County Commission - Regular Meeting

this right here. I don't see this I don't know.

here.

We're not going to tolerate any outburst. No applause. We We got to get this meeting in. So, I'll thank you if everybody can keep the outburst out. Next, we have proclamations and courtesy resolutions. First hometown hero, William Larry Mott, the great town [Music] here. We want to thank you very very much for again hosting us at your quarterly meeting to honor one of our own who gave everything so that we could be free. Tonight is a deceased hero who served in the Marine Corps. As a result, I would like to ask retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Reed to make our presentation. Our Marine hero is Marine Corps Private First Class William L. Larry Mott. Would the Mott family please join me up here? And Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Bird, would you join us up here, please? Mayor, would you please read your

proclamation? Honorary proclamation honoring hometown hero. Whereas William Larry Mott, one of four sons born to parents Willie and Paulie Mott, lived with his parents and younger brothers Allan, Vernon, and Terry in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He demonstrated a strong work ethic and age 13 while a student began working in the local sawmills to earn money to buy clothes. Vernon, his younger brother, shared that Larry liked to dress and he appreciated good tailoring. Private first class Larry Ma at age 18 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January the 8th 1968. US involvement in the Vietnam War. It was escalated and protests were becoming more frequent and intense and he desired to serve his country. Private First Class Larry Mott continued with the family military history and wanted to serve in the Marines due to their reputation to help his mother financially. First class Larry Mott received basic training at Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego, California. He was trained as a rifleman, assigned to the sniper platoon HQ company, First Marine, Seventh Marines. He was sent overseas and arrived in Vietnam on July the 21st, 1968. While deployed, Private First Class Larry Mottz unit participated in a program to improve relationship with the local population, building small bridges, coverts, schools, and digging wells. Private First Class Larry Mott was assigned as part of a twoman sniper team along with Jay Taylor from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Taylor was a specially trained marksman and Private First Class M served as his spotter. Despite the horrors of war, his letters to home were never anything negative negative. He spoke mostly about the men he was fighting with in the surroundings. In late January 1969, Private Larry Mott was attached to company EC battalion 26 Marines in a

defensive perimeter as a sniper scout. The unit the unit was engaged in operation Lynn River, a clear and switch operation in the Republic of South Vietnam. On January 29th, 196, Private First Class William Larry Mott's unit came under enemy fire. He was struck in the neck and killed at age 19. Private First Class Larry Mott was brought home and laid to rest next to his mother in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart me medal. He is honored on the Vietnam veterans moral in Washington DC. After the war, Jay Taylor authored a book about his his experiences, Point of Vain, Point of Impact. He and fir private first class Larry Ma had been reassigned to separate locations and he decided he dedicated the book to his good friend and comrade Larry Mott there. Now therefore I Mark Pots by virtue of authority best me as mayor of Jefferson County and in conjunction with Jefferson County commissioners express our sincere thanks, deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the late private first class William Larry Mott. He will always be remembered for the sacrifice he made for Jefferson County, Tennessee, and the United States of America. Thank you so much, family, for being here. Thank you, Vernon. Would you please I want to tell you what a honor, but I hurt because I know what he went through and he gave his all. I was lucky and a lot more like me. That's why y'all some of y'all men are still standing because of my the the baby brother. Where's he at? I'm You are you're two years old when two years old when TFC M was killed in action. 1969 in Vietnam was a hectic

time. I got there in ' 69. As soon as I got there, they ran more close air support, more more operations than they had seen in quite a while. But it's an extreme honor for me to stand here and present of a gold star family who have given so much for the freedom. And I'm standing next to a Marine right here. You're a Marine, right? Yes. Always a Marine. Always a. not a former Marine, a Marine, but it's with great honor that I present this plaque to you from the Great Nation. That's the back. Appreciate that. Thank you. Appreciate that. Yes, sir. Mr. Reed, appreciate it. Can I hold your book just then? You sure can. Chapter Chapter 11 right there, Williams. While the mayor was reading the proclamation and he summed up a lot. This is the book that was written by Jay Taylor. Born of aim, born of impact. Being a sniper and being a spotter or a sniper was an extremely hazardous job. But you can see a picture of Larry right here. We should be proud as Jefferson County and served All of you, I appreciate you so much. Thank you. Thank you. He He loved his country. Thank you, sir. He loved his country and he loved his schoolmates. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. While we're getting ready, I want you to know that we have our veteran service officer with us tonight. We've got over 4,000 veterans in this county. She's doing a great job as our VSO. Thank you very much. This will be on this will be in our place of honor in the courthouse lobby until the next county commission meeting. So if you stop in, make sure you pay your respects. Great man for a great county. Thank you. Next proclamation is for John Neil Scarlet and I'll ask John Neil's family if they would come forward. Still a little bit hard to imagine him not sitting there. It's been that recent. I never told him, but I I kept a notebook when I was chair and I wrote

down John Neilisms that little things he he would say like a chicken commits to breakfast, but a hogs hogs committed, chicken contributes, and the hogs committed. So got little little things like that. But anyway, whereas John Neil Scarlet, long-standing member of the Jefferson County School Board, Jefferson County Commission, and longtime member of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, departed this life on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025. John Neil, a loyal, loving husband, father, brother, and friend, was a graduate of Jefferson County High School and attended the University of Tennessee. He was a third generation rowcrop farmer and a dairy farmer who loved Jefferson County and lived his life in service to others. In 1993, he served as Tennessee Young Farmers Ranchers Chairman and was a recipient of the Tennessee Young Farmers of the Year Award and was runner up for National Farmer of the Year Award. John El Scarlet was elected to Jefferson County Commission in 2010, representing the residents of District 7, New Market, Tennessee. He served with dedication and distinction with the needs of Jefferson County, always in his thoughts and deeds. John Neil Scarlet served the Jefferson County Commission as parliamentarian, chair of the budget committee, member of the county planning committee and others. He was the voice of reason. His guidance and wisdom will be missed. John Neil Scarlet, a public servant, loved, respected, and admired by family and friends. Is worthy of special recognition and appreciation. He served with dedication, integrity, and uncompromising principle and will be sadly missed by Jefferson County. Now, therefore, I mark POS by virtue of the authority vested me as mayor of Jefferson County express sincere thanks, deepest sympathy, and condolences to the family and friends of late John Neil Scarlet for the contributions he made to Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Also, we want to present you a county flag. John Neil is still serving as an elected official, so we want to give you a county flag. Go along that. And here's your proclamation. And thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Laughter] Uh, at this time we'll ask the Paul Mary family to come up and the commissioners from his district. Well, I know how he loved these mess. You sure do. Come on up. Mayoral proclamation. Alan Paul Mary, a resident and former political leader of Jefferson County, departed his life on Monday, January the 6, 2025. Alan Palmary served five terms as mayor of Jefferson City, three terms as mayor of Jefferson County. He served diligently to promote the well-being advancement of Jefferson County during both difficult and good times in an ethical and professional manner. Under his leadership, many positive changes were made, including but not limited to participating in negotiations that led to the new construction of New Jefferson Memorial Hospital, expansion of the Jefferson County Nursing Home, Dandridge Park, which brought about the greenhouse concept, and the construction of the state-of-the-art E911 emergency medical complex, and the util utilization of a vacant county building to be used as Jefferson County maintenance garage. He

also helped launch the Tennessee Achieves SC Scholarship Program. Alan Palmer Mary prior to his political work was a well-known businessman having been employed by Magnavox North American Phillips in various positions for many years. He felt the need to establish Paul Murray Health and Fitness Center which was known by being one of the premier uh health and fitness and bodybuilding facilities in the county. As a body as a bodybuilder, he was inducted to the Steve Brayer Classic Anatomy Gym Bodybuilder Hall of Fame in Louisiana as the owner and principal of Paul Mary Consulting. He provide domestic and international service to public government entities in domestic and international fields. Alan Paul Mary a public servant loved respected admired admired by family and friends will be sadly missed by Jefferson County. Now therefore I Mark Pots by virtue of authority vested in me as mayor of Jefferson Kane express sincere thanks, deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the late Alan Paul Mary. [Laughter] I can't. Sorry.

This time we'll ask Susan Modern Family to come to the podium. Buy him lunch. Yeah, I'll buy you lunch. Okay. Wait a minute. have a influx here all of a sudden. Susan Modern served the Jefferson County Soil Conservation District faithfully for the past 10 years until she departed this life Wednesday, March the 26, 2025. Susan was a loving wife, mother, grandparent, daughter, sister, and special friend to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Susan was a member of Statm Gap Missionary Baptist Church and served in all the activities. She was a special lady who had a radiant smile and a glowing face when sharing her love of God. Her faith never wavered during all her challenges. Susan Martin was a member of the East Tennessee Herford Association, the Jefferson County Livestock Association. She loved helping on the farm and enjoyed bailing hay, canning, and crocheting. Loving her family and helping others when she was able were her happiest times. Susan Martin was loved, admired, and respected by family and many friends. She will be remembered for her helpful, caring attitude and friendship. Susan is worthy

of special recognition, appreciation for dedication, outstanding leadership, and commitment to Jefferson County. Now, therefore, I mark Pots by virtue of authority vested in me as mayor of Jefferson County express sincere thanks, deepest sympathy, and condolences to the family of the late Susan M. Susan was also employed working with the county at the time of her death. We will give her a county flag as well. [Laughter] Thank you. Stay a little bit. Keep him straight. That's right. One more. Joe James family. they here. I'll I'll read the proclamation anyway. Uh Joe James of Flatpine, Tennessee, owner and operator of Circle J excavating and friend of all departed this life on Tuesday, January the 28th, 2025. God made a farmer. God made Joe James. He was a caretaker and good steward to agricultural farmland to the Oak Grove and White Pine communities as well as Jefferson County. He's willing to get up before dawn and work all day cultivating the land, raising crops and livestock. Joe was able to skillfully maneuver equipment, both large and small, moving dirt with ease. He was able to tame contankerous equipment. He was resilient, adaptable, and innovative. He was always helping community members, friends, and family. His private, humble nature did not call attention to himself. He loved working on the family farm. At one time was the largest soybean farmer with over 600 acres. Joe James always smiling was a selfless individual and the epitome of the volunteer spirit. Now therefore I Mark Pos by virtue of the authority vested me as mayor of Jefferson County

express thanks and deepest sympathy and consol condolences to the family and friends of the late Joe James. Thank you sir. [Laughter] Okay, hold on. They need the microphone back. What's that? [Music] How They'll be coming up this aisle here. There you go. Thank you, sir. Good evening, commissioners and fellow citizens. Um, we're here tonight uh to honor three men who have given not only their time but their hearts to the service and safety of Jefferson County. Our former constipals, David Kelly, Nathan Thurman, and Mackey Wilson. Together, these men have answered answered hundreds of emergency calls. many in the middle of the night, many without recognition, and all without asking for a single dime of taxpayer money. Their dedication has been steady, selfless,

and deeply rooted in a love for this community, and their impact is immeasurable. Constable David Kelly has served our county for with honor for 18 years. His quiet professionalism and unwavering presence have been a source of security for countless citizens. Constible Nathan Thurman has given 16 years of service and Constable Mackey Wilson 5 years. But what makes their stories even more special is that they both followed in the footsteps of their fathers, continuing a legacy of community protection and service that spans generations. These men have stood in the gap when needed most, supporting other law enforcement, assisting with special events, responding to emergencies, and being a trusted local presence even when when every second mattered. This is more than recognition of years and an acknowledgment of impact. Their work has kept this county safer, more connected, and more resilient. As a community, we are stronger because of them. And as a county, we must recognize that constipals are not just a tradition. They're a critical piece of our public safety system. As President Reagan once said to law enforcement officers in 1982, "You represent the thin blue line between order and chaos, between decency and lawlessness, between civilization and anarchy." Our constip stand on that line every day, not for recognition or reward, but out of love for their community. Let us not take their service for granted. Let us honor it, support it, and ensure the office of constable continues for generations to come. David Kelly, we thank you for your service. Will you'll be in our prayers, and we hope you enjoy your retirement. Thank you very much. Thank you.

