With the budget issues resolved, the regular Union County Commission meeting on June 28 covered a special recognition, a contract extension, and some 20 pages of FY 21 budget clean up to close out the fiscal year.
Mayor Jason Bailey awarded Carson “Eddie” Thompson a plaque for his years of dedicated service as the Veterans Service Officer.
Thompson thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve not only veterans, but also their survivors. He related the story of a spouse for whom he had acquired a sizable pension that tripled the amount of her income so she was not living only on a very meager amount of social security. The grateful surviving spouse continued to thank him for years.
In his words, “Being the Veterans Service Office is all about getting whatever the veterans and their survivors need.”
The new Veterans Service Officer is D Jay Taylor and his office is located in the Historic Bank Building beside the courthouse where the Chamber of Commerce Office was. Contact 865-992-3061 to make an appointment.
The Farmers Market has been plagued with material shortages and lack of building supplies due to the pandemic. The commission approved an extension to the current contract to build the commercial kitchen until August 31, 2021.
Commissioner Danny Cooke explained that a 400amp electrical splitter was the most recent “hold up” but that one had been located and ordered through Amazon. The original contract of $191,000 has been partially paid and will continue to be retired as the money from the state reimbursements arrives.
Melissa “Missy” Brown debuted as the new Director of Finance with some 20 pages of budget amendments and transfers. All were approved.
A couple of questions arose that Brown will answer by the next meeting in August since there are no meetings scheduled for Union County Commission in July. Brown officially assumed her new position on July 1.
Ann Dyer was honored on June 30 with a retirement celebration.
Six notaries were approved. The Home Grant should be approved by August. The Luttrell Sports Complex project should be letting bids in a few weeks.
The convenience center in Speedwell will soon share a community center complete on its site. This bid will also be let soon. Virtual headsets for HMMS and UCHS will be purchased with the 3STAR Grant for Career Exploration.
Commissioners have become very experienced with the online voting and adjourned the meeting almost before the mayor made his request. The next regular Union County Commission meeting will be on Monday, August 23, at 7 p.m.