Jefferson County Preservation Society

Category: The Preservationist

  • “That’s not just experience—that’s 219 years of calling Jefferson County home.”

  • Mineral Tax – Executive Summary

    Jefferson County’s roads are deteriorating faster than the Highway Department can repair them due to heavy mining trucks, underground mining activity, and years of underfunded maintenance. Property taxpayers currently shoulder nearly all road repair costs. A Mineral Severance Tax — already used by 86% of Tennessee counties with producing mines — would generate $13.6 million…

  • Mineral Tax – Key Facts at a Glance

  • Mineral tax – How Can Citizens Help

    Civic Action: How Citizens Can Help … JEFFERSON COUNTY IS AT A CRITICAL CROSSROAD — PLEASE WE NEED YOUR HELP A. Contact Your County Commissioner – Ask them to vote YES on the Mineral Severance Tax. B. Share the Facts – Talk with neighbors, family, and friends in Jefferson County. C. Use Your Voice Publicly–…

  • Mineral Tax – Foresight over Hindsight

    Shifting the Burden: Why Jefferson County Must Choose Foresight Over Hindsight March 16, 2025 By Joe Malgeri, Citizen On Thursday, March 12th, voters in Jefferson County witnessed something rare: a candidate forum that revealed not just policy differences, but a fundamental divide in how two people approach leadership itself. The setting was simple. The moderator…

  • Mineral Tax – Sink Holes are Getting Worse

    JEFFERSON CITY, Tennessee Jefferson City crews are working to fix a sinkhole that reopened on Odell Ave over the weekend. The sinkhole first opened on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 beside Maplecrest Square apartments, near Food City and Regions Bank. It was originally 20 to 25 feet deep. Car swallowed in one of three sink holes…

  • Mineral Tax – Road Damage & Taxpayer Burden

    Accountability: Road Damage & Taxpayer Burden 1. Road Deterioration Is Accelerating Heavy truck traffic and underground mining are causing rapid road damage. Quote: “A fully loaded 20‑ton truck causes as much road damage as about 10,000 passenger vehicles.” 2. Property Taxpayers Are Paying Nearly Everything Residents currently shoulder almost all road repair costs. Quote: “Property…

  • Mineral Tax – The Solution

    The Solution: What the Mineral Severance Tax Does 8. A Fair, Targeted Infrastructure Tax The tax ensures mining companies contribute to the infrastructure they impact. Quote: “If mining causes damage to roads, they should help pay for road repair!” 9. Authorized and Protected by Tennessee Law The tax is explicitly permitted under state law. Quote:…

  • Mineral Tax – Voting History of the County Commission

    Voting History of the Jefferson County Commission This section provides transparency about how Commissioners voted on the Mineral Severance Tax during the April 21, 2025 vote on Resolution 2025‑23. 6. Commissioners Who Voted YES (Supported the Mineral Tax) These Commissioners voted to adopt the Mineral Severance Tax: Quote: “These Commissioners voted to ensure mining companies…

  • Mineral Tax – Financial Impact: NEW Revenue & Long‑Term Benefits

    13. Generates $13.6 Million Over 20 Years A major new revenue source without raising property taxes. Quote: “Total 20‑year revenue: $13.6 million.” Revenue Breakdown by Rate (Based on 3.4M Tons Annually) These three tiers together produce the $13.6 million in projected revenue for Jefferson County roads. 14. Enough to Pave 100 Miles of Road This…