By Melanie Patterson
The North Jefferson News
Following a split decision by Warrior officials to uphold the police jurisdiction tax in Blount County, the Warrior City Council agreed to “revisit” the matter at its next council meeting.
Warrior’s council chamber was packed to capacity Monday, mostly by Blount County business owners and residents who adamantly oppose the tax.
After hearing from Blount County business owner Jeff Mann and Probate Judge David Standridge, Warrior Council member Brad Fuller made a motion to rescind the tax.
Council member Johnny Ragland seconded the motion and Jerry Bailey abstained from the vote.
Councilmen James Jett and Theodore Hines voted no, leaving Mayor Rena Hudson with the deciding vote. She also said no.
“I came to you with respect because I really thought this was the opportunity to do the right thing,” said Standridge. “This is going to continue to fester.”
Standridge pointed out that Blount County District Attorney Tommy Rountree, in conjunction with Blount County attorneys, is preparing paperwork to sue Warrior over the tax.
He also said that Warrior businesses will continue to suffer by the boycott that Blount County residents have enacted.
“I believe it will seriously hurt your business right here in the city,” he said. “I hate that because a lot of them are my friends.”
Jeff Mann, owner of Warrior Tire in Blount County, told the city council that he would like to see Warrior either rescind the tax or amend it to exclude Blount County.
“Let us take care of our house and you can proceed in whatever way necessary,” Mann said. “We do not want to boycott. The boycott was struck because we felt threatened, we felt invaded.”
Both Mann and Standridge said they would like to see Warrior and Blount County stop feuding and return to their former, amicable relationship.
“It’s my hope too. I’m a business owner,” said Councilman Fuller, who owns Brad’s Pools in Warrior. “Everything we have done is legal. We can not amend it. It can’t be done. It’s all or none.”
Fuller added that relations would not get better between Warrior and Blount County until Warrior repeals the amendment to collect the tax.
“I think Warrior businesses are going to suffer for it,” he said.
Just minutes after the council voted to uphold the tax, council members agreed to rescind its decision in order to revisit the tax issue at the next council meeting.
The next meeting was moved from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m., because of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will be a public work session at 5 p.m.
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