On a roll call vote at Monday's March regular meeting, Union County Commission voted to table the discussion of the Byrd Property. During the Mayor's Report, Mayor Bailey stated that a lot of people had asked him to bring the issue of the Byrd Mortuary property up for discussion. He informed Commission that the Byrd property was for sale and the current bid was $99,500. A public auction is scheduled for Thursday. Then the mayor asked if Commission wanted to bid on the property. Commissioner Jody Smith (2nd) inquired if the mayor would entertain a motion. Mayor Bailey indicated he would. So, Commissioner Smith (2nd) moved to table the funeral home issue and Commissioner Jessee (2nd) seconded the motion. Mayor Bailey called for the roll call vote, explained that the issue could not be discussed for one year and commented that by then the property would be sold. Commissioner Brantley (5th) requested to discuss the motion to table and commented that if the County Union Project happens then the property would not be needed. Mayor Bailey then echoed the remark by saying that if EMS moves to the HMMS Building, the Courthouse could use the EMS lot. The vote was 9 to 4 due to the absence of Commissioner Joyce Meltabrger (7th), Commissioner Kenny Hill (5th), and Commissioner Janet Holloway (1st) whose brother is undergoing treatment at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Voting for tabling the issue: England, Chesney, Smith, Jessee, Flatford, Brantley, Jones, Keck, and Lay. Voting against tabling the issue: B. Cox, E. Cox, Cooke, and Munsey.

The Commission approved a Resolution for the Acquisition of the Union County Optimist Building. Attorney David Myers researched the title and discovered that the Optimist Club no longer has tax exempt status as a non-profit. Therefore the Optimist Club owes property taxes since 2014 amounting to approximately $8000 and also approximately $500 in corporate charter fees to the Tennessee Comptroller to reinstate the non-profit corporation status. The two remaining Optimist members are willing to sign an affidavit to donate the building and land to the County for back taxes and the corporate fee. The building and property is valued at $114,000. Mayor Bailey explained that essentially the County would get the property for around $500. Commissioner Bill Cox (3rd) moved and Commissioner Gary England (1st) seconded the motion to approve the resolution to acquire the Optimist Club property for a maximum of $9500 to include back taxes, corporate charter fees, and closing costs. The vote was 15 to 1 with Commissioner Keck (6th) voting against the purchase.

At the February Commission Meeting, Attorney Myers noted that Constables had not filed the proper Security Bonds and notified them that they would need to post the proper bond and appear at the March Commission Meeting. All were present and had posted bond. Commissioner Keck questioned 7th District Calvin Massengile's bond since the years to be served was blank. County Attorney David Myers explained that since the 7th district held a special election to fill an unexpired term during the November selection, the dates of the bond listed in another section would suffice. When Mayor Bailey asked Mr. Myers if all could be approved in one motion, Commissioner Brantley requested to vote on each separately apparently so he could vote no on the approval of the bond of the fifth district constable but yes on all of the rest. All bonds were approved: 1st Kenneth Lynn Carpenter, 2nd Herman Timothy Wyrick, Jr., 3rd Jerry Beeler, 4th Randy Dale Flatford, 5th Christopher Upton, 7th Calvin D. Massengile.

Mayor Bailey informed the Commission regarding updates and changes in the Personnel Policy Manual for courthouse elected officials, employees, and library employees. The policy changes will clarify vacation time and sick leave. First year officials and employees will have no vacation time. On the first anniversary of service or employment, the official or employee will have 10 days of vacation available. After 10 years, they will have 15 days of vacation time. If they leave office or employment, then they would be compensated for any unused vacation days up to the equivalent of one year's amount. Sick leave would accumulate at the rate of one day per month with unlimited accumulation.

However, unused sick leave would count toward retirement in TCRS, but no county bonus or payout would occur when the person leaves office or employment Other policy manual sections are to be reviewed in the future. No action by Commission was necessary due to each department approving their own employment policy.

All routine business including minutes, notaries, and budget amendments were approved. All departments are operating within their respective budgets.

The Commission voiced no objection to Mayor Bailey continuing to research Courthouse improvements. The Mayor will report security options for the courthouse including scanners or security personnel at the April meeting. Mayor Bailey also announced that the two maintenance trucks should arrive within two weeks. The back door opener is ready for installation as soon as the wall is removed, the sidewalk and ramp are installed, and the foyer tile is replaced near the elevator. Water coolers have been installed.

Other future upgrades include repairing and repainting the Veterans Place Wall. The wall may need sandblasting and capping. The VFW and the American Legion have donated $250 each for a total of $500 annually to replace flags. New flags are currently on the wall and will be replaced at least twice a year. Also, a steep bank at the entrance to Wilson Park will receive topsoil from the football field turf project and then be covered with new sod. Dr. Jimmy Carter had two gates installed at the UCHS parking lot to facilitate access to Wilson Park.

Mayor Bailey informed Commission regarding the status of grants. The Boyd Foundation approved decreasing the size of the dog park. The Material Management Convenience Center Grant for $99,262 will be used to upgrade convenience centers and get the “most bang for our buck” according to Commissioner Becky Munsey (7thDistrict). The East Tennessee Foundation is offering $2000 toward flood victim relief to be administered by the Union County Community Foundation. The Home Grant for $500,000 has been submitted. The LEAP Grant to help gain a TCAT and the Broadband Grant will be submitted as soon as application guidelines are released.

Sheriff Billy Breeding reported 655 calls, 7 wrecks with injury, 26 wrecks no injury, 121 booked, 124 released, and the current jail population at the end of Feb was 102.

Announcements:
Saturday April 13 - Great American Cleanup
April 4th, 2019 - at 10:00am at Maynardville Public Library, Dollywood's The Little Engine Playhouse presents: "STAND TALL MOLLY LOU MELON", FREE for All Ages
April 19 - Union County Business & Professional Prayer Breakfast, Speaker:VFL Sterling Hinton, tickets $10 at Maynardville Public Library or any Board Member
April 20 - Egg Hunt at Big Ridge State Park
April 26 - Chamber of Commerce Banquet at UCHS
Round Here Map of Union County available at Chamber