Final Scheduled Meeting for 2015 of County Commission
The Jefferson County Commission met for their regular voting meeting on Monday, November 16, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Carmichael and all members were present for roll call. Two citizens addressed the Commission to request their approval on an upcoming resolution to encourage fiber optic broad band internet accessibility in Jefferson County. One item, placement of a district highway commission position’s unexpired term, was added to the agenda by consent, via a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Musick. Minutes for the October Commission Meeting were Approved with a Motion from Commissioner Solomon and 2nd from Commissioner Sheets. Upon a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Kesterson, the Notaries and Bonds were Approved.
The Nominating Committee brought recommendations for two seats on the Building Inspection Board, Tom Lakin and Mike Dockery, one unexpired term on the Library Board, Greg France, and Highway Commission District seat 3, Joe Smith. No other candidates were offered from the floor and all Committee recommendations were Approved. Jefferson County Finance Director Potts brought two requests for action before the Commission. The first was a Resolution for the State of Tennessee Deferred Compensation Plan II-401k and Participating Employer Agreement which was Approved with a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Tim Seals. Pott’s second request, to release funding for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and EDOC, which was approved in the last budgeting season with the stipulation that a business development plan with specific information regarding return on investment be provided, resulted in the offering of several motions. Commissioner David Seals stated his concern that the Chamber of Commerce had not met the bar of information set forth during budgeting season and offered a Motion to release the designated funds to EDOC and roll the funds requested by the Chamber of Commerce to the January meeting. He was 2nd by Commissioner Blevins. A successful amendment was made by Commissioner Dockery to separate the items and the portion of the motion to fund EDOC passed unanimously. However, the Commission defeated the portion that would roll the Chamber funding to the January meeting in a 18-3 vote with Commissioners D. Seal, Blevins and Beeler voting Yes. Commissioner Gaut made a Motion to approve the release of the funds requested by the Chamber of Commerce and was 2nd by Tim Seals. The Gaut/ Seals Motion Passed 17-4 with Commissioners D. Seal, Blevins, Musick and Beeler voting No. An additional request was made to allocate up to $225,000 from the Highway Department Fund Balance for bridge repair in White Pine, which will be coupled with already budgeted funds of $91,000 and Commissioner Baxley made a motion to address that request. He was 2nd by Commissioner Musick and the Motion Passed.
Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett brought several recommendations for budget amendments by the budget committee, with eight being on the County side and three on the School side. All were approved by the full body. Chairman Scarlet also brought a request to use money from the drug litigation fund to supplement funds designated for repair work needed at the Workhouse and his recommendation was Approved with D. Seal voting No. Finance Director Potts stated that the costs to print appreciation letters for County employees, around $120, will be absorbed by the Finance Office. Conservation Board Chairman Tucker stated that his committee will be reaching out to Carson Newman University and TVA regarding the potential for property that is earmarked for potential public use.
Under New Business, Chairman Carmichael brought potential dates for the January County Commission Work Session and Voting Meeting, January 11th and 19th respectively, which were Approved with a Motion from Solomon and 2nd from Commissioner Musick. Commissioner Blevins brought a draft resolution that would restructure the make up of the Beer Board, which is currently comprised of all 21 Commissioners. County Attorney Churchwell advised that the issue be refereed to Nominating Committee for composition of an 11 member board. Commissioner Kesterson made a Motion to leave the Beer Board as is, with no changes and was 2nd by Tim Seals. However, the Motion failed 14-7. Commissioner Tucker stated that the vote indicated that the Commission has a desire to look at the possibility of a change in the structure of the Beer Board and requested that it be placed on the agenda for the Nominating Committee. Commissioner McGraw brought a Resolution Requesting Support of Legislation Regarding Local Determination of Broad band and Internet Services, which has been a point of conversation from citizens at several Commission meetings. Upon a Motion from McGraw and 2nd from Commissioner Tabor, the Resolution was Approved. Commissioner Gaut made a Motion to reseat the Quality Control Oversight Committee for the White Pine School project and was 2nd by Tim Seals. Following a vote, the Commission seated Commissioners Baxley, Gaut and David Seal on the committee for oversight of White Pine. Two School Board Members will also sit on the Committee. Those currently on the QCOC overseeing Building Eight renovations will remain on that arm of the committee until the project is completed.
