County Commission - Regular Meeting

Get out. I know. Would everybody please sign in? [Music]

Where are we at? [Music] Terry Green. Who else ain't here?

I'd like to call this meeting to order of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. And it says it's a regular quarterly meeting, but uh I believe we're going to be meeting every month. So, we'll be keeping a tight schedule here. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the role? 17 members present, four absent.

17 present, four absent. Would everyone please stand? And Mr. Joe Coleman will lead us in prayer. Mr. Sammy Solomon will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Our heavenly father as we come to you this evening Lord we pray that your guidance be upon us decision we make to the benefit of the state that everything be done decently and in order this evening and everything be peaceful we thank you for all who come to visit I today we want them to feel welcome it's their county it's their taxpayer money and So we want everybody to be involved. We thank you God for as many of us as we slow down upon. We've got sick that we need to pray for the student doctor. They come to the doctor today to be checked out. We need to pray desperately for you. We just pray for all of our sick and affected. We ask God that you would go into this service and lead us God in place to you and we give you the praise for everything accomplished here. In Jesus holy name we pray. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I'd like to welcome everyone out this evening. This is going to be kind of a new type meeting because this will be a voting meeting. There's no longer a work session. So, we'll be conducting business as we come to it. So, next on the agenda, we have proclamations, courtesy resolutions, hometown hero France Jr.

Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Tonight, as he said, we recognize Private First Class M. Lemule France Jr. Mac was a resident of Dandridge and he was killed in Vietnam. During Memorial Day, we had a ceremony where we honored three of our local heroes. Mac was the only one we didn't have kin for because we couldn't find them. But working with the archives office and Sheila Evans, we were able to locate a cashier at Walmart named Sharon who was a member of the France family. And through her, we have a huge number of France family members here tonight. All gold star family members, would you all please stand up? The France family. Thank you. Thank you. I've been working very closely with Mac's two sisters who are still with us, Ali France and Marcy France. And if you would all come up here, stand up here with me for a second. And Commissioner Huffer, if you would come forward too, please. Um, we would like to present you with a plaque of your brother to commemorate his service and the fact that he gave everything for our country and to say thank you very much.

And we are also going to read a proclamation, Marissa, for honoring the from the mayor. Thank you. Mayor,

so it truly is an honor to stand with you guys here today. I get really emotional at these things. Um, so hopefully I can make it through, but this is a proclamation, honorary proclamation for hometown hero from our mayor Mark Pots. Whereas Private First Class M France Jr. grew up in the small eastern town of Dandridge, Tennessee along the shores of Douglas Lake. He attended Mory High School and lived in the Shady Grove community. And whereas private first class Mack France Jr. was the only son born to Mac senior and Lagatha Valentine, France. There were seven daughters in the France family. Barbara Olly, Judy, Marca, Marcy, Brenda, Marjorie, and Dusella. Marjorie and Dusella died as infants. And whereas private first class M France Jr. entered service in October 1964. His father served as an army private in World War II. His mother had said that her only son had since a small boy wanted to join the army and make it a career. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of an uncle who has several years in service. she said. Whereas as an infantry soldier in the US Army, he was assigned to Company A, Second Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division. Whereas in 1966, America's commitment of troops in the Vietnam War increased to 400,000. Private First Class France's first cavalry division was sent to Bendin Province, South Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea. And whereas in January of 1966, the US launched Operation Masher, later renamed Operation White Wing, against enemy forces on the Bongan planes. The search and destroy operation was the largest cooperation between American, South Vietnamese, and Korean forces to that point in the war. While the operation was successful after

its conclusion in March 1966, some areas of the region were gradually retaken by communist force forces. Whereas on May 1966, Private Firstclass M. L. France Jr. was killed by gunfire in Benden Province. At age 18, he was Jefferson County, Tennessee's second casualty of the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal and he is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. And whereas Private First Class M L France Jr. lived a life in service to others and is worthy of special recognition dedicated service. And now therefore, I, Mark Pototts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of Jefferson County, Tennessee, and in conjunction with the Jefferson County Commissioners, express our sincere thanks, deepest sympathy, and condolences to the family of the late private first class M. France Jr. He will always be remembered for the sacrifice he made for Jefferson County, Tennessee, and the United States of America. A witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of Jefferson County, Tennessee, to be affixated this 21st day of July in the year of our Lord, 2025. [Applause] Next we have proclamation honoring the Brazilton Lodge 190. I'll ask anybody with Brazilton Lodge if you all will will come up and join us. Uh

