Mayor Jason Bailey was re-elected by acclamation to be the chairman of the Union County Commission at the regular meeting on September 25.
Commissioner Sidney Jessee Jr., who represents District 2, was also re-elected to serve as vice chairman. Although absent from the meeting, Commissioner Jessee was nominated by Commissioner Cheryl Walker from District 2. Commissioner Angela Conner-Murphy from District 7 nominated Commissioner Greg Dyer, who represents District 5. Commissioners Boles, Cooke, Cox, Effler, Jones, Mike, Moore, Simmons and Walker provided the required nine votes to elect Commissioner Jessee. Voting for Commissioner Dyer were Commissioners Beeler, Conner-Murphy, Dyer, and Lay. Dawn Flatford and Eddie Simpson were absent.
After the election, the commission turned to the mayor’s report. Mayor Bailey reported that US Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Tim Burchett are assisting local officials to acquire a signature from Housing and Urban Development to allow the completion of a paved walking path between LaFollette Housing and Luttrell Elementary to finish the Safe Routes to School grant.
In addition, Bailey acknowledged two new grants. The CDBG Food Insecurity Grant will provide $77,000 for the purchase of a Senior Center bus to transport seniors to the Union County Senior Center as well as to recreational venues where senior meals are provided. The 3-Star Grant contributes $50,000 toward the purchase of supplies for the new UCHS Culinary Arts Program. Both grants do not require a local match. The Tourism Enhancement Grant for $100,000 with part provided by the $10,000 local hotel/motel tax match will complete the Music Wall of Fame at Heritage Park. This music wall complements the Music Wall of Fame that already exists at the Union County Museum and the Heritage Music Legends Markers at Wilson Park.
Bailey requested and Commission approved to start the application process for the CDBG Grant in February to acquire $600,000 to replace the EMS buildings in Sharps Chapel and in Maynardville. The local 12 percent match would come from the federal ARPA funds and a Local Capital Projects contribution of $190,000. However, when Mayor Bailey requested approval to use $50,000 of ARPA Funds to expand the parking lot at Paulette Community Center so the Union County Election Commission could hold the early voting in 2024, several commissioners balked at the idea.
The issue will appear on the October agenda and the election registrar will be asked to attend the meeting. The mayor noted that the chamber building is being used for the jail pantry and the Veterans Officer has resigned.
Sharps Chapel will receive two new signs in time for the Sharps Chapel Festival on September 30. One sign will be at the intersection of Sharps Chapel Road and SR33 to acknowledge the Historic Sharps Chapel Community and the other will designate Sharps Chapel Park.
The mayor is still seeking at least one acre of land in Big Ridge and Speedwell to build a community center in each area. Anyone who has land to sell in these areas, contact Mayor Bailey’s office at 865-992-3061.
The commission approved three business items. Building Inspector Marjorie Tinker explained that the commission needed to approve a resolution to amend the building code to include the 2009 code in place of the 2018 code to be in alignment with the state’s 2009 code. Union County had adopted the 2018 code due to early reports that Tennessee would be updating to 2018. But Tennessee did not change so the amendment was necessary.
The commission also adopted a $100 Tax Relief Resolution for elderly taxpayers who qualify for tax relief. This resolution is a one-year resolution that must be voted on each year. The third resolution sets the wheel tax increase to take effect on January 1, 2024. Commissioners also received a draft copy of a resolution addressing the regulation of recreational vehicle parks that is being discussed in Grainger County. At a prior meeting several commissioners voiced concerns over recreational vehicles being used as permanent dwellings and the increase of recreational vehicle parks. County Attorney K. David Myers stated that the county would need to first adopt the County Powers Act by a 2/3 majority and then adopt any resolution by a 2/3 majority. He also informed commissioners that recreational vehicles are not subject to a property tax due to being mobile.
The Union County Commission and the Union County School Board will meet in a joint workshop at UCHS Auditorium on October 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss and answer questions regarding the construction of a jail on the current middle school football field and the construction of the athletic fields at the new middle school.
The next Union County Commission meeting will be on Monday, October 23, at 7 p.m. The budget committee will meet on October 17 at 6 p.m.