CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) The County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT) has named State Representative Joe Pitts of Clarksville the recipient of the Legislator of the Year Award for 2018.
Pitts will be given the award at the association’s annual convention in November.
Rep. Pitts sponsored House bill 1496 in 2018 that corrected a state rule change made in October 2017 which would have caused individuals to lose their eligibility for property tax relief. The measure also added surviving veterans’ spouses to the program. The legislation passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2018 and is now Public Chapter 710. Rep. Pitts has also sponsored bills in past legislative sessions that addressed the property tax relief programs, protecting them from being curtailed or threatened by limitations.
Each year one member is selected from each of the two chambers that stands up for and is an advocate for County Governments.
“This year I was pleased to see Representative Pitts chosen for this prestigious award. He has consistently demonstrated himself as a friend to local government and can be counted on to listen to our needs and act in the best interest of local government,” COAT Executive Director Rodney Archer said.
The mission of COAT is to be an advocate, voice, and resource for elected officials from all counties across the state. COAT represents State Court Clerks, County Clerks, Registers of Deeds, and County Trustees across the state.
“I am humbled and deeply grateful for this honor from the County Officials Association of Tennessee. The work we have accomplished together over the past few years benefits the taxpayers of all ninety-five counties in our state. It has been a joy to work with Rodney Archer, COAT Executive Director, and every county official, which is a true testament to the importance of working together to achieve the best results,” said Pitts.