6.
Commissioner Reports & Comments
Commissioner Giles thanked everyone who attended the Christmas Light Walk and
expressed appreciation to the Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Dunkin’ Donuts for sponsoring
the event. He also thanked Willoughby Station for allowing the City to use their parking
lot.
Additionally, he spoke about the Friends of BPAC organization and shared that it
recently received a $15,000 grant for connectivity. He expressed excitement about
the award and thanked staff for their support of the organization.
Vice Mayor Trivett shared that both the Christmas Parade and the Christmas Light Walk
were significant successes. He also took a moment to thank the City’s first responders for
all they do. In response to comments made by Mr. Hoekendorf, he stated that he believes
the City may have grown too quickly, does not want to raise taxes, and is continually
looking for ways to reduce waste.
Commissioner Hefner wished Mayor Maness a happy birthday and thanked everyone
who were in attendance of the meeting. He noted that he was unable to attend the
previous meeting due to the death of a close friend. He also shared information regarding
resources available to individuals (veterans) who may be struggling or considering
self-harm .
Commissioner Hefner went on to state that he hopes to receive a second on the
moratorium ordinance he is sponsoring.
Commissioner Milele addressed comments made by Mr. Hoekendorf, stating that growth
is down, sales tax revenue has declined, and property taxes were reduced three times,
which she felt contributed to a funding deficiency. She noted that the City reduced the
general fund by $6 million. Commissioner Milele stated that a work session will be held
regarding the budget and proposed property tax increases. She also stated that she is not
in favor of a moratorium and noted that a work session on sustainable growth was held in
December, with the presentation and materials available on the City’s website. She
wished Mayor Maness and Commissioner Hefner a happy birthday.
Mayor Maness expressed hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and stated that
he believed this year’s parade was the best to date. He echoed Commissioner Giles’
comments regarding the success of the Christmas Light Walk and wished Commissioner
Hefner and Commissioner Milele a happy birthday. Regarding growth, Mayor Maness
stated that his goal is to manage sustained growth, noting that growth will eventually slow
and that it is important to carefully consider projects approved by the City, as the City is
ultimately responsible for their long-term maintenance. He reminded the public that Mt.
Juliet’s property tax rate is among the lowest in the state and that the City provides a wide
range of services, including EMS. His goal, he stated, is to keep taxes low. He also noted
that identifying waste is not always straightforward, as opinions on that topic can vary.
