County Commission Votes on Audit Committee, Appointments, and Safety

Past Chair of Ethics Committee addresses lack of support from some Commissioners

Former chairman of Ethics Committee, Charles Tipton – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Commission held their Regular Voting Meeting on Monday, June 17, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Blevins, Barreiro and Maples. Four set of Minutes were Approved with a Motion from Commissioner Solomon and a 2^nd from Commissioner Akard. No citizens requested to appear before the Commission.

With a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2^nd from Commissioner Akard the Notaries & Bonds were Approved.

Nominating Committee Chairman Tucker brought Committee recommendations for open seats on three committees. Chairman Tucker held presenting the recommendation for the Library Board until that Board contacts the Nominating Chair. All presented recommendations were Approved by the Full Commission Body and no nominations were given from the floor. Commissioner Barreiro and citizens Gass and Stooksbury will serve on the AG Committee. The Industrial Development Board had four vacant seats-three due to expiration and one available due to a member stepping down. Jenkins and Keck will retain their seats on the Board and will be joined by Jim Snodgrass. All three will serve a full term. Craig Kisabeth will serve the unexpired term in the fourth seat. The Nominating Committee will begin to accept applications for citizens interested in serving on the Audit Committee.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri presented the Annual Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Fire Protection between the Town of White Pine and Jefferson County. The Agreement was Approved with a Motion from Commissioner Estes and 2^nd from Commissioner Scarlett.

Director of Jefferson County Finance Helton presented for approval Resolution 2013-08 and 2013-09 dealing with establishing an Audit Committee and continuing the budget and tax rate, which is necessary if the budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 is not approved by the Full Body before July 1, 2013. Both Resolutions were Approved with Motions from Solomon and 2nds from Akard.

Upon a Motion from Scarlett and 2^nd from Estes the Commission Approved a handout regarding investment policies for the Jefferson Memorial Foundation.

Helton brought items of information including surplus property from the Department of Education and a report on Obligation Bonds and Debt Obligation. Helton addressed a previous question regarding tax receipts and confirmed that numbers included in a previous report are accurate.

Helton brought a request for reconsideration that had been denied in a previous County Commission Meeting. The request would allow the Department of Education to use fund balance for expenses, some of which were previously cut to balance the budget for the current year. Upon a Motion from Commissioner Beeler and 2^nd from Commissioner Sheets the request was Approved on an 11-7 vote with Commissioners Kesterson, Cureton, Carmichael, Solomon, Scarlett, Dockery and Tucker voting No.

Under Reports from Committees, former Ethics Committee Chairman Tipton addressed the Commission regarding lack of support from some Commissioner for the Committee. The Commission discussed recent Ethics Committee action and a response from Director of Schools Edmonds regarding Commissioner Turner’s leaving school grounds to attend Commission activities. Turner is an employee of the Department of Education. Turner offered a Motion for training for the Ethics Committee (2^nd Beeler) however it was withdrawn due to a requirement of a major majority if presented and not listed on the agenda. Turner stated that he will reintroduce the issue at the July meeting as an agenda item.

Under New Business, Scarlett made a Motion to employee an individual to oversee the County’s interest in the School Building Program, due to issues will billing and receiving materials and quality of past work. 2^nd Carmichael. Director Edmonds addressed the Commission and stated that he would advise that the County Attorney look into the scope of the Commission’s authority regarding oversight of the building project. During discussion, questions arose regarding to which department the position would report and the parameters of the job. Mayor Palmieri stated that the position would be under direction of the Mayor’s office. County Attorney Churchwell stated that the current Building Inspector, David Gaut, could bridge the gap between the Commission and the Department of Education.  Estes offered an amendment to send the issue to the Personnel Committee and Budget Committee for review and was 2^nd by Scarlett. Amendment Failed. The Original Motion also Failed.

Scarlett stated that he had received a letter from a citizen that expressed safety concerns during County meetings and brought a Motion that Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig and Building and Safety Coordinator Longmire meet on an annual basis to assess meeting security needs. 2^nd Carmichael. The Motion Failed with 13-4 vote.

County Attorney Churchwell addressed the issue of Ethics in regard to voting. He stated that there is no legal ethical reason that a member of the Commission that also sits on a board requesting funding should not vote on the issue and that a question of ethics would necessitate personal benefit from the vote.

By recommendation of the Budget Committee and brought to the floor by Budget Committee Chairman Griffith, the Commission Approved 2 County General Fund amendment requests, on Drug Fund request and one Sinking Fund request. It also Approved 2 requests from the School General Purpose Fund and 2 Federal School Fund amendments.  Chairman Griffith brought a recommendation to restructure Commission Secretary hours and pay to allow for compensation for holiday and vacation pay while avoiding mandated insurance requirements for full time employees. The proposal increased pay, however decreased working hours to 28 hours per week. An unsuccessful amendment was offered to increase the hours to 29, however it Failed. The Original recommendation Passed 12-5.

Chairman Griffith withdrew an agenda item to address moving the July County Commission voting meeting to accommodate the budgeting process, stating that there is a possibility that the move would be unnecessary.

Commission Chairman Mills stated that there may be need for a Called Meeting on June 27, 2013 to deal with year’s end business.