[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6260254,"mediaKeyId","3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57","parentId",3134169,"title","Committee approves multiple budget amendments including conference center work, jail camera replacement and opioid fund disbursements","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",4688000,"endMs",4960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57&start=4688&end=4960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57/thumbnail_4688000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260254/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Committee-approves-multiple-budget-amendments-including-conference-center-work-jail-camera-replacement-and-opioid-fund-disbursements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260254-a6dd2327fb0c84f2d30cd7c4b1ec16a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447796&Signature=McOT7lnZHFl8o961WqMElQeHnOgezOw~jKbkNt82CbGb7NABkLwWod7UnzpVSMfUaUwJ8Z1tIZji9P7sB4uHiL9L~ljogrImf-e~~FeHpJR4t0LuznKQfuNy-Jg7TNcfe0wcWVPcS6rKTZYB3b3tiuaXTH~veR1CRNT1XTXqETo63YbV1jAvsDEYP8iwn0iqvRmJeXlyiv7u8~T7K3pwMFhFA8s20uV10Gn59WpTpJdKayMO3zfc9bMs4qGYhl3J7hzV3Bdd2G8xTErbudvyzlIRdLfTR0OX~G1dnqa2yKfUMNSSesw4HJGe6fMQj32zh9QzbySV0DsyPSiD1BCB3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffee County, TN","date","2025-04-27T00:33:09.99Z","article","County finance staff presented a set of budget amendments and restricted‑fund disbursements that the Budget and Finance Committee approved by voice vote on April 5.

Finance staff said capital projects included an increase to engineering/project funding, a $100,000 request tied to conference center improvements (replacement of seven HVAC units, ADA‑compliant entry doors and parking lot resurfacing) and previously approved interim payments of about $21,328. The finance director told the committee the county retains a half interest in the conference center and the county’s portion of improvements justified the amendment.

The committee also approved funding to replace jail security cameras. The jail camera bid came in at roughly $266,000; committee members discussed procurement steps and asked for vendor bids or invoices to be provided.

Separately, the committee acknowledged opioid‑abatement committee disbursements. Finance staff said a committee had approved distributions totaling about $78,031 to four entities; the amendment added a restricted contribution line so the county could issue the checks. Staff noted one recipient was a public defender program and that classification of that recipient’s spending (payroll vs. contract labor) remained to be clarified.

Library staff also brought two small grant applications the committee approved: a $2,940 technology/hotspot grant with a 10% local match and a $3,000 TVA robotics award application. Committee members approved those grant matches.

The chair called for a single motion to approve the group of amendments; members voted “aye” and the motion passed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/24/25 Budget & Finance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Budget and Finance Committee approved a package of amendments covering capital projects and restricted funds, including up to $100,000 to address HVAC/ADA/parking at the conference center, a roughly $266,000 contract for jail camera replacement, and $78,031 in opioid abatement disbursements to nonprofit programs.","taxTitle","Coffee County, Tennessee","taxId",70973,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260259,"Committee approves road department budget amendment for subdivision paving and drainage work",240,4395000,4635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57&start=4395&end=4635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57/thumbnail_4395000.jpg","/articles/6260259/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Committee-approves-road-department-budget-amendment-for-subdivision-paving-and-drainage-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260259-f425d0bdfea9a0cf2c13ad6045e8ee56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447796&Signature=ahtSX983aV1LzS3mhtGxTQLAmUHxZX0A45MEtUABWF66H-4jxRTi7~Ttd6lJHwRHLND-vkw9UX0Hg1~hEJGkqUGpuufUTRJzOSt8AFj0Ciutb2U8vq07rU8ADtqeEpWzKn41m64w3sxH~FEHGqCaGylNHNBuLAthxOXPDQV8OSRQ5NBXVCIpJ9xnXZAnnIROe9bgPAqguAyA7B7FR-LyfxGHBywrgFRz1YwPzJQ2FRc2t6nSgybOdVu1VWuH0G88K2~Umxq06dWMQNRkRglLAkiYBvWCDbf6L~Lr~Vh-ytCdXdxo6CZlqNNHmEeSlCG0SxiSGqYYJNlga71BE42Ilg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Finance Committee voted to approve a road department budget amendment on April 5 that transfers funds from equipment purchases into paving and drainage line items to cover subdivision paving and a recurring drainage failure on Hogel Cemetery Road.

