Budget Committee Approves White Pine School Plan

The Jefferson County Budget Committee held a Called Meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Commissioner Dockery sat in for Committee Member Tucker who was Chairing another committee that was meeting at the same time. All other members were present. Chairman Scarlett informed the Committee that only two items were included on the call and could be addressed during the meeting.

The first item, a request from Highway Superintendent Tipton to use a little over $61,000 in grant funds that were awarded to the Highway Department for previous work to purchase equipment for inclement weather, was brought before the Committee for approval. Tipton stated that the funds would likely have to the combined with other monies to come up with enough to purchase trucks that can access tight places. He said that he will be comparing costs and availability of good used or new trucks that will meet the needs of the department. With a Motion from Committee Member Solomon and 2nd from Committee Member Musick, the request was unanimously approved.

Proposed White Pine School Addition and Renovation Plans were the final agenda item. Chairman Scarlett conferred with County Attorney Churchwell in regard to the plans, which came back with four classrooms, kitchen renovation, administrative offices and storage at just under $2 million dollars, not meeting the language on the RFQ, which stated eight classrooms and a kitchen renovation for no more than $2 million dollars. Churchwell stated that, because the RFQ was a request for qualifications rather than a design or bid request, the Committee should have no legal quandary in approving the plans as presented. Some discussion centered around the manner in which the School Board chose the current architect, in regard to the plan not including the requested number of classrooms. Chairman Scarlett informed the Committee that the Committee’s motion did not include specifics of classroom numbers and reminded the representatives from the Department of Education, Facilities Director Phagan and Director of Schools Edmonds, that with the committee’s approval, there can be no altering of how the funds are spent. Should bids come back lower than anticipated, Phagen stated that he would be returning to use any extra funds on additional classroom space. Budget Committee Members expressed interest that additional classroom space be the priority should bids revel extra funds. With a Motion from David Seal and 2nd from Musick, the Committee Approved 9-1 (Dockery No) the plan as presented and the release of $1,000,035 in County funds and $1,000,000 of Department of Education funds for the project, with the alternate priority being additional classrooms.

Source: K. Depew, News Director