The Union County Commission elected Cheryl Walker to fill the second district vacancy at its January regular meeting. Sidney Jessee Jr. nominated Walker. No one nominated the other qualifying citizen, Lance Grigsby.
Commissioner England asked that nominations close and that Walker be elected by acclimation. Commissioner Jessee, the other second district representative, provided the second. Then County Mayor Jason Bailey administered the oath of office, and Walker took her seat on the Union County Commission.
Most of the meeting was devoted to a lengthy presentation by John Mills and the Union County Freedom Coalition. The comments and discussion stemmed from an earlier meeting when commissioners wanted to review the role of constables.
Attorney David Myers had outlined the process to take any action regarding the position of constable. Since two consecutive meetings were required to pass a resolution, Bailey placed the discussion topic on the November and January agendas. Evidently, some thought the commission was planning to abolish the position of constable. However, after the lengthy speech and a short amount of discussion, commissioners took no action and constables will remain on the Union County ballot.
Randy Turner, Union County Property Assessor, presented the Reappraisal Plan to Commission. Every five years all property must be evaluated to market value. The reappraisal helps ensure that county revenues will cover normal increases in expenses.
The five-year plan provides for evaluating 25% of the property each year for the first four years and then reviewing the county as a whole the fifth year to make adjustments. The plan was approved on a motion by Commissioner Gary England and a second by Commissioner Bill Cox.
As part of the initiative to improve housing in Union County, Commissioners Keck and Flatford provided the motion and second to approve the Home Grant Resolution. The Home Grant will provide $500,000 to improve substandard homes. About 70 people attended a meeting to learn how to participate in the grant.
The Commission approved the Union County Road List for 2022. Each January this report is filed with the state to enable county and state revenues to be spent properly and to allow Union County to receive state and federal money for road and bridge repairs. The Highway Superintendent's Bond was also filed.
Mayor Bailey reported on the progress of several grants and projects. He said that good progress is being made toward establishing a Tennessee School of Applied Technology (TCAT) and a campus for Walters State Community College near Union County High School. A $1M equipment grant has been approved. The building costs and another grant have been requested from the state. News of the status should come sometime in the spring.
Repairs on the jail including a new generator, a stove hood, and a new alarm panel are complete. The mayor is still seeking property for a community building in Big Ridge and Braden.
The bike trails on Loyston Point have opened as part of the National Association of Trail Systems for East Tennessee. The SR33 expansion is slated to begin in late summer. The sales tax and occupancy tax revenues continue to increase.
Finance Director Melissa Brown reported that the only debt for Union County is with the school system and not the general fund. Paulette Elementary School will be paid for in 2026.
However, the wheel tax will remain for several years afterwards since the revenue from the wheel tax does not cover the full payment being made from debt service. All budget amendments and transfers were approved. Two contracts for law books and administering federal funds were also given a positive vote.
In routine business, Sheriff Breeding reported 758 calls, 4 wrecks with injury, 27 accidents with no injury, 119 booked into the jail, 119 released from the jail and the current population is 62. The commission approve three notaries.
There will be a called Budget Workshop on February 10 at the courthouse and the Audit Committee will discuss an audit finding in a fee office on February 8. The next Union County Commission Meeting will be on Monday, February 28, at 7 p.m. in the second floor courtroom.