The Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen took only 12 minutes Tuesday afternoon to quickly approve three motions listed on the agenda and briefly discuss other matters.

When asked by Mayor Darrell Bryan, Town Recorder Jim Warner said it was his opinion that conservation measures had resulted in a drop in gasoline consumption by municipal employees.

Warner said, however, he had not yet received a written report on gasoline consumption by city employees or determined the exact amount of savings.

The mayor said the city was trying hard to cut back on expenditures through at least the end of the current fiscal year, which falls on June 30.

"Several departments have held back on hiring even though they're short-handed," Bryan said.

He said that in terms of diminishing sources of revenue, "All cities across the state are having the same problem."

"Schools are getting less money than anticipated ... (and) last year's (collected) tobacco taxes are greatly reduced," Bryan said.

One of the three motions approved by the board was for passage of an ordinance on second and final reading that increased taxicab charges effective immediately.

The amendment to the municipal code raises the rate for "waiting time" to $2.25 per 15 minutes. Waiting time will be charged in five-minute increments at 75 cents per increment.
The dollar amount charged per mile is $3. The initial, minimum dollar charge (flag drop) will remain at $2.

The changes in charges was related to a request for a taxicab franchise for William H. Backer, which the board approved at its last meeting. Backer asked that the waiting time rate be increased when he applied for the permit.

The board also approved two motions separately proposed by Greeneville Police Chief Terry Cannon to move along the hiring process for a new assistant police chief, as well as for the positions of captain, lieutenant and sergeant.

Cannon indicated the new assistant police chief may be chosen from within the department, which could set off a series of vacancies as others also move into higher promotions.

"It's a snowball effect," Cannon said of the hiring process.

Bryan passed around to other board members a proclamation signed by state Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, and Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh that recognizes the 225th anniversary of the founding of Greene County.