During the mayor's report, Union County Commission received the first visual of the farmers market at the regular October meeting. Mayor Jason Bailey commented that from Highway 33, the building would look like “a big barn with barn doors and the name, Union County Farmers Market.”
Commissioner Danny Cooke explained that the commercial kitchen would be located in the north corner. Adjacent to the commercial kitchen is the classroom with a residential kitchen including a stove, refrigerator, sink and counter space. The 24-foot walk in cooler is along the opposing wall from the classroom.
Restrooms complete the south end of the building. A storage room for tables, chairs and equipment is near the commercial kitchen.
Fifteen drive-in stalls parallel to Durham Drive complete the facility.
The facility will serve not only the farmers, but also may be rented for family reunions, birthday parties, dinners and other gatherings.
Excavation on the professional stage has also begun. Commissioners approved a budget amendment to loan the farmers market the money to equip the kitchen, which will be reimbursed by a CARES Act Grant.
The details of the resolution, promissory note and lease were resolved during the Special Called Commission Meeting on October 20. Commissioners Danny Cooke and Earl Cox have spearheaded the project with Commissioner Becky Munsey solving the community kitchen issue.
Routine business comprised the remainder of the meeting. Sheriff Billy Breeding reported for September: 705 calls, 5 vehicle accidents with injury, 26 vehicle accidents with no injuries, 104 booked into the jail, 110 released from jail, and 68 is the current jail population.
Budget amendments and transfers included revenues from the CARES Act for the county and the school system, as well as a United Way donation for Maynardville and Luttrell Libraries. Surplus equipment includes a computer from Luttrell Library and six file cabinets from the Health Department.
Commissioner Flatford secured a grant for the Union County Children's Center from Y-12 Federal Credit Union for $10,000.
Union County received a Certificate of Excellence for submitting its budget in a timely manner to the Tennessee Comptroller and for its sound financial practices.
Mayor Bailey noted that Union County ranks seventh in home values and efficient use of funds out of 95 counties and the unemployment rate of five percent is near the pre-COVID status.
The next commission meeting will be on November 23, 2020, at 7 p.m.