Islam are unconstitutional and Smedley sys his time is up.

Commissioner Greg Martin of District 3 asks the county attorney about the procedural attempt on the floor, in terms of how to approve a budget with or without the 34-cent property tax rate.

Martin: "So your counsel is that we are on solid ground?"

Martin wants to note for the record that his wife is Hamilton County Schools teacher and his son is home for the summer as an employee at the CBV.

Martin says their employment has nothing to do with how he votes today and his "conscious is clear."

Attorney Taylor notes that if the tax icnrease is NOT approved, the school budget will go back to the @hamcoschools school board and the county budget will be in limbo until both parts are approved.

Taylor: "Until you approve both parts, you don't have a budget."

Martin says that Taylor told him earlier that when everything is eventually finally approved, the county general budget will be retroactive back to July 1.

County finance officials say that is correct.

Commissioner David Sharpe asks for clarity.

"We have two motions on the floor...the first motion, the first vote will be voting on the amendment."

Sharpe: "While I have the mic, I want to bring up a couple of points that were mentioned as recently as last night. ...I want to be clear about, the last thing that I'd like happen here is this budget to pit our senior population against the future of our community."

Sharpe: "Based on the passage of this budget, for senior citizens to participate in the tax relief, they will actually see a net cut on their property taxes."

Sharpe notes that his tax relief resolution is also on the agenda today.

He asks for a show of hands of how many are here today who are in support of this budget.

@_SarahGTaylor and I agree about 65-70% of the crowd raised its hands.

There are cheers from the crowd outside (unsure why).

Coppinger notes that there are parts of the school budget that the county has to have in order to not move forward with a continuation budget.

Commissioner Randy Fairbanks, of District 1, asks why they would be separating it out.

"We talking like the county portion and the school portion are seperate, but it's all."

He asks for clarification in regards to a continuation budget or how an approved budget might be applied retroactively.

County attorney remind the commissioners that they have to take action by August 31.

Fairbank says it sounds like nothing is official today regardless of if they split it.

"It just doesn't make sense to me," he says.

Fairbanks: "I don't want to vote on a part today and then say I'll vote on the other later."

Attorney Taylor said it seems that some commissioners have some concerns, not with the county general government budget, but with the school budget that they don't have the power to alter.

Mayor Coppinger: "It would be helpful, depending on the will of this commission, if you're going to send something back...if you're not going to pass it as is...Then we are up against the deadline."

Coppinger: It would be helpful if there is no compromise or anything in between, for them [the district] to know that in order for them to alter the budget.

Coppinger suggests the commission give the school board guidance/direction on "what's going to be acceptable."

Smedley says that sounds reasonable.

Commissioner Warren Mackey is up.

He points out that the biggest issue has been the impact on senior citizens and the commission has tried to remedy that. He says that will weigh on his decision and the commission needs to act on this.

Boyd: It sounds like we are deliberating something that is not even on the table.

Boyd says that by state statute the commission does not have to provide one penny more than what it approved last year.

The amendment would give the school district its funds from last year, plus growth money.

He asks for a vote on the amendment.

Boyd: This commission has the authority to decrease the budget on any department.

Smedley clarifies that Boyd is calling for a vote.

Bankston or Baker seconds it. Not sure who.

Martin asks for a point of order.

We need to have a 2/3 majority for any debate.

This first vote is to end debate.

Baker says no because he'd like to speak.

Seems like they will not be ending debate.

Commissioner Chip Baker is up.

He first introduces his wife and his daughter. And then asks the crowd to "settle back and relax."

Baker: I was heartened by the fact that the county did some hard reckoning and took out the additional 15 cent.

Baker: As many of you know, I was on the school board for 12 years and have studied the Hamilton County school system for 20+ years.

He says he did have some questions, like "How far should we go?"

Baker starts commenting on the percentage of children in private schools in Hamilton County - about 31% (compared to apparently 7% nationally).

Baker is noting the work of the Mayor's Budget Working Group as well as the district's new Chief Business Officer Brent Goldberg (which was a "good hire," Baker says).