And I just also wanted to share that uh Nathan and Mackey uh were unable to be here tonight uh both due to health issues. Um so we also are honoring them tonight and we will give their plaques to them individually. Thank you for your time. Commissioners, thank you for everything. Next on the agenda, we have approval and corrections to the agenda. Mr. Doy, it seemed like last week a school renovation. If someone ask a right after right after appearance of citizens does anyone objects You want to move 141 number 15 1775 motion to obstruct the that's what's dealing with those two budget that that's All before that's out. Okay. Okay. Is there a motion on the floor to move such item? Is that that your motion and your second? Hold on. Just a second. We're old

school. Randy Bells. Anyone oppose? Not hearing any passes. Related items will be between appearance of citizens and approval of noties and bonds. Anyone else? Not hearing any. We will Yeah, I got it right here. We will move right along to the election of commission officers, District 7, County Commissioner Appointment. The floor is now open for nominations. Mr. Bales, as I said last week, I'd like to nominate Aaron Loy. Second. Aaron Loy has been nominated with a second by Mr. Solomon. Anyone else would like to nominate Mr. Players? I guess I'll nominate Mr. Smallman. Daniel Smallman. Who was the second? Anyone else? Nominations therefore cease. You have Aaron Ly and Daniel Small. Just do a roll call. Mr. Chairman. Sir, I would like to speak to

my nomination, the reason for it, if that's okay with the commissioners. So, Mr. Smallman lives in District 7. He ran as county commissioner during the requested Republican primary. He did not lose that race. He got votes in that race. Then he ran again in the general against Randy Bells ran as independent. So he ran again with John Neil and Randy and he lost that race. But the point is he had votes in those two races. He had citizens of that district which I don't represent but it neighbors me. And I think for anyone to have an R beside of their name up here and not stand behind their own party's rules is not right. It's wrong. Don't ask for the rules if you're not going to stand behind your rules. He did not lose his nomination. And if it were any other situation, I wouldn't be going to bat for this. But where do those people's voice stop? Where do their wishes stop and the others began? I have nothing against Mr. Ly. Not at all. I think he would be great. And in fact, he could have ran, but he ran as a road commissioner. So if we put him in as county commissioner, we will be replacing his spot on road commission. Mr. Smallman was in the race, got votes. Those citizens voices must matter to someone. That's all I've got. It's just a matter of the facts of the case, not like or dislike. That's it. He met all the requirements of the state and did not lose his primary that the Republican party made them declare what you were to be in it. as all sir. Thank you, sir. We will now vote.

I believe everybody needs to try this sign in thing one more time. Gone. It's gone. There will be a manual vote. Your choices will be Aaron Ly or Daniel Smallman. When your name is called, you will either say Ly or Smallman. Katie Huffaker, Ly. Danny Norton, Ly. Joe Coleman, Jimmy Patterson, Lloyd. Austin Brooks, Lloyd. Jim Snograss, Lloyd. Greg Bird, Lloyd. John Johnson, Lloyd. Tim Sals, Aaron. Sammy Solomon, Lloy, Robert Blevens, Daniel Small, Branson Douglas, Small, Randy Bales, Aaron Lew, Ronnie Coleman, Loy, Terry Doy, Lowey, Jimmy Carmichael, Lloy, Marcus Reedman. Howdy Thomas. Hello. 153. I'd like to welcome Aaron Lloyd to the county commission. [Laughter] Where is he at? Come on up. Come on up, sir. The question has arised if he can serve

in both road commission and county commission. And the uh the word we got from the state of Tennessee was yes, he can, but he can only be elected to one. So, you can actually serve both until reelection. Would you like to speak? Uh, well, appreciate the vote of confidence first off. um took a lot of thought and prayer to get back to Randy and uh tell him that I would consider serving, but appreciate it. And um I'd be remiss if I didn't speak on John Neil. Uh I was fortunate to know him my whole life. Looked at him as a mentor in many different ways. Um most of all in his faith, um his leadership obviously within the community and and as a fellow farmer as well. And uh it's in my opinion that it wouldn't matter who took his place here on county commission. They're definitely not going to replace um the abilities that he brought here to the county commission. But uh I will tell you that I I can confidently tell you that um I will uh put forth the same amount of commitment and uh thoughtfulness towards the decisions made here. So appreciate it and look forward to serving with you. Thanks sir. Anybody got a question or comment? Mr. Floyd, take a seat, sir. Thank you. Ain't no official yet. You will raise your right. Repeat after me. I, Aaron Lloyd, do solemnly swear I, Aaron Lloyd, do solemnly swear that I will perform with fidelity that I will perform with fidelity the duties of the office which I have been appointed the duties of the office of which I have been appointed in which I am about to assume and of which I am about to assume. I do solemnly swear I do solemnly swear to support the

Constitutions to support the Constitution of Tennessee of Tennessee and the United States in the United States and to faithfully perform the duties and to faithfully perform the duties of the office of county commissioner of the office of county commission representing the seventh district representing the seventh district of Jefferson County, Tennessee of Jefferson County, Tennessee. Great. Thank you. Appcate Next on the agenda, we have the consent of the agenda. David G will be speaking department. Sir, I think we need a parliamentarian. Oh, I'm sorry. I stand corrected and I have I have a nomination for you, Mr. Chairman. Nominate. I nominate Commissioner Jim Snograss for Parliamentarian. We have a nomination of Jim Snogers for Parliamentarian. Pam Seals is a second. Anyone else? We have a nomination for Greg Bird

by John Johnson. Is that a second? Mr. Bales. Anyone else? Nominations will now cease. We will be doing a roll call vote. It will be Snodgrass or Bird when your name's called. Commissioner Huff, Snodgrass. Commissioner Norton, Snodgrass. Commissioner Coleman, Snodgrass. Commissioner Patterson, Snodgrass. Commissioner Brooks, Snodgrass. Commissioner Snodgrass. Mr. B sound a little more confident. Commissioner Johnson. Commissioner Seagles. Not grass. Commissioner Solomon. Snassrass. Commissioner Leassrass. Commissioner Douglas. Smograss. Commissioner Bales, I'm assigned Greg Bird and go with Mr. Snodgrass. Commissioner Ronnie Coleman Snodgrass. Commissioner Dock Snrass. Chairman Carmich Commissioner Reed. Commissioner Leer Thomas Mr. Chairman. Sure. I think we might have missed a commissioner, Mr. Clerk. I think we did somewhere. I'm short. I'm short. One

sorry, sir. I apologize. I do believe we've got 16 to two. Sir, I just know it's a public hearing on the agenda. Do we need to do we don't need to do that again? Okay. I had 16 to two. Got to add in three. 16 to three. Okay. 15 to three. 16 to three. Next on the agenda, it was Jim. We have the consent agenda. There's really nothing to do. Next, we have approval of the minutes. Second Sammy. Who was the second? Joe. We can do a We can do a voice vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All this in favor passes. Next we have appearance of citizens. First on the agenda is Kathleen Villers. Next on the agenda will be Chuck Ladle Whale. Sir, would you please come up also? You have to bring him in.

Test test test. Kathleen Villers, 2202 Arrowhead Drive, Dandridge, Tennessee. Given your long agenda, let me be brief highlight just a couple of key points. Additional revenue sources are required. And with this, the need to address issues such as staffing, enforcement, safety, buildings. Key points I'd suggest and recommend the passing of the wheel tax. Two, recommend passing the mineral tax. Any concerns about shutting down a business don't seem warranted given the small tax would be passed on to consumers. Three, I'd like to recommend the short-term rental resolution, but it is not on tonight's agenda. strongly encourage that this resolution be finalized and placed on the agenda as soon as possible. Both from a revenue standpoint, you've heard 2 million, 4 million, 6 million of revenues, but also from a safety and enforcement standpoint. Let me highlight what happened this weekend. Two two issues. Santa Fe Trail, three-bedroom, 2 and a half bath, six guest short-term rental, 12 guests arrived. Pretty soon, there were close to 20 guests, seven cars. Additionally, they brought in a 20ft utility trailer and a 30foot RV, some of those blocking the road, access to the boat launch. There they were threatening to assault a neighbor. They were planning a bonfire even though a burn restriction in place. Two 2251 Jim Henry Road. That's

the property where the sheds are being built this weekend. 25 plus cars arrived. 50 plus people with the event going on into the evening hours. There was a cross in the window. Was this possibly an Easter service? As we know, a church camp is disallowed in A1. Most of the people seem to be inside the existing three-bedroom older home. And here too, I would suggest fire concerns. It was previously reported that the sheriff fire and emergency services are insufficient resourced um insufficiently resourced to provide protection to the residents in remote areas. I asked the commission, do we need a serious incident like a forest fire or someone injured or shot to add resources such as in an enforcement officer? Point four, I support the muchneeded personnel and salary considerations that are being looked at tonight for the sheriff's department Kevin Po Circuit Court area. Thank you, Kevin, by the way, for a very valuable tour and information a couple weeks ago and know there are several other areas needing staff and additional funding. Five, I recommend approving the renovation of the Jefferson County elementary school, the lesser, more predictable cost um rather than new construction. And finally, I'm sorry. I support increasing the number of commissioner meetings each year. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have Chuck from Nstar Mind. Sir, would you please take the podium? Tell us who you are and about what you're here. Thank you very much for letting me speak. Do I have a set amount of time?

Three minutes. Three minutes. Three minutes. I'm going to jump right to it. I'm Chuck Lane. I'm president of Tennessee Mining Association near Star Mines are one of our members and uh I just want to give you a quick background about uh near we've been the uh zinc ore was first discovered in Mossy Creek and uh Jefferson Jefferson City 100 years ago. So that's how long it's been around. It's a generational thing. Many many of you I'm sure over the over the last years have had a relative or some of your several generation mines miners has who's gone through the years. So it's it's nothing new. It's something that everybody's used to and we're lucky that it's here. Um, so there's a uh there's a I was told that there's a tax wanting a severance tax put on on what we sever from the ground uh and tax nearstar for that to go to to your budget. And I'm here to oppose it and I and I'll give you a few reasons why uh NearStar's operations are are actually in a financial recovery phase. It's been a few years since they've really made any money and they've restructured and it'll probably be a couple more years before they make money. So, difficult for their for their business model. Uh, one of the things about zinc is it's it's a it's cost a lot to separate it. When when we get zinc, we go down and get and get limestone out of the ground and on that limestone has zinc on it. The recovery rate is only 3 to 5%. So we got to get a whole lot of limestone out of the ground to get that zinc and expensive process and uh uh and so it it operates at a very close profit margin. Uh let's see we are uh as I said they're in the middle of strategic turn turnaround. Uh we expect about two more years before to get to to break even

point tax we push the entire operation back into the red area. Uh, I'd like to uh also say that we also have we mine more zinc in Tennessee than any place in in the world, which is which is good. We all we have the only smelter in the nation uh in in Clarksville, Tennessee that smelts our zinc from here and it goes from here. We have we have two mines in middle Tennessee, Gordonville. And so the everything kind of is here for each other, Megan. Uh let's see. Economic fallout from uh losing the zinc uh would be uh 2100 jobs in East Tennessee and 1,700 in Middle Tennessee and 1,350 in Clarksville, Tennessee. We we sp we we have local contractors that that we that we work with that are that are uh that sold soul soul work is is here. We have uh Tyler nicely here with us tonight. W Walker Trucking and they have 100 trucks employ a bunch of people right here in this town. Um uh the is that me? Um sir, if you can conclude, I'll give you just a little bit of time. Thank you. Uh we don't want to shut all that down. So it's not just it would affect us here, it would affect us all the way across the state. In none of the other counties that we that we mine zinc in, do we have a severance tax? We have no seance tax on zinc in this state currently. And that's why we'd like to keep it. So uh we we urge the county to reject or table the severance tax proposal and explore alternative budget revenue remedies. We could consider forming public private working groups with you. Nearstar would like to work with you however we can but uh put doing a seance tax would be devastating to the

