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Athens
Fire Department
Do
I need a permit to burn inside the City?
Yes! Call the Athens Fire Department at 744-2762 to request
permission to burn and receive instructions on obtaining your
permit.
Does
the City offer home fire inspections?
Yes! You can call the Athens Fire Department, Fire Prevention
Division at 744-2761 and ask for Fire Marshal Jim Benton. He
will set a convenient time to come to your home to check your
smoke detectors and to help you look for fire hazards.
My
fire extinguisher needs refilling, who do I call?
The Athens Fire Department does not refill fire extinguishers.
We can’t recommend any one company, but there are several different
companies. You can find their names and numbers in the Yellow
Pages under Fire Extinguishers.
Who
can I get to clean my chimney?
The Athens Fire Department does not clean chimneys but will
be glad to come and check your chimney for any fire hazard problems.
You can call Fire Marshal Jim Benton at 744-2761 and request
this service. We can’t recommend any one chimney sweep but there
are several local companies. You can find their names in the
Yellow Pages under Chimney Cleaning, Building and Repairing.
May
I bring my child or a group of children for a tour of the Fire
Department?
Yes! The Athens Fire Department welcomes all guests. We do request
that you call and reserve a time slot for your visit. The Fire
Department will have fires hats and badges for the children.
To be able to ride on one of our fire engines, each child must
be with their parent or have written parental permission.
Community
Development Department
What
kind of building permits does the City of Athens require and
why?
The City of Athens requires building, electrical, plumbing and
mechanical permits. These permits are required for jobs as small
as a storage building in the backyard to as large as the construction
of a major industry. The permitting process is a protective
measure for the property owner and the city. Inspectors are
charged with making sure that buildings are built to local,
state and national standards.
Where
do I get a building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit?
The Department of Community Development is located in the Athens
Municipal Building, 815 North Jackson, Athens, TN and is in
charge of all building permits.
Who
do I contact for information regarding the City owned Cedar
Grove, Sullins, and Hammonds Cemeteries?
Codes Enforcement Officer Gayle Petitt will be glad to assist
you with questions about the cemeteries. Gayle can be reached
at 423-744-2751.
How
do I schedule an inspection for residential, commercial, and
industrial projects within the city limits of Athens?
Inspections are scheduled through the office of the Building
Inspector, Gene McConkey. He can be reached at 423-744-2752
from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Who
is responsible for zoning compliance and subdivision regulations?
Each of these items is the responsibility of the Community Development
Department. Please contact the Director of Community Development,
Mr. Harold Hunter, at 423-744-2750 with questions about these
and any other related items.
Administration
How
any members serve on the Athens City Council?
Five
What
are the names of the Athens City Council members?
Mayor
John
Proffitt, Jr., Vice
Mayor William Bo Perkinson, Council
Members Hal Buttram, Dick
Pelley, and Shannon
Alvey.
When
does the Athens City Council meet?
The Athens City Council meets in regular session on the third
Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Where does the Athens City Council Meet?
The Athens City Council meets in regular session at the Athens
Municipal Building located at 815 North Jackson Street.
What
must I do to get an item placed on the Athens City Council Agenda?
It is recommended that you submit a written request to the Athens
City Council, Post Office Box 849, Athens, TN, 37371-0849. This
request must be received at least fourteen (14) days prior to
the regularly-scheduled meeting.
May
I address the Athens City Council without having an item on
the meeting agenda?
Yes! During the regular council meeting, the audience is given
an opportunity to address the City Council. When the Mayor opens
the meeting to petitions and requests from the audience, a petitioner
is asked to state his/her name and address for the record and
then is allowed to address the Council relative to a need within
the City. There is a three minute time limit per speaker.
As
a citizen of the City of Athens, I would like to volunteer my
service on a city-appointed board/committee. What should I do?
Contact the City Manager’s Office at 423-744-2702 and ask that
a committee application along with a description of the committees/boards
be mailed to you. Complete the application and return it to
the City Manager’s Office at Post Office Box 849, Athens, TN,
37371-0849. Your application will be retained on file for two
years; and if there is a vacancy on the committee of your choice,
your application will be considered by the City Council.
Do
I have to be a resident of the City of Athens to serve on a
citizen committee?
The
majority of committee appointees must be residents of the City
of Athens, with exceptions being the Athens Regional Planning
Commission and the Board of Examiners.
