Oak Ridge Today

Council approves no-tax-increase budget that could be amended

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Mark Watson

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. [Read more…]

With revenues down, Oak Ridge Schools could cut 18 positions, six could lose jobs

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Bob Smallridge

Bob Smallridge

Revenues could be down about $1 million, and Oak Ridge Schools officials have recommended cutting 18 positions, including roughly eight teaching spots.

Six employees could lose their jobs, Oak Ridge Interim Superintendent Bob Smallridge said during a special meeting Monday. The rest of the cuts could occur through retirements and employees taking new jobs, among other things.

The 18 reductions could save about $1.1 million, Smallridge said. One special education teaching position would be added. [Read more…]

Gov. Haslam vetoes ‘ag gag’ bill

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has vetoed a controversial bill that would have required anyone who visually recorded livestock abuse to turn over the images or videos to law enforcement officers within 48 hours.

Haslam said the Tennessee attorney general has questioned the constitutionality of the bill, and it appears to repeal parts of Tennessee’s Shield Law without saying so. In addition, Haslam said, there are concerns from some district attorneys that the legislation would actually make it more difficult to prosecute animal cruelty cases, an unintended consequence.

In a Monday press release, he said he wants the Tennessee General Assembly to reconsider the legislation, which critics had labeled the bill the “ag gag” bill. There had been an intense campaign urging the governor to veto the measure, with most people expressing opposition, The Tennessean reported. Celebrities such as Carrie Underwood and Emmylou Harris had weighed in as well. [Read more…]

B&W team says it’s the best choice for Y-12, Pantex contract

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Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 National Security Complex (Submitted photo)

One of the two teams that did not win the $23 billion contract to manage and operate two nuclear weapons plants in Tennessee and Texas said newly released federal documents show it had the best bid.

The contract to manage the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, was awarded to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, of Reston, Va., on Jan. 8. The consolidated contract, the first ever for the National Nuclear Security Administration, is expected to save money.

But the two losing teams—Nuclear Production Partners LLC of Lynchburg, Va., and Integrated Nuclear Production Solutions LLC of Oak Ridge—filed bid protests. On April 29, the U.S. Government Accountability Office upheld those protests in part. The GAO questioned whether the NNSA had properly evaluated the expected savings, and the agency recommended that the contract procurement be re-opened and more information requested from the bidders. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge superintendent presents budget tonight

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Bob Smallridge

Bob Smallridge

Oak Ridge Schools Interim Superintendent Bob Smallridge will present a budget to the Board of Education during a meeting this evening.

The special meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in Board Room at the School Administration Building, which is at 304 New York Ave.

It’s the first in a series of six meetings between today and May 23. The school system’s budget could be presented to the Oak Ridge City Council on May 28. [Read more…]

Roane Chamber human resources seminar on Tuesday

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The Roane Chamber of Commerce is providing a special seminar, “Stay out of court: Human Resource Legal Matters Update” on Tuesday May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2:45 pm at Roane State Community College. [Read more…]

ORNL researcher discusses 3-D printing Tuesday

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The Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory will hold its monthly luncheon lecture meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting will feature speaker Lonnie J. Love, who will discuss the development of 3-D printing and other advanced manufacturing applications at ORNL, a press release said. [Read more…]

Council considers budget with no tax increase, less money for Chamber, ORCVB

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider a budget that does not raise property taxes but could cut funding for the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It would include contracts with economic development consultants Ray Evans and Steve Jones and a 1 percent cost-of-living pay raise for city employees.

Under the budget proposed by Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, the property tax rate would stay at $2.39 per $100 of assessed value. [Read more…]

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

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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…]

Schedule for third week of brush pickup

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The third week of the city’s annual brush pickup schedule is as follows: [Read more…]

Register for ORICL courses, trips by May 15

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ORICL Trip

On an ORICL-sponsored trip to Chattanooga during the winter-spring term, Carolyn Krause, left, Richard Wright, Murray Martin, and Pat DeRoos enjoy the trip along the Tennessee River in a catamaran. (Submitted photo)

Would you like to know how to develop an estate plan, protect your life’s savings from investment mistakes, take better photos with a digital camera, and control the growth of kudzu?

If so, you may want to consider becoming a member of the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, or registering for summer classes and trips if you already are.

The summer semester of ORICL starts June 10 and ends Aug. 9. The early registration deadline is May 15. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has MOTHer’s Night Out today

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Tiger Moth

Tiger Moth

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has its fourth annual MOTHer’s Night Out at 7:30 p.m. today.

The event will allow visitors to learn about moths and other nocturnal insects. It will be led by naturalist Kris Light.

“Bring your camera, your friends, and your kids as well as a magnifying glass, a flashlight and a desire to learn about these fascinating critters,” a press release said. [Read more…]