the operation right now in its current sense. Thank you Sarah. Next we have William Caldwell. And next on deck will be Will Campbell. Good evening. Good day after Easter. Hope you had a good weekend. Thank you for letting me speak to you. I've spoken to you before. Uh it's been a while and it's not my favorite thing to do. I was an educator and a musician and I don't mind performing music, but speaking before a crowd is is not my favorite thing to do, but I felt compelled to come and speak to you tonight about a new Jefferson Elementary School. I entered Jefferson Elementary School in first grade in 1960. It was right after uh desegregation and it was brand new school and uh it's it's not a sentimental thing for me. It's you know some memories there but uh I can understand after that long why you'd want a new school. I think I'd probably want a new school too. However, it doesn't make sense. And that's what I want to talk with you about tonight. The bones of Jefferson Elementary as it stands are solid, are good. Uh the floor can be raised with ramjack uh injected concrete or how they do it, several companies can do that. Uh the drainage problem can be fixed and then you have a solid building. They don't make them like that anymore. To build a new school, it will not last as long as that school has. So if you just renovate it inside, you'll have a brand new school in a very solid

surround. And to me, that makes sense. And what motivates me is fiscal responsibility. Uh we've been all aware of Doge and uh that was an invention of of Donald Trump. It's it was before him they had Doge, but he's really putting it to use and many taxpayers appreciate that because we don't want our tax money wasted. Neither do the citizens of Jefferson County. An 8 to10 million savings will occur if you renovate compared to brand new construction. Not only that, the students will be in the school a lot sooner. Now, you probably know a lot more about it. I do. You all have the facts, and I'm just up here as a cheerleader. I want to say one more thing, and I'm out of here. Um, we live in a time when feelings sometimes take precedence over critical thinking, and some people are not even aware of it. But it's causing marriage breakups. It's causing problems. is causing people to turn their backs on others instead of standing and speaking as I'm doing with you tonight. But I challenge you to not look at this situation with your feelings because that's a lot of the people are that's all they want. They want a new school and it doesn't matter. Nothing else matters to them. So I hope you'll do the right thing and renovate Jeff Elementary. Thanks Sarah. Will Campbell, you'll be next. the Linda Mcmith. [Music] My name is Will Campbell. I reside at 1308 Jessica Loop, Jefferson City, Tennessee. And I'm talking about

Jefferson Elementary School. My wife, Dr. Cara Campbell, is a teacher in second grade teacher. And my grandson is a student in pre-K at Jefferson Elementary School. I don't normally speak out in public um but I felt the need to do so tonight. Someone last week on the commission mentioned that they felt that Dr. Tommy Arnold and the school board had done their due diligence before coming to the commission to ask for money to renovate Jes and felt the commission needed to give it to them. All due respect, I feel that the same due diligence was done back in 2018 2019 when the school board also came to you to ask money to build a new Jes for a lot less than they're asking for now. So, you already cost us $6 million. The school board has come to you several times after that and requested money to build and has been denied every time because it did not fit what you wanted. The only reason that the school board is coming to you with renovation requests now is like Doug Iverson has said in the schoolboard meetings, we have to give the commission what they want to get what we need. Another commissioner also said last week that it was not the job of the commission to tell the school board how to spend the money. So I think the request that needs to come from you should be changed for the money to either build or renovate whichever the school board decides to do not what the county commission wants to do. My main concern is renovation while students are present. Can you tell me that all hazardous materials not just asbestous but PCBs as well will be removed? Has the building even been tested for PCBs? PCBs are not just found in ballast in the lighting, but it's also in caul paint and expansion joints that they use in 60s and 70s. We have not been to we have been told that during renovation monitoring of air

quality will be constant during renovation to make sure the air quality is in the approved level that by the EPA. I hate to say it, but the acceptable level by a government agency is not the best for us always. For example, the FDA allows that nine rodent hairs in a 16 ounce box of spaghetti. In 1/4 cup of cornmeal, 50 insect fragments are allowed. So my question is, renovation 100% riskfree. If there is even the smallest chance that a student, teacher, or staff member has side effects, becomes ill, or dies from any part of this is unacceptable. Building a new building has 0% risk on the health and lives of students, teachers, and staff, and only costs $4 million more. Are you going to tell parents that their child's health or life is not worth $4 million? Are you going to tell the the teachers and their staff members, families, that their health or life is not worth $4 million? You may not think so, but I think those teachers, students, and staff members, my wife and my grandson's life are priceless. Do the right thing and vote not to renovation and give us a new building. Thank you. Thanks, sir. Next, we have Linda Mcmith and then Mike Foley. Linda Mc Smith, 3766 Island View Drive, Sevirville, Tennessee, but live in Jefferson County. Uh, I'm here to talk about several things quickly tonight. One, I support the wheel tax that will provide us some more money for our roads and for our volunteer fire departments and emergency response, which is very much needed. Second, um, support moving back to the monthly meeting. It's eight monthly meetings and other special called meetings. We've been talking about I've brought this up a few times.

I think it's something you really need to consider so we can get business done. It takes six months to a year to finalize most of the decisions that are made. Um also, uh I support the renovation of Jefferson County Elementary. When you're looking at new build versus renovation with new build, they may say there's a price, but it will definitely go over budget by usually 10 to 20%. So, think about that and what those millions of dollars might be. The renovation is set. Um, it appears to be safe and we need to think about how they're going to do this and getting updates on the progress of the project. Um, I'm glad to see that the commissioners are starting to speak up of more probably some of the new ones more than um some of the older ones when things come up and they're asking for comments or input. So, thank you very much for being active on the commission. It's better to see than just approve approve approve going through the agendas and the topics at the work session. um also um support the building department to get extra personnel. If we move forward on short-term rentals, our building department is all also overrun as it relates to going out and getting giving uh permits. Some of it slows down some of the construction and impacts on definitely new people coming to the county. Um, also the fees that we can get from the short-term rentals can be considerable as some of the information has been gathered. So, ask for support from the community. Ask for and we ask the commissioner support to locate these um different short-term rentals and see

that they're abiding by the different codes and different things that they need to. We have several in our community and there's one posted for 26 rentals with two or three bedrooms, 26 people. That can't be safe. Can't be safe for our and it's next to the lake. Can't be safe for the lake and septic systems. We need to really think about what these folks are doing and how it's impacting our communities and what's happening, what's going on. Thank you. And please use microphones as much as possible. Thank you, ma'am. Next, we have Mike Foley. And on deck will be Michelle Light. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, good evening, commissioners. Uh, Mike Foley, 318 Oak Vista Drive in Dandridge. Uh, my comments tonight are about the rules of order. Uh, two years ago, I stood at this podium for the first time. As I began to speak, the parliamentarian called a point of order. The reason, it was a special call meeting and my topic was not on the agenda. So, I was not allowed to speak that night. I came away appreciating the rules of order and respecting the commissioner who made sure they were followed. But things were different at the work session last week. Here are three examples. And I want to emphasize these are not personal. They are strictly about the process. First, during the review of proclamations, there was an impromptu discussion about a vacancy on the commission. This included the introduction of one citizen to fill the position. This should have been a separate item on the agenda, especially since a public notice was published specifically for this issue. Second, during the public hearing, a resolution was discussed that originally passed in

January and then went to the county and city regional planning commissions. The same version should have been presented at the work session. However, strikeouts made by one of the cities were included. As the county attorney explained, while planning commissions can make suggestions, only the county commission can alter the original resolution. And third, during appearance of citizens, an individual made a few remarks and then asked several questions. The threeminut timer was stopped and a department head was called to the podium to answer them. I've seen numerous citizens ask questions before and be told they are not answered during public comments. Now, we all understand that despite our best effort, none of us are perfect. And we all want to be heard. We want the vote to go our way. But as Robert Rules explains, parliamentary procedures are the rules that help us maintain order and ensure fairness in all decision-making processes. You have a lot on the agenda with some important votes tonight. Commitment to the rules of order is the most efficient and equitable way to get everything done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir. Michelle Light, you are next. And on deck is Dustin Edward. Michelle like Jefferson City. Um I want to talk about the Jes uh renovation. Um, it's time to get Jefferson Elementary fixed. Um, the numbers that have been given between the renovation and the new build are not accurate. We've known that for years. They tried to say early on it would be 17 million versus 20 million. We know that that wasn't a true renovation quote. That number was just kind of pulled out based on a percent of a new

build. Um, now we actually do have a real quote from a builder on how much it will be to renovate. We know that Lewis Group has proven that their bids are low. The county clerk's office ended up costing over double what they said it would cost. So, a no vote today would mean we have to start all over. We have to start this process over again. Now, this came before the commission several times and it failed. So, why would we back up and do this? Um, it also guarantees three more years that the children have to stay in that current building. Now, I've been on Facebook and I've seen a lot of parents complaining that their children are chronically sick and they've advocated that their children even be moved to another building uh temporarily while new construction is being done because the conditions are so bad. A new build is not going to solve this problem because it's going to leave the children in there for a longer time. So, if we're going to build new, then we're going to have to get a temporary place for the children to be for the next three years. If we renovate, we can renovate around everything. Um, so I ask that you get this taken care of and you vote to renovate. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Next, we have Dustin Edward. And on deck, we have James Lance. Thank you for letting me speak. My name is Dustin Edberg from Strawberry Plains. I'm sure most of you and many in this room will agree that we as Americans are taxed to death. And after taxes, there's death tax. From our income to what we purchase to taxes on our properties and houses and finally registering our vehicles and what I see is a new proposed tax tonight. Um, why not relieve your fellow citizens from giving more of our hard-earned

money to taxes by not renewing the will tax? Um, replacing it with Council Member Levven's mineral tax. Um, every small boom that we hear shaking our house. It's another reminder of how these mine companies own um these mine companies are owned by companies not even based in this country. Um, they're taking our precious precious resources literally under our feet with nothing showing nothing for us in return other than tearing up 11E with their large trucks driving back and forth. Um, the proposed tax has worked in Donald's uh, Davidson County and Knox counties where they've made hundreds of thousands of dollars since implemented. Um, listen to your fellow citizens and voters and relieve us of this tax, please. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Next, we have James Lance. Yes. Good evening, Jefferson County Commissioners. My name is James Lance. I'm 27year veteran of the US Armed Forces residing at 2246 Peninsula Drive, Jefferson City, Tennessee. I'm here on behalf of the citizens of dogwood acres. I first reviewed a PowerPoint version of this document over a year ago. It is titled the Jefferson County Community Engagement Survey Results dated 24th February 2024. It was drafted by Arcadus Corporation, a private consulting firm, as part of what I assume is its proposed green plan. As I stated in an email to Jefferson County Community Outreach Coordinator a year ago, the majority of the information contained in this document could have been extracted by any county employee in a single afternoon simply by reviewing the last US census for this area. Additionally, my understanding is is that it cost over $4,000 just to reproduce this document.

