Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB1461 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2	HOUSE BILL 1437
3	3	By Sexton
4	4
5	5	SENATE BILL 1461
6	6	By Bailey
7	7
8	8
9	9	SB1461
10	10	004550
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13	13	AN ACT to amend Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953; as
14	14	amended and rewritten by Chapter 55 of the Private Acts
15	15	of 2014; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative
16	16	to the Charter for the City of Crossville.
17	17
18	18	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
19	19	SECTION 1. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
20	20	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
21	21	Article II, Section 1 by deleting the last paragraph and substituting:
22	22	The boundaries of the City of Crossville have been expanded by Ords. No. 396,
23	23	397, 453, 458, 463, 464, 465, 466, 469, 472, 480, 481, 490, 495, 496, 497, 524, 536,
24	24	546, 547, 558, 559, 560, 563, 564, 567, 568, 577, 579, 580, 588, 589, 597, 598, 599,
25	25	600, 601, 602, 603, 605, 609, 617, 618, 621, 622, 624, 625, 636, 637, 668, 704, 707,
26	26	770, 771, 772, 773, 797, 817, 826, 837, 842, 857, 870, 905, 906, 907, 926, 978, 1000,
27	27	1001, 1003, 1009, 1010, 1028, 1029, 1041, 1046, 1052, 1053, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060,
28	28	1071, 1072, 1078, 1079, 1085, 1086, 1091, 1092, 1098, 1104, 1108, 1111, 1116, 1117,
29	29	1137, 1139, 1140, 1149, 1150, 1164, 1172, 1191, 1197, 1244, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251,
30	30	1290, 1294, 1295, 1319, 1323, 1334, 1339, 1343, 1345, 1360, 1361, 1362, 1365, 1375,
31	31	1391, 1392, 1395, 1398, 1399, 1409, 1410, 1421, 1425, 1447, 1449, 1450, and 1451.
32	32	Ord. No. 359 was an annexation ordinance but it was repealed by Ord. No. 369. Ord.
33	33	No. 398 was also an annexation ordinance but it was judicially declared void. Additional
34	34	annexations by resolution have expanded the corporate boundaries and shall be kept on
35	35	file with the City Clerk's Office.
36	36	SECTION 2. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
37	37	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
38	38	Article IV, Section 3 by deleting the second paragraph, which reads:
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43	43	In any election under this Act, all registered voters, otherwise legally qualified to
44	44	vote in county and state elections held in Cumberland County, Tennessee, and
45	45	who are bona fide residents of said City and who have been such for three (3)
46	46	months preceding any election under this act, and all persons otherwise legally
47	47	qualified to vote in county and state elections held in Cumberland County,
48	48	Tennessee, owning a taxable freehold assessed on the city tax books at a value
49	49	of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, such ownership to be evidenced by a
50	50	registered conveyance placed of record at least three (3) months before the
51	51	election, or a certificate from the tax assessor that property is so assessed, shall
52	52	be entitled to vote.
53	53	and substituting the following:
54	54	In any election under this Act, all registered voters, otherwise legally qualified to
55	55	vote in county and state elections held in Cumberland County, Tennessee, and
56	56	who are bona fide residents of said City and who have been such for three (3)
57	57	months preceding any election under this act, and all persons otherwise legally
58	58	qualified to vote in county and state elections held in Cumberland County,
59	59	Tennessee, owning a taxable freehold real estate asset, such ownership to be
60	60	evidenced by a registered conveyance placed of record at least three (3) months
61	61	before the election, or a certificate from the tax assessor that property is so
62	62	assessed, shall be entitled to vote.
63	63	SECTION 3. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
64	64	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
65	65	Article V, by deleting Section 4 and substituting the following:
66	66	Section 4. Compensation of mayor and council members.
67	67	The salary of the mayor of the City of Crossville shall be fifteen percent (15%) of
68	68	the Cumberland County Mayor's salary. The salary for each council member of
69	69	the City of Crossville shall be five percent (5%) of the mayor's salary. Any
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74	74	increase in compensation for the members of this legislative body does not take
75	75	effect until the beginning of the term following the next election of the mayor and
76	76	of the council members.
