Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-11-24

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Daily News from MuleTown to Music City and beyond. Listen to Tom Price read the news of the day from Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM & WKRM Radio.

WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for July 11, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
80 Year Old Indicted for Tax Fraud (MauryCountySource)
The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted an investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Jackie Slone of Maury County.
Revenue special agents arrested Slone, 80, on Tuesday. His bond was set at $10,000.
On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Maury County Grand Jury indicted Slone on two counts of tax evasion. These indictments allege Slone provided false amounts on the registrations of two vehicles to the Maury County Clerk’s Office.
“The Department of Revenue has always been committed to making sure Tennessee’s tax laws and procedures are applied uniformly to ensure fairness,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.
“We can never allow individuals engaged in fraudulent tax activity to have a competitive advantage over honest Tennesseans.”
If convicted, Slone could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for tax evasion.
The Department is pursuing the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Brent Cooper’s office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee’s revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at 1(800) FRAUDTX.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, as well as the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects around 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2023 fiscal year, it collected nearly $22 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.7 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.
County Mulls Owner-Advocate Companies (MSM)
After lengthy and heated discussions, Maury County’s Building Committee voted by a 4-3 margin to forward a request for qualifications (RFQ) from Kline Swinney Associates over Hewlett Spencer as an owner-advocate for upcoming projects during their July 1 meeting.
Kathey Grodi, Ray Jeter, Gabe Howard and Brandon Nutt voted in favor, with Connie Green, Carl McCullen and Kevin Markham voting against. The resolution was briefly discussed in the Budget Committee, and has now been passed on to the full commission.
A number of commissioners spoke in favor of Hewlett Spencer, which has managed a number of local projects, including Battle Creek High School, the Maury County Judicial Center and the Maury County Archives. Kline Swinney has done projects for Maury County Public Schools previously, but not for Maury County government.
After the vote, Commission Chairman Eric Previti asked if the Budget Committee or full Commission could substitute Hewlett Spencer when the item comes up later. County Attorney Daniel Murphy advised that the Commission could make a different nomination when the time came.
Commissioner Gwynne Evans cited increased costs of Battle Creek High School in supporting the request, saying, “When you have somebody who gets paid based on how much the building costs, I can predict (what’s going to happen)… If you’re building a $120 million building, we need someone looking out after our interests… I think the savings far outweigh the initial cost.”
An amendment to advance both RFQs from Kline Swinney and Hewlett Spencer for a decision by the full Commission failed after it was noted that it was unusual to send dueling proposals.
Jeter criticized Hewlett Spencer, asking if the company had solicited bids from general contractors on the judicial center before awarding the project. Chairman Steve Hewlett said the company had not done so.
“Their proposal says they have an open and competitive bid process. I do not believe that to be the case. I believe they hire their general contractor, and that contractor bids out their scope of work,” Jeter said.
Hewlett called that “an inaccurate picture” of the company’s practices, saying, “The team brings (bids) in. We’re not just looking for prices, we’re looking for ways to cut the cost… Bidding the general contractors is a way you get low bids and low quality.”
Jeter raised what he called issues with Hewlett Spencer’s proposal, saying, “They have not brought change orders to us after they give us a guaranteed maximum price… the open and competitive hard bid process, I don’t believe that to be the case… They are negotiating with their contractor, their engineers and architects…
“Maury County’s going to spend a lot of money on building projects in the next five to 10 years. It’s important that we get this decision right for the people of Maury County.”
The committee also received updates on construction of the judicial building, Ag Extension and county archives.
Commissioners were told all asphalt was laid at the judicial center and that carpeting and flooring was nearing completion on the ground level. Mill work on ground-floor courtrooms was completed and was beginning on the second floor. Furniture is scheduled to be installed in September and move-in is scheduled for the week of Oct. 14, commissioners were told.
With regards to the Ag Extension office, the utility rough-ins are being completed and the building had passed inspection by the fire marshal earlier that day. Sidewalks have been poured and stonework and siding are complete and the move-in date is scheduled for Oct. 1.
The county archives have passed a permanent power inspection and about 75 percent of the exterior brick work is complete, commissioners were told. Utilities are being worked on and the rear grading of the building is complete, and drywall, mechanical and plumbing are being worked upon inside.
Finance Director Doug Lukonen reported that the steering committee for the county’s new administrative complex had met in early June and had recommended to build at the McDowell Elementary site, to place both county government and the board of education on the site and to remove the senior citizens center from the project.

Broadband Expansion (Press Release)
United Communications announced this week that it has officially started signing up new fiber internet customers in Maury County as part of a multi-year, $24.4 million investment that will expand internet service to more than 6,500 locations, including homes, businesses, schools, and other important community institutions.
 