Baker is emphasizing several of the recommendations of the budget working group - such as establishing a citizen committee and running the school district "like a business."

Baker is addressing the pay increase for the school district and the county, but says the sheriff's office pay raise is a major factor.

Baker is addressing concerns like the school system acting as a parent, the increase of paying for college classes, art teachers, etc.

Baker says "My wife's favorite part, I wanted to talk about Unified, but she said no because I have a grudge."

Baker: "When I was on the school board, the Chamber wasn't even engaged in the schools."

Baker: "Tim Kelly said, this is the first time I think I've seen all our great foundations align."

Baker: "To me the most important factor is Superintendent Bryan Johnson. ...He has a lot to do and a lot to get down and I think we should be there to support him in that process."

Baker's comment receives applause from the crowd.

Baker: "I've heard from all sides, one friend Paul Brock says the time is now...and I agree with you."

Baker: "I really believe if there is every a time to do this, that's right, now is the time that everyone is aligned."

Applause and cheers from the chambers.

Baker: "The time is now, we have to get it done now."

Smedley discloses that her oldest son is in law enforcement and is in Iraq.

Smedley thanks law enforcement officers, and the teachers.

"I know you all are asked to do a lot more than just teach."

Smedley notes that "no matter how this vote goes down today" there will be additional revenue - $18 million+.

Smedley: "When this facilities report comes back with an half a billion price tag or bigger, we are going to have a strategic plan. ...It's incumbent upon us as elected officials to figure this thing out."

Smedley notes that the commission has heard from clergy, faith leaders, nonprofits, etc. throughout this process and it is "incumbunet on this community to come together to see how we can address this situation."

Smedley: "There's a lot as county commissioners that we have to consider. I was here in 2017, going into an election year, and voted for a tax increase. I was convicted at the time and I thought it was more important to do what's right."

Smedley calls out those who sent out mailers and said she knows how much it costs and hopes "as a community we prioritize."

Sharpe says he feels the need to disclose that his brother and his wife work for the Department of Education.

Attorney Taylor is clarifying where the commission is at right now in terms of the amended budget and the proposed budget.

Up for vote currently is both an amendment (the budget without the tax increase) and the originally proposed budget (with the tax increase).

Martin asks again for clarity on this vote. Right now, a yes vote = a no vote on the tax increase.

The amended budget, without a tax increase for schools, passes with a 5-4 vote.

Those who voted for the amendment were Fairbanks, Smedley, Martin, Bankston and Boyd.

No votes are Baker, Geter, Sharpe and Mackey.

Taylor says the budget has not passed.

"You do not have a budget as of yet."

Martin: I believe going forward it's time for the school board and the county commission to work together going forward. ...Raising property taxes is not the only solution.

Martin also hopes the community will look for other revenue sources.

Baker: I'm glad we aren't going through "here's what we'd like."

To be clear, technically the county has not approved a budget. They approved an amendment removing the tax increase portion of the budget.

Smedley calls to take a break.

Let me be clarify: The amendment to the budget passes but the county still technically needs to vote on a budget.

Chairwoman Sabrena Smedley has called the meeting back to order.

The chambers have significantly emptied. But I want to reiterate that no budget for the county or the school district has been approved yet.

There are still some school officials in the house, but by and large the crowd has shrunk to the regular attendees.

Keep checking out the @TimesFreePress live story on today's meeting and @_SarahGTaylor and my tweets.

timesfreepress.com/news/breakingn…

The commission is reviewing the minutes for last week's meeting regarding senior tax relief resolutions.

clear*

Sharpe is asking for clarity on last week's senior tax relief proposals.

Here's a background story >>> timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto…

Sharpe: "I just want to point out, had we passed a budget that included a tax increase today, this resolution included a tax break for our most vulnerable citizens."

Baker asks if the county has figured out what the senior tax increase will cost the county.

County officials say without a tax increase, the cost to raise the senior income ceiling to $40K with a 50% match of state funds is around $73K.

Martin called a point of order and is "trying to get everyone back on track."

The current resolution before the commission is to ask the state to raise the state income ceiling from approximately $29K to $40K for senior citizens to receive tax relief.

