By Jim Young / jimyoungreporter@gmail.com
A special-called meeting of the Crossville City Council set for Friday morning at 10 at Crossville City Hall is expected to put the finishing touches on the city's budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
In addition to being the first public meeting held to discuss the budget, the council is scheduled to take action on the final reading of the budget and tax rate. The council previously set the city's property tax at the same rate as last year and two of the required three readings have previously been approved. Crossville's tax rate has remained at 55 cents per $100 of assessed value for the last several years.
The city's budget in its latest printout is estimated at $4.9 million in the red and will be balanced using the city's general fund balance of approximately $9.5 million. Some final changes to the budget may be considered at the meeting before the final approval. Last year's city budget was set at $2.89 in the red. At the end of the next fiscal year the city expects to still have some $5.5 million in the rainy day fund.
The council will also consider the second reading of an ordinance to allow the indoor shooting range in Crossville. The ordinance will have regulations about the building requirements in its final form as well as rules concerning licensing required for shooting range operators similar to those required of beer licensees.
Other topics on the agenda for discussion include changes to North Street between Main Street and Thurman Avenue. The proposed action to make the street one way will add five additional parking spaces as well as sidewalks to the north end of town. The road is the one that runs between the old L. P. Shanks building at Plateau Properties.
The council will also consider an extension of the Rotary Foundation's lease of the Crossville Depot building. The current lease expires at the end of July but includes the provision for a five year extension. An extension has been requested by the Rotary Foundation.
A change order is up for discussion on the Cumberland Mountain State Park sewer line installation. The changes are connected with the installation of three grinder pumps for the sewer service to connect the Homestead Elementary School. The increased costs will be paid by the Cumberland County School System.
The council will also discuss a previously approved action to install street lights in the Interstate Interchange Park. When originally approved in April 2008, costs for the lights were estimated at $32,925. That cost is now estimated by Volunteer Energy Cooperative at $78,000 for the installation and metal poles.
