County Mayor Jason Bailey continues to provide information and transparency with county government. To this end, the Mayor will host a County Project Planning Workshop on Monday, February 18, at the courthouse to discuss some possible projects that he would like to see Union County undertake as well as garner ideas from all stakeholders. “Everyone interested in planning our county's future is welcome. I would like to get ideas from everyone: commissioners, school board members, elected officials, organizations, and the citizens,” stated Mayor Bailey.

For several months, Mayor Bailey and his staff have been working to complete grants begun during the former administration of Mayor Williams in order to begin other grant projects. When two new ambulances arrive in two weeks, the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be complete.

With the 2018 grant completed, Mayor Bailey brought the CDBG 2019 Application for $350,000 to provide equipment to volunteer fire departments, sheriff's department, and county rescue squad. This grant was reworked from a water grant to an equipment grant in order to preserve the use of the grant. Immediately Commissioner Debra Keck (6th) and Commissioner Gary England (1st) moved to approve the application. When Mayor Bailey asked for discussion, Commissioner Jeff Brantley (5th) asked how the grant would be segregated or divided by size or all the same. Mayor Bailey answered equally, and a spirited discussion ensued.

Commissioner Dawn Flatford (4th) wanted to know if Paulette Fire Department was included. “Yes,” answered the Mayor and explained that he held a meeting to discuss the grant with all fire chiefs, the sheriff, and the rescue squad. The Mayor said that the fire chiefs and all agreed to divide the grant equally.

Commissioner Brantley (5th) inquired specifically regarding the rescue squad. Mayor Bailey said that Jim Houston had agreed. Commissioner Earl Cox (3rd) commented that he had received phone calls about bills for $75 and he understood that Paulette charges a fee for fire service coverage. Commissioner Flatford (4th) agreed and stated that businesses are charged $150 or more.

Defending the inclusion of Paulette, Commissioner Larry Lay offered that Paulette does a good job. “They are all certified and they fight fires all over the county.” Lay continued that the service fee does not apply to equipment and the lower end should have the same protection as everybody else. Commissioner Jody Smith (2nd) said that he would honor the wishes of the chiefs. Commissioner Debra Keck (6th) said that they should bury the hatchet and work together. With no more discussion, Mayor Bailey called for the vote. Nine commissioners voted for the $350,000 grant application: G. England (1st), Bill Cox (3rd), K. Hill (5th), J. Holloway (1st), D. Keck (6th), L. Lay (6th),
J. Meltabarger (7th), B. Munsey (7th), J. Smith (2nd). Voting against were J. Brantley (5th), D. Cook (4th), J. Chesney (1st ), Earl Cox (3rd), D. Flatford (4th), and S. Jessee (2nd). Commissioner R. L. Jones (6th) was absent. The motion passed with the exact number of votes required.

The Williams administration grant from the Boyd Foundation Grant for a dog park is under review to look at other locations and various options that may be within the $25,000 funding in the grant. Another of these former administration grants was finished when the Wilson Park playground equipment was installed from the Access to Health Grant.

Current administration grants include the ETHRA Grant to install drinking fountains in the courthouse should finish up in February. The Mayor's staff is researching a THDA Home Grant that could bring up to a half million dollars for low income housing improvements with no county funding match. Another no match grant, the Planning and Development of a Branded, Integrated Bike Trail System was approved by resolution. Since the bike trail is within the boundary of Big Ridge State park, the state would maintain the trail. Finally, the budget committee gave the mayor approval to research costs for a courthouse renovation.

The routine business items received approval. Commission approved the appointment of two notaries, a new county planner, Dwight Dyer, and a new library board member, Jennifer Ensley. All budget amendments and transfers passed including a $750 increase in Election Commission Budget to fund election workers during the Luttrell City Election in June 2019. Cities reimburse the county for the cost of city elections. A contract for 3 years with Alsco Linen and Uniform Rental Service who services the door mats at the courthouse and a contract with Pitney Bowles for the postal machine for 5 years were also approved. Land in Luttrell Industrial Park that Commission approved in 2018 to be sold to the city of Luttrell will be surveyed and deeds drawn up by County Attorney. Luttrell will pay the cost of the survey. Finally, the constable bond for Herman Timothy Wyrick was approved. Bond cost will be paid by the constable.

Road Superintendent David Cox received approval for the list of county roads and announced that a bridge contract will be let by the State on February 6. Mayor Bailey also gave commissioners a status report from TDOT on roads and bridges as well as an update on Highway 33 and Highway 61. Hwy 33 is ready for construction and is awaiting state funding. Hwy 61 is in the process of being ranked for engineering.

Ms. Hazel McCoy requested to buy the property of her son and his wife for back taxes and interest of $11,196 from 2009 to 2018. The son and wife could not get a loan to purchase property themselves. The property had been put up for sale for delinquent taxes in 2014. There was no buyer. The McCoys explained that when the son got cancer, they could not pay the taxes. Commission approved to sell property to Ms. McCoy and run notice of the sale in the paper.

To sweeten the mood of County Commission, Wanda Byerley distributed candy and treats prior to the Call to Order. Mayor Bailey asked that Commissioner Earl Cox's family be remembered during the death of his grandson. Commissioner Earl Cox(3rd) thanked everyone for their thoughtfulness and noted that Sheriff Breeding already “got the ball rolling into the investigation of the murder”.