77	77	SECTION 4. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
78	78	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
79	79	Article V, by deleting Section 7 and substituting the following:
80	80	Section 7. Time and place of council meetings.
81	81	Be it further enacted, that the City Council shall, by ordinance, fix the time and
82	82	place at which the regular meetings of said council shall be held, and until
83	83	otherwise provided by ordinance, the regular meetings of the council shall be
84	84	held at 6:00 P.M., on the second Tuesday of each month.
85	85	SECTION 5. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
86	86	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
87	87	Article V, by deleting Section 8 and substituting the following:
88	88	Section 8. Special meetings; limitations on business discussed; public
89	89	announcement.
90	90	Be it further enacted, that whenever, in the opinion of the mayor, or of any two (2)
91	91	councilmembers, the welfare of the city demands it, the mayor or any two (2)
92	92	councilmembers may call special meetings upon not less than forty-eight (48)
93	93	hours written notice to each councilmember, served personally, left at his usual
94	94	place of residence, or noticed by electronic means. Each call for a special
95	95	meeting shall set forth the character of the business to be discussed at such
96	96	meeting and no other business shall be considered at such meeting. The
97	97	agenda shall be posted on the city's website.
98	98	SECTION 6. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
99	99	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
100	100	Article VII, by deleting Section 1 and substituting the following:
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105	105	Section 1. Powers granted and duties imposed by the charter.
106	106	Be it further enacted, that the Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the City
107	107	Council and perform such other duties consistent with his office as may be
108	108	imposed by it, and the Mayor shall have a seat, a voice, and a vote. The Mayor
109	109	shall sign the journal of the council and all ordinances on their final passage,
110	110	execute all deeds, bonds, and contracts made in the name of the city, and he
111	111	may introduce ordinances in the City Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
112	112	contracts may be signed by the Mayor or City Manager as set by ordinance.
113	113	SECTION 7. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
114	114	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
115	115	Article IX, by deleting Section 1 and substituting the following:
116	116	Section 1. City court and judge.
117	117	Be it further enacted, that there shall be a city court presided over by a city judge.
118	118	The City Council shall elect or appoint a city judge by a majority vote of its entire
119	119	membership, for a period of two (2) years. He shall have such qualifications and
120	120	receive such compensation as the council may provide by ordinance or
121	121	resolution. He shall be removable during his term of office under the provisions
122	122	of the general ouster law of Tennessee, and for violation of said law. No member
123	123	of the City Council shall at any time be chosen as city judge.
124	124	SECTION 8. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
125	125	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended by
126	126	deleting Article X and substituting the following:
127	127	ARTICLE X: FINANCE AND TAXATION
128	128	Section 1. Finance Director to make assessment and revenue report to the
129	129	City Manager; Council to levy taxes.
130	130	Be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the Finance Director, in each
131	131	year, as soon as the assessment roll for the city is complete, to submit to the City
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136	136	Manager a certified statement of the total amount of the valuation or assessment
137	137	of the taxable property for the year within the city limits, including the assessment
138	138	of all railroad, telephone, telegraph, and other public utility properties, together
139	139	with a certified statement of the revenue derived by the city from privilege taxes,
140	140	and all other source of revenue for the preceding fiscal year. Upon the
141	141	presentation of such statements by the city manager, the City Council shall
142	142	proceed by ordinance to make the proper levy to meet the expense of the city for
143	143	the current fiscal year.
144	144	Section 2. Personal liability for corporations, LLC's, Partnerships, Limited
145	145	Partnerships, and Other Entities.
146	146	Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, § 67-5-2101(c), each person owning an
147	147	interest in a corporate entity or similar organization, including, but not limited to,
148	148	limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other entities for which the
149	149	owners of the entity are accorded limited liability for debts of the entity and that
150	150	is, or is stated in the records of the office of secretary of state to be, an inactive,
151	151	dissolved, revoked, or otherwise terminated entity, is jointly and severally liable
152	152	with the entity, each other, and such other persons as may be liable, for all
153	153	unpaid property taxes levied against parcels assessed to the entity, and such
154	154	interest, attorney fees, and other court costs as may accrue on the same.
