PF city limits are growing

chantalle@theheraldnewspapers.com The City of Pigeon Forge is one step closer to becoming 154.5 acres larger after yesterday’s City Commission Meeting. The first reading for three acres along the east side of Glenn Huskey Road and 151.5 acres between the Spur and Rush Branch Road to be annexed was approved. A public hearing and an approved second reading, scheduled for September 25, are required to make this annexation permanent. A public hearing and second reading was approved to certify the city’s tax rate at $.1242 per $100 of property value. This rate is higher than the state’s suggested rate of $.1062 per $100. Pigeon Forge’s tax rate is the lowest in Sevier County compared to Gatlinburg at $0.1493 and Sevierville’s rate at $0.31. The first reading of an ordinance to close a portion of Henderson Road was approved. An engineering agreement with SSR Inc. was approved to repaint and repair the Dollywood and Iron Mountain water tanks. These are two of the city’s twelve tanks that store 7.5 million gallons of water. Early inspections recommended the tanks be repainted, repaired, and cleaned. The utility department’s goal is to not have to take down the Dollywood tank at all, but instead send divers in and have them vacuum the tank out. Two 2007 GMC three quarter ton pickup trucks were also approved for purchase from Neil Sandler GMC.