Finally, the survey indicates a response rate of slightly over 3% given the county population of about 59,000. In order to draw meaningful conclusions from a survey, statistics tell us a survey should generate a 25 to 30% response rate. Therefore, any conclusions drawn from this particular survey are circumspect at best. My related questions to the commission follow. Number one, when and how was this survey conducted? Two, what was the total cost paid for candidates to produce this document? And is this the best use of our tax dollars? Three, what happened to the building a better Jefferson County plan? From my discussions with long-term county residents, over a million dollars were spent to produce the building a better Jefferson County plan. What happened to it? Number four, what does this commission propose with regard to drafting a true five-year strategic plan containing a vision for the county's future along with the associated goals and objectives to achieve that vision. As I've mentioned numerous times during the past two years, with my extensive background in planning, I stand ready to assist the development of a strategic plan at no cost to the county. Thank you. Thanks, sir. Next we have Jeffrey Williams on deck. Major treadway. Come sir. Who's on deck? Jeffrey Williams. Yeah. Come to the podium. On deck. Introduce yourself. All right. I'm

Jeffrey Williams. I live right down here in Majestic Bay. Uh the tax deal is a is a issue I'm concerned about. Uh last year my tax appraisal almost doubled. Sent my wife sent some emails to some commissioners here and I got a I got a copy of one sent back to her from Miss Huffacre. Uh she says, "Everyone's been surprised with the reappraisal values. There's a calculation used to determine the property tax that includes property value and certified tax rate per state law. The amount the county collects, property tax and appraisal year has to remain neutral. This means property appraisals increase across the board. Certified tax rate will decrease. So the county brings in net neutral. The county does not have new lower tax rate yet. Property taxes should remain about the same with a slight increase or decrease on some property unless the county commission has to increase the balance to to this increase would be the same whether or not it was reappraised reappraisal year. In short, your property taxes should not double because the tax rate will be much lower, but they could increase some based on balanced budget. I hope this information is helpful. It is, but my taxes are going up extremely fast for some reason. And uh my property taxes are going out the roof and then you want a wheel tax. Uh Mr. Carmarmac when he was in high school they come up with the wheel tax and it was a temporary tax and that's 40 years ago 40 plus years ago and that never went away. It's still here and you

want more. My taxes went from 2022 $8,379. 2023 8677. This year there was almost $11,000. $10,96 26%. $2,229 is not a small increase to me or a decrease at all. Um the the personally I think the will tax is more fire tax because I got about 50 homes in my neighborhood and several of them 15 20% of them have more than one family living in them and so they're paying half the tax I am or one family has five generations living in it. I don't know. You divide theirs by five. Um, it's a lot less than mine, but I know it takes money to operate, but I mean, one or the other. We can't have all of them, but I appreciate your time. Thank you, sir. Major Treadway, you're next. On deck will be Ken Morton. Major Treadway, 1341 Woodp Point Drive in Jefferson City. Commission, tonight you have before you a series of votes considering concerning a proposal from the Jefferson County Board to spend a total of up to 24 million to renovate Jefferson Elementary. As a parent of two students there, this issue is very important to me. Simply put, this aging facility no longer adequately serves the needs of the ch who spend their days there. Last month, the school board chose renovating Jefferson Elementary for 24 million over

building a new facility for 27.6. Though I was discouraged by the council's vote, I tried to give people the benefit of the doubt. And so I looked for more information. But with each piece of new information I learn, the more I am convinced that a vote to renovate this facility is a vote to use tax taxpayer dollars irresponsibly. The $24 million cost may be lower overall, but digging a little deeper reveals that it is not cheaper. At $24 million, the cost to renovate and upgrade the 71,192 square foot facility comes at a cost of approximately $375 per square foot. The cost to build a new school that's 8,000 square ft larger comes at a cost of approximately $350 per square foot. Not only is this renovation cost estimate more expensive per square foot, it also neglects to include some improvements that a new school would provide. According to the cost estimate, the following items are listed as optional. That is, they are not included. Improvements to the parking lot. Improve improvements to the canopies where cars pull in to let out their children. The admin area, secured entry, extra classrooms, the gym floor and stage, even hiding the electrical wires in the classrooms are not included. Inclusion of these estimates would add another of these options would add another $7 million to what is being requested today. where these included, the cost per square foot would balloon to $435 for a smaller school, for a

facility with a shorter life expectancy than a new building. I oppose the renovation of Jefferson Elementary, not because I think the current state of the facility is adequate. I oppose the renovation of Jefferson Elementary because all of the evidence at my disposal indicates it will cost more by square foot to renovate than to build. And even then, the current and more expensive estimate, excuse me, you're out of time. You need to finish up real quick. Yes, sir. The current and more expensive estimate will not address the issues that the new building would provide. At the end of the day, the teachers, administrators, and children of the school need an an environment conducive to learning, and renovation is not the answer. Thank you, sir. Next, we have Ken Morton. Alex McFall, you will be next. Ken Morton, 604, Boxwood Lane, Jefferson City. speaking for myself. You had a week uh to review my seven-page memo about removing asbestous and PCBs while renovating Jefferson Elementary School. Just in case you for some reason haven't been able to do that, I'll give you one sentence. Uh, I do think it's possible to renovate safely, but only if everything is done right in the chain of command and responsibility. That chain starts in this room. It goes out through the workers in the moon suits. Here's a case in point. Last week, I asked to see the renovation plan and the cost estimate that the school board had received from an external private firm. It mentioned asbestous and mold, but PCBs did not appear anywhere in that

document. I don't know why PCBs were emitted or if it was due to one person or several people, but here's the result. that cost estimate is likely too low because it doesn't include PCBs. And if you ignore PCBs during the renovation, you'll be leaving yourselves wide open for various kinds of trouble. So, everybody in the chain of command and responsibility needs to understand their part of the job and do it correctly. Remember, PCB rules are under the EPA out of Atlanta and asbestous rules are enforced by the state of Tennessee. It stands to reason that these folks would much rather help you people comply with the rules than have to come in here uh levying fines and filing lawsuits. So, I'm going to encourage you to contact them for help, right? In fact, I've given your chairman and three other county leaders the printouts of the phone numbers, names, emails of these people. And so, as a citizen that's outside the chain, that's all I can do. It's up to you. Now, do you have any questions for me? I got 30 seconds left. Thank you, sir. Next we have Alex McFall and Pamela Hester will be next. Ma'am, uh, good evening, commissioners. Uh, my name is Alex McFall or Alex Tally, depending on which government document you check. Changing your name is actually a lot harder than I realize, and I'm only about 50% through the process. Um, I'm an attorney at Hush Blackwell, which was recently

ranked the 78th largest law firm in the country. Um, over the last more than 10 years of my practice, I have worked in both litigation and regulatory compliance. Um, point of order, Mr. Chairman. I'm sorry. Name and address. Name and address, ma'am. Oh, apologies. Well, Alex McFall again or Alex Tally, depending on what address is. 820 Terra Lane, Dandridge, Tennessee. All right. Apologies. Thank you. Um, but tonight I'm here in my capacity as a proud Jefferson County native. um and a current resident who attended Jefferson Elementary School from kindergarten to fifth grade. I even married a Mari Hornet. And I'm embarrassed to say how often our uh elementary school and middle school rivalry is still brought up in our home. Um I'm sure you have been advised on the county's governmental um immunity. I I have no doubt um Doug Drenin is a tremendous attorney who I have enormous amount of of respect for. But as an attorney who has litigated governmental immunity claims before and overcome them on multiple occasions, I can tell you that the issues are rarely as clear-cut as they seem. Holes can be poked in immunity defenses, and the law is way more complicated sometimes than it looks on paper. Uh this is not even my primary area of practice, but I gathered two uh environmental law attorneys from my office this afternoon, and we were able to craft an argument that we think could arguably avoid the governmental immunity claim. Um, given what we know about the dangers of asbestous, any decision to remediate it with children present could put the county commissioners in a very vulnerable if they fail to comply with EPA regulations. They are, take it from me, incredibly detailed and they leave absolutely no room for error. We all know that asbestous is a serious, serious health hazard. Our state supreme court has even recognized that it's an extremely serious substance. the unex protected exposure of which can result in death. But the

truth is a child who's exposed to asbestous and later becomes seriously ill doesn't care who is technically immune. What they and their family will ask is simple. Did the county know there was asbestous. Did they know renovation could stir it up? And did they do it anyway? We have a chance tonight to devoid avoid that question altogether. Building a new Jefferson Elementary School is not just the right call educ educationally, but is my position that it's a legally sound decision. It avoids any gray areas of liability, and most importantly, it ensures the health and safety of our kids, teachers, and school staff. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, ma'am. Next, we have Pamela Hester. And last but not least, Mr. Jim Fox. Hi, I'm Pam Hester. I live at 724 West Deborah Street in Jefferson City. I trust that you all received the letter that I sent to your residences dated April 9th. I'm speaking on behalf of 78 teachers and staff and 435 children for their safety and quality of learning. I've taught at Jefferson Elementary for 19 years. In light of all these facts that you've presented been presented with, let's consider the actual day-to-day learning of these 513 Jefferson County citizens. I brought a visual of the map that I sent you just so that you can see the numbers and what the actual hallways look like. The hallways and our wings and that's how the proposal that you got separates how the renovation will happen. The red hallway houses 208 children. They are our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. There's a developmental preschool for 30 3 to 5 year olds with learning disabilities, some severe. It is only one of two in

our county. The other is at Dandridge Elementary. We have two CDC classrooms on this hallway. That's children with severe learning developmental difficulties. And there's 16 children served. I highlight those especially because there's no one to speak for them and I feel that that's my duty as an educator. To move them to renovate around them would be very disruptive. There's also four kindergarten classes, a prek class, three first grade classes just on this hall. 208 children there. We have not addressed what we're going to do to house these children during renovation. How we will how will we provide a safe appropriate educational space for these preschoolers and small children? Each of the other hallways are marked with 142 children, 135 children. All of these students will need to be displaced when renovation is occurring, not to mention what will be happening in their little ears and in the halls that they walk through. Those who say that the renovation would take less time didn't look at the proposal because if you close one wing at a time, it could take up to two to three years. So, it is not faster and it is definitely not cheaper when you consider that we have made absolutely no consideration for the cost of where we're going to house these students when they're renovating. that has not been in any of the school board's proposals and this to me should and it has not been addressed by the school board. I understand that your job is not all these details. You're our county commission. Your job is to provide funding for the board's recommendations, not work out all these details. So,

please vote no to renovation so that you can the school board will be required to look for better options and provide the best place to work and learn for 435 children and 78 teachers and staff. Thank you so much. Next, we have Jim Fox. Sir, you will conclude tonight's input. Ah, bringing up the rear. All right. Uh Jim Fox, Abalene Trail, Dandridge. Uh you have heard all the emotional reasons why to build a new school. Uh now let's get past the emotions and let's talk about some of the facts. Uh if the environment was half as dangerous as the emotions would let you believe, the state and local health departments would have condemned a building. They checked the school at least annually. Also unannounced inspections and anytime a complaint is made, they're required to inspect the building. Has anyone presented a direct link between the school and any illness by a medical professional? If so, where are they? Or is this simply school flu? Um, even though the school as proposed would have a larger square footage footprint, it would not accommodate any more students than the existing school under consideration for renovation. In fact, the district school population student population has decreased or remained virtually stagnant for the last few years. With the newly proposed, newly passed state voucher bill, who knows what our enrollment will be down the road. Currently, there are about 650 empty desks throughout the district. Past school board administration saw a need for school repairs, but for whatever reason chose to do nothing, which brings us to where we're at today.

The school board is working been working diligently to correct the issue. The school board had two options. One, re renovate the current school at 24 million. The county already has the funds without issuing bonds or raising taxes. or two, build a new school at 28 million plus. The county does not have the funds, so the county debt would have to be increased and taxes would be raised once more because the architect on the school on the uh used an extremely low square foot pricing and because of a number of needed items were identified by the school board as not included in this bid. It is estimated that a proper bid from another architect would climb to at least 32 million, an additional 15%. And we ain't even signed the paperwork yet. So where is it actually going to end? The school board is presenting its their best and most comp cost effective option and still completing the mission of creating a great learning experience for the students. The age of the school does not mean it cannot be remodeled. Also, the age of the school does not dictate the level of learning. Otherwise, most of the University of Tennessee would have to be demolished, including the beloved Heirs Hall and Nen Stadium. Also, remember, we're having this very discussion in 180y old courthouse. Lastly, there is only one proposal before this commission, funding to remodel the school. That's the only one that's out there. Uh, a no vote would delay the project nearly two years and be even more costly. I'll finish up here real quick. The the community has been promised action for years for this school. Let's give them that. This is essentially a new school except for the

founding foundation and walls will already be built. Lastly, uh, making decisions on emotions never goes well. Thanks, sir. Thank you. Next on the agenda, moving right along. We're coming up on break, but I think we need to clear up what we've already added. Mr. Docker, you added the school vote, the school renovation vote. How do you want to proceed, sir? Well, I just wanted to move you on up the agenda. All right. for all the people it's interested in. Miss Jesse, do you want to present the uh the amendments that we need to make? I can. Would you please and explain each one of them for exactly what we are doing? Okay. Um the first one is budget amendment general fund 141 budget amendment number 15. Could you grab a microphone right there? Could somebody grab her a microphone? Okay. General fund 141 budget amendment number 15. There are two items on this. What this is item number one is moving the funds to let's see moving the funds from the reserves into a reserve for renovation. It's on a construction reserve and it's moving it into a renovation reserve. Can you hear me? one at a time. Item number one. Item number one. That's what I'm going over right now. Does everyone on the commission understand? Is yours turned on? Try it again and just see if you're if they're saying they couldn't hear you. Can you hear me now? Okay, let's start over. Item number one, the total for that is 11.5 million.

