Schools director Greg Clay reported to the Union County Commission on August 26 that excavation has begun for the new middle school on John Deere Drive. The formal groundbreaking ceremony will be on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the site.
Several property items were considered by the commission. The Luttrell Industrial Park Property was the subject of a motion by Greg Dyer and a second by Mike Boles to appraise the property for possible sale that the commission approved. Voting ‘No’ on the motion was Sidney Jesse.
The motion was the result of a presentation by Craig Cornett of Knoxville Steel Erectors, who requested to purchase the remaining acreage in the Luttrell Industrial Park. The business is currently located at 123 Richardson Way and wishes to expand.
The same area in Luttrell was previously requested by the City of Luttrell to be used for a recreational sports complex. Another property concerned a site for the new jail. Damon Seal appeared before the commission to offer his property on SR 33 for sale without utility improvements at $675,000 or with utility improvements at $800,000 plus. He gave a 30-day notice that he plans to develop the property as residential homes if the county declines the offer.
The Steiner building across from the courthouse was labeled surplus to enable the letting of bid for demolition on September 3.
Commission voted to purchase 1.94 acres on Hickory Valley Road owned by Donnie Boles next to Charles Stansberry for $45,000 on a motion by Eddie Simpson and a second by Dawn Flatford for the Big Ridge Community Center. The property was surveyed but not appraised. Commissioners Simmons and Moore voted against due to the lack of appraisal.
Property for the Speedwell/Braden Community Center was found unsuitable for septic so Mayor Bailey has referred the property to Robert Campbell Engineering to gather costs and information regarding a subsurface sewage disposal system that would need to be pumped regularly. The installation is a four-step process regulated by state rules and involves TDEC.
Commission approved a motion by Eddie Simpson with a second by Sidney Jessee to determine the overcharges and report back to commission. The motion stemmed from the county charging increased fees for building permits without getting a private act approved by the state. Discussion brought out the fact that the county is currently charging only around $200 for residential permits and around $400 for commercial permits where the fees had ranged from $300 to $1,000. A private act is scheduled for the state legislature to consider in 2025. Concerns were expressed over a shortfall in the property assessor budget with the lower fees.
Also, the new middle school permit cost over $71,000 because the building is under the City of Maynardville Building Permit fees rather than the county of $400. Commissioners Lay and Moore voted against the motion.
The commission also approved several county improvements. Water lines are being installed by Hallsdale Powell Utility Department, and the commission agreed to fund four fire hydrants at a cost of $13,000 on a motion by Eddie Simpson and a second by Greg Dyer.
Upgrades to Wilson Park and Sharps Chapel Park as well as community centers in Brock, Cedar Grove, Paulette and Sharps Chapel were approved as a budget amendment to the 171 Capital Projects budget at a cost of $40,000.
Reports included the sheriff, the Audit Committee, and the Planning Commission. Sheriff Breeding reported for July 657 calls, 47 wrecks with injury and 26 wrecks without injury, 103 booked into the jail, 101 released from jail, and the current inmates at 62. Commission approved the sheriff to receive federal resources that are mostly guns and ammunition. Audit Committee Report had no findings. The Planning Commission reported 24 lots and one subdivision during FY24.
In other budget amendments, Trustee Gina Gilbert was approved to move $1500 from part time to full time to increase employee pay to $17. All budget amendments, which were mostly carryover, grants and opioid money were approved.
The commission approved a resolution to provide the $24,000 match to the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. The grant will provide three new traffic lights: at PES, Durham Drive at UCHS and at Pine Street for the new middle school, and a right turn lane on SR 33 at Wilson Lane to access UCHS where motorists cause a traffic hazard by using the shoulder to turn. Sidney Jessee made the motion and Cheryl Walker provided the second.
The commission approved the surety bond for Road Superintendent David Cox. Then the commission approved the addition of 300 feet between Booker Road and North Glenn Road to the county road list so Cox can pave that section.
The next Union County Commission meeting will be September 23 at 7 p.m. with Planning Commission on the same date at 6. The budget committee will meet on September 17 at 7 p.m.