County Commission Honors Ms. Lura Hinchey By Resolution

Commissioner Robert Tucker present Ms. Lura Hinchey with Resolution Honoring 20 Years of Public ServiceStaff Photo by Jeff Depew

Commissioner Robert Tucker presenting Ms. Lura Hinchey with Resolution Honoring 20 Years of Public Service
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Jefferson County Commissioners met for their Regular Quarterly Session on Monday, July 18, 2016 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Vice Chair Kesterson presided over the meeting in the absence of Chairman Carmichael. Also absent were Commissioners Blevins and McGraw.

Following the approval of the minutes, with a motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Musick, two citizens addressed items of concern. One stated that the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce /EDOC website has not been updated for quite an extended period and questioned why it was not utilized to attract business to the area. The other citizen requested that the Commission look into setting policy regarding fire works, stating that they had become a danger near her home. The suggestion was made that the fireworks issue would need to come before the Public Service Committee. However, that committee has not met for several months.

Commissioner Tucker sponsored Resolution 2016-37 to commemorate and honor Ms. Lura Hinchey for twenty years of public service as the Director of the Jefferson County Archives.

Notaries and Bonds were approved with a motion from Commissioner Baxley and 2nd from Commissioner Solomon. At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, the Commission placed Commissioner McGraw to the unexpired term of Swanson on the Jefferson County Board of Health, Laura Darby on the Jefferson County Library Board and Clinch River Regional Library Board and Wayne Roberts as the new Director of the Jefferson County Archives. An open seat on the Industrial Development Board which was vacated by Brad Jenkins will be filled by Steve Hammer, whose name was offered for consideration from the floor. Also under consideration were Mike Dockery and Scott Schroeder. Hammer will complete Jenkins’s unexpired term which will end 1/19.

In the order of general housekeeping, Commissioners approved the appointment of Commissioner Blevins to the E 911 Board. According to Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri, Blevins has been serving on the E911 Board for sometime but there was some confusion as to record of official confirmation. Scarlett offered the motion to confirm and was 2nd by Tucker.

Jefferson County Schools Director of Business Affairs Michael Phagan presented the Commission with a laundry list of Capital Projects needs that span several years, with an associated price of a little more than $28 million dollars. Commissioners requested that the Department of Education return with a project list that indicates level of need and has been approved by the School Board. They also requested that the School Board take action on a proposal that would allocate funds remaining from the various building programs and potential funds that might be garnered from an on going legal suit.

Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett brought four recommendations for amendments from the Budget Committee for approval from the areas of Sanitation, landfill, Schools General Purpose and Schools Federal Purpose. All found favor with the full Commission. He also brought Resolution 2016-34 Interfund Loan not to exceed $100,000 Capital Outlay Note for Landfill, which will be used for equipping landfill facilities. The resolution came on recommendation of the Budget Committee and was approved.

Facilities Chairman Turner offered a favorable motion that would impact the title of one County office.

Under New Business, the Commission approved a rezoning request from A-1 to R-1 for property at 1002 Highway 139 Dandridge. They also approved a resolution that requests assistance from the Tennessee General Assembly regarding voter identification and a resolution for surplus to dispose of item for the Assessor of Property.

Under Old Business, a resolution on a moratorium on development of campgrounds, gun ranges and firing ranges was approved with a motion from Tucker and 2nd from Turner. One item, a letter invoice from Tennessee Department of Agriculture for county appropriations for Cooperative Forest Fire Control Program, was rolled to the next meeting.