Commission Nixes Quarterly Meetings

Honorary Resolution for GW Loy
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Commission met for their regular voting session on Monday, October 20, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

The meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Carmichael. Commissioner Solomon was absent from Roll Call. Chairman Carmichael asked for corrections and approval of the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Scarlett to remove item 15-A (a proposed resolution in support of Constitutional Amendment 1) because it fell outside the scope of the County Commission and was on the ballot for any registered voter to voice their opinion. Scarlett was 2nd by Commissioner Blevins and several commissioners questioned the appropriateness of the Commission addressing an issue that is outside their scope of authority. The resolution’s sponsor, Commissioner Tabor, stated that other resolutions have been brought before the commission in the past, including honorary resolutions. Scarlett/Blevins motion to strike was approved 15-5 with Commissioners Baxley, Tabor, Musick, Turner and Beeler voting No. Commissioner Tucker made a Motion to approve the agenda as amended and was 2nd by Sheets. The Motion Passed.

Commissioners Blevins and Eslinger presented the family of the late Bobby Vesser an Honorary Resolution for his dedication and service to Jefferson County. Commissioner Scarlett and Road Commissioner Tipton presented the family of the late G.W. Loy a resolution for his years of dedication and service to Jefferson County.

With a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Turner the Notaries and Bonds were Approved.

The Nominating Committee presented Commissioners Huffaker, Seal, McGraw and Trustee Franklin for the four open seats on the Finance Committee. Three nominations came from the floor for Commissioners Gaut (Kesterson), Tucker (Dockery) and Tim Seals (Scarlett). Commissioners Huffaker, David Seal, McGraw and Tucker were elected to serve on the Finance Committee.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri informed the Commission that the School Board issued an invitation for the County Commission to tour Building 8 on Tuesday from 5:30-6:30. Palmieri stated that Jefferson County enjoys a very successful Tn Achieves program and more than 300 mentors donate their time to the students in the program. The Mayor thanked the Budget Committee for addressing the issue of employee benefits and requested that the full body allow the Jefferson County Nursing Home to move to quarterly meetings. With a Motion by McGraw and 2nd by Turner the rules were suspended to allow the issue to come to the floor. McGraw made a Motion to allow the Nursing Home to move to quarterly meetings and was 2nd by Tim Seals. The Motion Passed Unanimously. Palmieri passed out information regarding his committee appointments and requested confirmation from the Commission. Upon a Motion from Dockery and 2nd from McGraw the appointments were Approved.

Highway Superintendent Tipton informed the Commission that he is awaiting permitting for the construction on the White Pine bridge project and that the bridge construction in Jefferson City near the old co-op is in conjunction with Norfolk Southern. Mayor Palmieri stated that the project completion is likely still one year away. Commissioner McGraw expressed concern for his district, which is impacted by the lengthy closure. Tipton also stated that work will be done on October 23 on highway 92 across the bridge and will impact travel.

Interim President of the Chamber of Commerce, Strand, informed the Commission that the Chamber has a Go Local program to promote purchasing inside Jefferson County. He stated that he expects the citizen driven law suit will soon be dismissed and that he feels that the residence of two plaintiffs will be in question. Commissioner David Seal stated that he believes that the citizens should have transparency with tax payer dollars. Strand countered that transparency could impact the ability to bring in industry.

Jefferson County Finance Director Helton brought the refinancing of $5 million dollars, instead of using cash on hand, for the County cash contribution previously approved as a part of the renovation package for Jefferson County High School. The plan brought by Cumberland Securities and Helton suggested a $8 million dollar financing figure that would combine the renovation to JCHS proper and projected Building 8 needs. Commissioner Scarlett stated that a portion of the $5 million dollars was to come from school system fund balance, so the funding from the County Commission for that project would be around $4 million. Commissioners McGraw and Commissioner Gaut questioned the wisdom of piecing financing together, rather than waiting on firm figures from the School Board regarding Building 8. Helton stated that the funds to contribute $5 million in cash to the renovation project were to come from a combination of areas, with the hospital reserve fund to be the first source of funding. Commissioner Beeler made a Motion to borrow the $5 million dollars, on the advice of Helton and Cumberland Securities and was 2nd by Baxley. Commissioner Turner made a High Priority Motion to postpone the issue until the November meeting and was 2nd by Commissioner Bales. The motion to postpone was Approved 19-1 with Beeler voting No. With a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Gaut the Commission Approved the County Clerk’s Surplus Equipment. With a Motion from Scarlett and 2nd from Seals, the Commission Approved the contracts in lieu of performance bond for the Landfill.

Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett brought four amendments from the County, with two being revenue neutral and two fund balance impacting. The revenue neutral amendments were from the Hospital Reserve Fund and gasoline and insurance recovery. General Fund Balance impacting items were taxes for Rainwater Building Purchase ($2,001) Premiums on Surety Bonds ($7,547) and a Sanitation Fund ($361,000) for equipment purchase. All were Approved from the Full Body. An amendment concerning security was tabled by the budget committee. Jefferson County Schools brought two non impacting budget amendments and both were Approved. The Budget Committee recommended that the funds rolled back into the general fund balance from the previous budget year ($ 233,000) be divided and half of the roll over funds be used to give a bonus to fulltime employees and part time employees on the County side. ($116,500) Employees must have completed one year of employment as of September 1, 2014 to be eligible and the bonus would be available in the November pay period. The remaining roll over funds would stay in the General Fund. Total employee bonus for County employees would be around $250 for full time employees and $125 for part time employees. The recommendation was Approved Unanimously. The Commission also Approved allowing the Department of Education to use $60,000, previously earmarked for windows, for security upgrades at several schools. (Tabor-No)

Commissioner Tim Seals made a Motion to move from monthly to quarterly meetings, with called meetings as necessary, and was 2nd by Commissioner Tucker. Commissioner Turner made an amendment to the motion that would only pay Commissioners for meeting that they attend. The amendment was 2nd by Beeler and Failed. Commissioner McGraw requested that Seals postpone the motion for a few meetings, to allow time for new commissioners to become accustomed to the political process. Jefferson County Department of Education expressed concern regarding grants and amendments that are time sensitive. Seals declined to postpone and the Motion Failed with Commissioners Huffaker, Douglas, Baxley, Musick, Tabor, McGraw, Turner, Eslinger, Bales, Seal, Beeler and Sheets voting No.

Honorary Resolution for Bobby Vesser
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew