JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
A newly proposed resolution regarding inter-governmental agreements between the county’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners and other government bodies throughout Marion County has recently passed.
The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Steven Franklin, requires that two government entities working together for a project must adhere to an interlocal agreement between one another. The resolution details the importance of having agreements established, stating in writing the various duties, responsibilities, and rights which all parties involved are to contribute to a specific project. According to County Attorney William Gouger, if passed the resolution would introduce a new policy which would require all interlocal agreements to be prepared and utilized with all county-based municipalities, as well as adjacent entities from outside the county lines for all major projects.
The proposed item is authorized under state law, particuarlily through the Tennessee Interlocal Cooperation Act. The law was enacted in 2006. It allows for all governing bodies to enact mutual cooperation by contract with other government boards during major projects. The law’s intent is to help establish detailed accord ance towards joined government bodies while working together for a project. It also further sets greater influence in the development and needs of a given community or county.
During the discussion, Commissioner Ruric Brandt questioned what would happen if a body under an agreement does not adhere to its requirements. Attorney Gouger answered this question by explaining if not, then consequences would be put in place for the entity involved, with all consequences towards failure to be written under each agreement passed. Gouger stated how no entity in the board’s history to his knowledge, except one incident, has defaulted against an interlocal agreement. The last case to occur was years ago when the county established an agreement regarding a sinking bond fund that was used to provide surplus sales tax revenue for funding several school based projects.
The resolution was ultimately agreed upon during the meeting, with future multi-entity projects to require an interlocal agreement between all associated parties before any ground can be broken