Martin notes that the commission needs 6 votes to ask something of the state.

Martin: Basically we are in this resolution where Hamilton County is asking the whole state.

Boyd: Resolution 619-47 is asking the Hamilton County delegations to go before the General Assembly and change the state law for all counties, he clarifies.

Currently, the state verifies the income for all senior citizens who apply for the tax relief program.

Here's some background on the program via @TimesFreePress >>>

timesfreepress.com/news/breakingn…

According to county officials, the county would take on the burden on verifying income if it decided to do a private act and increase the income ceiling for senior tax relief.

The resolution fails 3-5, Fairbanks has stepped out of the room.

Brent Goldberg of @hamcoschools is up next regarding FY 18-19 budget amendments made by the school board since January.

Boyd: Mr. Goldberg, last time we went through these fuzzy numbers, Christie Jordan was here. She was speaking primarily as you stood listening. At that point in time, I asked her how much money is the total funds received by the HCDE...all federal, all state, grants, everything

Boyd: I ask the same question this time...grants, federal funds, local, state, earned income from investments, including these funds we are about too...

Goldberg: Approximately $459 million.

Boyd: Hear me loud and clear people, general public, $459 million for 2018-2019. ...Mr. Goldberg, I really appreciate your candor in this manner.

Goldberg: Of that amount, approximately $49 million, we don't have discretion over.

Boyd thanks Goldberg and says the commission is aware of that. Just wanted to clarify.

Smedley adjourns the commission's recess meeting and moves the commission until the June 26 agenda session.

There are some allocations from commissioners' travel funds (discretionary funds) to some projects today, including $1500 by Randy Fairbanks to the Bakewell Community Center and $1500 by Smedley to the Medal of Honor Gall of Valor Museum.

Boyd is noting that an intergovernmental transfer between the state and the County Commission is a "significant exchange" and allows Erlanger to receive more than $20 million a year.

Resolutions are concluded. Time for announcements.

Sharpe: I'm a bit confused. And that's fine. There's a lot of conversation about how budget proposals affect certain portions of our population and I'm very sensitive to that. ...For us to still be working toward something for the student of Hamilton County and their futures...

Sharpe: ...at the same time, I find it unusual and disappointing that we weren't able to come together and support our seniors.

Boyd: Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Bankston, all of whom have served literally years on the board of education, we all appreciate their knowledge that they bring to this board.

Boyd: Commissioner Baker and Commissioner Martin said there needs to be a spirit of cooperation... Boyd, I've down a line-item review of Budget document 4, 5, 6 and am prepared to share with every school board member, a balanced budget based on their line-item budget.

Boyd: I took the initiative to go down this line-item budget and reduce it by $34 million without touching an academic program.

Geter: I just want to highlight and make a comment about a trailblazer that we have here in our community, and that's John P. Franklin.

Yesterday, the city of Chattanooga honored him. Franklin was the first elected African-American leader in the city.

timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto…

Geter: Mr. Franklin stood for public education and he worked many years for public education in our community.

Baker: Having done the 12 year thing, never was there a good relationship [between the school board and the commission]...let's bring them together.

Coppinger: I wanted to echo what Geter and Baker said (regarding John Franklin).

Coppinger: I know we don't have a budget yet, but we're a step closer and we're going to get there. Some people are happy and some people are disappointed.

Mackey: I want to thank Mayor Coppinger, he has come out every time I've asked him to come to these workshops. For him to stand out day 1 in support of this budget and the Superintendent, and I thank him for that.

Mackey accuses the commission of kicking the can down the road.

"This body needs to simply be real and stop being hypocritical."

Smedley asks if anyone has anything to bring before the commission.

.@jomarkhail of the Hamilton County teacher's union thanks the commission for the prayer and work they've put in to today's decision.

Omarkhail: "We do see some of these things in here, and I'd love to see what you come up with."

Rick or Richard Carpenter (Rigor Rick) is up next. He has some concerns about infrastructure and public access to the county commission meeting.

He asks the commission for a bigger seating arena for public meetings.

"I do know there are holes in these budgets," he says.

The commission meeting is adjourned.