Sophomore Commission Struggles to Find Pace

The Jefferson County Commission was back to business as usual, as they kicked off their second year of a four year term with a work session on Monday, September 14, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. With an agenda that only boasted four new business items and no old business, the sophomore Commission struggled to find a steady pace and ended the evening with two items still left to address on the agenda. Duel presentations from Guest Speaker Charles Curtiss, Executive Director of the Tennessee County Commissioners Association, and Drew Freeman, Tennessee Department of the Treasury/East Tennessee Outreach Specialist, sandwiched a new business item regarding the proposed amendments to the Jefferson County Comprehensive Growth Plan, which was moved up on the agenda at the request of the municipalities.

Curtiss presented longevity awards to Commissioners Baxley, Beeler and Sheets for their years of service and reminded the Commissioners to avail themselves of his services should they have questions during their term. Freeman offered a brief description of the hybrid benefit plan for new hires, which the County Commission, at the recommendation of the Director of Finance, has under consideration to address the rising costs of County employee benefits. Legal representation for the municipalities requesting growth boundary changes (all but Baneberry) informed the Commission that the item will be on the agenda for action next Monday. And, should the request for expansion be denied, the municipalities will need specific reasons for the denial as they proceed to take further action with the State in their quest to extend the growth boundaries. Several County Commissioner took exception to the implication that the reasons for denial were not made clear at the time of the last vote on the issue, with some citing legislation that was on the floor of the Tennessee General Assembly that might have altered their ability to act. Others offered that for some time there has been a movement within the Oak Grove community to block annexation or the extension of growth boundaries, which is included in the request by the Town of Dandridge. It was noted that the Oak Grove Community recently requested assistance from the Town of Dandridge regarding an issue with a business that is locating in that area. Information provided at the meeting revealed that the current statute will not allow for the municipalities to independently submit their requests and that they must be in the form of a comprehensive plan.

Jefferson County Finance Director Potts informed the Commission that he will be bringing several items of general housekeeping for Commission approval. Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett indicated that he will have a handful of budget amendments that will require Board approval, including the movement of previously assigned Capital School Funds that were either excess funding or projects that were not undertaken but had assigned funding to other capital needs within the school system. The Nominating Committee will bring forward names for several committee placements, including four open seats on the Finance Committee. Mike Dockery, QCOC Advisor, informed the Commission that work on Building 8 is progressing at a timely pace. He stated that he will be offering suggestions to the School Board regarding the removal of some trees that have already begun to shed their leaves, as well as a issue with weighty material that could require additional securing to avoid falling.

Commission Chairman Carmichael, at the request of another party, read aloud Tennessee Code Annotated 5-5-106 dealing with Commissioners and attendance at meetings. Two items, the discussion regarding the future of the Jefferson County Environmental Office, sponsored by Commission Chairman Carmichael, and Grant proposal and writing, sponsored by Commissioner Seal, were both rolled to the voting meeting.

Other notable happenings included a citizen request that information that is provided to the Commission be available for public consumption, either in paper form, email or via the County website and a early meeting recess into Executive Session. The Jefferson County Commission will hold their voting meeting on Monday, September 21, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.