Commission - Regular Meeting

Oh yes. Oh yes. Oh yes. This meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners is now in session pursuant to adjournment. The Honorable Chairman Greg Mley is presiding. Come to order and remain standing.

Thank you, Sheriff. Our first order of business this evening is our prayer led by Commissioner England and our pray pledge immediately after I'm sorry our prayer led by Commissioner Edens and our pledge led by Commissioner England. Let's pray. Lord, we thank the day you've given us and we thank you for the awesome responsibility of serving the people of Washington County. Father, during this time together, pray Lord that you would lead, guide, and direct our steps. What we would do in this meeting, in this hall tonight, would be pleasing to you and in the best interest of the citizens of Washington County. Thank you for all that you do and all that you get to do. May we pray. Amen.

Amen. Honor America to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under [clears throat] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[clears throat] Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the roll call screen, please [clears throat] go ahead and indicate your presence here this evening. Imagine that. Excuse me.

All right. All right, I'm just going to come around and get your [laughter] part for good judgment and sac. Tucker here. Thson here. Fitzgerald here. Edens here. Davenport [clears throat] here. England here. Below here. Stout here. Jones here. Wexler here. Huffine here. Wheeler here. Carter here. 15 present. 15 present. We do have a form. No absent.

Uh next item is our approval of the agenda. We have a couple of items just one item really and that was the exhibit to supplement on 251124. It did not go through a standing committee and uh it uh it has been advertised on the website. However, [cough] uh I [clears throat] do feel like it'd be better to suspend a rule to consider this and uh add it to the agenda this evening. We have a motion to suspend the rule and add to the agenda. Motion by Commissioner Tamita, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Question Mer [clears throat] hasn't been published. I thought [clears throat] before

am I Thank you. Thank you for the question, Commissioner. I did confirm that under our revised Tennessee statute for open meetings. The 48 hour requirement is specific to the agenda. This was placed on the agenda um and there is notice of it. [clears throat] However, if you have any concerns, I would say that it could be put back on as affirmed old business, but by considering tonight, that would allow the mayor uh to continue to move forward in his efforts to have it executed with Johnson City. No concern on my part based on that. Thank you.

Question's been called. We requires two votes. Last uh suspend if you'll call the vote. [clears throat] Tucker, yes. Johnson, yes. Fitzgerald, yes. Edens, yes. Davenport, yes. Mly, yes. England, yes. Malone, yes. Stout, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Carter, yes. 15.

15. Yes. That item has been added and Let's [clears throat] I would really like to go ahead and vote now to approve the agenda as amended. I have a motion motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Wexler to approve the agenda as amended. Question is seeing none. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I.

All opposed. All right. The motion passes and the amended agenda is approved. Next item is our public comment period. Each individual given three minutes to address the board regarding specific and new items. Comments will be limited to the items on the meeting's agenda. Reszoning. I have a couple of that is signed up here for reszoning. Reszoning however falls in the public hearing for reszoning. Uh so u signed up for zoning. Uh we'll be moving right on into that uh in just a few minutes. [clears throat] Mr. Smith, did you have a reasonzoning? It's not filled out on the paper.

Okay. Okay. Okay, that clears it up. Okay, thank you. All right, so most all of our questions are comment for reszoning. So that way we'll move out of public comment time and we go straight on into public hearing for reszoning. Same principle on that three minutes. Um, [clears throat] our first item on the reszoning is resolution number 251 is a resolution reszoning the tax map in the fifth civil district presently owned by Jonathan Herd. Is there anyone here in opposition to this evening? Is there anyone here in favor of this resentment? Gentlemen, if y'all would like to come forward and give your name and address to the clerk at the podium, we'll give you three minutes for the

Okay. Are you just in favor of it? Okay.

We'll move right on to the uh next item, resolution 45102. is a resounding is a resolution resounding the tax map the seventh civil deck presently owned by Rebecca Kle. Is there anyone here in opposition of this res? Seeing none, is there anyone here in favor of this res? We'll move right on to our next resolution. Resolution number 2513 is a resolution amending the Washington County zoning resolution of assisted living facilities. Is there anyone here [clears throat] uh that would like to speak to uh this? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing for reszoning [clears throat] and ask Miss Charles, our planning and zoning director, to come forward and answer any questions you might have. [clears throat]

Hello, Miss Charles. Well, [laughter] you've been a busy lady. I understand.

