Can Farragut secede from Knox County Metro Government?
In today’s Farragut Press there is one sentence that may forever change the debate on Metro Government in Knox County. It is a quote from Town of Farragut town attorney Tom Hale. When asked about how Metro Government would affect Farragut Mr. Hale responded that Farragut would have a couple options. The first option would be a referendum to do away with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Does that mean also abolishing the Town of Farragut?
Here is where is gets interesting. The second option is for a referendum to decide NOT to join Knox County Government. Mr. Hale said, “The decision would really be in the hands of the citizens”.
Would this second option mean seceding from Knox County and taking those Farragut property tax dollars away from Knox County? Does a Metro Government charter allow the people of Farragut to go their own way?
Today Farragut is a municipality in Knox County with property tax dollars going to Knox County. If in fact the people of the Town of Farragut would have the option via referendum to withdraw from Knox County and keep their property tax dollars it would seem that they are the key decision makers concerning any future Metro Government.