The first portion is moving Jefferson Elementary Construction, a reserve that has been set aside of $3 million to another reserve for Jefferson Elementary renovation. The second portion of item number one is utilizing $8.5 million of their unassigned fund balance. This is the schools to a Jefferson Elementary renovation reserve. and that totals 11.5 million dollars. The second portion of this is moving the 11.5 million dollar reserve to a transfers out expenditure line and the second portion is the next budget amendment. So this is fund 141 and the next one will be fund 140 or 177. We need to clear them up one at a time. Correct. This was recommended by the budget committee. This item 141 number 15, the two items was recommended by the budget committee. We have a motion on the floor and a second. Question or comment. We'll proceed to vote. Proceed to vote. Is Katie do you speak. [Music] Okay. I'm not going to support this renovation, which if you I'm not in support of the renovation. And if you were at the work session, I stated it then and I'm going to re repeat it again today. When we first started debating about this years ago, we thought the cost was going to be about half or some of the commissioners did. And then when

um it went out for renovation bid, our current numbers are 24 million for a remodel and 27 for a new build. I think it's a bad return on investment for the taxpayers. There's only a 16% difference. Even if we purchase property behind the middle school from the hospital and paid for infrastructure, I know the cost would go up, but I wouldn't think it'll exceed 25% difference. There's not schematics um for this renovation. So, I think the timeline's off. I don't think they'll be able to bait over the summer and I feel the cost will increase once they get into the building and they open it up. Um I know there's a $900,000 contingency, but if something goes wrong and you start bringing in portables and you have to start bringing in nutrition for the kids, um then you start doing change orders, your cost will dramatically increase. I think it's a health risk. Um, we've been told there's as best of as some PCBs in the building. I just think as far as risk assessment, it's not, in my opinion, in the county's best interest to renovate. I'm certain there'll be a, if not a lack of progression in learning, a loss of learning for the kids. It'll be extremely disruptive. Um, we're going to be responsible if something goes arai. This scope of work is much larger than the Piedmont renovation. The majority of the building is a major gut job. Essentially, you have a foundation and some walls. Um, and also we've been told by different companies that the life expectancy of a new build is greater than a renovation. So, I I just cannot support this. Next we have uh Miss Janet Norton and then Jim Snogers. Okay. We spent a lot of time listening

to the school board and um Lewis and Group and Blankenship do their presentations and we noticed that with both the renovation and the new build, there were several things left out. What one left out, the other didn't. So there there's some differences there that both groups didn't put in there. Um, my second concern or my I guess my first concern is Lewis and Group and the number of times that we've asked them to build a building, allowed them to build buildings, and that the cost has come out way more than what they said it would to start out with. Um, astronomically. Also, on the top of their bid, it says that it will increase by 3% every year. So, each year the build's not finished, it says on top of their contract that it will or their proposal that it will increase 3% each year. um we'll have to buy land to put it on. So there's an additional expense and then the old building is left and we still have to do something with Jefferson Elementary School. So there's another additional cost that's not being taken into consideration and I'm going to say we just did this in Piedmont and it seemed to have gone beautifully. So I'm going to vote in favor. Thank you ma'am. Mr. Snogers. Yeah, I am going to vote in favor of this renovation. I just want to go back a few years when this was started. There was a 120 some odd email chain that come out and if you took time to read through that, it very plainly stated in there by a high up school official, make the renovation cost so high that they'll only choose new. Straight out says that. So, I wanted to get real numbers and I feel like we're at that point finally. And now here's what's going to come right after this. if we choose to build new, they're going to come back for another 30 or $40 million to renovate JES to make it some type of office complex. So, it's not good enough for the current folks in there, the kids and the students and the teachers. So, why would then we turn around, spend another 30,

$40 million to renovate it for our adult teachers or adult leaders and administration groups. So, it's just not logical, but that will come right after that. So again, I'm going to move forward with support for this project. We will move to our vote now. Not seeing no more requests to speak. If you're for moving this money, vote accordingly. Sure. You have 13 yes, six no. Yeses have it. The money will be moved. Miss Jesse. Next. Okay. The next item that pertains to the Jefferson Elementary renovation is capital fund 177. This is a school capital projects fund budget amendment number five. There's one item on it. It is bringing in those funds that you all just approved to transfer out of the general fund 141. This is for the school portion of 11.5 million. This did fail with budget committee, but it was requested to be added to the agenda. We have a motion on the floor and a second. Question or comment. Not seeing a request to speak. We'll proceed to vote. 13 yes, six no passes. Okay, so that is the school board portion of their of theirs for the renovation. That's $1.5 million. Now, the third item on this is they are

requesting $12.5 million funding from the county. So, what I've included is excess revenue detail to show you on the debt service 151. Um, the very first page of that, it shows that we have around $12.7 million. If we look back to 2019, there are three items that make up this funds. Interest earned, will tax, and adequate facilities tax. I've included the will tax and the adequate facilities tax resolutions and highlighted the portions that they are for the school capital projects. Is there a question or comment? Uh just to let you know if this does pass this portion has to be put into the fiscal year 2526 budget. So, it would be put in to move these funds out of debt service into our county capital and then a contribution to the school capital if this passes. We have a motion on the floor. We have a second. Not seeing a request to speak. We'll proceed to vote. passes 127. Is there one more, Jesse? That's all for the renovation. That's all for that takes care of the $24 million funds. Thank you. All right, moving right along to the agenda. We normally take a break at 8:00. We're going to take a short 10 minute restroom break so the crowd can disperse or as you please, but we will be right back in 10 minutes.

one please be seated. Next you have before you approval of notaries and bonds. We have a motion on the floor with a second question or comment. Not hearing any. Proceed to vote. sir, he's absent. 18 yeses, zero nos passes. Next we have nominating committee elections of committees boards and commissions. Where's my chairman? That'd be you, Mr. Bales. No, I'm Mr. Chairman. You need to replace Jennifer Stone King Stewart with Linda McCall, right? I have that. I was fixing to announce that. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Do you want to take them all both together? Yeah. Yeah. We shall proceed to vote. Got a motion on the floor in a second. 180 pass. Next we have reports from elected officials. County Mayor Mark Pototts, Mayor Apartments, Regional Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Randy Bales, April 2025 to October of 2026. No request to speak. We'll proceed

to vote. Motion on the floor and a second. 16 yes, zero no. Next we have long range planning committee John Johnson. April 2025 July 2025. We have a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Proceed to vote. We need a motion, please. We have a motion in a second. 17. Mr. Sure. Real quick, can we clarify it says It should be 26, correct? The uh the sunset on that committee is July 2025 unless county commission changes it. So, I'll cut and extend it past the life of the committee. Next, we're moving right along. Uh 170 chairman's comments. All I have is uh there's going to be a meeting at Collie Hill Farms for the veterans at uh Thursday night the 24th I believe. Mr. Brooks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh the Jefferson County Republican Party will be having a dinner this Thursday night, April 24th at 6:30 p.m. be located at Koli Hill Farm. Our

guest speaker is going to be our veteran service officer. So, if you're a veteran or would like to learn about uh the services that are offered to our veterans in Jefferson County, I encourage uh everyone to attend. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Next, moving right along, we have B, Sanitation Department, Mr. David G., would you take the podium, please, sir? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I I've got a couple things. One thing that needs for a suspension of rules and a couple of items to be added, a couple of budget minutes to be added. The reason we're having to add these budget amendments is earlier this afternoon at the sanitation commission, I submitted my letter of resignation. Um, I will be working or I've offered to work commit to work to the roughly the end of the fiscal year to offer them opportunity to get somebody hired, work through a transition. If that hiring does take place quickly, I would be there and the new director would be there. So there would be some overlap on salaries. So both 116 and 7 or 207 fund would need roughly $7,500 a piece for salaries and associated cost depending on insuranceances and and whatnot. So my announcement is my resignation and then uh asking for the suspension of rules to add those budget amendments on. There will have to be a motion to suspend the rule. Mr. Docky got a motion by Mr. Docky and a second by Katie. Question or comment for Mr. G. I do want to say thank you for the opportunity. Um I I love I love Jefferson County. I love the opportunity I've had to work here. Hope that I've left it uh better than I found it.

You say 7500 for both for each. It would have to be two separate budget amendments yet. So I assume they'll just add them later. Whatever. It just all came up this afternoon. So um I do apologize for the late notice of it. The motion was Terry Doy and the second was Katie Faker. We have a motion on the floor to suspend the rule. That has been properly made and seconded. So, you will be voting on the suspension of the rule. Passes 190. Now, we're on to the motion itself. It would be two. we would need to um do an amendment from 116 116 and that would be fund balance that we would be hitting um for salary and associated cost um you could $7500 up to $7,500 to cover salaries and associated cost um for the replacement that would actually would be if we were presenting it would be fund 116BA number two BA number do. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Question. Help me understand. You said you you're resigning. I am. But you're going to stay how long? Through the end of the fiscal year to offer transitional period. Um it's a pretty complex system out there for somebody to learn. So, if they can get somebody hired quickly, then we would have four to five weeks of working to help them with that transition. Okay. And everybody thinks that's I mean, I don't have enough to know. I don't have enough education to know. I mean, what are the chances that we could hire somebody that already had these skills?

Um, just the the sanitation board is is open to any help, but understand it's those three members. It's their responsibility to hire and fire. So, you said we. I'm just want to make sure you understand it. It's their job, their responsibility to to do that, take that action. Okay. I'm just looking for clarification cuz it's like really quick and I'm trying to absorb what I'm hearing here. I'm offering that if if they don't want it, I'm fine with that. I'm offering that. Um, I will say that five weeks will barely touch what the new person needs to know whether they're skilled in landfill operation or not. Okay. Um, I have also offered after my departure, my phone is always open. I will answer any question that they need in the future. So, Gotcha. Thank you. We will move right along to the vote on fund 116. Jesse, you have the specifics of the vote. We're making it up as we go. So, um, it would be fund 116BA number two, item number one. Um, I'm just going off of his figures because we just all discovered this ourselves. So, $7,500 to cover payroll and associated cost up to. So, if the fund's not needed, we wouldn't move it, but we won't be meeting again until year end. So, this will put those funds onto the payroll lines for us. We will proceed to vote. 19. Yes. Zero. No. Okay. The second side of that. Okay. Um there's also a landfill fund 207. So,

um, the director's salary is paid half on 116 and half on 207. So, that's why it involves two funds. It's the flip side. It's the exact same thing, but fund 207 up to $7,500. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. Oh, got it right there. 19 yes, zero nos passes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. G. Next, we're down to the audit committee 2024 audit. We need to vote to accept. We need a motion to accept. So, chairman, we have Mr. Brooks and who was the second? Mr. Solomon. Hold up just a second here and we'll get you tallied up. Not hearing a question or comment. We'll proceed to vote. Motion to amend. Nope. Mistake. Oops. Great bird. passes