Yes, sir. That's okay. Would you have the three items before you? First was the reasoning from A1 to R1 to allow a subdivision of the property to allow a second single family home to be constructed. Your second item is very similar in nature. request for us from the A2 to the A1 and will have a second home to be constructed on the property. [clears throat] Next amendment item is to allow assisted living facilities and my planned residential business district are PR-B district. Currently, the assisted living facilities are allowed in other planned residential and planned commercial districts. So, this will just be adding it to that last plan district. questions.

MS or Commissioner Jones. Um I think the city did approve the change um to the zoning for assisted living. The town heard that as well that

Yes. Thank you. I neglected to mention that. Yes. The the Washington County Planning Commission, Jud, and Johnson City Planning Commission all voted unanimously to recommend approval. Any further questions for Miss Charles? Thank you very much. We appreciate all. All right. We have three resolutions to consider. The first one is resolution 25101. It's a [clears throat] resolution resounding the tax map history presently owned by Jonathan Harrian. We have a motion. Motion by Commissioner Malone, second by Commissioner Jones. Approve the resolution.

Question or discussion? Call for the question. Question from call. Madam clerk, if you'll switch to the vote on the screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. ML cler if you announce the vote. 15. The resolution passes. Next resolution is 20 number 251012 is a resolution reszoning the tax map in the seventh central districtly owned by Rebecca Clay. Have a motion. Motion by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner [clears throat] approve the resolution question or discussion

call. Question's been called by the clerk. If you'll switch us to voting screen and cast your vote and lock in. Madam clerk, [clears throat] if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. The next resolution is resolution number 2513 is a resolution amending the Washington County zoning resolution regarding assisted living facilities. We have a motion. Motion by commissioner stout to approve. Second by commissioner Fitzger. Question or discussion?

Question been called by the clerk. If you'll switch to the public screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. That'll be all of our zoning this evening and we'll move right on to the county board of county commissioners minutes uh for the October 27th meeting of the board of commissioners. Have a motion. Motion by Commissioner E, seconded by Commissioner Wexler to approve the minutes of our last meeting of the 27th. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. [clears throat] I. All

oppose. And the minutes proceed. Move right on to the report of the officials. Mayor R. Thank you, Mr. Good evening, commissioners. Um, in continuing with great work that our folks uh who work with the county do tonight to ask Don here to come forward and two of the folks that she works with Dan Bishop and Andrea Dad. Andrea is the director of the Johnson City Vet Center, an organization I haven't really kn but it's actually I think Donald Bishop is the leader of our TC folks at the at ETSU. So recently Dawn received an award uh with the CSO impact award for 2025 and recognition of the positive impact she has had service members of veterans and their families in the community. um the actions that she takes in body and spirit serves beyond leading awakening commitment dedication and customer service excellence um on some comments about her. She's active engagement in the community outreach and education doing presentation and assisted in independent living facilities. serve student veterans at one of the state GTA major outreach events across the area and the Appalachian Veterans Fair. She

also works closely with Volunteers of America Suicide Prevention Grant. and attract critical support to veterans [clears throat] and their spouses to work embodies a whole community strategy that's vital to address the challenges issues such as veteran homelessness and suicide and Don B along with Andre Cole continuing veterans you may recall Jerry Shore the predecessor touched over 11,000 veterans in five or six years that he uh worked in that uh facility. And so, but when is taken over a little bit in his um retirement uh she has partnered with folks like Andre and Dan who um serve veterans in a different way. So the John City Veteran Service Center is a unique facility in Dawn [clears throat] and Cole alternate one day a week in that center in Johnson City. And more recently, u had a chance to get up with my friend Bishop at ETSU and they're doing the same thing they are on a different day of the week. So two [clears throat] days a week they are in places to downtown Jones. It didn't it didn't register with me until I had some time to constantly to understand that there are over 700 veterans. The goal is DTSU. That was a big surprise to me. Um and they're dependent. So um the university serve veterans in a very unique and special way including training young great minds and bodies to uh served in the military and support and defend our country. So um if you

just like to say something, congratulations. You have the award for a copy of it. It's true. It's real.