Who
is the Beer Board and when do they meet?
The members of the Athens City Council make up the Beer Board.
The Beer Board meets as needed on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
during the regular Athens City Council meeting.
How
do I apply for a Beer permit?
Contact the Athens City Managers office at 423-744-2702 for
complete instructions on applying for a Beer Permit. Click
here if you wish to view and print a set of directions
online.
Human
Resources Department
How
do I find out about job vacancies with the City of Athens?
All job vacancies are posted in each department throughout the
City. In addition, positions may be advertised in the local
newspaper, trade publications or listed with the Employment
Security Office.
How
do I apply for a job with the City?
An application for employment with the City of Athens must be
completed for each position. You may receive an application
in person by visiting the Human Resources Department in the
Athens Municipal Building at 815 North Jackson Street, Monday
through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also request
an application by writing to: City of Athens, Human Resources
Department, Post Office Box 849, Athens, TN 37371-0849.
What
are the qualifications and pay for a specific job?
The City of Athens has a classification/compensation plan. There
is a written job description and pay range for each position.
Upon request, we will provide both a copy of the job description
and the pay range for the job in question.
What
happens to my job application?
Applications are kept on file for a period of one (1) year after
which they are destroyed. You may request that your application
be brought up to date any time during that period and it will
be kept on file.
Do
you have any job openings?
To find out about current job opportunities with the City of
Athens contact the Human Resources Department at 423-744-2719.
Athens
Police Department
When
is City Court?
Athens City Court meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at
4:00 p.m. at the Athens Municipal Building, 815 North Jackson
Street.
How
do I find out about driving school?
Call 423-744-2730 and ask for the information or call 1-800-773-0040
to the Tennessee Driver Improvement Program, Inc. office.
Where
do I get a copy of an accident/incident report?
Copies of reports can be picked up at the Athens Police Department
between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The charge is $3.00 per copy.
Do
I have to appear in Athens City Court for a ticket?
The fine and court cost may be paid at the Athens Police Department,
815 North Jackson Street between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday any time prior to the court date. The court appearance
is not required after the citation is paid. However, you may
appear at Athens City Court on the appointed date if you so
desire.
Can
the Athens Police Department give me a copy of my driving record
for insurance purposes?
No. The City of Athens cannot provide that information, but
it may be obtained by contacting the Tennessee Department of
Safety at 615-741-3954.
Where
is the Athens Municipal Building?
One block north on Jackson Street at traffic light number five
(5), at the intersection of North Jackson Street and Highway
30. The address is 815 North Jackson Street.
What
is the telephone number for the McMinn County Justice Center?
423-745-5620
When
and where is Juvenile Court?
Juvenile
Court is held in the General Sessions Courtroom at the McMinn
County Courthouse at 2:00 p.m. on Mondays. The street address
is 6 East Madison Avenue.
Where
do I pay a Tennessee Highway Patrol ticket?
Tennessee Highway Patrol citations may be paid on the second
floor of the McMinn County Courthouse.
Where do I get a copy of an accident report that was worked
by the Tennessee Highway Patrol?
Contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol office in Chattanooga at
423-634-6890.
How
do I get a permit to carry a gun in Tennessee?
Contact the Tennessee Drivers License examining station on Highway
30 for information. The telephone number is 423-744-2812. The
station is located between Athens and Etowah approximately 3
miles east of Athens.
Parks
and Recreation
How
do I make a park pavilion reservation?
Park pavilion reservations must be made in person at the Athens
Municipal Building, 815 North Jackson Street. The fee is $2.00
per hour with a $5.00 minimum for the basic pavilion. Caterers
kitchens where available have an additional charge. You may
call the Recreation Department at 423-744-2704 to inquire about
the availability of a date.
May
I fish in the pond at the Athens Regional Park and Knox park?
Yes,
however all fishing is regulated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency. According to their 2000 regulations you must have a
license if you are over the age of 12.
What
Daily Post Athenian Info Line number do I call for athletic
event schedules and cancellations and for up coming events and
classes?
Athletic information is extension 1661 and the event information
can be found at extension 1660. You must first dial the Info
Line at 745-3100 to access these extensions.
How
do I get a booth at the Mid-East Tennessee Regional Fair?
While the Fair is held on City property, it is actually a private
organization administered by a board of directors. The Fair’s
phone number is 745-6947.