ask Kevin Poe. He has a another proclamation from uh Jesse Senator Jesse Seal. So congratulations. We're we're thankful that you all are with us tonight. Monumental achievement. We're glad that you're here in our community. So here's a proclamation on mayoral proclamation honoring Brazilton Lodge number 190 on the occasion of its 175th anniversary. Whereas Brazilton Lodge 190 free and accepted Masons was chartered October the 7th 1850 and has since stood as a pillar of integrity fraternity and community service in the town of Dandridge in Jefferson County Tennessee. Whereas for 175 years, Brazton Lodge number 190 has exemplified the enduring principles of Freemasonry, including brotherly love, relief, and truth, fostering fellowship among its members, contributing generously to civic and charitable endeavors throughout Dandridge and Jefferson County. Whereas the lodge has continuously upheld traditions of moral uprightness, personal development, and service to others while also supporting veterans, youth programs, local education initi initiatives, thereby enriching the lives of countless residents of Dandridge and Jefferson County and also surrounding communities. Whereas Brazilton Lodge number 190 represents a living legacy of community leadership, spiritual strength, reflecting the enduring values that has helped shape Jefferson County, a place of unity, heritage, and pride. Whereas, it is fitting and proper that Jefferson County honor institutions that have faithfully served the public and advanced the common good for generations. Now therefore, I mark Potts by the virtue of the authority vested me as mayor of Jefferson County do hereby

recognize and congratulate Braz Lodge number 190 on the occasion of its 175th anniversary and express deepest gratitude for its steadfast contribution to the life and spirit of our community. Thank you so much for your service. Mr. Po now has a second proclamation resolution. Senator Jesse Seal wanted to be here to do this. Um, and it it meant a lot for him to do it, but he had an engagement at another location at the same time. So, he wanted to pass along his apologies. Uh, and I wanted to thank um Adam Watson who led the charge to secure theseations for the lodge. Whereas, it is fitting that we should recognize those exemplary organizations that through an abiding commitment to excellence have contributed greatly to this state for many years. And whereas one such notable organization is Brazleton Lodge number 190 of the Free and Accepted Masons, which is celebrating 175 years this year. Whereas Brazleton Lodge number 190 free and accepted Masons was chartered on October the 7th 1850 and has since stood as a pillar of integrity, fraternity and community service. Whereas for 175 years, Brazleton Lodge number 190 has exemplified their enduring principles of Freemasonry, including brotherly love, relief, and truth, fostering fellowship among its members, and generously contributing to civic charitable endeavors throughout this community. Whereas Brazleton Lodge number 190 represents a living legacy, community leadership, and spiritual strength. reflecting their enduring values that have helped shape Dandridge as

Tennessee's second oldest town as well as place of unity, heritage, and pride. Whereas the members of Brazen Lodge, number 190 of the free and accepted Masons have dedicated themselves to laudable acts that have assisted countless individuals and who have made a positive impact on their community on this and the state as a whole. and they should be formally recognized on this special occasion. Therefore, I Ran McN, Speaker of the Senate of the 114th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, in conjunction with the undersign do hereby proclaim that we honor and commend the members of the members both past and present of Brazon Lodge number 190 free and accepted Masons for their dedication to public service. congratulate them on the lodge's 175 175th anniversary to extend to them our best wishes for every continued success in their future endeavors proclaimed in Nashville on this 15th day July 2025.

Congratulations See if we can't talk. Just got to listen to him talk out. Podium go.

You can't do that. Greg. Greg.

Oh, he's got Next, we will have a public hearing for resolution 2025-14, a resolution amending the zoning resolution of Jefferson County, Tennessee to reflect certain prohib prohibited uses and permitted uses in A1, R1, R2, RR, and C2 zoning districts. Is there anyone here that would like to speak to this resoning? Ma'am, come to the podium. State your name, address.

Hello everyone. My name is Michelle Birdell. My family and I live at 1661 East Highway 2570 in Dandridge. I'd like to talk to you about the resolution number 2025-14 to remove campgrounds from A1. I want to thank those who have sponsored and pushed through this res resolution. We have come before the commission several times with our stories about our safety being jeopardized and the violations of trespassing on our property due to nearby campground. This campground has zero boundaries to our property and nearby neighbors properties when it should. Because of this, I've been threatened, cussed, and forced to deal with trespassers with only me and my children home. We have had numerous people trespass, defecate, and leave their trash on our property. This campground should have never been allowed in the backyard of six different people. The campground in our yard has a boat launch, kayak rentals, boat rentals, $5 walk-on days, events, parties, camping, and pavilion rentals. This doesn't sound like a place that should be in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It sounds like a commercial property that should be in a commercial zone, not in people's backyards. That is why we are asking tonight for you to vote to remove campgrounds from A1 property and put them in commercial where they belong. Thank you.