I've been worked with Washington County for three and a half years. I've been a veteran service officer for about 10 years. I came here from Florida. Um I asked the mayor to speak with you directly because I feel that we need to let everyone know the impact that we make on the community, the veterans as well as their families. Not only do we serve the veterans, but those families of the deceased veterans we serve as well. Um, we have been ranked number seven out of 95 counties in the state of Tennessee for Washington County alone of all the impact that we have made, the monies that have been brought in. I have provided you with a packet. On the left hand side of the packet, it shows the impact, the amount of monies just for this past year is $281 million. So between Cole and I, we're working with $140 million coming into the county this year alone. So I hope it continues to rise. I hope we can continue to be better every day. I'm glad that we've been able to partner with Dr. Diaz and Colonel Bishop to get out into the community and assist more veterans alone. Also, I don't know if you know this or not, but the um numbers are for the for the home loans for VA home loans, which is really important to bring, you know, the money into the community, the taxes and what have you. The most current up to date is from 2023. They're working on 2024 right now. But with the monies of the home loans for the VA home loans was over 4 bill240 million alone just for Washington County in 2023. That's a huge number. The more veterans we come in here and can get these home loans here, the better off that we are for the community. The money is coming into the county as well as getting them benefits. Um the average

per veteran that we do see uh going monthly for benefits, just the average alone is $2,940 monthly. That's taxfree money for the veteran. So, um, also really quick, I like to compare ourselves with other counties locally. So, I just want to be that person to go above and beyond. Um, so Washington County, we have approximately 9,400 veterans, but that's obviously climbing up. For Solomon County, um, they have a little over 11,000 veterans. And so far this year, I have ran the numbers for Washington County. We have filed 143 claims, 1,43 claims compared to 737 claims. So I want to continue to strive to be the best that we can be. And I first another thing is I want to thank the mayor for allowing us to be able to assist and go to Dr. Diaz and Colonel Bishop as well. Um that meant a lot to us. So thank you, sir. Can I say just Mayor May mayor I promise real quickly

I promise [laughter] um of the hundreds of of veterans we've got on ETSU campus staff faculty a ton of students we should be very proud I steer all of them to Washington County service officers we've got some good service officers over at the DA right across the street you you have got you've got the best one you've got the best VS service here and I do I do not say that lightly. Every single one that that I sent over here, I am very confident that that Dawn um can take care of which means a lot to me and I know you you should be very proud and I do appreciate the the partnership sir with allowing allowing them to come over to campus and making access as easy as possible to to our staff, faculty and students there at BTSU. So, thank you very much. Mayor, I want to add one thing to Don, too. I personally had have gotten recognition about about the service that you provide.

Um, there was a retired military person that I actually worked for. He was looking for his benefits and searching and been in a lot of different places in a lot of different offices and it was at some fair or something that you all are doing public and he talked to a lot of people. when he stopped when he talked to you and you answered his questions and took the personal time with him. This is great stuff. This is big picture stuff. Big [laughter] stuff got to have. But at the end of the day, it's the one-on-one contact. That's the lives that you affect. And he would kill me if I wouldn't have taken this time to recognize you. I mean, he his name was Jeff F. And uh you really really helped him out. He really appreciate Hello everyone. My name is Andrea Diaz. I'm the director of the Johnson City Vet Center and I also would like to extend my appreciation uh for the opportunity for us to be able to collaborate with the Washington County um Veteran Services. It has certainly made a difference in our [clears throat] community. Um the main the main mission of the Johnson City Vet Center is to provide outpatient um counseling, mental health counseling, and um we provide services that are free of charge. Um for the most part, if a veteran um has uh served in an area of hostility, they've been in combat, um they are eligible for us. Um military sexual trauma is also something that is predominant that comes through our doors. We also work with those individuals. Um over the course of uh the last few decades, the eligibility requirements have we have extended those. And um as far as our work with the veteran service office, um Miss Don and Cole go above and beyond when they

