DOE Building Renovation Gets Nod from Commission
The Jefferson County Commission voted 19-2 (Tim Seals, David Seal) to use $450,000 of the retainage money from the School’s Building Program to fund the renovation and repair of the Department of Education Building with priority being given to mold, HVAC, hiring an engineer and construction/project manager. Commissioner Scarlett brought the motion, moving to strike a Facility Committee motion that would have funded the repairs and renovation up to $1 million dollars. Scarlett’s motion was twice amended, once to include the re-pointing of brick to the priority list and once to have the project overseen by the Facilities Committee. Neither amendment found favor with the Commission.
Commissioner Turner offered a motion that would approve a request from 4th Judicial District of Tennessee Attorney General Dunn to apply for and meet the matching terms of a Victim’s Coordinator Grant. Jefferson County Finance Director Potts informed the Commission that the match for the grant would be $13,000, with a little more than $9,500 in cash and the remainder as in kind. Upon a request from Commissioner Seal, an amendment was accepted by consent that put a sunset of 30 months on the position. The motion received support from the majority of the Commission and was approved 19-2 (Kesterson, Scarlett).
Several budget amendments came as a recommendation of the Budget Committee, including one which was moved by Commissioner Baxley and 2nd by Commissioner Tabor that completed the funding needed for the renovation of White Pine School, as well as funding the Department of Education Capital Projects List. Also included was a request for new position from the Landfill which will be funded from new commercial business. All amendments were approved unanimously by the full body (Gaut abstained on Landfill request).
The Commission appointed new members to several committees and boards including Animal Oversight Board (Ringa, Noyes), Building Inspection Board of Appeals (Carr, Blanken), Conservation Board (Crosby, Maples), Facilities Committee (Bales, Dockery, Musick, Huffaker, Carmichael), Finance Committee (D. Seal, McGraw, Huffaker, Musick), Personnel Committee (McGraw, Beeler, Carmichael, Musick, Turner), Public Service (Dockery, D. Seal, Carmichael, T. Seals, Musick).
Other notable points of interest were the appearance of three citizens concerning rezoning on Highway 130 from A-1 to C-2 and words of appreciation from Commissioner Blevins for Highway Superintendent Tipton and his crew.