The announcement was shared during a groundbreaking event in Santa Fe, where United Communications celebrated the installation of a new infrastructure site alongside Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) and local Maury County government officials, including Mayor Sheila Butt. 

“Groundbreaking events usually mean that something big is coming to an area, and this one is no different,” said DREMC Interim President and CEO, Troy Crowell. “It is exciting to see Project UNITE continue connecting rural places in Middle Tennessee to high-speed internet service, and Duck River Electric is honored to be a part of supporting this effort in Maury County and in other communities that we serve.”

Through Project UNITE, an initiative to establish universal high-speed internet coverage in Middle Tennessee, United Communications and its parent company, Middle Tennessee Electric, secured $53.4 million in broadband infrastructure grants on behalf of six county governments through the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund in late 2022.
 
The biggest share of grant funding was awarded to Maury County, which received $17 million. United Communications and the Maury County Commission committed to a combined $7.4 million in supplemental funding for a total investment of $24.4 million.
 
By mid-2025, United Communications will connect 4,000 unserved Maury County addresses to fiber broadband service through its grant-backed construction projects. The company also plans to connect an additional 2,500 homes in the county that currently have limited access to broadband providers but did not qualify for grant funding.

“It became very clear over the past three years that it was imperative for thousands of adults and students to have better communication options in our county,” Mayor Sheila Butt explained. “Duck River Electric, United Communications, the State of Tennessee, and Maury County have all stepped up to the plate together to make this happen!”
 
To ensure access to fiber internet service and avoid potential costly installation fees, Maury County residents should visit United’s website to sign up now and guarantee that fiber internet—the fastest and most reliable type of broadband connection available—is extended to their homes under this program.
 
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to help our neighbors get the fast, reliable internet service they need with the value they deserve,” said United Communications’ Chief Operating Officer and Maury County resident, Josh Lynch. “Folks who sign up now can take advantage of the grant to cover installation costs, making it especially beneficial for properties with long driveways and potentially expensive fiber runs. This is a great opportunity to save money not only on installation but also on monthly service costs, all while enjoying exceptional customer service.”
 
Tennesseans can save an average of $70 per month by switching to United Communications internet from satellite internet and enjoy more than twice the speed of 5G home internet connections.
 
Learn more about United Communications’ fiber broadband services for residential, business, and enterprise customers at www.United.net.

July Prayer Month (WKOM Audio 2:16)
Yesterday on the Columbia Square, a crowd gathered to celebrate July as Tennessee Prayer Month. WKOM/WKRM’s Delk Kennedy stopped by to learn more about effort and spoke to organizer Kathy McCool…

Admin Committee Advances Impact Fee (MSM)
County Commissioners discussed the first steps toward implementing an impact fee on new construction in Maury County during the July 2 meeting of the county’s Admin Committee.
Back in the spring, the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 2426, later signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee, allowing counties that had not opted into the 2006 County Powers Relief Act to enact impact fees if they met specific criteria related to population growth as determined by the latest U.S. Census.
The bill allows counties that meet specific criteria – which includes Maury – to temporarily increase their adequate facilities tax on new residential and commercial construction, up to $1.50 per square foot. Such changes require a two-thirds vote of the county’s legislative body in two consecutive meetings.
Maury County’s current rates are 50 cents per square foot for residential construction and 30 cents for non-residential.
“The thought is that if we pass it in July and August, we can begin the first of September,” County Mayor Sheila Butt said. “I’ve talked to (Building & Zoning Director) Robert Caldiraro about it; he has written a letter that he will send to the cities to let them be aware of what’s going on and when and how that’s collected.
“I think we stand to get $3 to $4 million more per year, depending on what comes this way.”
Commissioner Gabe Howard called the bill “not what we really wanted” but said “it was what the realtors and builders allowed us to have.”
Howard asked if the county’s Ad Hoc Growth Committee would hold a called meeting to examine the legislation before it was voted upon.
“We know it’s much better for us, but it’s got some limitations… I think once we pass this on first reading, there’s some deep dive needed before the second reading,” Howard said.
Finance Director Doug Lukonen said on average, commercial had only been around 14 percent of adequate facilities tax revenue in Maury County and that the residential was likely to have more of an impact.
Lukonen estimated an average increase of $3 to $3.2 million from increased construction fees. He said that while the increased fees are required to be used toward school capital projects, it would free up other funds to be used elsewhere in the county budget.
“I think you see how it pans out and reallocate your pennies next budget year to account for that, so you have time to see how it performs,” Lukonen said.
County Attorney Daniel Murphy cautioned the committee, saying his interpretation of the new law indicated that Maury County’s private act held precedence. Murphy also said the law required the county to get a letter from the Tennessee Comptroller certifying that Maury meets the growth criteria.
“We probably ask our representative or senator to ask for an attorney general opinion… it only takes one person to sue and Maury County’s been sued twice on our adequate facilities tax,” Murphy said. “Since the statute says you’re prohibited from enacting this tax as long as your private act is in effect, I think we’ve got to go through that process.”
The mayor questioned Murphy’s opinion, saying, “I don’t believe that we have to wait that long to get this done… I know Daniel feels like some builder’s going to come back and sue us. They’re not going to do that… We are dragging our feet here for no reason.”
The language of the new law, available on the state website, states that if a county no longer qualifies under the growth criteria then it can resume taxing construction at the rate set by a private act prior to the enactment of the new law. That would seem to indicate that a private act would be suspended by the new legislation and resume if the county no longer meets the growth criteria.
Commissioner Brandon Nutt said he agreed with the mayor that it would be better to advance the new fees as soon as possible.
Commission Chairman Eric Previti said he agreed with Murphy that there were issues with the new law that needed addressing before the county took any action.
“This does not solve the growth problem,” Previti said. “Why does it have to be July-August? Could it be August-September?”
The mayor said she was willing to hold a called meeting if necessary.
Howard urged his fellow commissioners to advance the resolution, saying they could “pump the brakes” if it was determined that Murphy’s interpretation was correct.
Ultimately, committee members voted to advance the resolution with the required Commission votes scheduled for August and September.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…   
Mrs. Betty Sanders Haynes, 83, of Culleoka, passed away peacefully on Friday June 28, 2024. A memorial services will be conducted Friday July 12, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 10:00 AM till 12:00 PM at the funeral Home.