are working with the veterans to not only just work with benefits, but they're also looking to see if these veterans and their families need mental health services. And I can say in being a clinician for over 20 years, that's something that we don't often see is referrals coming from our veteran service office. So um again want to extend my appreciation for that. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. really for the longest time I thought we you know we have one of the best VA hospitals in the country here and um it's hard to imagine that they would be more than what's available there but really if you've been on VA campus you'll know how complicated it is to move around there's over 100 buildings there and just getting into the system challenge and that's what these people are specialist at is figuring out how to give people so thank you all for what you do um just want to take a short moment to update you on a couple of things going on in our river recovery area. One of the things that has bug me for almost all of the last year is that we had in public an area where you may recall folks lost their homes and cars and their stuff but also loss of property. It was just one of the first phone calls I got was from a guy in there that said, "Hey, lost everything and you know we met with the FEMA people. We're going to get a little bit of help and get back with my people, but I don't need land." So, the river land away. So, and there's no FEMA program for that. So, most is about there's about eight lots down there together that um were in this condition. Most but several of those people have been relocated at already and new houses, but it was it was no way to help them recover from their landlocks until Mountain Way is a foundation baker's foundation with Joe uh came up with some money for this specific purpose. There really wasn't any other couldn't find any other grant or anything else that addressed

this. So in the next they have sent money and we are the first first Tennessee district is management for us. They're going to write the checks to these people. We're going to be able to present each of these people a check for their land. Uh we'll try to get that done. Um we're looking at either the 10th or the 11th of December. So it'll be in the morning and let you know exactly when that is. anybody would like to come, I would certainly um appreciate you being there being a part of that. Um as far as um projects underway, Bill Mock Road has been rebuilt and is pretty much finished. I was telling other looks pretty good. The long-term recovery group has come alongside of the work that the housing department has done through their contractor and building the driveways out these individual product individual lots for for home and so that is has really come together pretty good. AJ Race is contracted and being rebuilt probably maybe halfway finished. So within the next month or so that road should be finished. um highway block two at the the county farm is coming along nicely. The land itself is shaped up well. They're building moving vertical which is a good sign and hopefully that'll get enough of that work done so they continue construction in the winter. And finally the moral solid waste facility is that's under contract. that construction is underway. They're beginning to get what was how we want to be saw built out as the new solid waste facility. One of the one of the things that's happened recently is um has just been awarded a grant for an

air curtain incinerator and some um equipment to be able to manage brush. That's one of the things that in the county we have really never been able to never relied on cash hollow glide on Jonesboro never very effectively but this is piece of equipment that will take vegetative material and turn into ashes very efficiently and have the solid waste people had experience with this right after the flood. We at least a couple of them in tea and so they got some experience with them. [clears throat] So it's a really efficient way to manage bush. So really for the first time Washington County is going to have the ability to handle that. [clears throat] Um that's probably about all I have as far as updates really covered tonight unless anyone has any questions. Thank you, mayor. [clears throat] Move right on into the county attorney's report. Folks,

thank you. Good evening. I did not support submit a report with the uh packet. And I don't have any comments on anything in particular, but I can answer any questions that you might have as always. If there are none, I'll just say happy Thanksgiving. One thing about Miss Wilkinson, want to recognize her tonight for being nominated and elected to the board of county attorneys association here and she's going to be our East Tennessee representative and thank you Alison for uh for for doing that and I know you will represent Washington County proud just just like you always do.

Thank you. That's that's kind of that of you to point that out. I'm looking forward um to serving on that board and representing my home county. So appreciate you. All right. Thank you so much. Director of the health department, Miss McClen, are you here this evening? Think she's here. Director of schools, Director Boy.

Good evening. Um, you have a report monthly report. entertain any questions that anyone may have on anything not just the record. Any questions for director boy? Just a statement. I appreciate your report every month and I do get something out of it every month. Thank you. I wish each of you and your families a happy Thanksgiving and the season holiday season ahead of this Christmas. You have any questions, please.

Right. Thank you very administrator of elections Chuck Vest. I don't see Chuck here this evening either. I think he'll be back next month. I think we had an item in Jan. No, it's January, wasn't it? To take back up for the election commission. I think that may be right. We'll I'll follow up with him. Thank you. All right. The ARPA committee met and Commissioner Wheeler.

Yes, sir. You'll find our minutes on page 54 packet. And we do have one resolution before you tonight page 55 back. Resolution number 25-11-04 resolution approving and authorizing the funding of the agricultural learning center at Jonesber school and amended fiscal year 26 budget. This comes as a recommendation from the department committee and I move for it approval. We have a second by question or discussion.

