Union County Commission closed out its final meeting for 2020 by supporting a couple of changes with huge local impact.
It seems that local cattle producers are enduring a waitlist of 18 to 24 months to get their beef processed.
Commissioner Jeff Brantley brought the issue to Commission's attention and introduced James Acuff, a Grainger County Commissioner and President of Grainger County Cattle Association to explain the issue.
Acuff informed Commission that the resolution would request that the TCAT Curriculum include meat processing to train young people and allow them to process their own meat and offer a career opportunity.
The situation was created by a combination of a local processor's retirement that will leave only one area operation. That meat processor is in Claiborne County. Also, Knox County lost Lay Packing Company years ago.
Acuff explained that the effect would not be immediate but could solve the problem in the near future. Union County Mayor Jason Bailey commented that the County Mayors Association also supported the curriculum change.
Familiar with the need, Commissioners Gary England and Sydney Jesse moved and Commission approved the request.
The other resolution with local impact was to change the local match on the Community Development Block Grant to $31,287 to purchase a firetruck for Northeast Union Fire Department and distribute any remaining funds among the other fire departments to purchase equipment.
A moment of levity entered the discussion when Bailey responded to Commissioner Earl Cox's question regarding the need to rescind a previous resolution on the same grant.
According to Bailey, “this resolution trumps the original.” So the motion by Commissioner Bill Cox and Kenny Hill was approved. With the passage of this resolution and the associated budget amendment to 171 Capital Projects, the firetruck and needed equipment will arrive in 2021.
The mayor reported on several grants and noted that all county government meetings were canceled for December.
His office recently applied for the TCAC grant to help first time home buyers to purchase a home. He also intends to apply for the current home grant to modernize or rebuild homes in grave disrepair owned by low income families.
He highlighted two sports grants, one from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the other from the Tennessee Department of Health that will help develop the soccer and sports fields in Luttrell. Finally, Bailey reported that in January, the commission would consider a budget amendment to hire an architectural engineer for Farmers Market Project, since additions have caused the project to exceed the state mandated threshold of $50,000 to build without one.
Bailey also asked that everyone remember Commissioner Meltabarger and Commissioner Keck who are dealing with health issues and Commissioner England asked to remember the family of Carley Kitts who recently passed.
Maynardville Mayor Ty Blakely introduced Mike Chesney from Plainview as the new city manager. Commission also approved the appointment of Amy McFall, a Realtor, to the planning commission to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Earl Bates in Plainview. Three notaries were approved. All budget amendments and transfers passed and the sheriff's report was postponed until January.
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 25, 2021, at 7 p.m.