“Union County has received the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $253,143,” announced Mayor Bailey at the September Union County Commission Meeting.
The CDBG money will be used to purchase a fire engine for the Northeast Union Fire Department. Any remaining funds will be offered to the other fire departments to purchase needed equipment. However, Bailey stated that most likely the amount would just cover the cost of the truck.
Union County has received over $1.6 million in grants in the last few months. Several of these grants are providing money to develop a permanent site for the Union County Farmers Market.
The latest is a grant of just under $200,000 to build a commercial kitchen, coolers, and the equipment to provide contactless grocery distribution. In the near future, Union County will apply for the Home Grant, a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Grant, and a Tennessee Department of Health Grant. The Home Grant would provide for repairs or home improvements. The others would build sports fields in the Luttrell Industrial Park.
In September, commission voted for chairman and vice-chairman. With four participating by phone, some confusion arose when Jason Bailey and Gary England were both nominated for chairman. Unable to clearly hear over the phone Commissioner Chesney nominated England, but wanted to vote for Bailey. When Bailey asked Chesney if he had nominated Commissioner England, Chesney replied that he wanted to nominate England for vice chairman. So, England withdrew from consideration for chairman and Chesney withdrew his nomination. In the end, Chairman Jason Bailey and Vice-Chairman Gary England were re-elected by acclimation.
Sheriff Billy Breeding reported for August there were 737 calls, 12 wrecks with injury, 20 without injury, 81 booked into the jail, 102 released from jail, and 67 is the current population.
In other business, the commission approved four notaries and passed all budget amendments. In addition, Bailey asked that the item regarding the register of deeds response to the audit committee be removed from the agenda and placed on the October agenda. To close out the meeting, commission approved the resolution to use the CDBG funds to purchase the fire truck and help out the others if possible.