At the regular February meeting, the Union County Commission continued to prepare for the next fiscal year. Each spring the County Commission approves the appointment of a tax attorney to carry out the procedure for collecting delinquent property taxes in arrears by more than two years. Commission approved the trustee's appointment of K. David Myers to file the complaint for collection of the 2019 delinquent taxes with his compensation to be at the rate of ten percent of all delinquent taxes collected. Property taxes fund most of the Union County budget. Sales tax is another source of revenue for the county. According to Mayor Jason Bailey, sales tax collections increased by 77 percent.
Ann Dyer, Director of Finance, continued the positive fiscal outlook in the Monthly Finance and Trustees Report. All departments have appropriate spending for mid-year. Budget Amendments and Transfers included carry over funds, grants, insurance recovery monies, and help to fund brochures for the bike trail promotion.
Many people inquired about the surplus of the 13 jury box chairs that they are being sold individually. Three unused HP printer ink cartridges, 902XL-K- for HP Office Jet Pro were also designated as surplus.
In the County Mayor’s report, Bailey reviewed the status of grants, courthouse renovations and technology upgrades. The Local Government Grant (DAG) will provide $253,937 with restrictions, but still applicable to many county projects.
Another grant would help with rent. The Home Grant Application will be available in March. Last year’s Home Grant rebuilt or renovated a total of four homes. Anyone interested can contact Heather at (865) 992-3061. All but $79 of the $295,000 in CARES Act money has been spent or allocated.
Union County will be included in a broadband capability study to identify areas that still need broadband. The courthouse renovation is almost complete with ceiling tiles being replaced on the second floor. The courtrooms have been renovated at no cost to the county. The jail plumbing replacement and upgrade has been completed.
The county government website, www.unioncountytn.gov, and all elected official websites have been developed or updated with Cares Act money at a cost of $30,000 to completely put all county services online.
The mayor also noted that data from the 2020 US Census shows a 4.5 percent population growth for Union County. Later this year districts will be reviewed for any redistricting needed. About $40,000 of the Commercial Kitchen Loan has been reimbursed.
David Cox, Superintendent of Roads, requested County Commission approve the Professional Service Agreement between Union County Highway Department and Robert Campbell & Associates, who provide engineering for the rebuilding of bridges on state roads. Recently Robert Campbell & Associates engineered bridges on Ailor Gap and in Sharps Chapel. The state pays for this service. The commission unanimously approved the agreement.
Commission heard reports from both county librarians and approved Ty Blakely to fill a vacancy on the Union County Library Board.
Librarian Kim Todd of the Union County Library in Luttrell reviewed COVID-19 protocols and shared numerous after-school and online programs offered at the library both virtually and in person. Three of the more notable were the Book Challenge, LEGO Challenge, and Books for the Blind.
Chantay Collins, librarian of Union County Library in Maynardville and the Book Station in Sharps Chapel, reported that she and her staff have been painting to improve the atmosphere of the older building. They have completed book orders, stocked audio shelving, and had a new overhead projector installed to facilitate various literacy programs. Particularly popular are the Zoom for Literacy and Craft Workshops for Kids programs.
Both libraries have received United Way Grants and Collins is applying for the annual Pettway Grant as well as partnering with Imagination Library to increase the distribution of books for young children. Collins and Mayor Bailey offered to explore the possibilities of providing fiber to the Sharps Chapel Book Station which has internet, but not fiber.
The mayor announced that Keep Union County Beautiful Litter pickup will be on March 20. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Tammie Carter at 992-3811. Finally, the commission approved the minutes and the notaries and adjourned until the next regular meeting on March 22.