Questions been called by the clerk if you'll switch the voting screen please. cast your vote. Lock it in. We'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Wood? That's all we had. [snorts] [clears throat] Move right on to the commercial, industrial, and agricultural committee. Commissioner Wster. Yes, we met on November the 6. Uh in your packet on page 68 is the top you minutes. [clears throat] Glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Commissioner Wford? Say happy Thanksgiving.

Yes, happy Thanksgiving. Move right on into the county of property committee. Commissioner Tamita. The uh minutes packet on page 69. If uh have any questions, happy to answer them. Right. Any questions for Commissioner Tama? Seeing none, have Thanksgiving. [laughter]

We'll move right to on to the ethics committee. They did meet. [clears throat] Uh the minutes are in the packet. I don't I think Rick is here this evening. [clears throat] Minutes are in the packet of the ethics committee and you can review those there. Pretty much uh we did elect officers and uh there's anything else I need to include on that as well? No sir. There was a slight review just to ensure that all of the members were familiar with the ethics policy that Washington County adopted a few years ago, number of years ago. Uh but there was no business. All right. Move right on to health education welfare report. Commissioner Clark. [clears throat]

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. You can find our minutes on page 72 of the fact that we only have one resolution this evening and the resolutions dealing with increasing the zoning fees. And if you read the resolution, we're increasing the fee from $1 to $25 on like stick built homes and $100 on manufactured homes. And the reason behind that, I think you all would appreciate knowing this is because we added a position to zoning and there this should fund that position.

[snorts]

So the the talk for doing this was we didn't think that people that were buying like normal taxpayers shouldn't be uh having their tax dollars go to something that they didn't use a lot. So the you know the builders sorry Richard that do use this would be the [laughter] ones that find the new position. So um and Scott had talked to most of the builders um during that time period and none of them complained about it. So that was a good thing. But the resolution this evening is number 2511-06. It's a resolution revising the zoning office fee schedule. This comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and I move for approval.

Motion made by Commissioner Carter to approve the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. Question or discussion. Call. Questions been called. Madam Clerk, if you'll switch to the screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. [clears throat] M Clark, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Clark? That's all. Thank you.

Thank you. Move right on to the public safety committee report. Commissioner, thank you, Mr. Chairman. You will see the minutes in the packet on page 89, November 6th meeting. We have five resolutions to consider tonight. First, we have resolution number 25107. That's a resolution approving and authorizing a memorandum of understanding between Washington County, Tennessee, and Frontier Health Turning Point to you as a recommendation from public safety. And I move for it approved. Motion made to approve the resolution by Commissioner Eden safely by Commissioner Fischer. Question or discussion? West call the vote. [clears throat] Please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Clounce about 15. Yes. The resolution passes. Commissioner. Next we have resolution number 25108 as a resolution amending the fiscal year 26 budget as requested by the sheriff's office for mental health transport grant comes to you as a recommendation for public safety and I move for it approval

motion made by commissioner seconded by commissioner Jones to approve the resolution question or discussion

question been called mad clerk if you'll switch us the voting screen please go ahead and cast to vote in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes, Mr. Mr. Chairman, next we have resolution number 25109 as a resolution amending the fiscal year 26 budget budget as requested by sheriff's office for insurance recovery on damaged sheriff's deputy cruisers. That comes to you as a recommendation for public safety and I move for approval. Motion made by Commissioner Edens, seconded by Commissioner Malone to approve the resolution. Question or discussion. Call for the question.

Question been called the clerk. If you'll switch to the voting screen, go ahead and cast your vote. Lock in. Clerk, if you announce vote 15, yes. And the resolution passes. Mr. Re. Next, we have resolution number 2511. That's a resolution authorizing the disposition of Washington County Sheriff's Office surplus property on webdeals.com. That comes to you as a recommendation for public safety and I move for it. Motion made by the resolution. Second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question or discussion?

All questions been called by clerk. If you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. If you announce the vote 14 yes, one vote and the resolution passes, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Finally, we have resolution number 2511. That is a resolution amending the fiscal year 26 budget as requested by the sheriff's office for the purchase of four masks. It's time to confuse a recommendation for public safety and I'll move for approval.

Motion made by Commissioner Edens to approve the resolution. Second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question Commissioner Tuck.

