NEWPORT-In an effort to cut costs, Cocke County may consider merging court services in the future.

The issue arose during Tuesday's meeting of the Finance Committee of the Cocke County Legislative Body during discussions of the Circuit Court Budget.

The meeting marked the third time members of the committee had discussed the Circuit Court Budget without taking action.

Committee member Clay Blazer, however, suggested the county might consider merging Circuit Court and General Sessions services in the future to eliminate duplication of costs.

"I know in Jefferson County they have everything in one office," said Blazer. "I understand that we have different offices because of the charter.

"I don't want to open a can of worms but I think we would get some savings. I don't know if it would cut jobs so much as you would have centralized services and use of things like copy machines."

"If you put it under one umbrella you would have savings because you're talking about duplicating employees, equipment and contracts," added Chairman Norman Smith.

"You can do that...it just hasn't come up before," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. "I will check on it."

Although no motion was made on the current Circuit Court Budget, Committee member Bill Williamson said, "We're going to have to lower a lot of them (budgets) to stay on track."

Also brought up for more discussion Tuesday was the pay for the OSHA Inspection and Regulation Budget, which is currently being done by Administrative Assistant Bettye Carver.

"We're paying her to do her job and we're paying her to do her job," said Smith. "I feel confident the mayor can get this done for less than $5,500."

McMahan said, "This was a stipend put in before I came in. It was taken away and put back in on the first budget that I did. I would just ask that you not consider the personality but consider it as a line item."

"I probably have 60 people who work for me," said Smith. "One those people's job is to sweep the floor. If I say empty the trash can, I don't say I'm going to give you $5 more. I say it's your job."

The committee, however, took no action on the budget.

Finally, the members discussed contributions and specifically money for the Parrottsville Ambulance Service.

The service had its budget cut $10,000 last year to $32,169. A letter from the service is requesting enough funding to allow employment of two EMTs on 24-hour shifts, according to County Finance Director Anne Williams.

Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. referenced a July 2 article in The Newport Plain Talk in which Parrottsville Fire Chief Kenny Trentham said the efforts of the ambulance service had to be cut because of the reduced funding from the county.

In the article, McMahan pointed out Trentham said, "I will try to see Mr. McMahan."

McMahan said he has not heard from Trentham or any member of the Parrottsville VFD or ambulance service.

Smith suggested the committee obtain a copy of the ambulance service budget and a list of calls this past year before making a decision.

McMahan said he would attempt to obtain the budget and call list before the next Finance Committee meeting, which is scheduled 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Courthouse Annex.

In other action Tuesday, the Committee approved Soil Conservation District Budget.

Other items to be discussed at Thursday's meeting include the Animal Shelter, Recreation Department, Archives and Highway Department budgets.