Benton Bartlett, identified as the Coffee County Road Superintendent, told the committee the project is not a state‑aid road project and that the department would use its fund balance to pay for approximately $118,000 to $120,000 in paving and about $20,000 for a box culvert replacement at the repeatedly clogged tile on Hogel Cemetery Road. Bartlett said the total amount moved would be in the range of $130,000–$166,000 depending on final figures; during the meeting participants referenced payments around $120,000 and an additional tile cost the road superintendent estimated at about $20,000.

The committee approved the amendment by voice vote. The chair called for all in favor; members responded “aye” and the motion passed.

Actions
- Budget amendment for Road Department: funds transferred from equipment purchases to paving and drainage; committee approved the amendment by voice vote.

Bartlett said the paving will focus on subdivisions and stressed that moving the line items avoids reducing equipment purchases. He asked committee members to note the timing at the end of the fiscal year and to authorize the transfer to complete the work this season.","The Budget and Finance Committee voted to move funds within the road department budget to cover about $120,000 in paving work and roughly $20,000 for a box culvert replacement on Hogel Cemetery Road.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260264,"Property assessor reports rising parcel counts, requests 5% staff raise and vehicle funding",440,3584000,4024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57&start=3584&end=4024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57/thumbnail_3584000.jpg","/articles/6260264/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Property-assessor-reports-rising-parcel-counts-requests-5-staff-raise-and-vehicle-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260264-dd9d8b48446d1d24b71b465dfae4e52c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447796&Signature=VrgxONaNuV6d1i~HmAp1GmNiu~-7jAipVMtogjuIEpFGGi2kID2F71Kh4IfmSYwZpIJN48xQQ5kOvYREK3RdidnAl2xW~q7B0rUQlsut-dCfUHKRhBMEh83WRJ0SmKLX8QTy1w14Uawr9iT2R9DFT6nKpXFa0PagQjtWdSjvscPoAq0uJLMtZFKHG6ACptixfw8Usnu-fkXOl3MjPruchIryxUZhF70rRzjizBmSKwxL3CCmVZWLDLmbQFCJNPm7Lp2P7Ww89GI-FTban~8e8VauPT6obGDjCbD4lB8~BpYofMa9u1FQSpyCaqwDTYc4JukHnPSdVg9l9jCe10C5SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alyssa Fletcher of the property assessor’s office told the Budget and Finance Committee on April 5 that the office has added hundreds of parcels and structures over the past year and is preparing for the county’s reappraisal in 2026.

Fletcher said Coffee County added roughly 634 parcels in the prior year and 353 structures (including 339 houses and 14 commercial buildings). She said the assessor’s office manages more than 32,000 real parcels and about 2,100 personal property accounts and that reappraisal activity will trigger a surge in notices in May 2026.

The nut graf: To manage workload and compliance the assessor requested a 5% pay increase for office employees, maintained two part‑time positions funded from the reappraisal budget, and asked to use restricted funds to purchase a replacement four‑door SUV for field work, estimating a price closer to $30,000.

Fletcher described state staffing “suggestions” used for planning—roughly one employee per 4,500 parcels—and said the office currently operates with five full‑time and two part‑time staff, a staffing level she said is below state guidance. She budgeted modest increases for audit costs and postage for the reappraisal year and noted a possible reduction in a GIS licensing fee pending confirmation from the vendor.

She told the committee that vehicle options could be procured through the state bid process and that Mariana in finance would help facilitate the purchase.

