Hamilton County commissioners debate discretionary travel fund increase
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Hamilton County commissioners debate discretionary travel fund increase
Hamilton County commissioners are divided over the proposed increase in their discretionary travel funds. Currently, each commissioner receives a $15,000 budget for county-related travel and other local causes. For this fiscal year, commissioners were initially set to receive an additional $5,000 each, raising the allocation to $20,000 per commissioner. However, Commissioner Eversole proposed a more modest increase to $17,500, arguing that the larger amount might be excessive.
Currently, each commissioner receives a $15,000 budget for county-related travel and other local causes, such as funding school sports teams.
Last week, Commissioner Warren Mackey expressed concerns about the current budget,.
“There was a lot of lot of conferences I had to miss because we didn’t have enough money,” said Mackey.
Commissioner Chip Baker told us commissioners use that money to travel to conferences across the state, and other parts of the country.
“You’ve got to keep your continuing education up, and that’s the kind of travel you do,” says Baker.
County Finance Officer Lee Brouner noted that for this fiscal year, commissioners were initially set to receive an additional $5,000 each, raising the allocation to $20,000 per commissioner.
However, Commissioner Eversole proposed a more modest increase to $17,500, arguing that the larger amount might be excessive.
“The Commission’s travel is going up and the discretionary, is going up to 17 five,” Eversole said.
Some commissioners, like Gene-o Shipley, questioned the reduced increase.
He expressed concerns about its impact on community contributions.
“It might cut back on what we’re able to give away to our schools and organizations,” Shipley said.
Eversole, told us he opposes large discretionary amounts.
“The purpose of this is give and take during the budget season. And I’m fixing to talk to the mayor about some give and take opportunities,” says Eversole.
Despite differing opinions, Commissioner Chip Baker believes the proposed amount is reasonable. “I just think it’s a reasonable amount. I think you know you can, you can keep your continuing education up, and you can help the community all at the same time,” Baker said.
Commissioner Warren Mackey, however, advocates for the original proposal, stating, “I recommend that we put at 5000 back in there that we propose of the original proposal.”
Depend on us to keep you updated as we learn more.
Some Hamilton Co. Commissioners seeking increase in discretionary funding
Hamilton County Commissioners are requesting a $5,000 increase in their travel and discretionary funds. Beginning in the early 2000s, the commission allotted $100,000 to be spent by each of the nine commissioners per year. In 2015, then Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger sliced commissioners’ discretionary funds by nearly $1,000,000.
That’s a total increase of $55,000 when all 11 commissioners are factored into the equation, which would bring the total funding request to $1,178,333.
Taxpayer money for Hamilton County commissioners? The discretionary fund debate is being revisited. Beginning in the early 2000s, the commission allotted $100,000 to be spent by each of the nine commissioners per year, which was largely used to benefit local nonprofit groups.
In 2015, then Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger sliced commissioners’ discretionary funds by nearly $1,000,000.
Each commissioner previously had $100,000 they were allowed to use as they saw fit.
Once the funding was cut, commissioners tried to reinstate their discretionary funds in 2018 but the vote was unsuccessful.
The discussion was brought up again in 2022, when commissioners proposed bringing back a pool of taxpayer funds.
A 2024 investigative report from the Tennessee comptroller’s office found one Hamilton County Commissioner engaged in “questionable activity” with his discretionary funds.
The report says the commissioner received more than $27,000 in questionable reimbursements.
Commissioners are currently given $15,000 in discretionary funds each year.
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