A plethora of residents came to speak at a special BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting tonight (2.12.19) before the body approved a resolution of intent by a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Mike Cunningham and Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. voting no.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/824
The resolution allows the BOC to go forward with due diligence on a CON (Capital Outlay Note) of $38 million for a new Lakeland high school. It authorizes City Manager Shane Horn to seek financial analysis and legal services from Public Financial Management (PFM) and Bass Berry & Sims PLC to support the addition of a new high school in Lakeland.
Lakeland currently has two schools within its system: Lakeland Elementary serving PK-4 and Lakeland Middle Preparatory Middle serving 5-8. High school students attend Arlington High School through an interlocal between the two cities until a high school is built in Lakeland.
Of the 22 citizens who addressed the BOC, many repeatedly said they were not against schools or children, thought the time was not right and there should be a vote on spending for a high school. Among the senior citizens who spoke, many stressed they are on fixed incomes and might have to leave Lakeland if property taxes are increased.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UJfaPPMwNXQr5z4LA
Among the comments were sneaky people; de-annexation of north Lakeland; slow down; will of the governed; underhanded; build the school; make it whole.
Property tax freeze information
Commissioner Michele Dial addressed the concerns of the seniors, noting she had asked Mr. Horn to research particulars on a property tax freeze for seniors. She said she asked him to have that information available at the BOC regular meeting Thursday (2.14.19).
Early in the one+-hour meeting, the overflow crowd applauded or commented on speakers and their opinions. Several times Vice Mayor Roman and Mayor Mike Cunningham asked citizens to stay quiet and let fellow citizens have their times at the mic. Mayor Cunningham asked those in attendance to limit their remarks to two minutes.
One of the speakers asked about the variety of funding mechanisms suggested for financing the high school. Vice Mayor Roman said that is the reason he is asking to bring in outside professionals. He said his figures may be far off and he is seeking outside advice.
Lakeland City Charter
Resident Adam Henry provided some insight into the City Charter language relating to a school system in the City and taxes to pay for it. From the “City Manager/Commissioner Charter” of Lakeland TN, Mr. Henry pulled language from Chapter 19, code 6-19-101, paragraph 30 which authorizes the building of schools in Lakeland. Specifically, he said, the Charter says the City is to establish schools. Further in code 6-19-103, language states the City may establish, assess and levy taxes for schools. He also added the list of Tennessee cities and their property taxes per the Tennessee Comptroller’s website. Lakeland’s municipal tax is listed at about #120 from the top. So, he said, about 119 cities pay higher taxes than Lakeland.
Lakeland resident Michael Green acknowledged there are retirees as well as young families with plenty of money who have opinions about funding a high school now. He noted he ran for the commission seat which was won by Commissioner Dial.
Questions to the BOC
Mr.Green asked Commissioner Dial if it is true she has been promised a job with Lakeland schools and if so, would she accept?
She emphatically said no, she is in her 30th year of her career and she is not going anywhere. “That is an incorrect accusation,” she said, “saying I have been promised a job in the school. I can’t believe anybody would assume that. I am staying where I am.” She is an assistant principal in Bartlett City Schools.
Mrs. Dial said such comments create mistrust. “People who read that start believing and tell others,” she said. “I’m really glad you asked that question.”
Mr. Green added Lakeland eventually needs a high school but needs to grow first.
He also asked if anyone had communicated with Arlington Community Schools about Lakeland’s intent to build a high school. The Mayor, and Commissioner Dial, both said that is a question for the Lakeland School Board.
Mrs. Dial explained there is a misconception about the roles of the BOC and the Lakeland School Board. “This is a funding body,” she said. The BOC has a request from the school board, she said. It is the school board which decides if a school is needed or not, she said. Commissioner Dial said Dr. (Ted) Horrell (superintendent of the Lakeland School System – LSS) said last Thursday (2.7.19) that with funding in place in 60-90 days, the high school could be ready for the 2022-23 school year, or perhaps earlier in August 2021.
She added LSS has come to the BOC and offered funds to help the City meet the debt obligation for the first few years. “This has been on the minds of the school board for many years,” she said. “It is a great point of concern for those do want it and those who don’t.”
Mayor clarified his position
The Mayor thanked those who came to speak and said he wanted to clarity one thing. He said his “stake in the ground” is to finance a high school after March 2021, not open a school then. He said he didn’t say he was ready to finance a school today. He is concerned about a $5 million prepayment penalty on the current loan and doesn’t want to waste $5 million of taxpayer money.
He said he wants it clear he doesn’t want to start on the school financing until after March 2021 but that the money suggested by the Lakeland School Board ($700,000 a year for four years) could be utilized now to do some of the design and architect work.
Commissioner Dial apologized to the Mayor, saying she doesn’t want conflict and she didn’t understand the Mayor’s timeframe on seeking funding for a high school.
Commissioner Gonzales shared details on tax rates and populations in neighboring cities, comparing to Lakeland. “I am here for senior citizens,” he said. “I have a good fixed income, but we are looking at an economic eviction of our senior citizens.” He said he has talked to all LSB members and said both sides would meet in the middle. “Help us make it work.”
Vice Mayor Roman said he requested the resolution because his presentation numbers (1.17.19) were different than a presentation by the City (2.7.19). “The next step is to get professionals involved.” He added that is why it was important to put out the resolution and vote for it.
Before the vote, the Mayor said he listened to everyone’s comments. “I’ve offered a compromise,” he said. He noted the range on opinions to build the school are from tomorrow to 10 years. He suggested opening the school in 2022- 2023 and that’s a compromise, finding funding after the penalty goes away. “I stepped in 2/3’s of the way. That will unite the City.”
The resolution was approved 3-2.
Legal services agreement with attorney Michael Marshall and Evans Petree PC
Mr. Marshall was approved by a 4-1 vote with the Mayor abstaining.
The 5 p.m. meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
