Time Runs Out On Monday Night’s Agenda

JCHS Student Hunter Donahoo addresses the Jefferson County Commission
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Voting Session on Monday, November 17, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  Commission Chairman Carmichael Called the Meeting to Order. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Sheets and Dockery. The Chairman informed the Commission that the Beer Board meeting has been rescheduled for January. Upon a Motion from Commissioner Tucker and 2nd from Commissioner Turner the Minutes from the October 20, 2014 meeting were Approved.

Seven citizens appeared before the Commission, four students at Jefferson County High School and three adults, concerning proposed funding for Building 8 at Jefferson County High School. Several Commissioners expressed their support of the project and requested patience with funding issues for the restoration.

The Commission Approved several committee appointments at the recommendation of the Nominating Committee including-Commissioner Bales, Citizen Reece for Agricultural Extension Committeee-Commissioners McGraw and Beeler and citizen Peggy Mitchell for Animal Control Oversight-Franklin and Mitchell were re appointed to the Building Inspection Board-Commissioners Tucker and Douglas and citizen Clampitt were for Conservation Board-Commissioners Dockery, Seals, Turner, Bales and Gaut for Facilities Committee-Commissioners Blevins, Turner, Carmichael, Beeler, Musick and Turner for Personnel Committee and Commissioners Dockery, Turner, Seals, Seal and Carmichael for Public Service Committee.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri informed the Commission that the County debt including interest is around the $130,000,000 and he requested that the Commission take the total debt into account when considering funding methods. The Mayor brought the nomination of Chief Lee Turner for confirmation for the E-911 Board and with a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Turner the request was Approved. Mayor Palmieri extended wishes for a good holiday season to the County Commission and the public.

Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig requested $17,458 to provide continued security for the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Upon a Motion from Turner and 2nd from Solomon, the Commission Approved moving the request to the budget committee for consideration.

Jefferson County Finance Director Helton brought Resolution 2014-34 Reimbursement for School Funding which would allow the reimbursement from any bonds for funds used for the school renovation. The request was tabled with a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Kesterson. At the request of Commissioner Huffaker, Director Helton called the Financial Advisor for clarity on wording and was informed that the resolution would be retroactive for 60 days and then ongoing. After a successful Motion to be brought from the table, the resolution, including a Tucker/Douglas amendment to include the language with the 60 day retroactive time frame, was Approved with a Motion from Turner and 2nd from Douglas. Helton distributed information on Financial Reports and School Surplus.

Director of Jefferson County Schools Edmonds requested funding in the amount of $2,452,844 for the restoration and renovation of Building 8 at Jefferson County High School. Director Helton had issued an email stating that he could not sign off on inadequate funding of a project, per auditors, referring to a deficit of $90,342 in the Jefferson County High School proper renovation project that is a result of the movement of funds for the Building 8 project. Helton informed the County Commission that the original funding amount that went out to bonds for the Jefferson County High School was to include a $145,000 issuance fee that was inadvertently left out of the funding. He stated that, should the County Commission decide to include the $145,000 the funds would cover the Jefferson County High School deficit and solve the issue of inadequate funding. Turner made a Motion to include $145,000, which was already approved by the former Commission, with any future sale of bonds to fund the renovation deficit of Jefferson County High School. He was 2nd by Commissioner McGraw and the Motion Passed 11-8 (Kesterson, Gaut, Seals, Blevins, Bales, Scarlett, Tucker and Carmichael).

Following a lengthy discussion that included options presented by Jefferson County Schools Director of Business Affairs Michael Phagan, Commissioner Scarlett made a Motion to request the School Board to present numbers from two additional bid sources through an open bid process for the renovation and restoration of Building 8. Scarlett was 2nd by Commissioner Bales. After a Unanimous decision to Suspend the Rules, Commissioner McGraw offered a successful Amendment to include a special called meeting of the County Commission following the return of bids and subsequent School Board meeting and was 2nd by Commissioner Turner. The Amendment and Motion as Amended Passed Unanimously.

Newly appointed Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Director Helton addressed the Commission concerning his appointment and resignation as the Jefferson County Director of Finance. Helton requested that the Commission decline to resend Chamber and EDOC funding, which was on the agenda for action. He said that both he and the Chamber Board recognized that there is room for improvement and they are looking at current policies. Acting CEO for the Chamber of Commerce, Ben Strand, also addressed the County Commission regarding funding for the Chamber and EDOC.

Under Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions, Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett brought by recommendation a budget amendment for General Fund 101 which was approved unanimously. An Amendment for Fund Balance Adjustment for the General Fund, which included $8700 to be paid for auditing of the finance office in conjunction with the recent embezzlement case, was Approved with a 15-4 vote ( Kesterson, Blevins, Scarlett and Carmichael). Also Approved Unanimously were amendments associated with the County employee bonus. Recommendations were brought for Jefferson County Schools General Purpose Fund 101 and Federal Purpose Fund 102, both of which were Approved.

Under New Business, upon a Motion from Commissioner Gaut and 2nd from Commissioner Blevins, the Commission Approved moving school funding for Jefferson County High School in regard to bonds to the next meeting. With a Motion from Kesterson and 2nd from Solomon the Commission Approved moving the hours of the Secretary of the County Commission to the Budget Committee for review. Chairman Carmichael requested that Commissioners utilize the County Commission office for questions to allow answers from CTAS or the County Attorney to be distributed to all members of the Commission for shared information. With a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Musick the Commission Approved an abbreviated annual schedule and will look at additional months when the school calendar is available.

Due to the time limit of meeting policy of the County Commission, the meeting was adjourned.