In the April 22 meeting Union County Commission learned that a private act would be needed to increase building permit fees. Recently the budget committee recommended raising the fees, but further investigation of the process found that when commission raised the cost of a building permit, it violated its own private act.
A 2004 Private Act by the Tennessee General Assembly had set the current fees. So the commission had to rescind any increases and resort to the 2004 fee schedule. Also, commission plans to ask Representative Dennis Powers to sponsor another Private Act in the Tennessee General assembly in January 2025 to increase the building permit fees.
In the Mayor’s report, Mayor Jason Bailey reviewed the various grants and projects. Union County was denied a state planning grant to study the feasibility of the bridge from Sharps Chapel to Braden. He also outlined the costs to remove the Steiner Building and prepare the site for asphalt. The commission voted to notify the School Board and add gravel to the parking lot next to the Little League Field on Maynardville Highway.
Sheriff Billy Breeding reported 451 calls for March. There were nine wrecks with injuries and twenty with no injuries. After admissions and releases, the number of inmates is 57.
The jail committee continues to plan the new jail. The committee has not yet decided on a location, but has focused on the needed jail facilities. The committee toured the Grainger County Justice Complex and learned some benefits and some drawbacks to that design. Afterwards, the committee formulated a rubric of requirements and asked the finance office to help formulate an RFQ in preparation for finding an architect.
Commissioners requested that Mayor Bailey have soil samples taken on the proposed property for the Big Ridge and Speedwell community centers. The perk test and survey are also progressing.
The next Union County Commission meeting will be on May 27 when the FY 25 budget will be discussed.