On Tuesday we reported here about “The Foster Arnett, Jr. Tax” that was presented to the Knox County Commission by the current Knox County Clerk Foster Arnett, Jr.. What he proposed was a $55 per month aka $660 a year solicitors tax. Arnett, Jr. admitted that the Sheriffs Department background charge is a one time $10 fee.
This item was on the Commission agenda in April 2014, however Arnett, Jr. was a no show so the item was deferred for 30 days. Arnett, Jr. was in attendance on Tuesday and when County Commissioners Mike Brown and Vice Chairman Robert Lawrence Smith began asking questions. Chairman Brad Anders moved to defer another 30 days.
The Solicitors license is NOTHING new. Here on Arnett, Jr.’s website you can find the information to obtain a solicitors license. He is asking Knox County Commission to enforce it. But, he has been collecting it. I believe an audit of what Arnett, Jr. has already done with these funds is appropriate.
However, if magazine, Knoxville News Sentinel, Cable Television, Insurance, Lawn Service and/or Treatment and all other solicitors are required than political candidates and their volunteers that solicit votes should be required as well, with background checks and the Arnett, Jr. tax paid.
Here are a couple of potential liabilities, I hope the Knox County Commissioners will consider.
1. The enforcement of the Arnett, Jr. tax and checking all solicitors and their licenses will fall on the Knox County Sheriffs Office. As they patrol neighborhoods the officers will be forced to request the solicitors license and ticket and potentially jail offenders of the Arnett, Jr tax evaders.
2. When an individual passes the Sheriffs Department background check and is awarded by Arnett, Jr. the Arnett, Jr. Solicitors Tax License in good standing and they commit a crime is Knox County liable for the damage as Arnett, Jr. signed off on their trustworthiness and none criminal activity?
I hope you will read this January 4, 2004 (a decade ago) article written by Big Metal Shed on the Hill aka News-Sentinel writer Jim Balloch. So, this isn’t new news or a new initiative. It is a forced money grab tax by Arnett, Jr.
Arnett, Jr. is up for re-election on August 7, 2014 and is being challenged by William Mike Padgett. Early Voting is July 18 – August 2, 2014. Padgett has extensive expertise and experience in operating the Clerk’s Office. This issue will likely be debated and the voters will have to vote for more taxes to balance the Arnett, Jr. office or keep him within the budget and parameters of the office operation.