Yeah, I guess they're going to get tired of me saying this, but just want to let we we heard this through our budget, but this money the sheriff got this money out is the ecigarette funds. So, I had take a minute to brag on the sheriff here a month or two ago. He took money out of that fund and bought new toilets for this. And so this is money that he raised inside his jail instead of coming to us and asking for four new vehicles. They they he supported this program and I think he's working on some more programs. So I'm trying to get some of my tickets issues worked out.

[laughter] This is the last time. Thank you very much for taking [clears throat] money that didn't belong to taxpayers and you bought four vehicles and they look good when they're lettered up. But thank you very much for what your department does. We appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. [laughter] Sir, question been called. Mfield switch the voting screen please. Cast your vote. Lock it in. By announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else commissioner?

No sir. That's all we have. All right. Thank you. Move right on to the public works committee. Commissioner Davenport. Yes. You'll find our uh minutes from of our November 6th meeting on page 111. Uh we have two resolutions coming before you tonight. Both of these come before you in form of a motion. Resolution number 25112. Uh resolution setting speed limit on Harmony Road. Motion made by Commissioner Davenport to approve the resolution safely by Commissioner Wler Tucker. [laughter]

Call for the question. Question's been called. Madam clerk, switch vote is green. Please cast your vote. Lock me. Mad clerk. If you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Commissioner Davenport. Our next resolution is resolution number 25113. Resolution approving and authorizing the acceptance and execution of the Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Plan Grant. All right. Motion made to approve by Commissioner Dport, seconded by Commissioner Stout. Question or discussion?

All questions been called. Madam Clerk, if you'll switch voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else? Commissioner Dport. That's all I have. Sir, moving on to the emergency committee report. Commissioner Huff.

Yes. You'll find the minutes from our November the 6 meeting on page 117. Be glad to answer any questions. If not, we do have one resolution tonight for your consideration. Resolution 2511-14. The resolution authorizing the disposition of surplus property on government government deals.com for various portion county department. This does come before you in the form of a motion. Motion made and approved by commissioner huff second by commissioner below. Question or discussion for question. ML cler if you switch the voting screen please go and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote,

oh, I'm sorry. We're waiting on Commissioner. 15. Yes. And the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner? Have fun. Nothing except wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

All right. [laughter] So, next item, the rules committee report. Commissioner Bl., Yes, the rules committee did meet in November. Our minutes are on page 122 primarily to elect officers, but also there's some discussion about how best to to track and coordinate various criminal appointments. And so I'll go ahead and announce we will not have a rules committee meeting in December, but likely will have one committee date in January. So if you have some ideas or input about how best to track and coordinate work appointments and that's commissioners but also to the mayor and to the screen as well if you have ideas about how best to try to coordinate those please let us know and you're certainly welcome to attend the January meeting. Thank you Mr. Chairman and happy Thanks.

Thank you. Next item is a safety committee report. Mr. Hane is here this evening if you have any questions. He's our safety director uh for the county. Uh the minutes and attachments of the November 5th meeting is on page 153. Uh does anyone have any questions for Mr. Tra? Seeing none, we'll move we'll move right on. He does a he does a great job at that. We appreciate him doing doing that, leading our safety program here in Washington County. Uh our next item is our budget committee report. Commissioner T report. Uh yes, you'll find our our minutes of our November 12th meeting u on page 125. We have seven resolutions coming before you tonight. All these done with recommendation from budget and also come in a form of a motion. Our first is resolution 25115. Resolution setting the first meeting pursuant to rule one of the Washington County [clears throat] Board of County Commissioners rules of uh procedure and adopting timeline for uh budget adoption and approval process for fiscal year 2026 2027 pursuant to the county budgeting law 1957.

All right. I don't see a form of a motion for Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Co. Question or discussion.

All questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Commissioner Davenport. Our next resolution is resolution number 25116 resolution amended 20 uh fiscal year 2026 budget [clears throat] uh county clerk purchasing of 15 small format PCs motion comes m second by commissioner question or discussion she can They're [laughter] not selling as good down there. Sheriff [laughter] Mad Clerk, I think it's best you just switch us to voting. [laughter] Mad clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes and the resolution passes. All right, Commissioner Dorton.

