Mayor Jason Bailey recognized the Union County Finance Department for “doing such an awesome job with Union County finances and having a perfect audit” with no findings in any department or fee office of Union County government at the regular Union County Commission Meeting on November 27. He recognized finance department employees for their careful handling of nearly $75M. He also commended the expertise of the elected officials who handle funds.
The finance director is Missy Brown, and Stacy Warwick is the deputy director. Overseeing accounts payable is Ashley Webb, while Crystal Flatford, purchasing agent, negotiates contracts among her other duties. Sheri Jenkins concentrates her time as payroll specialist for the Union County Board of Education, Keith Cox shoulders a similar role as the county payroll specialist, Ella Johnson and Ann Dyer complete the department as part time floater and consultant, respectively,
Commission approved the appointment of Kevin Manley as the new Veterans Service Officer. Manley was recommended by county veterans. He will soon complete the training and be available at his new office in the Union County Senior Center behind Maynardville Public Library.
The Lewis Group, architects for the new middle school, presented an update for commissioners. A 3D visual offered a walk through the entrances, wings, common areas, instructional spaces, and administrative offices. The school will have the main entrance facing south toward John Deere Road. Another entrance will be at the opposite end of a corridor at the north end at the back of the school. An arena stairwell is a creative idea to allow for a variety of learning and social gatherings. The gym will accommodate an audience of at least 800 and can be secured from the other areas when open to the public. The cafeteria and other core areas will serve 1,000 students with room for growth with the current enrollment at less than 700. The cafeteria will also have a stage for instruction, performance and entertainment.
Sports fields include baseball, softball, football and soccer. The Lewis Group will provide a monthly update to commissioners.
Commissioner Sidney Jessee, Jr., who is the Jail Committee Chairman, generated some discussion on a site for the future jail. But Jessee reminded the commissioners that the needs assessment was not yet available, so choosing a site would be premature. Commissioner Danny Cooke opined that building on the current middle school field may not be cost effective when the cost of losing the improvements to the field are considered. No decisions were made as the commission hopes to have the needs assessment from the state after Christmas.
Commissioner Greg Dyer agreed to contact property owners of land being considered to determine if they are still willing to sell for the earlier amounts some three months ago. Sheriff Breeding reported that the jail is still overcrowded at 98 inmates. He also noted that for October there were 686 calls, 35 wrecks with injuries and 7 with no injuries. Jail admissions numbered 69, and 60 were released. The sheriff will find out on December 6 if enough progress has been made for the jail to remain certified.
Commissioner Cheryl Walker said the Budget Committee have been reviewing revenues and spending. The committee is working on a five-year capital improvement plan. Members also considering an increase in building permit fees in line with surrounding counties. The committee plans to hold the line on future spending with recent budget cuts becoming a long term practice. Members are also looking for duplication of services regarding nonprofits and other funding.
Mayor Bailey reported that Union County is in line for a Community Development Block Grant to build new emergency management service buildings in Sharps Chapel and Maynardville. Both facilities will house the EMTs and the ambulances and will cover upgraded equipment.
The grant is for $1.2M with a $120,000 match to come from capital funds already set aside for the building of the Sharps Chapel facility. Preliminary plans should be available for review in about two weeks.
ALPES, the industrial chicken facility in Sharps Chapel, has paid for the fiber connection to the Sharps Chapel Community Center and has agreed to pay the monthly subscription fee. This action frees up some of the ARPA money for other uses. The county is still looking to purchase an acre of land in Big Ridge and in Sharps Chapel to build a community center and an adjacent convenience facility.
The commission approved the ARC Grant that calls for a redesign of the Blue Mud boat launch and parking. The present design will relocate the Blue Mud launch to a point across from the current site. A road will be built to the new site. A new boat launch, 95 RV sites, and 200 boat trailer spaces are included on the point as well as concessions and playgrounds. The current launch will become a floating dock and a combination kayak/ canoe launch. This grant is part of the new Big Ridge Management Plan.
There are no county government meetings in December. However, a workshop for county commission and county planning to study a new regulation on recreational vehicles will be held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Planning Commission Meeting at 6 p.m. on January 22, 2024. A plan that is currently being used by Grainger County is under consideration.
Plainview City just passed a regulation that prohibits recreational vehicles being used as permanent residential dwellings. Commission may consider an RV proposal at 7 p.m. on the same evening.