Is there anyone else that wishes to speak? Not hearing any. This hearing is a I think some of those other reasonzonings have not had public hearings. Oh, Stephanie here. Yeah. I think you have to have some of them tonight.

Okay. So, you'll have to do them tonight. Okay. Does anybody have the numbers? My sheet doesn't have them. Some of them work. work. All four. Okay. 28 29 30. Wait a minute. I got that. All four. Is that this right here? Okay. Tell us which ones need to have the public hearing. All four of them. I've got I just found it. Okay. cuz he's got public notice where she I have the public notice.

Okay. You need this back. All right. Public notice. Okay. Resolutions 2025 28 29 30 and 31. Would that be correct Stephanie? Yes.

Okay. We will hearing up once again. This is for resolution 2025-28, a resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agricultural forestry to C2 general commercial. Is anyone here to speak to that? We will move on to resolution 2025-29. Resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agriculture forestry to C2 general commercial. Anyone here to speak? We will move on to F resolution 2025-30 resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agriculture forestry to C2 general commercial. Anyone here to speak? Last is G resolution 2025-31 resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agriculture forestry to R1 rural residential. Anyone here to speak to that? Therefore, these hearings are hereby closed. Next, we have approval and corrections to the agenda. Is there a motion on the floor to remove the rule, resend the rule to add resolution 2025-14?

So move, Mr. Chairman. We have a motion on the floor to Mr. Brooks. Is there a second? Second by Katie Huffaker. Does anyone oppose? The rule is being suspended.

Do you wish to make the motion? Mr. Chairman, I move that uh we add resolution 2025-14 under new business. That would be J. Yes. in new business.

Okay. And we have one more. We're we're adding. Yeah, we don't need a second. Move resolution 2025-33 to the front for General Dunn to leave. I haven't seen him. Mr. Dunn, are you here? So, Carol Katie

resolution 20256 the short-term rentals with legal. So can we remove it from the agenda? We'll we'll remove it as we come to it. Okay. Mayor, do we need to do something with 2025-33? It's presented. He wanted to speak to it, so we just want to ask courtesy. Let him go first. So, I guess he's I guess he's in in the mix. I don't see any rush now.

We'll move right along. We're next to approval of the minutes. You have a regular session April the 21st. Special call session June 26th. agenda as amended. Yes, I mean we need to hold a vote. Yeah, you're right. We back on my motion. Yeah, we're going to make a vote

on approve on corrections to the agenda. We need to vote. See, nobody was against the first second. This item is not working. You want to give me your vote. M. Miss Thomas,

do you wish to vote? Yes, Miss Thomas. 17. Yes. Zero. No. Passes. Now we're to approval of the minutes. Take all them together. The motion. What's the pleasure of the commission?

All together. Got a motion in a second. We'll proceed to vote. 17. Yes. Zero. No. Passes. Next we are down to appearance of citizens. Would you please come to the microphone? State your name into the microphone and address. You have three minutes. Jim Fox.

Sure. Also have to state whether they're speaking for themselves on behalf of the group or a third party. All right. All right. Did you catch all that? Tell us who you're speaking for because we're not going to let you speak for somebody else. Oh, come on. Unless a commissioner says you can.

All right. Jim Fox, Abene Trail, Dandridge. And I am speaking for myself. Uh here we are 21 days into the new fiscal year and we're we're already talking about increasing property taxes again next year. I've been working on the SDR resolution for over two and a half years. As most of you already know already, it will provide safety and security for the owners, guests, and neighbors. 90% of the owners do not live in this state. They do not pay will taxes or reinvest into this county. So, anything collected would be paid by non-residents. The SDR resolution would solve the property tax dilemma for the foreseeable future. And yet, we are dragging our feet. With the new federal administration, uh, it is move the federal government is moving at jet speed. The state is not far behind. We, as a county, we're moving like we have concrete shoes and are at the deep end of the pool. Let's quit dragging our feet and make this county great again. I will admit that having monthly meetings is a great step in the right direction, but we need to get the resolutions passed. It should not take two and a half years or three years or whatever to get this stuff done because we are just continually falling farther and farther and farther behind and increasing the burning burden on our residents when this is other people's money that we could collect and help relieve that burden. Thank you.