155	155	Section 3. City manager to cause tax levy to be extended upon the tax
156	156	book.
157	157	Be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the city manager, immediately
158	158	after the levy of taxes by the City Council, to cause the levy to be extended upon
159	159	the tax book prepared by the Tax Assessor in the same manner that extensions
160	160	are made upon the tax books in the hands of the County Trustee.
161	161	Section 4. Date taxes due; issuance of distress warrants.
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166	166	Be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the city manager, immediately
167	167	after the levy of taxes by the City Council, to cause the levy to be extended upon
168	168	the tax book prepared by the Tax Assessor in the same manner that extensions
169	169	are made upon the tax books in the hands of the County Trustee.
170	170	Section 5. Liens assessed by city for unpaid taxes.
171	171	Be it further enacted, that all municipal taxes on real estate in the city, and all
172	172	penalties and costs securing thereon are hereby declared to be a lien on said
173	173	realty from and after the tenth day of January of the year for which same are
174	174	assessed, superior to all other liens except the liens of the United States, State of
175	175	Tennessee, and Cumberland County, for taxes legally assessed thereon, with
176	176	which it shall be a lien of equal dignity. No assessment shall be invalid because
177	177	the size and dimensions of any tract, lot or parcel of land shall not have been
178	178	precisely named or the amount of the valuation or tax not correctly given, nor
179	179	because the property has been assessed in the name of a person who did not
180	180	own the same, nor because the same was assessed to unknown owners, nor on
181	181	account of any objection or informality merely technical, but all such
182	182	assessments shall be good and valid. The City Council shall have power to
183	183	correct any errors in the tax assessments upon a certificate filed by the Assessor
184	184	of Assessing Body.
185	185	Section 6. Penalties and interest on unpaid taxes.
186	186	Be it further enacted, that on the first day of January of the year following that for
187	187	which the taxes are assessed, or other date provided by ordinance, a penalty of
188	188	one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month upon all taxes, other than privilege
189	189	and merchants' ad valorem taxes, remaining unpaid shall be imposed and
190	190	collected by the City of Crossville and paid into the City Treasury.
191	191	Section 7. Tax provisions that may be changed by ordinance.
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196	196	Be it further enacted, that the City Council may, by ordinance passed by majority
197	197	vote, change the due date and delinquent date of all taxes, and may provide for
198	198	the semiannual payment of taxes and a discount for the prompt payment thereof.
199	199	Section 8. Finance Director to certify list of real estate with unpaid taxes;
200	200	sale of real estate.
201	201	Be it further enacted, that the Finance Director shall, under the provisions of the
202	202	State law for the collection of delinquent taxes, certify to the city attorney or, if the
203	203	city attorney is not appointed, the City Council, a list of all real estate upon which
204	204	municipal taxes remain due and unpaid, or which is liable for sale for other taxes,
205	205	and the same shall be sold in like manner and upon the same terms and
206	206	conditions as real estate is sold for delinquent state and county taxes.
207	207	Section 9. Filing of suit for collection of taxes.
208	208	Be it further enacted, that the City Council shall have the power, and is hereby
209	209	given authority to file bills in the chancery court in the name of the City for the
210	210	collections of assessments and levies made for payment for improvements or
211	211	service in the City, such as paving, sidewalks, curbing, guttering, sewers, and
212	212	other improvements, or services for which assessments may be made under the
213	213	Charter, or by any other legislative acts, and the cost which is made a charge on
214	214	property, the suits commenced by such bills to be conducted as other suits in
215	215	chancery for the enforcement of like liens and under the rules of law and practice
216	216	provided for the same; provided, that the bills shall not be objectionable because
217	217	the owner of different parcels or lots of land are made parties thereto, it being the
218	218	intention that all persons in the same assessment and levy for improving any
219	219	portion of the City as aforesaid, and on whose property the assessment or levy is
220	220	a lien, shall be made parties defendant to one (1) bill.
221	221	SECTION 9. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
222	222	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
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227	227	Article XI, Section 7 by deleting the language "two percent (2%)" and substituting the language
228	228	"three percent (3%)".