190. Moving right along to budget committee debt service fund. We've already taken care of that item. It was for Jefferson Elementary renovation. Sure. Yep. And I I think I'm just going to keep rolling on the budget amendments if that's okay with chairman. Okay. Thank you. So, uh these were all approved by the budget committee last week. Uh general fund 101 VA number 11 item 121 is using fund balance of 163,329 reserve balance usage $25,411.31 question or comment we have a motion on the floor and a second motion we don't have to have it done been plugged 19. Yes. Zero no passes. Next item, sanitation fund 116, amendment number one. And this is moving $3,000 from the waste equipment to part-time personnel. Proceed to vote 190. Proceed. Next item, the ARPA grant fund 127 amendment number two. This item is bringing in um it's not additional revenue. It's just

where budget this year and I underestimated $186,615 for this grant. Proceed to vote. 190 proceed. Next item is highway fund 131 amendment number three. Um these are just aligning up the funds on the correct salary. This is due to um just positions changing different budgeted salary lines. Proceed to vote. 190 pass. Proceed. Next item is um capital fund 171 amendment number four. There's only one item. This is to replace a gel sally port door. This was for next fiscal year's um capital budget. However, it was needed at our earliest convenience. So, we are swapping this out with insulation for the courthouse for next fiscal year. Proceed to vote 190 passed. Next item is landfill fund 207 amendment number three. There are two items on this. Um the first item is moving funds around for additional funds for evaluation and testing for the additional class three and four cells. The other the other item item number two is utilizing fund balance of $100,000 to add more funds to crush

stone diesel fuel and gasoline to finish out the fiscal year. 190 passed. Okay, that's all of the county ones. The next item is schools uh general fund 141 item or budget amendment number 11. There's only one item. It's bringing in additional revenue. Proceed the vote 190 pass. Proceed. Okay. Um, fund 141, budget amendment number 12, has a few items on it and is using reserve balance of 20,557.50. Proceed to vote 190 pass. Next one is 141 amendment number 13. This is one item and it's to purchase additional property adjacent to Tabat Elementary School and it's to allow them up to $150,000 utilizing their fund balance. Proceed to vote pass 190 proceed. Next item, fund 141, amendment number 14. There are three items here. No use of fund balance or reserves. Proceed to

vote 190. Proceed. Next item 141, budget amendment number 16. There's one item and this is moving funds for the bonuses for classified and certified staff. says using fund balance of $55,742.50. If this is approved, the board of education fund down fund balance unassigned will be down to about 1.8 million. Proceed to vote. 190. Proceed. Okay, we're moving on to federal funds 142, budget amendment number four. There's only one item and it's bringing in additional revenue. Proceed to vote. Temp's dead. It's dead. Yes. 190 pass. Proceed. Federal fund 142 budget amendment number seven. There are four items on this. Proceed to vote. Yes. Miss Haidider. There we go. 190 pass. Proceed.

Federal fund 142 amendment number eight. There are four items on this. Proceed to vote. Yes. 190 to pass. Proceed. Schools capital projects fund 177 budget amendment number four. There's one item. Um on the flip side, the the project was approved on their fund 141 back in January, but we failed to present this. So, this portion needs to be approved so we can complete the project. Proceed to vote 190 passed. Proceed. Uh the next item uh we've already completed the school renovation project. So the next item is G lobby travel reimbursement. Mr. Steel is requesting his reimbursement. It was approved up to $3,500 back in October of 2024. proceed to vote. 18 yes, one no. Passed. Okay. The next item, item H, for job classification compensation study and analysis for all Jefferson County employees. Um, we did bid this out. However, the bid opening was not until last Wednesday. So, it was after budget committee had met. So, we weren't able to have this presented to budget committee. Uh with those results, we do have four companies that came in under $60,000 for this study. So, I believe

the request would be not to exceed 60,000. Um if you all wish to proceed with this study, Mr. Dockry. Is this just for salary or total compensation to include benefits and insurance? We bid out total compensation. Okay. Anyone else question or comment? I make a motion to approve the proposal the uh for a job classification and compensation study in an amount not to exceed $60,000 to come from the fund balance. Question or comment? We'll proceed to vote. 14. Yes. Five. No. Passes. Next we have uh that concludes your business, right Jesse? Next we have long range planning report chair Katie Huffaker. Okay. Um, so we had the Jefferson County Community Engagement Survey, but we never submitted and filed that in the official county records, the date of the results, and the comments. So, we need

to make a motion to today to do that. And Commissioner Snodgrass, he was a previous long range planning chair, and he's going to do a brief presentation with the results. But I wanted to um give a couple comments on this. When we did the survey, we had a steering and advisory committee that were formed. So we had uh several community members. They helped us with the nuts and bolts to develop and to review the survey for concerns. They've advocated for the community. We had people that helped represent the roads, emergency services, schools, city, agriculture, zoning, historical, community reps, and the long range planning committee members were in involved. And there were several about 25 stakeholders with who were citizens with various backgrounds who came and gave us information too. Um, we did a lot of advertising in the banner, the Jefferson County Post. We utilized QR codes and survey links on the county website as well as other social media. We put advertisement flyers, yard signs, note cards were placed at multiple commercial businesses, the funeral home, hospitals, schools, fire departments, local shops, co-op, Farm Bureau. Um, we handed them out personally to the public service workers in the city and the county. Multiple emails were sent out to the county employees, both school and the county department heads and the county employees. We went to the senior citizen centers. Um, so I just want everybody to know we really really put a lot of effort into that survey and I'm proud about how it went about and I'm very appreciative to all the community members who helped and the commissioners

and um we had a higher response rate than Knox County when their survey was taken. We had public meetings at one at the high school, one at New Market Elementary and Talbot. There were interactive boards. People were there to answer questions. And again, I just want to thank everybody who was involved and I think we got some really good results from it. And I'm going to turn it over to Commissioner Snograss. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Katie. Again, same here. Thank you to everyone. I see a lot of faces in here that attended our long range planning meeting and some that already left. Uh we appreciate everyone's support. This is a condensed version. Some of you have already seen that. um with respect to time, but mayor, I hope we can get this reposted back on our website as well, and I'll be submitting all the raw data to your office if approved by the commission. Okay. Uh looking at the first slide, as as Katie mentioned, we had 19 1,916 total responses, highest response rate of uh for any previous IBI survey. So again, a lot of hard money plus years. Okay. So it was a lot of local survey as well. Uh looking at next, what best describes your situation in Jeff County? 88% of the people who completed the survey were homeowners here. Okay. Again, I'm going a little quick. Uh we also surveyed the different types of professions. Uh I don't think there's any school members left here. Uh but uh Dr. AR was uh tremendous in helping us getting this out through the community. They also had a good response rate from from the school system. Uh retired members and then also medical members were the next largest. And then uh this was an important question that was requested through from several inputs. Uh do you

farm or own an agriculture-based business? You can see just a little over 10% said yes, but the majority was no. So I want you to keep that in mind as we look at a later question. What we heard and this is also in the community surveys that mention was a rural field was important. I think I think most of us in this room can still sign up for that. Preserving agricultural land is a priority. Maintaining quality of the school system as a county grows is important and economic development. And uh if you look here at Q13, reflect back what I mentioned earlier. Is it important for Jefferson County to maintain its rural field? Yes, overwhelming majority there. And as it grows, please rank your priorities from 1 to six with one being the most important. Maintain quality of schools had a score of four 4.39. Preserving agriculture had 4.38 and then third ranking was economic development of 3.85. Next question. As commercial industrial development grows in Jefferson County, what would you like to see included in the standard rules for building signage, standard development, rules, noise levels, pedestrian design, and then there were several images that were in the survey that you could select. So yes, you can see the majority of 90 plus% said these things are important. And here's the breakdown of that. uh sign guidance uh height and materials. And I'm going to give you an example here. You look at our Lo's truck stop sign down on 412. We can pretty well see it from a long distance off. There's a Love truck stop at the Mount Juliet stop off 840. Same setup, but there signs 10 ft high. Those are the

things that help maintain a rule feel, keeping the signages at low levels. For example, rules for sidewalks, traffic buffer, trees, connections. Again, over 90% in favor of that. Standard rules for landscaping developments, the streets, the trees, median sidewalks, almost 90% favorable on that one. And as well, uh, standard rules for maximum noise levels. Uh, just over 70% in favor of that as well. And then finally, uh, question 21, please rank the district zones that need the most revision efforts, ranking them from one to eight. And you can see A1 was ranked as needing the most revision, which we heard that for many years in here. And we've got a couple things on the table not to help move that forward. Uh, hopefully with more to come. And that's that's the abbreviated version. And I want to encourage everyone to go on to the website and see the details. There's a lot of recommendations out there. I think uh that was actually in our packet. Uh and a lot of those balls are moving and in motion already. We just got to pick up some speed and stay with it. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Katie. You need to finish. Sure. I'd like to make a motion to um put the data, survey results, and comments that we received from IBI to be filed in the official county records from the Jefferson County Community Engagement Survey. We have a motion on the floor in a second. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote.

190 pass. We'll move right along. Next, we have old business. And we have on the docket resolution 2025-09, a resolution authorizing an additional motor vehicle privilege tax approving for the disposition of the proceeds thereof. Commissioners Huffaker and Doc Dory sponsored. This is a second reading. It does have to have 14 votes to pass. It has passed early in a regularly scheduled meeting. Request to speak, Katie Haker. Okay. I'd just like to ask everybody to please support this. Um, we were over 1.5 million in the red from last year's budget, which does not include what we needed for this year's budget, too. So, this is $35. It supports public safety, the sheriff's vehicles, EMS, ambulances, fire department, rescue squad funding, public education capital, and public highways capital. Um, it exempts those who are approved and currently enrolled under the Tennessee property tax relief program. They'll be exempt upon proof of documentation from the trustes office if they apply. And this will tax will also be placed on the 2028 referendum. We need twothirds majority vote and I would like to encourage everyone to please support this. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. One of the reasons why I am supporting this is it is because of what Commissioner Hupick has said that in 2028 it comes to you the people to either keep it in or vote it out. So that is the reason why I'm supporting it. Thank

you. I see no more request to speak. We'll proceed to vote. passes 190. We will move right along. Next to new business, we have a resolution 2025-23 resolution to levy a mineral severance tax on all sand, gravel, sandstone, church, and limestone severed from the ground in Jefferson County, Tennessee. I see no request to speak. Well, we got Mr. Blevens and Mr. Terry Dockery. Did you come back to the podium, sir? From Nar. Yes, sir. Yes. 14 votes. Okay. Did Thank you for being here. Absolutely. I know it was short notice. We dealt with this a while back, but things got thrown around and thrown out and here we are. Do you work for an NSAR? I'm president of Tennessee Mining Association. They are a member. How much does their membership cost a year? Has their membership cost to me? No, to them. I don't know if I can I'd have to talk to my board about that if I can say that. Okay, understand. Well, you said something. What was you saying about the zinc? Well, that we would tax the zinc. the uh a lot of the what you're talking about up there comes from the zinc mines as I showed you earlier. I meant I

brought something and I don't know that. Can I show something? Sure. I don't know if any of you ever seen zinc. This is what it looks like when it comes out of the ground. I don't if any of you ever seen that, but that's a piece of limestone. I picked this up when I was underground last year. But if you'll notice, can you see that? Looks like fool's gold. Do you notice that? Can everybody see that? That's the zinc. So when we pull when we pull zinc out of the ground, we got to take that off. That's why I was saying it's a very expensive process to mine zinc. But also this is all limestone that's left over. So it is not worth anything to us. But uh we won't pay a severance tax on it. Do you not have it in 65 other counties in the state? Do we have zinc? No, we have no you have the severance tax. One speak at a time. Do we have a severance tax? Yes, sir. On mining? Yes. No. Not Not in 76. Not that I'm aware of. Not in 65 counties in the state of Tennessee, there's not a mineral severance tax. I didn't say that. I didn't say that. Yes. Okay. I don't know how many there are. But also in Smith County where your smelter is, there's one. Okay. They can also use it for other things other than roads, which we would only use it for here. Right. Right. Right. The the that's all that was all bought from NearStar by uh Rogers Group Mountain of Stone. Who owns Nearstar? I don't have an answer to that. I'm sorry. Nearstar and Okay. They by themselves. Okay. So, do you have it in Knox County? I whoever knows I don't I'm sorry I don't know who I didn't know you knew. Please come up Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Ble, you asked a question. Let him answer it. I'm I'm Frank Mackers. I work here at the mine. Speak up, sir. We need to hear you. My name is Frank Mackers. I'm work here at the mines. Um, I came here in 2010. So, I'm I fell in love with Tennessee and I'm still here. I came for two years and I'm married here now and fell in love with Tennessee. So, it's a nice place. Question. How many employees do you have at the Strawberry the Jefferson County Mines? Uh, so at 500 So we have 520 employees. Okay. Here in East Tennessee. Uhhuh. Um, as you know, we had also a mine in Gordensville. Yes. But because in East Tennessee, in East Tennessee, in Jefferson County, um, I think Jefferson County is I think there are 100 that so will be around 420, I think. How many? I didn't understand. 420. 420 approximately. Okay. You know how many is in Knox County? So, we have we have 520 people. So, so the rest would be there. I understand. I don't Is there not a tax in Knox County? No, there's not. We pay nowhere a tax. There's not a mineral severance tax in We don't pay anywhere tax. Do you sever minerals out of the ground there? I don't We don't pay any tax anywhere. Okay. So, why? I mean, you've been doing it forund and some how many years? Probably more than 100 years. Okay. But you've never paid a mineral severance tax in Jefferson County or any other county. No. Okay. We are a very low margin. So I don't know if you know but in Gilville we went in a production pass because it's really very low margin and we will reopen if the zinc price is better and this and that. But yeah and then um here we lost for years now a lot of money. We are in a restructuring.

