Since Seymour is an unincorporated community within Sevier County, residents rely on their county commissioners to represent them.
While these individuals are the sole representation for the residents of Seymour, many residents find they do not know what a county commissioner’s job entails.
First and foremost, it is the commissioners’ duty to represent their district’s needs to their best of their abilities, but this is somewhat vague.
According to the Tennessee County Commissioners Association, the county commission is the primary policy-making body in the county and its “most important” function is the annual adoption of a budget to distribute spending throughout the county.
In addition to the above mentioned function, the commission sets a property tax rate that, along with revenues from other county taxes and fees as well as state and federal monies allocated to the county, are used to fund the budget.
The commission also, according to the TCCA, serves an important role in exercising local approval authority for private acts when the private act does not call for referendum approval. Private acts, which often give additional authority to counties, must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the county legislative body or be approved by a referendum in order to become effective.
County commissions must also hold annual meetings, and in Sevier County’s case the commission meets regularly once a month, for which they are compensated.
The compensation of county commissioners, according to TCCA, is determined by the commission and the General Assembly has an established minimum compensation.
Sevier County commissioners are paid $380 per county commission meeting they attend and $40 for each committee meeting they attend.
The commissioners who represent the districts in the Seymour community made varying amounts in 2010.
Bryan Delius, 10th District, earned $4,940, Jim Keener, 10th District earned $5,560, Judy Godfrey, 9th District, earned $5,680, Buster Norton, 9th District, earned $5,800, Bill Oakes, 6th District, earned $5,490, and Harold Pitner, 6th District, earned $5,940.
In addition to the set per-meeting payment, each commissioner and their dependants are eligible for health insurance through the county as well as life insurance.
Commissioners are also reimbursed for any travelling they may do in the capacity as commissioners.
The mileage reimbursement rate is the State of Tennessee mileage rate which is $0.46 per mile and their Per Diem for meal and incidents is $50 pro-rated with $10 for breakfast, $14 for lunch, and $26 for dinner.
The three-fourth calculation of the Per Diem for meals and Incidentals is $37.50.
For more information about the Sevier County Commission go to seviercountytn.org.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.