Our next [clears throat] resolutions resolution 251717 resolution fiscal year budget uh circuit court purchase of audio and video equipment for courtroom 4 and six and monitors for the clerks. All right. Motion comes approved from Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Fitzger. Question or discussion? All questions been called by the clerk. If you'll switch us to voting screen, please cast your vote. Locket. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. Mr. Dav,

our next resolution is resolution number 25118 fiscal year 26 budget and uh retiree life insurance made by commissioner David to approve safety by commissioner. Question or discussion? Call the question. Question been called by the clerk. Fuel switches green. [clears throat] Cast your vote and lock it in. You vote. 15. Yes. And the resolution passes. Commissioner Davort.

Next resolution is resolution 25119. Resolution approving and authorizing certain capital project spending up to $28,000 for fiscal year for the new gray library signage cost and vising fiscal year 26 motion made by commissioner davenport second by Mr. Fitzgerald. Question or discussion?

Call for the pleasure. Question been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15, yes, the resolution passes. Commissioner Dport, our next resolution is resolution 251120. Resolution amending fiscal year 26 budget safety director stop. Motion made to approve by Commissioner Dav, [clears throat] seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Question or discussion? All discussed.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. Commissioner Davenport. Our final resolution is resolution 251121. Resolution amending physical year 26 budget sheriff's office TCI grant. Motion made to approve by Commissioner Dav, seconded by Commissioner Eats. Question or discussion? Call for the question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, which is the voting screen, please cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, field house vote 15. Yes. And the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Davenport? That's all I have, sir. All right. I have no old business to report. We do have a couple of resolutions here. Uh for one for not resolution 251122 is a resolution in approving the election of not public for appointment and reappoint for Washington County, Tennessee. Do I have a motion? Motion by Commissioner Wexler to approve. Second by Commissioner Davenport. Question or discussion?

All questions. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch voting screen, please cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. Next resolution under new business is resolution number 251123. It's a resolution scheduling the regular meeting dates and times board of county commissioners for 2026. That's on page 126. Do I have a motion to approve? I have a motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Stout to approve. Commissioner Jones,

I uh noticed that the February meeting just like last year it conflicts with county day on hel when I was looking at it just a Side note,

I think we moved it to a Wednesday or so last year. Oh, we did. We just try to keep it on the on that fourth fourth bing is is what we try to do. Is that something we want to change amendment to? House, I'm happy to look. I'm looking at the calendar now to see how it lines up with your uh committee meetings. If you'll just give me a brief minute to do that, I'm happy to do it.

Should we take a vote? See if we'll have corn. Everybody didn't go last year. this year just uh you didn't hear the question that Jo this year

last year and u we had the same problem last year which is that county government day down the hill is that Monday and they do the um county government organization TCSA does training but there's also an opportunity to meet with our legislators um which can be helpful if you have specific issues that we're trying to consider. I don't know. I mean, as an example, I don't know what'll happen, but Thank you.

the county governments around the state were trying to um work with [clears throat] the state on giving back to the counties some real estate transfer tax or transfer dollars. I don't know much about how it works, but um I know that Representative Hicks was working on that. That's a different source of revenue for us that we don't have right now. And the county government's organization works on that stuff. And that's the thing with county commissioners get to go to the state and try to get things changed how they want it. So, we don't always have a lot of people, but last year we did have five. We usually have somewhere between five and seven or so that of us that go and anyway just something to think about. I'm not sure what's on the docket for county government in the upcoming session.

Commissioner Wheeler. Yeah, it it is I think we should encourage our members to go and I would suggest that we just keep it from having to change the dates of [laughter] day just consider moving it to that Wednesday and the next day the 24th consider doing that and I would make that motion. I've got a motion to change that was that's in is that February February meeting February got a motion in a second to change February to the 25th.

Mr. Chairman, just for sake of good order, that is also the first meeting under rule one on the resolution that you previously passed setting your budget timeline. There was a meeting on there for the budget committee to I mean the full commission to consider uh the budget on February 23rd. So you may wish to consider that being a second issue to consider uh changing that date so that you don't have that meeting on the 23rd and then come back to 24th. Even change that wording too.

That's right. But I mean, you don't want that resolution reflecting uh the budget meeting on the 23rd and then your commission meeting on the 24th. They were paired together. I'll get with the mayor and and bring you back at a separate date for that budget meeting. Mayor, would that be all right? Last year we did it before meeting. Yeah.

