Union County Commission solved the redistricting issue by agreeing to do nothing to the current district numbers and “leaving every district as is.”
With Joyce Meltabarger, Jeff Chesney and Kenny Hill all absent for health reasons and the resignation of one commissioner in District 2 at the October meeting, only 12 commissioners were left to vote on redistricting. Any plan needed eight votes to pass. Candy Booker, Election Registrar, again reviewed the recommended plan that would move 221 citizens from District 3 to District 4 for the purpose of representation on County Commission and would also relocate 205 residents in District 1 to District 6 for the same purpose. The number of commissioners for each district as well as the total of 16 commissioners would remain the same. The plan met all the requirements of not moving any current commissioner, not crossing a river, not splitting a census block and following current roads and property lines.
In addition, Union County would not have any district over the 10 percent compliance limit. Commissioner Jeff Brantley made the motion to approve the Redistricting Committee's recommended plan and Sydney Jessee Jr. provided the second. But only five commissioners voted in favor of the motion.
(For: Brantley, Jessee, Jones, Keck, Lay. Against: Cooke, B.Cox, E. Cox, England, Flatford, Holloway, Munsey)
The failed motion paved the way for Earl Cox to move that the districts remain as is and send the information to the state. Dawn Flatford offered the second and the motion passed.
In addition, commission will be revisiting the appointment of a replacement commissioner for District 2, since after three votes, no candidate received the required majority vote. Four candidates filed applications, but only three applicants received a nomination by a commissioner.
Applicants included Lisa Powers, who has never before entered politics, and is employed in Mascot. But only Cheryl Walker, a retired teacher, Lance Grigsby, former Mayor of Luttrell, and Sheila Buckner, former county commissioner, were on the ballot. By law commissioners must vote publicly. Commissioner Sydney Jessee Jr. nominated Walker which traditionally would have given her the seat. But after the third vote, the tally stood at Grigsby 6, and Walker 6, with 8 votes needed to win the seat. Commissioners have 120 days from the October meeting to make the appointment.
One item on which a majority of commissioners did agree was to increase their pay by $200 per month. Debate on the motion by Larry Lay and second by Earl Cox noted that there had not been an increase in several years, but the number of meetings and responsibilities have greatly increased.
On the other hand, Commissioner Jessee questioned if a raise is the best use of taxpayer money. In the end, the motion passed and commissioners will receive approximately $500 a month beginning in September of 2022. Commissioners Keck, Munsey, Brantley and Jessee voted against the raise.
Other business items received Commission approval. Commission gave the okay to David Cox, Superintendent of Roads, to accept a Safety Grant from TDOT for $250,000 for signage, guardrails and other safety measures on Sharps Chapel Road with work to begin on December 6.
All budget amendments and surpluses were passed. Commission approved a resolution for the 2021 Program Policies and Procedures for the Home Grant but limited the grant to brick and mortar homes only, with no mobile homes included in this grant.
According to County Mayor Bailey, another Home Grant in two years can be dedicated to refurbishing mobile homes.
Sheriff Breeding reported that the jail population is remaining under capacity at 64.
In the Mayor's Report, Mayor Bailey announced that Union County has received a Governor's Give Grant for $1M to provide equipment for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. He reported that Union County has requested a $5M allocation in the state budget to add the TCAT/Walters State wing on the high school and plans to apply for the American Rescue Plan Challenge Grant for $5M to complete the construction.
The mayor also said that the kitchen hood, which cost $28,000, has been ordered for the jail. Lastly, he commented that Union County has met the state requirement of the 25 percent in waste reduction.
The mayor also made several announcements.
Maynardville Library is offering the “Read to a Child” Program in which children can be enrolled by signing up for an appointment on the library website at www.maynardvillepubliclibrary.org/about-us.
On Saturday, December 4, the Luttrell Christmas Parade is at noon, the Union County Christmas Tree Lighting is at dusk, and the Union County Opry Christmas Program is at 7 p.m.
The Opry is collecting coats, especially for teens.
The Union County Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 12, at 2 p.m.
Mayor Bailey welcomed Olivia Howard, the new 4-H agent, and congratulated Extension Agent Shannon DeWitt for being named Woman of the Year by Union County Business and Professional Association.
The mayor encouraged everyone to enjoy the holiday celebrations. There are no county meetings in December.
The next Union County Commission will be Monday, January 24, at 7 p.m.