For the second consecutive month, the County Commission opened its meeting with a moment of silence. Hugh Kitts, an employee of the Union County Highway Department, was remembered for his service. For the second consecutive month, the election of Chairman was on the agenda. When Chairman England called for nominees for Chairman, Commissioner Jody Smith nominated Commissioner Gary England. Commissioner England respectfully declined and stated that he felt accepting the nomination would continue to divide the Commission. Chairman England again called for nominees. Commissioner Larry Lay nominated Mayor Jason Bailey. Commissioner Jeff Chesney nominated Commissioner Debra Keck. Commissioner Keck said that she appreciated the vote of confidence from Commissioner Chesney but she also declined the nomination. With only one nominee, Commissioner Joyce Meltabarger moved to have nominations cease and elect Mayor Bailey by acclimation. Commissioner R. L. Jones provided the second to the motion and Commissioner England declared Mayor Bailey the new Chairman after a voice vote.

Chairman Bailey moved to the next agenda item, electing a Vice Chairman. Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Gary England who accepted the nomination. Commissioner Jeff Brantley nominated Commissioner Billy Cox. Commissioner Cox asked that his name be withdrawn from nomination. Commissioner Cox and Commissioner Holloway moved and seconded that nominations cease and Commissioner England be elected Vice Chairman by acclimation.

Chairman Bailey quickly dispensed with the approval of the minutes from September and the notaries. Item 17 was moved forward to enable an update on the Veteran's Wall. Benches will be placed near the wall and timbers distributed around the rose bushes to hold mulch by Zarian Stephens of Boy Scout Troop 4429.

Ginger Fields, staff assistant to Mayor Bailey, distributed informational booklets to all commissioners that contained the mayor's report, grant updates, short and long term goals, committee appointments, and committee meetings. Currently, the County has several grants begun under Mayor Williams that are in various stages of completion. The Community Block Development grant will purchase 2 new ambulances by January. The Appaclachian Regional Commission Grant will provide a new sewer system for Sharps Chapel School. The Boyd Grant provides $25,000 toward the development of a dog park near Wilson Park and is in the planning stage. The Access to Health Grant will improve the children's area at Wilson park with a slide, swings, mulch, and border. With LaFollette Housing's signature, the TDOT Safe Routes to School Grant will move forward to provide a walking area from Luttrell School to LaFollette Housing. The Three Star Grant will fund health and safety projects. Future potential grants include a water line in Big Ridge, a Broadband Ready Grant, and the possibility of extending a spur rail line into the Luttrell Industrial Park.

Mayor Bailey continued by itemizing some concerns. The phone system is very out of date. The new roof does not leak, but the seams where sections of the courthouse join need to be caulked to prevent water leaks. A part time employee is needed to clean the community buildings. Highway 33 and Highway 61 are still in process by TDOT. Training and a budget class will be offered locally for commissioners and elected officials.

Mayor Bailey outlined seven goals, some immediate, others that take time. His first goal is to forge partnerships among people, organizations, and various levels of government. He has visited several community organizations as well as the cities of Plainview and Maynardville. He will visit Luttrell this month. Next, he is working to overhaul the County website and include social media as a part of his daily routine. Mayor Bailey is working with the Chamber to develop new logos that focus on the lake and our country music heritage. Some of his longer term goals include developing a plan for tax incentives to recruit economic development, reinstating LEPC, and hiring an Information Technology Manager for the County to overhaul the courthouse network. A utilities review to hopefully uncover a massive water leak and the direct deposit of all county payroll is currently in process. Future initiatives will forecast building programs, hire an economic development agent, increase tourism through infomercials, develop youth activities, establish post secondary training, and bring broadband county wide. All aimed at providing jobs.

Finally, Mayor Bailey ended his report with the appointment of Darrell Dyer to the Beer Board, Debra Keck to Business and Community Development, Larry Lay to the Ethics Committee, and some other vacancies as well as abolishing some committees that are no longer necessary. A motion by Commissioner Sydney Jessee Jr. and a second by Commissioner Meltabarger provided the needed votes to approve the appointments and changes.

Sheriff Billy Breeding reported the following: 743 calls, 10 wrecks with injury, 34 wrecks without injury, 2 residential burglaries, 122 booked in to the jail, and 83 as the current jail population. On November 26 at 7:00 pm there will be an informational talk regarding the needs and services of an up to date jail facility. Sheriff Breeding invited all commissioners to tour the jail after the November County Commission Meeting on November 13.

Commissioner Jeff Brantley sparked a modest discussion over approval of the monthly financial report. Apparently, Commissioner Brantley wanted an itemized explanation regarding what constituted the “other” categories in the county budget and requested that the approval of the report be delayed until November. Director Ann Dyer said she would bring the list to the November meeting. Commissioner Brantley's motion received a second by Commissioner Jessee and the report will again be discussed at the November meeting. All budget amendments and transfers were approved.

Mr. Justin Ball from Tennessee Consolidated Retirement explained the process for an employee to buy back retirement, the liability of the county, and the cost of the actuarial study. Currently, employees can only draw retirement from Union County back to 1990. At least one employee has requested that the county allow retirement back to 1985. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Lay and Commissioner Jones moved to return the matter to the Budget and Finance Committee for discussion and a possible recommendation. The motion was approved and the meeting concluded.