Mark Watson
The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday gave initial approval to a budget that does not raise property taxes but could be amended.
Council members Trina Baughn and Chuck Hope proposed amendments that could be considered during a special meeting before second and final reading of the budget on May 28.
The budget presented by City Manager Mark Watson on Monday would give city employees a 1 percent pay raise, cut funding for the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, and change the city’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce.
Baughn’s amendments proposed cutting spending for city departments and municipal travel, among other things, while Hope’s recommended increasing funding for economic development and capital maintenance, and using money to study a fire station relocation in east Oak Ridge.
Watson’s proposed budget would leave the property tax rate at $2.39 per $100 of assessed value.
“I presented a balanced budget, a budget that doesn’t radically change the things we’ve been doing,” Watson said.
Nancy England says
I have never objected to being taxed by the City of Oak Ridge. Considering the excellent services we receive, it’s a bargain at any level.
John Huotari says
Council member Anne Garcia Garland said something along these lines, that she’s not hearing people complaining about the tax rate, at least not homeowners.
Curt Kelsey says
I think plenty have chosen not to live there and pay the higher rate John. Therefore they are not complaining because they voted with their feet.
Rick Hasbrouck says
Is there a need for “using money to study a fire station relocation in east Oak Ridge”? What is prompting this request?
John Huotari says
It sounded like insurance concerns are driving this request to consider moving the station to the southeast section of the city. There was brief debate about whether that could help lower homeowner insurance rates in neighborhoods like Park Meade.
David A. Vudragovich says
John, I know distance to a fire hydrant and the local FD affects your insurance rates but does it help the city control costs? I can tell you from years of doing mortgages, I never saw people buy a different house because of home owner rates (unless it messed with their debt to income ratio). Do Realtors now advertise lower home owner’s rates?
johnhuotari says
David,
Here’s what Chuck Hope wrote in his three-part proposal, which I plan to post today:
The third part of this amendment would be to add $50,000 to start the process of pre-engineering drawing and studies for the relocation of Fire Station #2 to Melton Lake Drive. This needs to happen because we have residents in the far southeast quadrant of the city that don’t get our city-wide reduced fire rate on their homeowner insurance and fall outside the five-mile radius to achieve the discounted rate. We need to start this process and come up with near-term solutions while we come up with the proper long-term solution to better protect all of our residents of the city. By moving Fire Station #2, we can achieve this realignment at the lowest possible cost to the city.
David A. Vudragovich says
Thank you
Andrew Howe says
I, like Rick, also wondered why we need to relocate the fire station. I’d understand adding a NEW station on the west end, but…
Fill us in, exalted one!
TJGarland says
Has anyone thought about the increase of homeowner’s fire insurance rates for the citizens on the East Turnpike if the station is moved away?
Increase hundreds of owners rates to decrease a couple dozen owners rates in Park Meade?
It has to cost hundreds of thousands to move it.
Speaking only for myself—
Norton Manning says
Yes that sounds about right for you. Speaking to hear yourself speak.
Norton Manning says
TJ – Thats exactly what they are thinking – OK people the fire station issue. In order to save on home owners insurance you have to be within so many miles of a fire station. Residents located in subdivisions like park mead and those along the far end of melton lake drive are all outside that range. The moving of the fire station a little further will not effect anyone currently covered by the east end station. with this move the entire city will be covered. This is a EXCELLENT IDEA.