Council adopts ordinance moving business‑tax collection to downtown finance office

The council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026‑O9‑17, which transfers responsibility for collecting the town’s business/grocery‑receipts tax from the recorder’s office to the finance officer at City Hall.

The recorder explained the historical context: the business‑license law dates to the 1960s and the town has historically performed limited collection functions while the Tennessee Department of Revenue handles central processing. The recorder said consolidating finance collections will provide continuity as personnel change and will simplify access for business owners who can now go to a single finance office rather than waiting for the recorder to be available.

The recorder asked for adoption that night; a motion to accept the ordinance was moved and seconded. Roll call responses were recorded with council members voting yes; the ordinance was adopted.

Council members said the move is largely administrative and intended to streamline service for businesses and ensure continuity as staff roles shift. The recorder said the ordinance also moves specific language into the finance ordinance and that further housekeeping on ordinances (e.g., clarifying full‑time vs. part‑time positions) may follow.