Commission Approves Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board’s Recommendation

Jefferson County High School Youth Leadership Class
-Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Voting Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Dockery and Patterson ( Commissioners Turner and Griffith arrived late).

Following a Motion from Commissioner Tucker and 2nd from Commissioner Kesterson, the Minutes from the November meeting were Approved.

One Citizen addressed the Commission in support of the Jefferson Memorial Foundation recommendation for placement of the $12.4 million dollars for charitable works.

The Commission honored Jefferson County High School teacher Billie Yardley for dedication and service to the community and school. Yardley thanked the Commission and community for their support during her tenure in the Jefferson County School System.

With and Motion from Commissioner Estes and 2nd from Commissioner Scarlett the Notaries and Bonds were Approved.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri congratulated the Jefferson County EMS staff and Director Phillips on accolades from their peers in the 16 county area. The Mayor encourage Commissioners to approve the recommendation of the Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board and informed the Commission, following a conversation with Jefferson City Mayor Potts, that Mayor Potts is also supportative of the Foundation Board and supports their recommendation.

Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig informed the Commission that, pending further investigation, one item would be removed from the upcoming Beer Board agenda.

Under Reports from Committees, Audit Committee Chairman Mills informed the Commission that the Committee had approved two motions that could impact the amount of deficit and are awaiting information.

There was no Old Business. Under New Business, following a Motion from Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd from Commissioner Tucker, the Commission Approved following the recommendation of Jefferson City and denied the rezoning of property at 1250 Andrew Johnson Highway, Talbott from R-1 to C-2.

With a Motion from Commissioner Estes and 2nd from Commissioner Kesterson the Commission Approved the acceptance of Bent Lane as a County road. Following a Motion from Commissioner Carmichael and 2nd from Commissioner Maples the Commission Approved Resolution 2014-02 to adopt the International One and Two Family Dwellings Code.

Commissioner Tucker made a Motion to Approve the recommendation of the Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board to use the East Tennessee Foundation to handle a $12.4 million dollar endowment. He was 2nd by Commissioner Blevins. Commissioner Scarlett offered an amendment to the Motion to use the revised agreement and was 2nd by Commissioner Maples. Jefferson City, the County’s partner in the Foundation, and the Foundation Board, had both Passed the agreement previously. Following questions to the East Tennessee Board’s representative, the Commission voted 17-2 ( Musick and Beeler no) to Approved the amendment and 16-3 to Approved the agreement as amendment (Beeler, Musick and Sheets voting No). The Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board will retain a small amount of the funds, less than $25,000, to maintain the Foundation as established.

Upon Recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Commission Approved a Debt Management Policy and a Fixed Asset Policy. Upon recommendation from the Budget Committee, the Commission Approved 8 budget amendments that were a combination of County, School, School Federal, School Food Service and Highway Department requests.

The Commission also Approved the refinancing of bonds associated with E-911 and Schools to lower interest rates. The refinancing was at the recommendation of the County financial advisor and the Budget Committee. (Beeler-No)

The Commission Approved the declaration of surplus property for the Circuit Court Clerk, with a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Maples.

Commissioner Turner made a Motion to rescind the policy that requires presence at the work session to be considered on the voting agenda. The Motion died for lack of a 2nd.

Commissioner Scarlett made a Motion to amend the policy requiring the presence at the work session to be considered on the voting agenda to allow Finance Director Helton to determine if a department head needs to be present for a finance item or if it is general housekeeping, allowing Helton to act as designee on that item. The Motion was 2nd by Commissioner Carmichael and Passed.

Commissioner Scarlett made a Motion that Finance Director Helton update the Commission on Insurance proceeds that are received from the roof collapse at Jefferson County High School and how they are expended. Commissioner Carmichael 2nd the Motion and it Passed.