Yeah. If we can do it before that same meeting. So, if you're amending your full calendar of meetings, if you so move, you could adjust that resolution. I know you just approved it, but it's just ministerial to change the date on your uh budget timeline so that the director of accounts and budgets knows that that meeting would be on the 24th as well. I'm fine with that. Fine with that.

All right. So, Commissioner, we will make that adjustment. his his motion amending. Are you good with that? All right. So, we have an amendment being offered. Any questions about the amendment? Seeing none. All in favor of the amendment signify by saying I. I.

All opposed. All right. amendment passes. So need to go back and consider that resolution as amended. Any questions on the resolution as amended? [clears throat] Cling no questions. If you'll switch us the voting screen, please cast your vote. Lock it in. Clounce the vote. 15. Yes. And the resolution passes.

And Mr. Chairman, just for sake of good order, so you have amended resolution number 23 to hold the county commission meeting on February 25th, 2026. And we will adjust the resolution number 15 which was previously approved that include a reference to February 23rd and that will be amended to uh February 25th with the same motion to amend and the same second. Does that work for everyone? Yes, it does for me. Any objection to that? All right. See no objection. I think we'll be fine.

All right. Our next uh resolution uh to consider is resolution 251124. It's a resolution ratifying the acceptance and execution of an interlocal agreement between Washington County and the city of Johnson City for maintenance and improvements for shared roads. That's uh page 154 motion by commissioners needed to approve the resolution and a second by commissioner card. Question or discussion? All the questions.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the votes, please cast your vote. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. The next item is the is the acceptance of the resignation of our highway superintendent, Richard A. Thompson. I have to bring this resignation to you. Not going to say how long Richard's been here, but it's been a long time. Richard and I, I just have to ask you to make a motion to accept his resignation. Motion by Commissioner Davenport. Second by Mr. Edens. question or discussion. You know, I said this I said this in public works. I'll say it again. U you know, Richard took over for someone that had been the highway superintendent many many years. I'll say that number years a long time. That's a difficult task to come in with somebody that's had their stand on the vehicles budget, those kind of things. And uh Richard's doing a a really great job with that. And uh we appreciate you and I wish you the very best in retirement. Uh I joined just a couple months ago and I hope you enjoyed your time as much as I have the last couple of months. But so uh that said

I'll call the questions been called. [laughter] Unfortunately I can't call the roll second. All those in favor signify by saying I. [clears throat] All opposed. All right, Richard, would you like to say anything?

The historical knowledge, Richard, that we're losing here tonight is scary. I just want No. Thank you for your Thank you for all your service, Richard. Now that he's up, want to come say something? [laughter]

Now that you're up, Richard, you can come say something.

Well, The county will have 120 days to advertise that position. That'd be March 24th. Uh our county attorney is working on a memorandum to send out to you about all the specifics and uh we appreciate her. I do lean on her a lot. Uh the law does allow for our assistant highway superintendent to fill that spot until uh until this commission decides on placement. So we're in good hands and uh we we appreciate appreciate him and and having someone ready to take a spot like that. That's a good credit to you too, Richard, right there. So So we appreciate that. If there's any questions, we'll we'll get you a child memo just a couple of days to see what that timeline looks like.

Anything else to add on that house?

No, sir. That's correct. That the 120 days expires on Tuesday, March 24th, and it will be advertised uh once the commission determines when the appointment will be made. It will be advertised as required by the law. The cut off date and time for next month's county commission agenda is short. It's December 5th, 12 noon. So, uh, we'll be looking forward to seeing everyone. Uh you know in December we always try to celebrate mile forward. Swifty pig comes down and helps us make that celebration and remember all the things that Mike and uh provided us for uh child get that right. That's what Mike called it was child was ready. So so we'll be looking forward to that. And uh if anybody would like to bring their spouse as well uh that it's a it's good opportunity to to uh to do that. So we appreciate all of that with uh we will see you in December. Uh we do have a little bit of an early meeting so in December. But uh do we have a motion to adjurnn?

Motion by Commissioner Huffine to adjourn. Second, please taken by Commissioner Wexler. All in favor of journeying signify by saying I. I. All