presstalk 865-671-TALK (8255) editor@farragutpress.com
Thursday night’s BOMA meeting raised serious concerns about process, transparency and respect for public notice.
The agenda had the wrong date on it and the agenda items were postponed. In my view, once that happened, there was no agenda. BOMA should not have moved into a detailed discussion about a budget-related position that was not properly noticed to the public.
Yet the mayor, vice mayor and other aldermen pressed forward with what appeared to be political theater. The discussion covered the proposed economic development coordinator position, its cost, duties, possible duplication with the Chamber, FBA, Visit Farragut and whether the role could involve business recruitment, commercial development, developers, property owners, realtors and “selling Farragut.”
That was not a casual update. That was policy. That was budget business. That was deliberation and it deserved clear public notice.
What made it worse was that much of the discussion appeared aimed at responding to the Ward 1 Alderman’s letter in farragutpress instead of handling the matter through a properly noticed agenda item.
I fully support the Ward 1 Alderman’s decision to raise his concerns publicly. Workshops may be public, but many residents cannot attend a 5 p.m. workshop or watch from home. The newspaper is a legitimate public forum.
His concerns were fair. If it takes a full-time position to help people navigate the Town’s system, maybe the problem is the system, not staffing.
Before adding a nearly $125,000 taxpayer-funded position, the Town should prioritize proper notice and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
