At the February 24 Union County Commission Meeting, Mayor Jason Bailey explained that the Healthy Built Environment Grant through the Tennessee Department of Health has increased its funding to $100,000 and can be used to build multi-purpose sports fields. These fields could increase the opportunities for recreation on property at the back of Wilson Park.
About 15 acres of property could be potentially utilized. Parks and Recreation Funds could pay the match. The grant proposal could be submitted in April with an announcement regarding the awarding of the grant in August. Commissioners had no objection to the grant application. Mayor Bailey also reported that Union County owns the Steiner Property across Main Street from the Courthouse with the completion of the documents on February 14, 2024. He also clarified the ownership of the HMMS Football Field by distributing copies of the deed showing that the Union County Board of Education was the owner.
Commissioner Sidney Jessee, Jr., who is the Jail Committee Chairman, noted that the recent jail/commission workshop revealed that none of the properties under consideration for the jail were going to be adequate for the facility needed. He suggested that the owners be released from consideration. He also stated that the commissioners learned that they should develop a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in preparation to hire an architect. The architect would then develop options based on the needs assessment. Then property locations would be considered. The RFQ process would take about two months. Jessee requested a jail committee meeting in March to formulate the RFQ.
Another subject for discussion was the offering of CPR instruction by telephone by the 911 dispatchers. Benjamin Glover, Assistant Director and General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, appeared before the commission to answer questions regarding the protocols for 911 and if the CPR instruction was being offered. Glover stated that he had met with the 911 operators as well as Sheriff Breeding on January 22 and informed them that the law states that CPR instruction by phone shall be offered but the caller can refuse to accept the offer. He also stated that the offer of CPR instruction was not optional.
Sheriff Breeding echoed that all operators had been trained and he had sent a directive to explain that protocols shall be followed including the offer of CPR by phone when protocols are met. Commissioners asked several questions. Answers included that the 911 Board was not required to operate under by-laws.
In addition, most of the $1.6M fund balance is earmarked for equipment and employee salaries and benefits. There are no funds for a paid director. Training continues annually. The county gives 911 a flat amount of $151,000 annually. The 911 Board is audited by an independent third party separate from the other county departments.
Bailey updated commissioners regarding the Rush Strong School in Sharps Chapel. Grants to restore the building come through preservation grants which are due February 1 of each year. Since the deadline has passed for 2024, the mayor plans to submit a proposal next year. The grant offers a maximum of $50,000 annually.
He also explained that restoring the building would mean installing windows, doors and siding to match the historical relevance of the building and would mean some parts would have to be crafted rather than purchased from the local building supply stores. He also said another option would be to give ownership to a non-profit that wanted to restore the building.
Kitty Lewis addressed commissioners regarding the pantry at the Cedar Grove Community Center. The pantry has been on a list for several years to receive a walk-in freezer. The pantry is to receive a new freezer with installation valued at $60,000. The county would have to pour a concrete pad approximately 16 feet by 18 feet and make sure adequate electric was available. Commissioner Bill Cox moved for commission to accept the freezer, pour the concrete pad and install needed electric.
Commissioner R. L. Jones seconded his motion. Discussion revealed concern over the pantry using the building, but Bailey noted that Cedar Grove was only rented twice last year mostly because people do not want to have a gathering next to the convenience center. Commissioner Booker voiced that the freezer should have come before the Budget Committee since it involved funding. With no more questions, the motion passed nine for and five against.
Sheriff Breeding reported that the jail population was under the maximum with a population of 71, but that females were at 15 which is over the maximum of 12 for females. The department had 518 calls, 9 wrecks with injury and 24 with no injury. Seventy-seven were booked into the jail in January and 83 were released in January.
Finance Director Missy Brown handled the budget amendments and transfers. Most of the revenues were grants or carryover funds from the previous year. Most of the transfers were to put expenditures on appropriate lines based on need. Brown explained that a previous question regarding the fire departments expenditures for equipment should have been reported as appropriate and that the ARPA account still had $25,000 left. The account for the fire departments was not overspent as some commissioners had thought. The only contract was an amended termination policy to the existing ETDD agreement. All budget amendments and transfers as well as the contract amendment were approved.
Next month will have several resolutions regarding ARPA funds. Also a contract for two ankle monitors that are required by a recent state law for prisoners working with county maintenance will be considered. A middle school update will be given as the final designs are nearly complete. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25.