Council Majority Supports proposed Crossville Roane State Expansion but Funding Request turned down

While the Crossville City Council turned down the request by the Roane State Foundation for a donation of $500,000 several council members expressed support for the project but felt the timing of the request was poor.

RSCC President Chris Whaley, standing left, and 

Crossville campus director Holly Hanson, right, discuss 

the proposed expansion at the earlier December

City Council work session.

Councilman J. H. Graham moved to make the request donation for the project and councilman Scot Shanks gave a second “for the purpose of discussion.” Graham pointed out that 700 students are currently attending and it was the 20^th anniversary of the schools Crossville campus.

Mayor James Mayberry said he a little problem with the request as the city had given $750,000 for the initial construction of the center and an additional $100,000 for the business incubator. Mayberry added that the biggest support of the city budget was from sales tax and that half of the sales tax collected in the city goes to education as funding for the Cumberland County schools.

(Editor's note: the city gave $250,000 in funding toward the Business Incubator in 2009.)

Mayberry said he felt it was a bit much to ask of the city near the start of their budget. He also commented that Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) was also expanding.

“I just can't support this,” concluded Mayberry.

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“I'm for this project and I'd like to see it happen,” said Councilman Scot Shanks. Shanks added that he was concerned about the fact that there was no state money earmarked for the project. He said he understood that Roane State cannot ask the state for money but he wondered if the city could make a request for state help for the project.

Councilman Art Gernt said he felt the request should come through the regular budgeting process and that the donation would be a strain on the city budget at the current time. Said Gernt, “I'd like to see it happen as well, but I'd like to see us wait and go through the state.”

“I'd like to see it go through the regular budget process as well, added councilman Rob Harrison. “I'm all for the project and I certainly want to help Roane State as it's a crown jewel,” concluded Harrison.

The vote on Graham's motion included a yes vote from Graham but no votes from the rest of the council.