No formal vote was taken on the assessor’s requests during the meeting; Fletcher said she would follow up with additional documentation.","The property assessor’s office reported increased parcel and structure counts, outlined a reappraisal year in 2026, requested a 5% employee raise and asked to replace a surplus vehicle with a new SUV budgeted near $30,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260268,"Coffee County trustee highlights strong collections, requests 12% staff wage increase",504,1338000,1842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57&start=1338&end=1842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57/thumbnail_1338000.jpg","/articles/6260268/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Coffee-County-trustee-highlights-strong-collections-requests-12-staff-wage-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260268-87847454a1138164790354e525899eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447796&Signature=WfLhSGCU23nJQECEGJJU0FG-j1wDayZMKt90wUnu2cS5UwBUXPZB3knQXq4uSOr2A5fi7TUsPiyejCX1wD1fMr~5G5u2L~YjTsaWHvdjptGMWYWZhs4JqkovowI-FX4hX0MpSZzMb~dz8EqY~OoYBEayS7gHDv7UV3C52n-~BIcnLYjeAWdPkqtjvSApTA7xUCMDFXOj8aK6idWLEp6nKIh3eustG0nbtMUcC9EMxKbwB8MTWHiGXZ85zAoKKhPdy6F8IS4HZ6QpVLPHONP~-X9pQvLgZqnStqGZetQoTE~mI5EcSoYA3qETsB5L3~YDTsgSzdcLZpel-IGl3ciMYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John H. Marchesoni, representing the Coffee County Trustee’s Office, told the Budget and Finance Committee the office collected more than $35 million in property taxes this year and reported a 98% collection rate on April 5.

Marchesoni said investment income had climbed—citing about $3.8 million in interest income—and attributed the gain to higher interest rates during the recent period and sizable federal ARPA flows that increased fund balances countywide. He said the trustee’s office invested county funds and that strong collections and investment returns contributed to the county’s improved balances.

The nut graf: Based on performance and the rising cost of living, Marchesoni asked the committee to approve a 12% wage increase for trustee office employees and said the office would need roughly $6,400 for computer hardware and software to maintain collection activities.

Marchesoni described operational details—summer collection campaigns that produce large collections, the use of a delinquent tax attorney paid from collections, and the recent transition to internet tax sales through a vendor that helped speed some sales. He said the trustee’s staff processed more than 1,200 tax relief applications for seniors and disabled veterans and praised staff performance.

Committee members asked about whether such investment performance was sustainable; Marchesoni said returns depend on markets and noted a seasonal liquidity pattern in summer months. He also explained the office’s approach to distributing prior raises and said future distributions tied to the proposed 12% would consider performance and leveling needs.

This presentation was informational; committee members did not vote on the trustee’s wage request during the meeting.

Actions: none taken on the wage request at this meeting.","The Coffee County trustee's office reported a 98% collection rate, rising investment income and requested a 12% wage increase for trustee office employees plus $6,400 for IT upgrades.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260273,"Coffee County schools present $52.2 million draft budget, propose 4% staff pay increase and new after‑school program",1005,115000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57&start=115&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134169-c5800f1f2fb61338425d3b27d71cec57/thumbnail_115000.jpg","/articles/6260273/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Coffee-County-schools-present-522-million-draft-budget-propose-4-staff-pay-increase-and-new-afterschool-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260273-932ea263ddb024c4bfa3188dd7e0cccf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447796&Signature=IjdiKJcgnjdvzemYFfMSG9Rn0Y~JtvuBKycxXDml3N1osK3QeNquGLPLGS1NSGlh4eTZEEkwpqif318MU4Ec4Y8s-BnXKTJNt-GPxY6ADvPQBUaFnlZ-Mp~oB3NQjNTXIrdpxRMZsf354UZOAzIWBik3FZmszZYcHjDhlJScFi5oStdmZfRO1uElpOe4blo3H~oUIZ8~9W57yBorXhfcA225PB3~Icj35GXbEzhR3EaSfeK1qYZFQCHu9s6fxXDdC-zFtBiqBN59pK2G3QFI7yhoO9ByRkjjQOpfXfNbLH4IK18wAKB~wiTf1aiFJR~QMkByyf6xkuWFMUnVKoD7Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coffee County school officials presented a draft 2025–26 budget to the county Budget and Finance Committee on April 5, saying the district expects roughly $52.2 million in total revenue and is proposing a 4% pay increase for all certified and classified staff.