Where
is the Parks and Recreation office?
The
Parks and Recreation Department is located in:
Athens Municipal Building
815 North Jackson Street
Athens, TN 37371-0849
Department
of Finance
When
are City of Athens property taxes due?
Property taxes for the current year may be paid without penalty
from October 1 until the last day of February of the next year.
What
is the property tax rate for Athens?
The present property tax rate is $1.29 per $100 of assessed
value. Assessed values are based upon the following percentages
of appraised values: Commercial property 40%, Personal Property
30%, Residential property 25%, and public utilities 55%.
Who
needs a business license?
The City of Athens follows the regulations of the State of Tennessee
Business Tax Act when determining who needs a business license.
Most all businesses require a license. You may call the Department
of Finance at 423-744-2711 for questions regarding business
licenses.
Do
I need a separate business license for both the City of Athens
and McMinn County?
Yes.
Is
there any assistance for payment of property taxes?
Yes. The State of Tennessee assists elderly and disabled individuals
in paying property taxes. Eligibility is based primarily on
income limits. You may call the Department of Finance at 423-744-2711
for questions regarding tax relief.
Do
I pay for commercial and residential garbage pickup?
Yes. Residential garbage fees are $7.50 per month and are billed
through the Athens Utility Board
on your monthly statement. Commercial billing is done through
the Department of Finance on a monthly or quarterly basis. You
may call the Department of Finance at 423-744-2713 for commercial
rates.
Department
of Public Works
What
is the leaf pickup schedule for 2001?
Click here for a link to that information.
How
do I get brush/junk picked up?
Contact Public Works @ (423) 744-2745 Mon. – Fri. 7:00 A.M.
to 3:30 P.M. to be placed on a work list. You will be asked
for your name, address, phone number and a brief description
of what you have for pick up. There is no charge for this service
providing the amount of debris is less than 1 dump truck load.
For debris that consists of a full truckload or more, a fee
of $15.00/truck load will be charged. Public Works will pick
up and transport the following types of items to the Landfill
for disposal: Brush (no bigger than 3 in. in diameter) Furniture
Junk (yard sale/knick knack items) Appliances (if compressors
are removed)
How
do I get a pride car?
Public Works has Pride Car containers for disposing of brush,
junk, furniture, and appliances that can be loaded by the resident.
You must call to schedule for a container to be delivered to
your address. There is no charge for this service; however,
these containers are for residential/non-profit use only. Contact
Public Works @ (423) 744-2748 Mon. – Thurs. 8:00 A.M. to 3:00
P.M. or (423) 744-2749 Mon. – Fri. 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Which
holidays affect residential garbage pickup and how do they affect
the pickup?
The City of Athens observes the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Christmas Holiday(s)
- Good Friday
- 4th of July
- Thanksgiving
Public
Works Sanitation Division picks up residential garbage Monday
thru Thursday. The garbage collection schedule will be affected
by these holidays only if they occur on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
or Thursday. If these holidays occur on a Friday, the garbage
schedule is not affected. All other holidays will not affect
the schedule.
When one of these holidays does occur on Monday through Thursday,
the schedule will be affected by making the schedule one (1)
day late from the day of the holiday thru the remainder of the
workweek.
Example:
Tuesday is the holiday
Monday
Run regular schedule
Tuesday Holiday
Wednesday Run Tuesday’s schedule
Thursday Run Wednesday’s schedule
Friday Run Thursday’s schedule
How
do I adopt a pet from the City of Athens Animal Shelter?
The Animal Shelter is open to the public Monday thru Friday
1:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. and Saturday 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M.
for adoptions. Potential adopters are required to fill out an
adoption contract and a fee of $25.00/dog or $20.00/cat is collected
at the time of adoption. Contact the Animal Shelter @ (423)
744-2747 for additional information on adoptions and the low
cost spay/neuter program.
Who maintains the traffic signs, traffic signals, and
pavement markings on our city streets?
Public Works Traffic Control Division is responsible for the
installation and maintenance of traffic signs and signals as
well as highway pavement markings. This division sweeps, flushes,
and mows right-of-ways on city streets in addition to picking
up litter, leaves and brush. Many of the streets that run throughout
the city are in fact state highways or routes. In those instances
the State of Tennessee is the responsible party.
Contact
the Public Works Traffic Control Division at (423) 744-2755
for more information.
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F.A.Q.
