At the November Union County Commission meeting, Vice Mayor Gary England presided since Mayor Bailey was chaperoning his son's school trip to the BETA Convention.
The October minutes and one notary were approved.
Gary England referenced the Mayor's Report and requested that commissioners review the printed report and contact Mayor Bailey with any questions they may have.
Sheriff Breeding reported 748 calls, eight wrecks with injury, 30 wrecks with no injury, 136 booked, 146 released and 89 as the current jail population for the month of October.
Finance Director Ann Dyer submitted the Finance Report in addition to Budget Amendments that included a 3-Star grant and a DUI grant. Budget Amendments also included $4,950 to clear and prepare the county property at Durham Drive next to UCHS that Commissioner Earl Cox suggested last meeting may be suitable for the Union County Farmers Market. All were approved.
On a motion by Commissioner Holloway and a second by Commissioner Hill, surplus property including an ambulance with 281,628 miles was approved. Commissioner Smith commented that Sheriff Breeding had requested to have the surplused ambulance transferred to the Sheriff’s Department.
Commissioners Jones and Meltabarger moved to transfer the surplused ambulance to the Sheriff’s Department to be used to carry equipment.
At the October commission meeting, several questions arose regarding the Union County Food Pantry’s status as a non-profit. Kitty Lewis addressed the commission and noted that the Food Pantry uses her church's 501c3 since this status is required to partner with Second Harvest. Lewis noted that the pantry is an all-volunteer organization that has served an average of 350 clients per month with some months being as high as 845 recipients with about 500 seniors. The pantry is open two Mondays per month and has operated in the Cedar Grove Community Building for the last 15 years.
Lewis noted that Union County has a $38,540 median income, that 14.5 percent of the population is food insecure, and that 24.4 percent of children are food insecure. Of the 359,600 meals that Second Harvest provides to Union County, the pantry distributes about 250,000.
Commissioner Munsey explained that the commission never intended to close the pantry but rather wanted the pantry to provide proof of a 501c3, a list of the Board of Directors, and a financial statement. Many commissioners voiced the hope that the pantry could submit the required documents and work with the mayor regarding the rent. England thanked Lewis and said her statement would be shared with the committee.
The final action of 2019 was to approve a resolution to allow Donnie Ray Burton of Sneedville to purchase his property for back taxes owed since 2011. The resolution was approved with one dissenting vote by Commissioner Earl Cox.
The next meeting will be January 27, 2020.