229	229	SECTION 10. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
230	230	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
231	231	Article XX, by deleting Section 1 and substituting the following:
232	232	Section 1. Jurisdiction of city court.
233	233	Be it further enacted, that there be, and hereby is, established and constituted for
234	234	said City of Crossville a city court, which shall be presided over by the city judge,
235	235	with exclusive jurisdiction to try all offenses for the violation of the city ordinances
236	236	and bylaws.
237	237	SECTION 11. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
238	238	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
239	239	Article XX, by deleting Section 2 and substituting the following:
240	240	Section 2. Powers of the city court.
241	241	Be it further enacted, that the said court shall have power and authority to impose
242	242	fines, costs, and forfeitures; to punish by fine or imprisonment, or both, for
243	243	violation of city ordinances; to enforce and preserve order in court; and to enforce
244	244	the collection of all such fines, costs, or forfeiture imposed. The city judge shall
245	245	have the exclusive right to remit or suspend, with or without condition, fines and
246	246	costs imposed for violation of any ordinance or charter provision.
247	247	SECTION 12. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
248	248	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
249	249	Article XX, by deleting Section 3 and substituting the following:
250	250	Section 3. Qualifications of and exclusive powers of the city judge.
251	251	Be it further enacted, that the city judge staff be an attorney duly licensed to
252	252	practice law in the state of Tennessee and that no person, officer, or employee,
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257	257	whomsoever other than the city judge shall have the right or power or be
258	258	permitted to remit in whole or in part any fine or costs imposed by the city judge.
259	259	SECTION 13. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
260	260	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
261	261	Article XX, by deleting Section 6 and substituting the following:
262	262	Section 6. Fines.
263	263	Be it further enacted, that all fines imposed by the city court for violations of city
264	264	ordinances shall belong to and be paid into the treasury of the city.
265	265	SECTION 14. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
266	266	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
267	267	Article XX, by deleting Section 9 and substituting the following:
268	268	Section 9. Municipal judge or general sessions judge to preside in absence
269	269	of city judge; vacancy.
270	270	Be it further enacted, that in the event of the absence, incompetency, or other
271	271	disability of the city judge, the municipal judge or general sessions judge is
272	272	hereby authorized and empowered to act in his stead, and while so acting he
273	273	shall be invested with the same powers and shall perform the same duties
274	274	hereby bestowed and imposed upon the presiding officer of the court. In the
275	275	event the office shall become vacant for any cause, the City Council shall elect
276	276	some suitable person to fill out the unexpired term.
277	277	SECTION 15. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
278	278	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended by
279	279	adding the following new section at the end of Article XX:
280	280	Section 13. Administrative hearing officer duties and authority.
281	281	Be it further enacted, that the City of Crossville allow for administrative hearings
282	282	and administrative hearing officers. The officers shall act within the scope of
283	283	work granted by Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 6, Chapter 54, Part 10.
284	284
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287	287
288	288	SECTION 16. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
289	289	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended in
290	290	the first and second paragraphs of Article XXI, Section 1 by deleting the language "five
291	291	thousand dollars ($5,000)" and substituting the language "the amount set by the purchasing and
292	292	bidding ordinance".
293	293	SECTION 17. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
294	294	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended by
295	295	deleting Article XXIII and substituting the following:
296	296	[Deleted by 2025 Charter Amendment]
297	297	SECTION 18. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
298	298	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended by
299	299	deleting Article XXIV and substituting the following:
300	300	[Deleted by 2025 Charter Amendment]
301	301	SECTION 19. Chapter 519 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended and rewritten by
302	302	Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 2014, and any other acts amendatory thereto, is amended by
303	303	deleting Article XXV and substituting the following:
304	304	[Deleted by 2025 Charter Amendment]
305	305	SECTION 20. This act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
306	306	vote of the legislative body of the City of Crossville. Its approval or nonapproval shall be
307	307	proclaimed by the presiding officer of the legislative body and certified to the secretary of state.
308	308	SECTION 21. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this act, it shall
309	309	be effective upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall
310	310	become effective as provided in Section 20.