Mayor Jason Bailey unveiled the new voting technology for Union County Commission at the regular meeting on January 25, 2021. The mayor, his staff and Maynardville Librarian Chantay Collins assisted the commissioners in a practice session to learn the process of clicks to make motions and vote on business items.
Commission was able to practice during the seven pages of Budget Amendments and Transfers. In just a short time, commissioners were electronically making motions, seconding motions and voting. No more wondering who did what and who voted how. Voting is now virtually transparent.
All Budget Amendments and Transfers were approved on technology that cost the citizens no tax dollars since the electronic voting system was purchased through the CARES Act at the request of Judge Shayne Sexton. The jury box is also being expanded under the same request. These changes are to support the criminal court system upgrades allowed under recent Tennessee Supreme Court orders.
The Mayor asked that everyone remember Commissioner Earl Cox who is recovering from COVID-19, and Commissioner Joyce Meltabarger and others who have experienced health issues. Commissioner Gary England also missed the session but 13 members were present in person and by phone.
Bailey updated county meetings, grants and projects in the Mayor's Report. In February, only Budget & Finance, Planning, and County Commission plan to meet. The 3Star Grant and the CARES Act have been completed. The mayor thanked Missy Brown for her work on the extensive CARES Act projects. The CDBG to purchase the firetruck should be let for bid soon. The Home Grant, Conservation Grant and Health Grant applications will be forthcoming. Community buildings renovations at Paulette and Brock are complete. The Paulette Community Center is paved and will be striped soon. Work on other community buildings will continue as weather permits. The Braden District (Speedwell) is offering suggestions for land to build the community building and voting place in that community. The DAG money, a special grant from Governor Lee, has the been allocated and is being spent for many of these building projects.
The mayor reported that revenues continue to increase even during the pandemic. Tax collections both current and past are running ahead of the previous year. As of the meeting date, the Trustee reported that payments in back taxes had increased by $10,566 and current taxes received were $21,331 more than of the same time last year.
Keith Montgomery, Superintendent of Big Ridge Park, also noted that visitation and revenue continues to increase over prior years. Even the ETHRA probation money increased by $92,000.
Ann Dyer, Director of Finance, informed the commission that Union County only has four outstanding notes and all debt will be resolved by 2030. The notes include highway department equipment, school improvements, Paulette School construction, and community development projects. So revenues continue to be positive in Union County with the current tax rate of 2.1399.
In another matter, Assistant District Attorney Tyler Vaughn spoke to commission regarding the opioid suit filed in 2017 by Attorney General Jared Effler. The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the filing violated procedure since this type of suit must be filed by the county, not the elected official. The county can pass a resolution to sue the drug company and name the Attorney General as the attorney along with an independent contractor. All five counties in the 8th Judicial District would then share in the settlement based on population. The attorney fees would be 25 percent and all fees would be from the settlement. After some discussion and several questions to determine Union County's obligation, the resolution was unanimously adopted using electronic voting.
Commission passed several routine business items including the list of approved Union County Roads, the minutes of past meetings, a contract with Pitney Bowes for four years, and three notary applications.
The mayor also announced the Union County Health Department reported a new phone number (866) 442-5301 to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine and also a link on the Union County Government website (unioncountytn.gov) to schedule a vaccine appointment electronically.
The next commission meeting is Monday, February 22, 2021, at 7 p.m.