We've done that. So in two years we hope to be break even and hopefully later on we can make money also of course. Who is your parent company? Uh my parent company is Trafigura. Exactly. Are they not the second largest commodities trader in the world? Yes. Okay. But that doesn't mean what the problem with that is that they will be very fast to say oh we don't make money that's it. Yes. That's what happened in Gville and I assure you you don't want to go through that. We we went through that again. It's hard. How many times have you saw it go through it here? Um it wasn't well me not because I came here when they survived it of course but I think it was closed in 2007 right I think and then before it was under a circle I think well I don't know early 2000 I think it was closed also. So it has all to do with zinc price of course also but every cost we have do we have is too much. Do you have the highest grade zinc in the world right here? We have the highest rated zinc. Okay. But our our market is local. Yes. So we we we transport to our smelter in Clarksville. The smelter is built for these mines. So now we have to import because Gordensville is closed. Mhm. Why did Gordensville close? Because of cost. Because of the minerals. A lot of money. No, we lost a lot of money. You lost a lot of money. Yes. So you close that, but it's happened before. Yes. Yes. Without a mineral severance tax. Yeah. We have to look, it's all about cost. Everything's about cost and and and I think we we um have already a lot of added value to the county. Yes. So what we propose is let's sit together and see how can how we can find each other. Mhm. Let's discuss how can we help? How can we

It's always I'm sorry I can be blunt. I I understand. I don't understand. We're passing a mineral severance tax in this We're asking to pass one in this county. 65 out of the 95 other counties in Tennessee have, but not where we operate. Smith County does. We We don't pay several stacks in. Okay. Well, we extract we extract zinc. That's what we do. We're in the zinc business. So if we pass a marinal tax, you will close down, fire people, send them home. I'm sorry. If this were to pass, you would send people home. Close down. The minds are over. The doesn't matter. Now both of you can't talk at the same time. Mr. Blevens, you ask a question. Let this gentleman answer it. No interruption. Mr. BL, ask your question. Okay. My question is, if we pass this here, why would you have to pay it here if you don't anywhere else? I don't why what are you what makes you exempt from it everywhere else that you operate? I don't know. We we but we only operate in Gordon. So otherwise I don't know either. We're just asking to pass this like the other counties have. I I don't understand why you're exempt there and not here or why you would why you would have to do it here if you don't anywhere else that already has it. Do you I'll yield the floor. I don't understand how that your answer for that one. Well, we don't have it. So that's the only thing I can say. They don't pay it. Okay, Mr. Blevens, you yield. I yield. I'm done. I'm going to give you a couple three minutes to explain your situation and then we're going to proceed. Okay. So again, we are a low margin operation, so every penny counts for us. And um if we if we would do this tax, then we will not be break even in two years. We will probably be be break even in three, four, five, who knows how many years. But everything will be reviewed by our parent company. Our plans are built also the reopening of Middle Tennessee. Our plans are built on

the current cost. Yes. Is that is a new cost? Well, that will be reviewed. And I I'm not expressing here that we immediately going to close down and that I just say everything will be reviewed and we could become in a situation like we are in Gil that they put it in care and maintenance. We want to avoid that at all cost. Also for my job, I speak for myself also. Yeah. I'm working here also already from 2010. I work for this company from 2001. I want to retire here. And there are a lot of people that work for us that want to retire with us. So, I'm asking you actually please vote against this tax. Thank you, sir. Next, we have Terry Doctor. Uh, chairman, I I I had the ability to put this back on the agenda because I was on the prevailing side at the last vote that said no to it. So, we received some additional information last week. We heard from some citizens. So, I will be clear motion and I will not support it. And I do remember, I'm telling the 80s and 90s, I remember people who would get laid off from the mines. It may be for a few months, it may be several months, uh, but some would come. I know some that came where I was working and when the mines reopen, some would go back and some would not. Thank you, chairman. Thank you, sir. Mr. Brooks. Thank you, chairman. I believe my question can be directed to Mr. Please. Are you familiar with legislation in the state of Tennessee that has gone through this session that uh would allow

counties to increase the mineral severance tax? I can only think of one. There was Smith County. No, this would be statewide, sir. Well, statewide severance tax, it would allow counties to increase the mineral severance tax with the if they choose to. You familiar? I understand what you're saying. I don't I don't understand your question. I'm sorry. Are you aware of it? That was my question. Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um, it's my understanding that multiple entities within the mining industry actually endorsed that legislation. Are you familiar with that? I'm not familiar with multiple. I'm familiar with one. And which one was that? It was the one in Smith County. Do you know why they did that? No, I don't. It was It wasn't any It wasn't any of my members of of the mining association. over. Mhm. Uh I'm trying to remember. I did know, but it was no consequence to me. Would it be House Bill 695, Senate Bill 889? Maybe. I go through a lot of bills. There's there's about 3,000 a year. Uh this county is also operating on extremely slim margins as you probably heard some discussion tonight. Uh, you guys said you were willing to sit down and work with us and you even asked what could you do? I think what you could do would be to endorse this mineral severance tax tonight that would help us with our uh budget. You you've already stated that the zinc that you guys desire lies in Jefferson County. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir.

Mr. Randy Bales. both of you in your humble opinion but it probably more you when it's reviewed by the upper in the microphone Randy in your humble opinion when it's reviewed by the corporate is there possibility that gentlemen people employees in Jefferson County will lose their job I'm very afraid of that that's all I got Mr. Greg Bird. Yes. I have a question for the gentleman right here in the green shirt. Um, you mentioned earlier that you hauled for them. Walking trucking. Walking trucking. Okay. And I see your trucks everywhere. Appreciate everything you do. If they shut down, how many jobs will you lose? We have about 40 trucks dedicated to. So, it's not just the minds that might be shaving you, but you'll be losing a lot of work, too. Sir, you'll have to come to the microphone. Come to the podium. Sorry. My question to him was, how many jobs outside the mine itself are going to be tied if they shut down? 40 out of our 75 trucks are dedicated for Nearstar. So, if we lose NearStar, we lose at least 40 right off the top. So, it's not just the mines. It would also be this trucking company. That was what I was thinking the whole time because they got to have somebody to haul that out. Yes, sir. We all the zinc and over. So, well, that's my whole thing. I wanted you to put your two cents worth on it because it affects you also. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh Janet Norton, help me understand. Um the zinc that comes out of this mine is this this is not a zinc this is not a quality of zinc you can get anywhere else right. Well,

so we have our our smelter in Clarksville is built on for this because we have pure zinc. That is also what disadvantage actually because other zinc mines they have copper, they have gold and this we don't have that. So what we have is rock. Rock doesn't bring the money. If we had here zinc and we had gold and copper we we talked a completely different story. So what is the zinc used for? The zinc is used uh primarily for 60% I think for galvanizing cars. So in the industry electric cars zinc you medicine is also zinc and paint is zinc so some cutters have zinc um you probably have a watch on there is some combination of zinc in your watch somewhere so so it's widely used okay and we are the only so and that is also something very important we have we are the we have the only primary zinc smelter in the US still yes making it very special and they need it also Yeah. Yeah. We have Katie Huffaker. Okay. I don't know who can clarify this for me. Oh, shoot. I lost my Hold on. Ah, I lost my page on this resolution. Do you have the resolution pulled up? Does anybody have the resolution? It doesn't as being the does it apply to the zinc or just the limestone the ch the Thank you. Okay. So, it's a resolution to levy a mineral severance tax on all sand, gravel, sandstone, ch and limestone severed from the ground in Jefferson County. So, does it even apply to the zinc? Yes, it does. It does.

It doesn't say, but it doesn't say that in our resolution. It taxing the B. It says you tax on all sand, gravel, sandstone, ch and limestone severed from the ground in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Zinc comes from rock. Okay, that's exactly what it says. [Music] Next we have Jim Snograss. I wasn't sure that went through. Yeah, it did. So you have a single you Tennessee. Is that correct? That's correct. Yes. you they're a they're not part of your company. They're part of our company. So they're part of your company. The issue is also this could have an effect to Clarkville also. Yes. If something happens here, well then Clark is not worked be be open needed. So, so it's all one. All right. Slars can't operate with a lot of external ore. And and as America, I'm not American by, but but I feel like an American. Yes. We want to mine our own zinc. We don't want to import ore from South America, from everywhere. Yes. Thank you. Let me just walk through that supply chain for a second. So you own the smelter in Clarksville and where does it go from Clarksville? Uh local to the galvanizers car industry. So we we a lot in Tennessee actually a lot is sold in Tennessee and and I don't know all the details but it's really very close by. It is trucked there are trucks. So the process is so we mine here. Yes. We have rock that is trucked to our mill there. We process it and at the at the end we have 65 oh no 63% zinc

in that wet still 63% then we truck that to Clarksville where we make 99.9% pure zinc in sheets and then we melt that in blocks and those blocks are sold then to um to the industry and it's all local everything stays in almost in Tennessee we have a lot of car industry now there also so But thank you. But but your company is like anyone else, right? When your inputs increase, you're going to go back to Walker and say, "Hey, can you take a couple pennies off here?" You're going to go over to the smelter, which you own, and you're going to try to work cost out of that process. And then what you can't get out, you're going to send it to the guys making chain link fence or galvanized nails or whatever that end user, the medical industry, which we know will all make a ton of money. So there's ways to work that out other than the threat of shutting down the plant because it is the largest source in the United States as you said, correct? So it's only source. All right. So um zinc is linked with LME prices. So there are there are global prices what we receive for our zinc. So it is not so easy to say oh now we're going to double the price from blocks. Yes. And then they go for alternatives. So for instance you know already the Ford F-150 has aluminum has an aluminum body not zinc anymore not galvanized anymore. So it's all that what is the the car manufacturers they they also try to optimize. Yes. So that's what we saw alum all of a sudden aluminum body. So there are alternatives available for a lot of things. That is the risk and I'm not in the commercial the selling zinc and this and that. So I'm not in that but but I know it's linked with LM price. So in the London Metal Exchange that defines the the price of zinc.

Thank you. Hold on just a second here. Joe John Johnson is ahead of you. We're gonna clear up something here. Use your microphone, please. I was just fixing to clear that up, John. Okay. Because I can answer that question. It's going to be sold in Gordensville. So, would the remittance go to Gordonville? Well, I can't get it. The question at hand right now, how this mineral tax is written is this is based on when they pay sales tax. When he severs the ground in Jefferson County for zinc, it goes to the smelter. It's not commercially sold, not like gravel is from the rock quarry. What you're talking about is the gravel, the byproduct that is sold at Walkers Halls. They collect sales tax. That's the only way you have of collecting this tax if it was to pass. That's the That's the number for that. It's the same difference right now in Jefferson County, right down here on 2570 at the rock quarry that everybody protested. Right now, that rock's going to Severe County. Severe county's getting that sales tax. Jefferson County is not. That's how it works. But see what we're talking about here. The reason this gentleman's telling you he's not being taxed. He hasn't commercially sold it yet. If he sells it from his smelter, that's when the sales tax would apply. It's his until when he leaves Jefferson City to the smelter on y'all's words and what y'all testified to tonight in this court is that you haven't sold it yet. So therefore, you don't pay a sales tax on it. Correct. Well, it's internal. It's all internal. It's all internal. That is correct. There's no commercial sales till a finished product.