Next we have Michelle Birdell. All right. Next up is Linda Mcmith. James Lance, you'll be next.

Linda Mcmith, 3766 Island View Drive, Severeville. I live on the south side of the lake. One topic I want to cover. I'm speaking for myself. One topic I'm would like to cover is the elementary school. I went by the elementary school the other day and no work has happened throughout the summer. What is going on with this project? Supposedly Jefferson County Elementary School supposedly things were going to get started while the kids were out of school. So what's happening with that funding that was allotted to the school board? Do they have control of that money? Are they making interest that we're not? So, what's happening? We need to know and have regular updates in these monthly meetings now going forward. Secondly, I came prepared to talk about short-term rental resolution tonight. It's an important item that was on our agenda and it's a significant significant amount of time and effort was put into this both by a few commissioners and citizens. So, everyone is looking to have different things done and we're not going to meet everybody's expectations, but we need to get started somewhere and then build on that knowing that there's going to be amendments. There's going to be changes and it's going to be a process of building on it, but we've got to get started and we've got to know what's going on. A big part of it is we may be missing out on a big part of revenue as well. When I met with one of the resorts, they told me that when they booked through Airbnb, most of their rebuilt rebooks are done directly with the management company. So, how are those definitely being reported?

So, we need to think about what's happening and how those are impacting our citizens have rights. I hear only about that the visitors have rights to come and stay, but the citizens that live there that are being interfered with have rights as well. We need to protect those. Our volunteer fire departments calls are fluctuating monthtomonth, quarter by quarter. Equipment needs are getting greater. Fuel bills are increasing. the um recruitment of additional personnel is ongoing and all this costs money, but we're limiting and limiting the amount that they're getting. Hopefully, the wheel tax is going to help assist in that process. Although, it's going to be a while before that will even kick in, but we need to see that things are happening and we're moving forward with that. Fourth, committee attendance. I've attended a lot of different committee meetings and it's almost appalling the amount of people who are on these committees that do not attend and frequently do not attend. If you're on a committee, I would request that you attend those committee meetings and not just always either be an hour late or not show. And it's always the same people that are showing all the time. Thank you. And thank you for the participation of those of you that are doing all the work.

James Lance.

Good evening, Jefferson County Commissioners. My name is James Lance. I'm a secondyear veteran of the US Armed Forces, residing at 2246 Peninsula Drive, Jefferson State, Tennessee. I'm speaking for myself tonight. Previously, on six six separate occasions, three times in 2024, three times earlier this year, I've addressed this commission regarding the importance of developing a sound five-year county strategic plan. Did my message fall on deaf years? This strategic the reason I'm bringing this to your attention once again stems from a previous county budget meeting. It appears this commission is poised on the verge of hitting the easy button once again, ready to increase Jefferson County citizen property taxes in order to cover a late in the fiscal year operating revenue deficit. This is happening despite my fellow citizens having helped identify new sources of revenue such as the additional wheel or we're calling it the motor privilege tax now and additional property transfer taxes. Additionally, during the past few county commission meetings, my fellow citizens have requested this commission enact a shortterm rental revenue in mineral severance taxes. This commission has been slow to act on the former and have voted down the ladder. Despite the fact that Jefferson County is the only county in eastern Tennessee that does not oppose a mineral severance tax. Once again, I unequivocally state without a sound five-year strategic plan, we will continue to find ourselves in the same deficit situation year after year. The development of the forementioned strategic plan acknowledges the fact our county is growing. This plan developed will provide the requisite guidance to manage this growth. It will identify potential new sources of operating revenue and perhaps more importantly provide

guidance to control what appears to be an insatiable spending appetite. Therefore, I call upon this commission to do number one, the work necessary to develop a five-year strategic plan, two, address the county's spending problem, three, enact this proposed short-term rental revenue tax, and four, re-evaluate and enact the mineral seance tax. Thank you. Next, we have Kathleen Villers. Good evening. Kathleen Villers, 2202 Arrowhead Drive, Dandridge, and I'm here to talk about the short-term rental resolution. I'm speaking on behalf of myself. I was going to ask you all to please vote yes to pass the short-term rental resolution. However, I just learned that the resolution was pulled from tonight's meeting. This is very disappointing. very disappointing, especially given over approximately a thousand STRs that we've heard are already in the county. We anticipate that number to grow, especially with a need for regulations on many of the STRs. The regulations would address safety, security, fire protection, neighborhood issues, occupancy, parking, and such. especially with the revenues needed from new sources. So, residential property owners won't keep getting tax increases. Estimates done by a group of citizens predicted conservatively that we might have 2.9 million coming in from short-term rentals up to 4.3 million, as much as 6.2 million in new annual revenues. Time is of the essence, folks, and I and many other citizens feel there is a sense of urgency on this. To not pass the short-term rental resolution or