The presentation, given by a school system representative identified in the meeting as April, said the district used current local revenue figures and March state estimates to build the budget. April said the district’s largest revenue source is state funding—citing an estimated state allotment of about $33,460,000 for the 2025–26 school year—and an increase of roughly $800,000 compared with prior estimates. The draft shows projected total revenue of about $52,200,000 for the full year.

The nut graf: The draft raises all staff 4% and adds programs that shift some costs to families in the short term. District officials said the increases are intended to accelerate a requirement that all teachers reach a $50,000 minimum by the 2026–27 school year and to preserve or expand student services.

School staff told the committee the 4% increase would reduce the number of teachers earning below $50,000 from about 43 to roughly 24, though April cautioned new hires could change that count. The budget proposal assumes the state’s Teacher Incentive/Support allocations (referred to in the meeting as the TISA allotment) will continue to increase and help the district reach the $50,000 minimum for new teachers beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

On programs, the budget includes a board‑approved after‑school program intended to replace a lost external “Excellence” program. The district estimates the program’s gross cost at about $213,000 and projects roughly $90,000 in revenue if participants pay $5 per day; April said the district will monitor attendance and scale staffing or operations if actual participation differs from survey estimates. The district estimated the fund‑balance impact of the after‑school program at about $120,000 in local funds for now.

The draft also adds an elementary art program that would hire three teachers to be split among six schools, and four other new positions districtwide: a math teacher, an English teacher at the high school, a librarian position for Hickerson, and a speech‑language pathologist. April said fuel and other flat expenses were adjusted for inflation but otherwise the budget is similar to the current year.

April told the committee she expects the district’s unassigned fund balance to end the year near $13.4 million in the current estimate and that a 4% raise would reduce the fund balance by roughly $200,000 compared with a baseline that included an estimated addition to fund balance of about $1 million.

School nutrition director Carlin Cotton separately presented the cafeteria budget, saying labor and food are the main expenses and that she also budgeted a 4% increase for next year to align with the general fund. Cotton said she is considering applying for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) so eligible students could receive free meals; she noted that Coffee County currently does not qualify like neighboring Tullahoma but that she hopes to pursue CEP pending federal program rules and verification. Cotton also said food prices and labor costs have risen and the nutrition fund carries a substantial balance from COVID‑era reimbursements that she is drawing down.

Committee members asked about contingency plans if after‑school attendance is lower than forecast; April said the program manager will scale staffing and transportation plans based on participation. Members also asked about the district’s discussion with the county attorney and school board counsel; April said attorneys had spoken but that the county attorney was not satisfied with the outcome of the initial conversation.

The budget presentation was informational; committee members did not take a final vote on the school budget during the meeting. April invited committee members to contact her with follow‑up questions before the budget goes to the full commission.","School officials presented a draft 2025–26 budget that relies largely on state funding, proposes a 4% across‑the‑board pay increase for certified and classified staff, adds an elementary art program and after‑school services the district plans to charge $5 per day to attend.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves multiple budget amendments including conference center work, jail camera replacement and opioid fund disbursements

Committee approves road department budget amendment for subdivision paving and drainage work

Property assessor reports rising parcel counts, requests 5% staff raise and vehicle funding

Coffee County trustee highlights strong collections, requests 12% staff wage increase

Coffee County schools present $52.2 million draft budget, propose 4% staff pay increase and new after‑school program