It appears Randy and I both are reviewing the budget. I am working line-by-line and this is a something of a midway report on the things that I must question further. By the way, it looks like I'll be one of the guests on this weekend's news analysis program on WATE.

The full budget files may be found at (link...)

Sec. C, p. 26. Why spend $130,200 on sheriff dept. auto allowance? None allocated in last budget. Sec. A, p. 41 has a $20,000 allowance for Mayor's office. Can we delete both and save $150,000?

Sec. C, p. 26. Why the ten-fold increase in fringe benefits?

Sec. B, p. 7. Why the increase in payment to the Tennessee Valley Fair, from $2000 to $16,000?

Sec. B, p. 6. Why $400,000 to the ChamberPartnership? Can't this be cut some or entirely? These guys could be weaned off some govt. dollars.

Sec. A. p. 50. Why the $2,385,000 increase in cost of the mayor's education summit?

Sec. A, p. 15. There's a jump in the county clerk office service contracts from just less than $400,000 to nearly $600,000. What justifies this?

I'm not ready to propose amendments, but will continue to explore, seeking answers to oddities. --Mark Harmon