Fresh Start for Public Records Commission

Public Record Commission

The Jefferson County Public Records Commission met on Friday, February 14, 2014, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. As statutory committee, annual meetings are mandated by Tennessee Code, however, due to extenuating circumstances, this was the first meeting of the Commission in several years. Currently, Rick Farrar, County Court Clerk, serves as the Chairman of the six man Commission. Members include Judge Strand, Lou Hinchey, Register of Deeds for Jefferson County Ed Stiner, Jefferson County Historian Bob Jarnagin and Jefferson County Commission representative Tommy Musick. The State of Tennessee requires that the County Court Clerk, Registrar of Deeds, County Historian, a Judge, County Commission representative and a genealogist comprise the Public Record Commission.

During Friday’s meeting, Public Record’s Commission Secretary Hinchey presented a request form for shredding or destroying records. One Department Head has requestedthat work sheets be allowed to be destroyed and the Jefferson County Tax Assessor presented cards to be destroyed. The Commission was informed that there are floppy and hard discs that may be available to be destroyed if no machine is located to read them.

Upon a Motion from Hinchey and 2nd from Jarnagin the Commission Approved the destruction of duplicate cards form the Tax Assessor’s office.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri stated that he will be coming before the Jefferson County Commission to place open seats on the Public Records Commission. The Jefferson County Commission representative seat is currently vacant due to the passing of Commissioner Tommy Musick. Upon the completion of the election cycle, a retiring Farrar and Strand will be replaced with their predecessors. Currently Stiner is unopposed and will remain on the Public Records Commission. Mayor Palmieri said that he plans torequest that the Public Records Commission meet, following confirmation of appointments, to discuss the parameters of the duties and responsibilities of the Public Records Commission with the assistance of the County Attorney.