By Marilyn Toppins
At the January Union County Commission meeting, Finance Director Melissa Brown told commissioners that Union County had no debt and repeated the statement three times at Union County Mayor Jason Bailey’s request. However, she explained that the Union County School Board still owes for the School Energy Saving Program and the wheel tax will be paying for the construction of Paulette Elementary through possibly 2028.
But no debt does not mean no increased costs for county government. The increase in costs was the concern voiced by Pam Ailor, who stated that if every department asked the commission for increases, the property tax would become unaffordable for many Union County citizens. Ailor also voiced concern over the differences in bonus pay for working during the pandemic as well as increases in pay for some and not for others who are just as deserving.
The next items on the commission agenda seemed to support the idea of increased costs.
School Board Chairman Marty Gibbs introduced the Lewis Group, who are the architects for the new middle school that is in the preliminary design stage.
Dr. Tobi Kilgore, principal of Horace Maynard Middle School, outlined and explained the numerous current code violations and maintenance issues that exist with the current building. Although the need was evident, the projected cost is $37.5M to $41.25M. The Union County School Board has already purchased the land and is planning to spend a total of $15M toward site preparation, design, and construction. The county would shoulder the remaining costs through options being developed by the Union County Finance Office, to be reported at the February 27 commission meeting.
After the school board presentation, Sheriff Billy Breeding addressed commissioners. Breeding had earlier put to rest some rumors regarding the cost of vehicles during his tenure. The sheriff’s data showed that his administration had taken seven years, from 2015 to 2021, to reach the cost of one vehicle budget from 2014. He also noted that his budget only allows the purchase of mostly used vehicles with high mileage.
Near the end of the meeting Breeding pleaded his case for a body scanner to prevent contraband from entering the jail. He commented that the body scanner would reduce liability and provide better security and safety for inmates. The cost of the scanner is $141,700.
Commissioner Gerald Simmons proposed delaying the purchase until July. But the motion failed for lack of a second. Bailey noted that the ARPA funds which the sheriff referenced could not be amended until July, but that he would check with the state. Commissioner Angela Conner-Murphy proposed a 50/50 split on the cost with the county paying half and the current sheriff’s finances paying half. Commissioner Kenny Moore provided a second and the vote was 11 for, 3 against, and 2 absent.
The final cost concern for commission came from the Courthouse Security Committee. Increased security requirements now call for bullet proof desks at the front of the courtroom and bullet proof glass in certain areas. Entrance scanners can be used to prevent weapons from entering the courthouse but currently the officers manning these scanners only work part time. But court is now in session every day. So the commission voted to hire the deputies full time at a cost to the current budget of $9,436.70 with an addition of $22,648 to next year’s budget.
Bailey noted that several grants are still in process and others are awaiting the time to submit applications. Commissioner Greg Dyer requested that Bailey research a grant to build a bridge to Braden in Sharps Chapel. The mayor reported that the cost of the bridge according to TDOT exceeded the $49M grant, but he will continue to seek funding for a bridge.
The mayor also commented that the stage for Heritage Park had been ordered, but the original grant to complete the park had been declined because of the cost of the $700,000 match.
The county has applied for a Food Insecurity Grant of $500,000 with no match and a Safety Grant for $20,000 from Tennessee Risk Management with no match.
Commission approved a reimbursable grant with no match to build a canopy at the Union County Courthouse to be used for drive thru immunizations, and other medical considerations.
Commission approved all notaries, budget amendments, and the county road list pending the correction of the district location for some roads. The sheriff's report noted 685 calls, two wrecks with injury, 30 wrecks with no injury, 84 persons booked into jail, 87 released from jail and a current inmate count of 81.
The next Union County Commission Meeting will be on February 27, at 7 p.m.