Now, news from around the state…
White Nationalists March in Nashville (Tennessean)
On Saturday, a group of white nationalists, known as the Patriot Front, marched through Nashville and made their way up the steps of the Tennessee Capitol. The group wore ski masks, matching clothing and carried Confederate and upside-down American flags as well as shields.
According to a statement from the Tennessee Democratic Party, the group chanted "Deportation saves the nation," and "Sieg Heil," a German phrase and Nazi salute which means "Heil (to) victory."
The Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group that formed following the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., back in August of 2017. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the group was formed by members of Vanguard America, a neo-Nazi group that participated in the deadly rally.
Saturday's demonstration was not the first time a white supremacist group marched through the streets of Nashville. In February, two dozen people wearing Nazi gear marched through downtown.
On Monday, Gov. Bill Lee addressed the march.
“My understanding is that group has some antisemitic ties, and should be condemned at every level," he said during an event. "Jewish people in this community and around the world have suffered for generations. Antisemitism should not be tolerated.”
In 2023, the Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 37 hate and anti-government groups in Tennessee, which include white supremacist groups like the Patriot Front, Atlantic City Skins, National Alliance and more.

Early Voting (Tennessean)
Early voting in Tennessee's Aug. 1 primary election will begin on Friday, July 12.
Races ranging from the U.S. Senate to General Assembly seats will be on the ballot for contested Republican and Democratic primaries, where multiple candidates from the same party are vying for the nomination ahead of the November general election. A number of county general election races are also up for grabs.
Early voting ends Saturday, July 27. Here are some facts to keep in mind:
Is it too late to register to vote for the Aug. 1 primary?
Yes. The voter registration deadline for the Aug. 1 primary was July. 2. To check your registration status, visit govotetn.com.
Can I vote absentee?
If you are registered and plan to vote absentee, the last day to request an absentee ballot is July 25, though the secretary of state’s office advises voters request a ballot by July 18 to allow for mailing delays.
Absentee voters must submit a request to their local county election commission office.
Not everyone is eligible for an absentee ballot, however, per the Tennessee Secretary of State's office. Check out the Secretary of State’s website to see the fourteen eligibility requirements.
Top races that will appear on the ballot include one U.S. Senate, U.S. House races and General Assembly races. 
Visit your local election commission website for a sample ballot.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Hundreds of music collectors and enthusiasts are expected to gather in Spring Hill on Saturday, July 13 for the inaugural Mid-Tennessee Record Fair.
Hosted by Rock-A-Rolla Records of Spring Hill, the fair takes place at the 14,000 square foot UAW Local 1853 Union Hall on 125 Stephen P. Yokich Pkwy, conveniently located right off Tennessee Route 396 in Spring Hill.
With 70 tables, visitors can expect to see tons of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, 45s, music memorabilia, vintage clothing and t-shirts, stickers, pins, and more.
In addition to door prizes and giveaways, there will be food trucks out front for hungry record collectors.
Early entry admission at 10:00 AM is $20, while general admission is $5 between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM .