Planning Commission discusses Animal Shelter, employee compensation Tuesday

Planning and Zoning Director Chris Schuettler’s report to the Planning Commission Tuesday afternoon featured a follow-up to the recent problems highlighted with the Carter County Animal Shelter and its building construction.

During last week’s County Commission meeting, Schuettler said he found a number of HVAC and electrical problems with the animal shelter’s buildings, which never received formal inspections.

As a follow-up to his inspections, he said it was time for a change.

“All projects need to go through this commission,” Schuettler said.

County Commissioner Robert Acuff repeated what he said during their last meeting, saying the situation at the animal shelter proved a need for stricter oversight of how county officials do their business.

“When county funds are spent, we need to be sure we get the right permits,” Acuff said. “We follow the same rules as citizens.”

Schuettler said this is a situation that is “definitely dangerous,” and said it requires more work in order to thoroughly resolve.

“We are trying to straighten up nine years of mess,” he said.

He also put forward an idea for a “body of compensation,” but the commission did not provide immediate details during the meeting.

The idea joined several budget items up for approval Tuesday, including a global 2.5 percent pay raise for all employees, in addition to a 7.5 percent increase for Schuettler’s secretary and a 5 percent increase for an assistant.

He said the pay raise will ensure employees are willing to continue working there.

“They will try to steal our people over there,” he said.

Schuettler also proposed allocation for a high school worker fund, in which they would bring a select number of juniors and seniors to work “back room” jobs.

“We cannot put someone on our payroll until they are 18, but this is something kids can put on their resume,” Schuettler said.

The last budget proposal to pass that afternoon was the allocation of funds for two more work vehicles for the commission. Schuettler said the two vehicles he was looking at totaled $55,000.

“I looked for the best quality with the highest upgrade,” he said.

The commission approved the request.

SportsPlus

BREAKING NEWS

Hazardous Weather Outlook issued for East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southwest North Carolina

Local news

The Salvation Army’s White Flag Open

Local news

Renowned storyteller Elizabeth Ellis performing at ETSU

Local news

SOFA announces leadership transition

Local news

Elizabethton Woman’s Club sponsors community projects

Church News

Church News

Community

Upcoming Elizabethton Events

Community

Elizabethton Senior Center schedule

Local news

What makes Jesus weep?

Local news

City Council moves to accept applications for city judge

Local news

Elizabethton City Offices to close Feb. 17 for Presidents Day; Adjusted garbage collection schedule announced

Local news

City Mayor proclaims Feb. 15 as National School Resource Officer Day

Local news

Creating adaptive education solutions for kids in rural Tennessee

Local news

Harshbarger reintroduces ‘One Flag For All Act’

Local news

Flips can be a great investment, or a money pit

Local news

Proclamation Honors Alexander

Local news

Elizabethton Golf Course to reopen front nine effective Saturday

Local news

ETSU online MSN program ranked best in Tennessee

Local news

Smith named interim Carter County emergency management director

Local news

ECU’s Casual for a Cause program donates over $50K to local organizations

Local news

Gov. Lee signs historic Education Freedom Act into law

Local news

Carter County Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of SRO Salvatore Caccamo

Local news

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reaches new heights in 2024

Local news

Bill Hagerty announces candidacy for re-election to U.S. Senate