Council members clash over Baughn’s budget-cutting proposals

May 14, 2013 By 55 Comments
Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Charlie Hensley

Charlie Hensley

Several Oak Ridge City Council members clashed on Monday as they debated a few last-minute proposals to reduce city spending in some areas and increase it in others.

Most of the debate centered on proposals submitted by Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn. She asked the City Council to consider nine budget-cutting proposals and consider selling the Centennial Golf Course and the property used by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, among other things.

Baughn said she represents the citizens of Oak Ridge and is trying to find the highest and best use of city-owned property. She has previously said she would like to lower the property tax rate and has advocated for a more limited government. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baughn request: Sell golf course, Chamber property; request payments from tax-exempt organizations

May 12, 2013 By 18 Comments
Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Note: This story was updated at 11:38 p.m.

Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn has proposed that the city sell Centennial Golf Course, and terminate the lease agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and sell the property.

Those proposals would convert city-owned assets into taxable properties, Baughn said.

Baughn has also asked the seven-member Council to consider setting up a team that could negotiate voluntary payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements with tax-exempt organizations that “are most able to afford paying for city services that are currently paid for by the taxpayer.” Those organizations could include Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Utility District, Tech 2020, Roane State Community College, and the University of Tennessee, Baughn said in a May 5 e-mail to Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson and City Clerk Diana Stanley. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Council approves $128,000 for Centennial Golf Course renovations

September 14, 2012 By 5 Comments

Despite the objections of one official and one resident, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday agreed to spend $128,000 to renovate 29 bunkers, or sand traps, at Centennial Golf Course.

The Golf Course Fund will be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned course. The work will be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge and Signet Golf Associates.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Government, Recreation Tagged With: , ,

Centennial golf bunkers could be renovated for $128,000

September 10, 2012 By 12 Comments

Twenty-nine bunkers, or sand traps, could be renovated at Centennial Golf Course for $128,000 under a resolution to be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council tonight.

The Golf Course Fund would be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned golf course. The work would be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge, with help from Signet Golf Associates.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Government, Recreation Tagged With: , , ,