Let's get this finished up. There is an internal sale. You sell to your inner one time. One time. That's right. Y you only get to speak one time. Mr. Blevens, you've done spoke. Let's clear this up. Anyone else that hasn't spoke? Mr. Joe Coleman speak. Mr. Blevens, let's be quiet and be respectful. I need to be excuse and so appreciate you coming, sir. All right. I see no more requests to speak. We'll proceed to vote. Thank you, gentlemen, for coming. Thank you. You've done spoken. We can't vote on this though because there's no motion to vote on it. There is a motion. Oh, wait a minute. There is too. It has to be somebody from the side. He asked to have it on the agenda. He did. He did. So, there is a motion. Let's proceed to vote. Proceed to vote. Thank you, gentlemen, for coming. Y'all can sit down now. Joe will be voting. You have 12 no, six yes. This

fails. Next resolution 2025-14. of resolution amending the zoning resolution of Jefferson County, Tennessee to reflect certain prohibited uses and permitted uses in the A1 and C2 zoning districts. Is there a motion on the floor? We have a motion by Austin Brooks and a second by Jim Snogers. question. Mr. Chairman, sir, is there anybody that wants to amend this? It did. It did. Okay. I want to amend it. And the amended version was sent out to all the commissioners. Clarity. The amended version had the you're talking match the definition description wording in the zoning document. So I cross referenced them back and cleaned up the wording. It removed the temporary use of RVs which was a concern of the cities and it added building code use requirements to the different residential zones. Your amendment is make sure we get this clear. Well, it it's the amendment is detailed and it's in the packet that everybody received. Do you want me to read it? Is if everybody's good, you don't need to read it, Mr. Okay. Can I ask? Do you have a question? John Jones,

when was the May I ask when the amendment was sent out? The the amendment was handed out at the work session. And can I ask Commissioner Brooks in the work session he said he concur agreed with amendments. That still correct. Do you That is correct. Uh and then we have our county attorney. I think could explain how the process is going to work and and exactly what voting on this amendment what action that triggers if we if you you're okay with it chairman went out to the cities and people denied it and some amended it. So Mr. Chairman I uh I made the motion on a resolution that passed regional planning at the January meeting. From there, it went to the three cities uh and then came back and then it didn't come back. It came to this body. That's the motion I've moved. Miss Huffacre has amended my motion. Now, we haven't voted on that yet. Yes. She's offered an amendment. Sure. So, if the county attorney would like to explain uh what happens if we vote for this amendment, which I am in favor of. real quick. And I I know I kind of went through this at your work session, but just so you everybody understands the process. Um when this is the legislative body, you all amend your ordinances and resolutions. Okay. In this particular case with respect to zoning, what you have to do first by statute is if whoever wants to amend the zoning map or wants to amend the zoning resolution, it has to that proposal is sent to the regional planning commission, our regional planning commission. our regional planning commission then they

can recommend that they can say I don't want you to pass it or they can even suggest changes now what you need to understand is you all have the plenary authority to ignore all that and vote on what was initially proposed okay that's and as I just to take this particular piece through the process it was referred to the regional planning commission region planning commission um I think recommended. Is that right? The first one, is that right? Yes. And and then it has to go to the regional planning by statute. It has to go to the other regional planning commissions. They have the same they can recommend it. They can deny or or even suggest things. As I understand what happened in this particular case is one of the cities suggested white pine suggested changes. I want you to understand that that amendment I'm sorry the yeah the resolution 20 202514 that initially went to the RPC initially went to all the regional planning commissions and is now before you you could vote on it as is and totally ignore anything those regional planning commission suggested or you can amend it and if so it just is referred back to the RPC and just goes through that process. So, if uh Commissioner Huffacaker's amendment uh is actually approved, that's what would happen. In other words, it would go as amended back to the county regional planning commission and the three cities and they would consider that and send it back up to you. And regardless of what they do, again, I've um again, I'm not going to lament that state statutory process, but it it's it's cumbersome and tedious, but if you amend that, it just has to go through that process again. And once again, whenever you consider it again, you can totally ignore what those

planning commissions say and vote on it as it was sent to them. Question or comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, since there's just a minute, uh, Doug, since there's been some confusion on the process, I would ask that our county attorney go ahead and type out the process and send it to the mayor and all of the commissioners in the zoning office. that way we have it for future reference on uh resolutions. But uh if I could just speak to Miss Huffacaker's motion to amend my resolution. Um all we're doing is voting to send this to the regional planning commission. This isn't a final approval. So it it will come back to us for a final approval. I just want to make sure everyone's crystal clear on that. Anyone that's not crystal clear on how this is going to work, we're fixing to vote on the amendment that Katie Huffaker has made to Austin Brooks's resolution that he sponsored originally. If you vote to amend it, you're voting to send it back to all three cities. Four. You got a hand up. Let's make it quick. Okay, I just you asked me to clarify this. So in each one of these sections, for examples, um each one of these sections, in no event can the use of recreational vehicle, driver, trailer, camper, motor mo, motor, home, tent, or readily removable shed or other structures that do not meet the adopted building codes be considered a principal use, primary use, or accessory use. So that verbiage was added to each one of our zones where we have housing in order to give the building code um the building

department teeth to what they're trying to do. So um that's why I like the amendment. So, it's going to help our building department when they go out and try to enforce when the use of structures that don't meet our codes. That was one of the things. And then the other thing was what the cities were all upset about that verbiage was removed. So, I hope you support it. Okay, we will proceed to vote on the amendment. Yes. Commissioner Patterson, did you mean to amend again? No. No. Yep. You are voting for the amendment. We have 15 yes to no. The amendment passes. So therefore it is shown amended. We we need to vote on it as amended. You will be voting on the same resolution now as

amended. We have 16 yes, one no passes. It will make the trip back around to the cities once again. Okay, next we have uh resolution 25-14. Is that done been? It's done been took care of need to take that off. We have resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from C2 general commercial to A1 agriculture forestry. I'll send request to speak. We'll proceed to vote. Need a motion. Mr. Bails, I just going to tell you Mr. Ly's battery. Another dead battery. We have a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Uh oh, I'm dead. We will proceed to vote. Okay. Commissioner in favor. We have 17 18 yes, zero nos. No, he got a yes out of it, so that's working. 17 yes, zero nos. Passes. Next, we have resolution 2025-16, resolution to establish an archives and records management fee in Jefferson County. We have a motion on the floor. It's got a second. We'll proceed to vote.

18. Yes. Zero no. Next we have resolution 2025-17, a resolution declaring a surplus to authorize a circuit court clerk of Jefferson County to surplus and dispose of said equipment. We'll proceed to vote. 18 yes, zero no passes. Next we have resolution declaring a surplus and to authorize Parrotwood Memorial Library of Jefferson County to surplus and dispose of said equipment. Proceed to vote. 18 yes zero no. We will proceed. passed resolution 2025-9, a resolution amending the zoning map Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from rural or rural resort to C2 general commercial. proceed to vote. Pass 1701 abstension. Resolution 2025-20, a resolution declaring a surplus and to authorize Jefferson County Juvenile Court to surplus and transfer of said equipment. Mr. John 180

passes. Next we have resolution 2025-21. A resolution declaring as surplus to authorize Danidge Memorial Library to surplus and dispose of said equipment. Proceed to vote. Pass 18 to zero. Moving on to resolution 2025-22. Resolution declaring a surplus and authorize Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to surplus and dispose of said equipment. proceed to vote. Passed 18 to zero. Moving right along. Next, the meeting schedule for county commission 2025 to 2026. Katie Huffaker. Okay. I'd like to make a motion that we go back to our 8th month calendar. January, February, March, April, July, September, October, and November schedule. If you look at the document that was in our packet that CASS did for the 2024 2025 study on the counties, there are only three counties in the state of Tennessee that meet quarterly. We're one of them along with Henderson and Blood. So all the other counties meet monthly, bimonthly, weekly and I we would function um better if we went back to our old schedule. So I would like to make a motion if anybody else is in support of it to go back to the 8-month calendar that we used to follow. Katie Huffaker made a motion. I've got a motion on the floor from Austin Brooks and Rob Leven. Got a second from Janet. So, which one are we reading? Your

motion on the floor is moving this calendar. Moving the calendar. No, no, no. That's the motion. I didn't think so. That's what's on hand. No, I hit my motion button, but then the chairman recognized Katie first, which is okay. I agree with fine. It's fine. We have a motion on the floor and a second. Do you wish to speak, sir? I do wish to speak. We want to go with Katie's motion. Sure. You have a Does Katie have a second? Yes. Okay. So, on the eight-month meeting schedule, uh first, does anybody else need to plug their computer in? I think we're knocking on 10:00 now. Uh it doesn't have to be this way. We could have meetings more regularly, spread the work out, have more engagement with our communities. We could do a lot better job for our county if we met more regularly. I think it's extremely important that we vote in favor of Katie's motion to go to the eight-month meeting schedule. Uh if we're not going to do our jobs, why why sit up here if we're just going to come here four times a year? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Not seeing any other requests to speak. We will proceed to vote. Mr. Dock. Oh, Mr. Docky didn't say that one. The U the motion on the floor. Does that go back? You're calling it eightmon voting schedule. How many voting sessions and how many work sessions is that? Katie, let me So, it would be the same amount of work sessions, right? That's what we did before. So, eight voting meetings and eight work sessions. session. Yes. Well, I'm not opposed to

meeting more often by any means. Uh but I'm going to vote against it. And if it fails, then I'd like to offer a motion as well that we meet once a month. We eliminate the work sessions because we tend to rehash everything twice. Eliminate the work session, meet once a month, and every meeting be a voting meeting. Thank you. We will vote on the first motion that was on the floor. You have nine no. Yes. No movement. Mr. Docker, are you wanting to offer a motion? Yes. I move that we eliminate the work sessions completely. We meet once a month in a voting session on the same second Monday of the month as now unless it falls on a holiday. Say a second. Hang on just a second here. We got to catch up. Second Monday. Is that what we do? On the second Monday voting on the third. That's right. Third. Third third Monday. Third Third Monday. Unless it's holiday. 12 months. You said every month. Correct. Correct. So that's 12 meetings a year to take action. 12 meetings a year to take action. No work. No work sessions.

We shall proceed to vote. Hold up just a second here. We got to get this straight. Do motion. Randy Bale second. That looks like Marcus Bank. Yes. Let's have it. 12-6. So your schedule will be I got a question. How you going to do your will that work? I don't know. I believe you can. Okay. You don't have to have specific work session. We always had them in the work. The the only thing the only thing I I would say unsolicited is your your rules uh have when you can add agenda items and you can add them. You used to be able to add them at work session. You see see what I mean? So in July that'll change. The only thing I would say is you might consider amending your your lo your you know what I mean your normal county commission rules to reflect when you're needing stuff on the agenda. But you can have the hearing any. Okay. So you can have another question. You

can have the public hearing the same night you vote on the reason. Sure. I I think Well, let me say this. It's it's usually um you you you have to give 15 days notice of the hearing. I don't know of a prohibition with respect to uh having the public hearing on the same day as the vote as long as there's enough time as long as it's advertised enough. I mean I I'd have to do some looking off the top of my head. Let them know. Yeah, I I will. Well, what I I would have to my understanding of it just again off the top of my head is you have to give fif is it 15 15 days 15 days notice prior to the vote. So if you notice the public hearing and you had the public hearing on the same day as the vote, you could do that assuming you had that time. Best I know, but I will check on that. Okay. Would the same rule not apply for the uh when we pass the tax rate? We have a hearing at the beginning of the meeting and then we actually vote on the tax rate. You would still have to comply with state law, whatever that is. Right. Right. I got you. I mean, in other words, the meeting schedule wouldn't change that. So, we have a new meeting schedule. We will be adjourning shortly and there will be a beer board. We have no announcements at this time. Who was your second?