Mayor Bailey announced that Union County would be holding a Ms. Union County Contest to enable some young lady to compete in the Ms. Tennessee Contest to be held in Knoxville later this year. The Mayor also introduced the new trifold informational pamphlet that Thomas Skibinski and the Chamber of Commerce developed to advertise Union County. Finally, the Mayor encouraged everyone to review the new website: unioncountytn.com.

The Commission approved three notaries: Carla Beeler, Jamie Bowman, and Bethany Winstead.

Mayor Bailey gave his monthly report. After he reminded commissioners of the March Committee Meetings, he updated the status of the grants. The Boyd Grant to provide a dog park has been returned to the State to request a reduction in the acreage required by the grant. The cost of fencing the current 3.5 acres in the grant would exceed the $25,000 the grant provides. The Commission approved the Home Grant Resolution to submit an application for half million dollars in funding to rehabilitate homes which have an owner who meets income guidelines. The Home Grant is being handled by an independent grant writer who will receive the standard 5% of the grant as their administrative fee. More information regarding the Home Grant should be available in March. Union County did not receive the Broadband Grant but plans to reapply next year. Application for the LEAP Grant that might provide funding for TCAT has been delayed until after Governor Bill Lee's State of the State Address in March when new guidelines for the grant should be available.

After some six months of review, Mayor Bailey offered six areas of need regarding the courthouse and maintenance: 1) courthouse network, 2) county phone system, 3)ADA automatic back door opener, 4) weatherproofing and painting/staining the courthouse building, 5) resealing and striping the parking lots around the courthouse, and 6) purchase of two new maintenance vehicles. The mayor explained that he and his staff were still gathering costs and information regarding the network, the weatherproofing, and the parking lot. However, he recommended the funding of the phone system, the ADA door opener, and the new maintenance vehicles be funded by utilizing current funds in capital outlay (Fund 171).

Mayor Bailey presented a power point complete with pictures to illustrate his recommendation. Installing a cloud based phone system would remove the spider web of phone wires, reduce the monthly bill by more than half, and require an investment of $13,000 which would be recovered in savings over the next year. The ADA door opener would enable wheel chair occupants and citizens with mobility issues to access the elevator. The cost would be approximately $3000 to install the opener, remove a portion of the concrete barrier and improve the entrance sidewalk. The two current maintenance vehicles are 30 years old and 24 years old. According to the mayor, they emit clouds of smoke, are continually breaking down, and generally worn out. From the pictures, one had no standard heat and both had almost non-existent upholstery. The two new four door trucks are available for a total cost of about $70,000 for both. Commission approved all three projects at no increase in taxes.

Other budget amendments were approved for the general fund, Thunder in the Park, deputy supplies, ARC Grant, water refill stations, and Federal Projects.

Sheriff Breeding reported 693 calls, 17 motor accidents with injury, 18 motor accidents with no injury, 2 home burglaries, 161 booked into the jail, 141 released from jail, and the current jail population at the end of January, 2019, as 99.

Tammy Rouse addressed the County Commission to invite all members to visit the Humane Society and witness firsthand the shelter and the services provided. She thanked the Commission for the funding and the humane officers they provide.

The lack of constable bonds and the inaccuracy of information in bond approval requests caused some concern. Constables are elected in the respective districts during a general election. Each constable is supposed to submit a bond by September 1, in order to accept the office. So far, only the sixth district constable has submitted a bond that begins and ends with the correct dates. County Attorney David Myers has notified all constables to submit his bond. The Commission voted to have the bonds submitted by the March Commission Meeting (March 25) or face the possibility of the office being declared vacant. Commissioner Smith also asked that the Mayor discuss this issue with the Election Commission to prevent future problems. Constables cannot legally serve without an approved bond.

Attorney Myers also informed the Commission that the County had received a demand letter from the family of James Henry Richards. The letter demands $500,000 payment in a wrongful death due to the delay of EMS responding to a call from Mr. Richards. The letter has been sent to the insurance provider for investigation. No suit has been filed.

The commission renewed Mr. Myers as the County Tax Attorney. According to Mayor Bailey, the Trustee collected nearly 98% of the 2017 taxes and is on track to collect that amount for 2018. Union County's tax collections exceed the state average, meaning Union County's citizens pay their taxes and care about our county services.