AT&T Video Franchise in Tennessee

2008-04-08T10:49:00.002-05:00

AT&T Video Competition Legislation Introduced

NASHVILLE (April 7) Tennessee legislators rolled out a compromise plan Monday to allow AT&T and others to provide video TV services in Tennessee. The plan follows months of closed-door sessions of the ad hoc committee to develop a plan. Each stakeholder had to compromise. AT&T, the incumbent cable TV systems, and the local governments each had to compromise their positions.

State Senator Lowe Finney, D-Jackson, said the legislation will provide a choice for Tennessee consumers and will not unfairly burden the franchises of cities and counties.

AT&T can operate under a single five-percent franchise issued by the state. That bypasses the cities and counties, who traditionally issued the franchises and required certain performance and build-out provisions.

Charter Communications has the lone franchise in Henry County to provide video services.

What do you think? Do you think that competition will be good for the consumer?

New Grove School Proposal

2008-04-01T16:13:00.003-05:00

Tell others what you think!

New Grove building with sales tax hike, property tax hike, or an alternative plan.

Here's the deal - Henry Countians will go to the polls in August to decide whether or not to impose a one-half percent sales tax. If the sales tax fails, the Henry County Commission will then decide whether or not to impose a property tax hike or extend the current school indebtedness by three years to pay for school construction. The property tax hike has been hinted at seven cents per $100 assessed value to fund the project.

The referendum measure allows the citizens to approve or reject a one-half percent increase in the local option sales tax during the state primaries on August 7. If approved, the total sales tax – including state and local – will be 9.75 percent, just as it is in neighboring Benton, Carroll, and Weakley counties. The new sales tax will apply to the first $1,600 of a single item purchased or a maximum increase of $8 on a big ticket item, such as a car. A seven-cent hike in the property tax will add $17.50 annually to the tax bill on a residence appraised at $100,000.

If voters approve the sales tax hike, the county general fund, each of the municipalities, Paris Special School District, and the Henry County Schools will each share in the new revenues.

Overall, sales tax revenues going to education in Henry County (the two school systems) will increase $762,784 annually equating to $289,858 for PSSD and $472,926 for Henry County Schools. The following governmental entities will also benefit from a county-wide sales tax hike: (annual estimated increases in tax revenues) – Henry County General Fund - $112,944; Paris City - $632,098; Cottage Grove $1,430; Henry City $3,345; Puryear $7,123; and McKenzie City $5,844.

As proposed, the new construction project would be performed in two phases (assuming a tax plan is approved). Phase 1 would add 22,800 sq. ft of new space behind the Grove School's 1997 addition. Located along Harrison St., it would replace the music and agriculture rooms, gym, concession and lobby area and Head Start classrooms that are presently located in Weston Hall. In the future, Phase 2 would involve demolition of the 60-year-old historic Weston Hall (everything in the blond brick building).