In announcements during the regular Union County Commission Meeting in April, Mayor Jason Bailey reminded commissioners that the order allowing for the holding of county meetings by electronic devices expires April 30.
Starting May 1, anyone not physically present in the meeting will be counted absent. Also Bailey announced that although the preliminary county General fund 101 FY22 budget was out of balance by some $331,000, there are plenty of options to balance budget by the discussion and vote in May.
The mayor introduced Garnet Southerland, Director of Union County Health Department, and praised the department and staff for the “outstanding job to get our citizens vaccinated”.
He related how the vaccination clinic at Alder Springs was a first class professional facility and how he had witnessed the operation when he took his own mother to be vaccinated.
Southerland gave an overview of the COVID-19 and vaccination status in Union County. She noted the “tremendous UCHD team of hard working, dedicated professionals” who had administered 5,522 local doses of the vaccine to achieve a rate of 24 percent of adults that are fully vaccinated. She also explained that cases in last seven days continue to decrease.
In the County Mayor’s Report, Bailey informed the commission that he had set up a Fire Committee meeting for May 17 at 7:00 in the large courtroom. He explained that the meeting is necessary to clear up some questions raised at recent commission and finance committee meetings.
Bailey thanked David Cox, Road Superintendent, for receiving a Local Roads Safety Initiative Grant to improve Corryton-Luttrell Road, Sharps Chapel Road, and Walker Ford Road.
Also Union County will receive $10,000 through the Victim of Crimes Act to renovate a reception room for victims of crimes before and during court proceedings.
Another grant from the Administrative Office of the Courts will place video equipment in the courtrooms for video arraignments.
The American Relief Plan will bring approximately $4M into Union County over the next two years.
He also noted that Paulette Community Center is completely renovated and ready to be rented. He mentioned that sales tax revenues have increased by 70 percent and he distributed the latest TDOT project report.
Commission approved the mayor’s appointment of Gary England, Sidney Jessee Jr, Bill Cox, Danny Cooke, Jeff Brantley, R. L. Jones and Becky Munsey to serve on the Redistricting Committee.
Commissioner Keck and Commissioner Earl Cox voted against the appointments. Commissioner Cox stated that the committee should have Democrats and Republicans represented equally and be from the general population, not just commissioners.
Mayor Bailey filled one of two Union County Library Board vacancies with the reappointment of Sarah McClain.
Commission approved all budget amendments and transfers including the part-time position for the Register of Deeds to cover a medical leave.
In addition, the amendment to pay the off combination loan from 2013 was approved to save $23,000.
Other amendments were approved to provide salary bonuses in the school system and accept state and federal revenues. Another business item to refund[refinance] the school energy bond will reduce the debt by $114,000. With these actions, the county is nearly debt free.
Ironically, the last agenda item received the most debate. The motion was to approve the contract between Union County, Tennessee, and Southern Health Partners, who provides medical services for jail inmates at a cost of $144,000, a 3 percent increase over last year, and due to expire on June 30, 2021. The company provided a savings of approximately a 70 percent reduction in medical costs.
Commissioner Jessee suggested that the contract be reviewed and other providers be researched to determine if the service could be obtained at a lower cost and get “more bang for the buck”. Commissioner Keck suggested researching for FY23. Others chimed in with varying opinions. But the contract was finally renewed with Keck and Jessee casting the only negative votes
Both Kim Todd and Chantay Collins shared reports on the action at the libraries.
The sheriff reported 812 calls, four wrecks with injury, 24 wrecks without injury, 117 booked into jail, 114 released, and 62 currently in jail.
The FY22 Budget will be the main topic at the next commission meeting on May 24.