The Union County Commission brought the dream of a new middle school one step closer to reality at its March meeting.
Commissioners approved the Union County Board of Education (BOE) contract with Lewis Group, the architectural firm that will design the school on a motion by Commissioner Jessee and a second by Commissioner Keck.
Commissioners were required to approve the contract because of a new state law that requires the county legislative body to approve any contract that covers multiple fiscal years regardless of its origin in the county government. The architects will be paid six percent of the total cost of the project.
The BOE is considering two properties, one on Beard Valley and the other on Walker Ford. Both properties are undergoing core drilling to determine if they meet state requirements for school construction.
The contract commits the $4M in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for the engineering and design of the project if needed.
According to Marty Gibbs, vice-chair of the School Board, approximately $10,000 will be used for the core drilling and analysis and perhaps $200,000 for preliminary design, then the BOE would determine if formal designs should be drawn, whether to purchase property, and if the cost is feasible to pursue with county funding.
The BOE has offered to pay $15M using $4M in ESSER funding and $11M in capital project funds. The design phase would possibly use about $2M. The land would cost about $1M. The rough estimate for the project is $25M to $30M.
Commissioners Earl Cox, Bill Cox and Jeff Brantley voted against the motion. All were in favor of building a new middle school, but voiced that they were looking for less than a six percent architect fee and more information on the process and cost to the county.
County Mayor Jason Bailey clarified that the contract was to only approve the architect, who would be paid by the BOE, and did not bind the county to the construction of a school.
Bailey reported that the groundbreaking for the expansion to five lanes of SR 33, Maynardville Highway, from Hickory Star Road to the Knox County Line, will be on April 8, 2022. The Farmers Market will have a soft opening on May 7 with the Grand Opening to include the commercial kitchen on May 28. Union County did not get the Diabetes Grant to provide equipment for the Luttrell Sports Complex, but will reapply.
Union County is seeking approximately one acre of land to purchase in the Big Ridge area and in Speedwell to locate a community center . The Speedwell site would also contain a convenience center and the building could be used for voting. Anyone who may have property to sell for the community center should call 865-992-3061 and talk with Mayor Bailey. The mayor is also seeking an IT provider.
According to state reports, Union County continues to have a strong tax revenue with continual increases in monies from sales tax and the occupancy tax. The sales tax showed a 55 percent increase in January partly due to online sales. The Airbnbs have nearly doubled the occupancy tax to over $5,000 monthly.
Commissioners approved a resolution to commit American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for broadband internet. The application to the state calls for some $7M in projects. But Union County will choose to fund only $3.8M from the approved options. KUB will begin in Luttrell as it provides fiber internet to all customers in Union County over the next two years. Scott County Telephone will provide broadband to the area in Big Ridge served by Clinton Utility and in Speedwell, the 13th district not served by Powell Valley Electric.
A vacancy on the Union County Beer Board caused Mayor Bailey to recommend deputy sheriff Andrew Woods to fill the position. Woods’ law enforcement background will be an asset in following the rules and regulations regarding alcohol sales and use in the county, according to the Mayor.
All budget amendments were approved. Most dealt with moving money to add grants, pay subs and renovate the high school guidance offices. Commission also approved eight notaries.
The next meeting of the Union County Commission will be on Monday, April 25, and TVA will make a presentation on a grant.