Hamilton county commissioners face some tough decisions.
A divided county commission will decide next week whether to return PILOT funds to the school district.
Commissioners took control of the PILOT money last year under the administration of former Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales.
Now, the current school leader is asking the county to reconsider.
RICK SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT "The payment in lieu of tax dollars would be obviously something we would look to include in our budget process."
Currently there's about 1.6 million dollars in the PILOT fund, but it could be 3-million by late this year.
The money comes from new industry like Volkswagen and Amazon.com who pay only school taxes.
Commissioners shocked school leaders a year ago by taking control of the fund and setting it aside for new schools and maintenance.
They were unhappy with the way school funds were being spent.
RICK SMITH, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT "I would like to ask this board of commissioners to do is rescind the resolution from last year , and allow the board of education to manage those funds."
Superintendent Smith says the money is needed to off-set most of a state mandated teacher salary increase.
Commissioner, and former school board member Chester Bankston next week will offer a resolution supporting Smith's request.
Commissioner Tim Boyd, a frequent critic of school board spending last year, agrees.
COMMISSIONER TIM BOYD, DISTRICT 8 "I want this commission to know that I am in support of rescinding us holding the PILOT and allowing the PILOT funds to go into the general fund of our education system."
But not everyone is ready to turn the money over the to school board's general fund.
COMMISSIONER FRED SKILLERN "I have problems with putting it in the general fund..because, this money was originally, when we set it up..was designated for growth."
COMMISSIONER JOE GRAHAM, DISTRICT 6 "I'm in strong support of this money should stay where it is..and we continue to use it for the growth that spurred by the pilot.
The Commission is expected to vote on that resolution next week.
