Pieces of eight

Another good reason to live in Bristol is that Tennessee doesn't have a state income tax.

Tennessee does, however, have a tax that is imposed only on individuals and other entities receiving interest from bonds and notes and dividends from stock.  That tax - the Hall Income Tax (don't let the name confuse you) - has been around for over 80 years.   An income tax - but only on a portion of income - and only to some.

The tax is payable at the rate of 6% of the taxable interest and dividend income exceeding $1,250 or $2,500 for joint filers.  Persons over age 65 with total income less than $16,200 for a single filer or $27,000 for a joint filer are exempt.

The good news is that the payment is shared with the city in which the filer resides.  So once a year each July, a check is received for our 3/8ths share of the tax remitted by Bristol residents.

The payment this year just came in just under $383,000 - a tidy sum at the end of the fiscal year. 

We wish it was more as that signifies the aggregate wealth of our community is greater - and that's a really good thing.

Umbrella

The saying "you're all wet" is one none of us wants to hear.

It simply means you're wrong - or worse.

Bristol is all wet - but in a good way.

July was the wettest July on record with over 12 inches of rain - 2 1/2 times wetter than the average.  And it was also the wettest month of all time too.

So we'll accept it this time - but only this time.

Trend

For the 12-months ending June 30, 2012, a total of 4,864 building permits were issued with a combined estimated construction value of $54,000,000.

The value of new construction is $13 million higher than the same period one year ago.

The total number of permits more than doubles last year - thanks in good part to the April 2011 storms.

But there is more to it than that - construction activity is picking-up in general in the city with new housing  and commercial starts being seen with more regularity.  In the past three months we've had 21 housing and three commercial starts.

And that's a nice trend to see for sure.

Olympic

Every four years the summer Olympic games take place.

The London games start today - but they really are much more than games.

They serve to unite the world - at least for a time - with a common sense of purpose.

Community events are like that too - like our Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival, Border Bash, and others.

They provide a common ground, a common thread, to bring us together.  And that is a good thing.

And we don't have to wait four years until the next one.

School bells

Last full week in July - next week August arrives.

School arrives too, for those of us young enough to attend.  Or for those with responsibilities of purchasing school supplies, or packing lunches, or driving to and from attendance centers - or all of the above - and much much more.

Yes, it arrives for the rest of us too - be particularly attentive to driving in school zones.  Be watchful for students walking on their way as well.

Let's make this school year a successful and safe one  - we all have a part to play.

Company

In Aesop's Fables the Donkey and the Purchaser, the moral of the story is that you are known by the company you keep.

These same words have rung true for the 2,500 years since Aesop wrote them.

Keep in mind this simple advice - it will serve you well.

Just like it did the Purchaser.

Humidity

The most humid location in the U.S.is Quillayute Washington with an average annual humidity level of 83%.

Bristol clocks in at a comparably dry average of 74% for the entire year - 75% on average in July.

Seems like we're busting the average these days - it's really hard to stay dry.

So try the Haynesfield Pool if you really want to be wet.

Knuckleboom

On many Friday's I have the chance to observe our solid waste crews running their routes in the early morning light.

Auto-loader trucks collecting 96-gallon roll-out containers efficiently and knuckleboom trucks smartly snatching landscape waste and miscellaneous other household waste for disposal or re-purposing, as appropriate.

Add to that four drop-off recycling centers and you have an exceptional value and service level for $11.50 per month.

What is so impressive is the attention given to the task by our crews - they know it is important and it shows.  

I was struck a few weeks ago when I saw one employee with pitchfork in hand picking-up the remaining small amount of landscape waste that his knuckleboom couldn't get.  Now that is service.

Another good reason to live in Bristol - thanks to our solid waste crews.

Trend

From previous posts you know that retail sales - and the taxes that are paid - are an important funding source for the city.

The second largest revenue source in fact.

With 11 months of sales tax receipts now booked for Fiscal 2012, the picture looks good.

Sales tax receipts are up over 8% year over year.  This is particularly noteworthy after a series of years when this funding source went down, and down, and down; and down again.

Let's hope the trend continues - as that signifies that the economy is improving - and folks are doing a little better too.

Samurai

Rains finally came and the grass needed mowing.

All the elements to complete an objective come into play - and play out in a little under 2 hours.

The mission is clear, the right tools increase productivity, tactics provide choices, and the outcome is evident when the assignment is complete.

Yes, mowing is a satisfying exercise - at least for some weekend warriors - like me.

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th.
An unlucky day?  I don't think so.

After all - it is Friday.  And for the many workers with a Monday - Friday work week, it signifies the coming of a few days away from work

And a few days away is always good.

If superstition held that Monday the 13th was an unlucky day - now that might be hard to counter.  And I probably wouldn't even try.

Integrity

Do the right things for the right reason - and your intentions will always withstand scrutiny.

Ninja

It's time to enjoy the next episode of Steele Creek Explorer starring Naturalist Jeremy Stout.

Like box, snapping, or even teenage mutant Ninja turtles?

Check it out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qt5KyrnTyQ&feature=plcp

Charter

The city charter calls for a mayor and vice mayor to be selected at the first meeting in July to serve for a one year period.

This year - as in the past - that action was the first item of business on the July 3 meeting.

Congratulations to Joel Staton who will serve as mayor this year and to Ben Zandi who was selected to serve as vice mayor.

Thanks also go out to David Shumaker, who ably served the community as mayor last year.  Thanks for your good work David.

Plus 1

One year.

This city manager blog has been written for one year - oops, one year and one day, can't forget 2012 was a leap year.

218 posts of various types..... Some pretty good, some not.  The most popular by number of views was the February 9th post titled Pointer Brand.  A local success story.

17% of pageviews came from outside the U.S.  Leading the pack was Russia, followed by Germany, France, Pakistan and Canada.

Now 219 - thanks for visiting.  My goal next year is to have a few more pretty good, and a few less not.

peace.

Star-spangled

The Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia fire departments displayed this giant U.S. flag during the Star-Spangled Saturday parade.

Two aerial ladders - one in Tennessee and one in Virginia - were extended with the flag a perfect overhead backdrop for the parade participants and viewers below.

Geocache

Have you tried geocaching yet?


Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices to find hidden containers.


Spent a couple hours on Sunday searching for geocache in town - found 8 of 10 that I was looking for.


Three are located in Steele Creek Park - found all of those.  Couldn't locate one on the Wes Davis Greenway - despite looking intently.


Interesting, each geocache site gives a summary and description of the location - along with a hint to find the hidden container.  For example, the "Tribute to Wes" geocache describes the contributions of former Mayor Wes Davis including his support of the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, King College, and Children First.


The hide-a-key container on the Wes Davis Greenway is hidden on the back side of the caboose.  Oh, what a view! is the hint.  Hope you find it - I couldn't.