NEWPORT-Cocke County Trustee Rob Mathis is urging members of the Cocke County Legislative Body to voice opposition to legislation that he contends would create bureaucracy, extra expense and invite corruption.

Speaking to members of the Finance Committee of the CLB Monday evening, Mathis outlined concerns he has about the County Financial Management System of 2013, which is being proposed by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office.

"I see some scary facets in this," Mathis told committee members. "It would take the taxing authority away from the CLB. That means the CLB is losing control of the tax rate. This is a bad idea and it's contrary to Tennessee code."

Mathis presented members with a copy of the proposed act and a letter from the East Tennessee Trustees Association that lists concerns about the act.

"There would be no separation of duties," he said. "By centralization, you are saying bureaucracy. It won't save money...it will be very expensive. The goal is to have less audit findings, but it invites corruption."

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.