A community building and convenience center became one step closer to reality for Braden and Big Ridge during the Union County Commission March meeting. Commissioners Greg Dyer (5th District) and Dawn Flatford (4th district) have spent many months searching for suitable property. Two community landowners have risen to the challenge and offered land at reasonable prices. Danny Kilgore in Braden is willing to sell a nearly 2-acre property for $30,000. The property will need clearing, a well, and septic. Danny Boles, likewise, is offering nearly two acres of land on Hickory Valley Road in Big Ridge that is improved with city water, but needs septic or sewer and tree clearing, for $40,000.
County Commission approved an option for 90 days for both properties to conduct a survey, appraisal and a perk test. Also approved was appointment of Danny Cooke, Eddie Simpson, Larry Lay, Mike Boles and Angela Conner-Murphy to a committee to oversee the process and report progress to the commission.
Another property that the county recently acquired is the Stiner property across main street from the courthouse. Mayor Jason Bailey requested that commissioners determine the “next steps” for that property. Commissioner Lay offered a motion to tear down the building. Commissioner Sidney Jessee provided the motion’s second. Discussion occurred and Lay added that the parking lot be built on the site. Commissioner Ashley Mike questioned continuing with building a parking lot since the property had been discussed for a jail site. So Bailey was asked to obtain quotes for the demolition and the construction separately as well as a combination.
Jerry Muncey, Production Manager for Clayton Homes in Maynardville, addressed the commission regarding the growth of Clayton’s and its property needs for expansion. Muncey, who has been with Clayton’s nearly 50 years and helped establish the Maynardville site, noted that the owners want to build a state of the art frame shop that would service multiple Clayton factories. To accomplish this goal, he needs to either acquire approximately 10 acres of adjacent property or purchase a minimum of 25 acres to move the plant and build a new facility. Muncey would prefer to expand at the current site and put the additional money into upgrading the current plant. He hopes to have the upgraded and expanded facilities completed by the time the Hwy 33 expansion is finished in 2026 if he can get some property.
The expansion would mean approximately 200 additional positions in the Maynardville plant with wages starting at $20 to $30 per hour, depending on experience. Muncey requested that commissioners encourage landowners, especially those with adjacent property, to contact him at 865-992-3851 if they are interested.
Jessee reported that the Jail Committee will be meeting to discuss a list of requirements for the facility before formulating an RFQ and then an RFP. He had also checked the current price of the Carr property next to HMMS and found it to be 7.44 acres for $1.2M. He also noted that the purchase of property and the financing of a jail is more than a year into the future.
According to Sheriff Billy Breeding, his department answered 524 calls, worked 10 wrecks with injury and 24 with no injury while booking 78 into the jail and releasing 77 during February. There are 11 being housed in other counties and 19 females are in the county jail in overcrowded conditions.
Commissioner Lay asked for the reasons so many females had been arrested and if violating probation was a factor. Sheriff Breeding responding that probation violation was part of the issue but there were various reasons for the female arrests. The sheriff said he would provide Lay with a snapshot of the reasons exemplified on a given day.
The sheriff also noted that he would be surplussing a large number of automobiles. Commissioner Gerald Simmons, who has been questioning the large number of the fleet of patrol cars that appear to be out of date and having increasing repair costs, thanked him for resolving this issue.
As a follow up to last month’s 911 T-CPR Training, Kayla Smith, a first District citizen, asked that commissioners question more and require written proof in consideration of past issues that the sheriff's department has had with online training.
Mayor Bailey noted that a Broadband Ready Grant for $43,000 will provide fiber internet to Speedwell. This grant will also free up money earmarked for this purpose in another grant. He also reported a clean up at Rush Strong School in Sharps Chapel by KUBC on April 6 at 9 a.m. The public is invited to participate.
Garnet Southerland, Union County Health Department Director, presented information regarding recent renovations and program additions at the department. In addition to the regular hours of service, the health department will remain open for extended hours on the second Monday of each month until 6 p.m. by appointment only. The department is particularly focusing on women’s programs including mammogram screening, pregnancy supports, the WIC Program and immunizations for adults and children. The department is setting up an outreach program in Sharps Chapel.
The Community Health Access Navigation Tennessee (CHANT) will support home visits for prenatal care, children’s health needs, as well as any needs for assistance that the pregnancy might impact. A WIC Clinic is planned on site at the Sharps Chapel Community Center through the Remote WIC Program.
The next meeting of the Union County Commission is Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at the courthouse. There will also be a series of budget meetings beginning in April for the FY25 Budget.