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County Local Government Committee passes resolutions, including one for hotel/motel tax
WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Disagreements arose during the Dyer County Local Government Committee, which met on Wednesday, July 24. The committee approved a resolution to levy a hotel/motel tax, but conflicts over how to use the funds shortly sidetracked focus. The group also passed three other resolutions to send to the full County Legislative Body (CLB). Those resolutions called for asking the United States Postal System (USPS) to improve service and move the county’s mail processing from Memphis to Madison County, to adopt an interlocal agreement with Trimble, and to adopt the 2021 edition of the International Residential Building Code.
Members of the committee attending were Dyer County Mayor David Quick and County Commissioners Chairman Brandon Dodds, James T. “Bubba” Cobb, Steve Sartin, Debra Roberson, Larry Shawver, and Hunter Jackson. Mark Korn was unable to attend. Attending from Dyer County Government were Building Inspector Dale Dozier, Roads Superintendent Jeff Jones, Commissioners Doug Singleteary, Dob Johnson, and Jimmy Hester, Finance Director Amy Perkins, Accounts Manager Cari Jones, and Administrative Assistant Beverly Ellington.
Quick discussed the resolution for the hotel/motel tax, noting that most counties in Tennessee levy the tax. He stated that for 2023, the county missed out on almost $340,000 in revenue. He said that according to law, the taxes would have to be used for tourism development and recommended that such collections be used to improve ball fields and events sites. He said, “If you give us this, we can draw thousands of people with travel ball, and that means more tax revenues.” Singleteary asked, “Does it have to be spent on ballfields and event centers?” He noted that duck hunting draws in thousands during the 60 days of the season. “I just hope it won’t be tied down to that [the ballfields and event centers],” he said.
Johnson assured the committee that other counties are already levying the tax. Roberson noted that construction of one hotel is underway [the new Hampton Inn] and that there is talk of another coming soon.
Singleteary stated that he thought that if the Dixie League ballparks were to be renovated, it would cost around $1M. Quick answered that it would not be an overnight process and that he would also try to get a grant. Dodds commented that if the fields were improved, they would need to maintain the fields so that they would not have this problem again.
Cobb stated, “Dixie Youth used to maintain it.” Shawver argued that Dixie signed a lease that says they are responsible for maintenance. Quick answered, “It’s up to the county for lights and infrastructure.” Shawver responded, “The lease doesn’t say that.” Singleteary noted that whereas over 1,000 children used to sign up that now only a round 250 are signed up. Quick replied, “We’ve either got to hold up the county’s end or tear it down.” Shawver added that each child has to pay $100, and said, “How is that money being managed?” Quick replied, “They’re doing good with the money they have.”
The committee resumed discussion of the hotel/motel levy. Roberson made a motion to approve, Cobb seconded, Dodds voted against, but with the remaining members voting yes, the motion for the resolution carried.
The committee next discussed failures by the USPS to efficiently process and deliver the mail in Memphis, and they discussed a resolution calling for the USPS to move processing to Madison County and to improve service over all. Anecdotally, the committee told of thefts of mail and checks from the Memphis processing centers. Sartin said two checks for his business stolen and cashed in other states. Quick said his office had to put a trace on mail, which was found to have been thrown in a ditch a disgruntled USPS quit and threw out bags of mail. Quick said he had been to a government leadership conference at which leaders were advised not to send checks through the mail.
Cobb made a motion to accept the resolution, Sartin seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Addressing inspection resolutions, Dozier presented a resolution calling for an interlocal agreement between Trimble and Dyer County. He said that the agreement basically means that Trimble zoning would go through the county and that the county would be reimbursed for any such services and fees. According to the resolution, the Dyer County Building Inspector would perform building inspections, ensuring that the buildings were consistent with county codes, that “permits for new construction, alterations of existing structures, and demolitions” would be regulated under the county’s adopted codes. Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution, Shawver seconded, and the motion carried.
Dozier moved to the next resolution and said that the state requires the county’s building codes to be updated within seven years of the latest International Residential Building Code. He said, “The code is virtually the same as Dyersburg.” He added, “It would make it easier for contractors.” Dodds asked what “international” meant here. Dozier said, “Worldwide.” Cobb, for confirmation said, “So it’s not going to affect us much.” Jackson answered, “It’s minor stuff.” Shawver made a motion to approve, Jackson seconded, and the motion carried unaniomously. Quick thanked Dozier for his work.
The resolutions will be considered by the CLB at a future meeting.