Liquor pays off for Woodbury

By TONY STINNETT, Courier Sports Editor

The Town of Woodbury has received more than $43,000 in liquor tax revenue since July 1, 2013 through Feb. 28, 2014, according to Mayor Harold Patrick.

The mayor informed members of the City Council of the revenue intake during the April meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman at City Hall Tuesday (April 8).Patrick said the exact total received by the Town of Woodbury was $43,840, which was not included in the 2013-14 budget. “That helps make up a little for the property assessor’s error and the certified tax rate that lost us money (this year),” Patrick said.

The Board considered Thomas R. Mears’ application to relocate Bootlegger’s Liquors from its current location to 810 McMinnville Highway. Mears was leasing the current property at 940 South McCrary Street until he completed building his own store at 810 McMinnville Highway.

The Board unanimously approved Mears’ request. Mears said he hopes to be relocated by April 22 or 29.The Board also opted to stick with its current agreement with AT&T regarding the water tank at Old Manchester Highway.AT&T currently has a 20-year lease with four five-year options. The fourth of those five-year options is coming up in 2015 and the lease expires in 20202, Patrick said.

The Town of Woodbury currently receives $1,210 per month from AT&T; however, the company proposed a 99-year lease and in return they would pay a lump sum of $130,000 up front.“But we still have to maintain the facility,” Patrick said.

Painting the tower would cost in the ballpark of $30,000.

Vice-mayor Charlie Harrell said the new lease option was even worse than the existing one.“This original lease was entered into in 2000,” Harrell said. “I don’t want to get too far out in left field criticizing our predecessors, but we have no option to cancel at all. Everything is geared to (AT&T). We have the responsibility of upkeep. If we have a storm that leans it we have to straighten it up. Who knows what it would cost to repair it? This new lease is even worse than the old one. We have no options in it at all and they have all the options.”

Alderperson Faye Knox asked if the 99-year lease would do away with the monthly income of $1,210, which Patrick confirmed.Harrell made a motion to stick with the current lease agreement. Dottie Duggin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The Board also considered requests from the Cannon County Rescue Squad and Cannon County Library for financial increases.Cannon County Rescue Squad sought an additional $3,000 from the Town of Woodbury for the purpose of equipment upgrades.The Library requested an increase of $5,000 for personnel increases.

“We really want our staff to be a stable staff and in order to do that we actually have to pay them,” said Library Board member Angie Ott. “The only way we can increase pay is through the Town of Woodbury and Cannon County Government contributions. We really want to invest in our staff and pay them more.”

The Town of Woodbury currently gives $5,000 to the Cannon County Library. Cannon County Government provides $131,000.The Board unanimously approved both requests provided there is money available in the 2014-15 budget, which will be voted in during first reading at the May meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.Patrick confirmed both bodies also would be requesting additional funds from the County Commission. Both said they are requesting additional funds from that body of government.

“You understand that when you are making a request from the county commission for money then you are requesting from the city too,” Patrick said. “We get it from both ends. We pay city and county taxes.”

All members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen were present. They are Mayor Harold Patrick and Aldermen JoAnne Davis, Dottie Duggin, Charlie Harrell, Faye Knox, Lois Larimer, Adam Melton.