With five members present and in the absence of Chairman Larry Lay, Vice Chairman Dawn Flatford presided by phone at the Budget and Finance Committee of the Union County Commission meeting in January.
County Mayor Jason Bailey reported that several projects are ongoing with some complete and others getting started. He related that he received a request from Eighth District Criminal Court Judge Shayne Sexton to expand the jury box to better achieve social distancing.
Judge Sexton was among the first judges in the state to hold court by Zoom since the Tennessee Supreme Court issued its judicial state of emergency order in March amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. That order shut down most in-person court proceedings.
With a movable wall and changing the seating, the jury box will be ready for in-person jury trials whenever the order is lifted. Funds to make the changes will come through the CARES Act with no local money needed. The movable wall will allow for the county commission to still use the courtroom for its meetings.
Finance Director Ann Dyer presented the budget amendments and transfers. Amendments included moving restricted funds into the general fund for the sheriff as well as funds from United Way for the library. Also, money is being moved to accommodate ongoing projects and community development funding. The school budget amendments covered grant money and CARES Act money additions.
An amendment to the school cafeteria funds will improve the cafeteria serving line at Luttrell Elementary School. Finally, the school capital projects budget will purchase interactive panels (computerized white boards) for Paulette Elementary to enhance classroom instruction and distance learning. All amendments were approved.
The committee approved a budget calendar recommended by Dyer for formulating the budget to result in a balanced budget before July 1, 2021 for FY22.