delay it much longer really is not fair to Jefferson County, its residents, renters of STRs. It leaves Jeff County and others subject to high risk without regulations. So, please follow up on this to asssure that the STR resolution is presented at next month's meeting. And then I will ask you again, please vote yes on the STR resolution. I'd also, Chairman Carmichael, like to speak and provide a few comments um for my husband, William Billers, who was unable to attend tonight. Is that all right if I proceed? Sure.

Thank you. This would be on behalf of William Billers, 2202 Arrowhead Drive, speaking on behalf of himself and his family regarding the U. Jefferson County short-term rental resolution. Mr. Viller said, "Please pass the STR resolution 256." These comments that follow, he wasn't quite aware yet that it had been pulled from tonight's agenda, but I think they're still very relevant. Some residents and commissioners have worked very hard on the resolution, some for as many as two and a half years. We thank them and many others, including the county commissioners, for getting the resolution in shape to pass. The biggest push back we've heard might be from a small number of residents, and that would be some owners of STRs who have said, "This is going to put me out of business." County residents mostly don't agree with that statement unless the investment in the STR properties was already inappropriately too high. Some key reasons. Point one, some neighboring counties have had STR resolutions in place for months, even years without much change in occupancy. Two, the biggest cost to the STR owners is the commercial tax, bumping it from 25 to 40%, but it's appropriate because it's a business and the state is requiring implementation, I believe, in two years time frame. Point three, the $300 licensing fee will help ensure renters stay in homes that are safe and secure to occupy and that protects the renters, the STR owners and minimizes JC's liability risk. Fourth, any added costs will be passed on likely to the renters unless the renting rates were already too high. And typically some neighboring county STR owners are already indicating they're profiting with higher even with

higher costs. Resolution 256 will level the playing field for rental rates and costs across all of Jefferson County STR owners, some of whom we know might possibly be ignoring some of those rental safety and security concerns. In conclusion, Jefferson County needs the revenue to cover the increased spending. Otherwise, Jefferson County property owners might be hit with another large tax increase next year. Please pass the resolution. And I we'll say here at your earliest opportunity to be fair to Jefferson County compared to other counties residents who pay property taxes and to short-term rentals. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. Next on the agenda, we have the approval of notaries and bonds. It's in your packet. Got four names we would like to add at the commission's pleasure. Carsha Clay, Elaine Crowley, Lori Snodgrass, Dearius Danielle Kaine. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. 170 passed. Next we have nominating committee.

Where's be a chairman? Nominating committee met tonight and audit committee is Gary Jet from July 25 to July 27th. Dale Allen from July 25 to July 27th. Um, Jersey County Public Library System Board of Trustee appointed Robert Bruner. We voted for him from July the 1st of 2025 to June 30th or 28th. And if all these pass in the nominating committee

Thank you, sir. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll take them all at one time. 170 passed. Now we have reports from elected officials. County Mayor Mark Pototts. Sir,

thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of County Commission. I got a request uh from Judge Roach through our county attorney. There's two appointments that go judicial commissioner appointments and in the past I brought them. So I'm I'm bringing them again. It' be Keith Reass and John Bud Towns. And that takes a county commission action to appoint those as judicial commissioners as recommended by Judge Roach. Sure. You take a vote together. Third question or comment. Proceed to vote. 170 pass. Thank you, sir. Next, we have chairman's comments. uh meetings with open conversations. Since we have done away with the work session, I want to remind the commissioners that um voting rules apply. So, you get six minutes to talk to any thing that you want to talk to, but you only get to talk once unless it's pertinent to the conversation. Just want to remind everybody of that. And u we have some new voting procedures that I'm going to read to you. been some questions brought up. Tennessee state legislature has passed as amended provides when there is a vote on the county commission which could involve a financial conflict of interest as a result of increasing the pay benefits of commissioner or spouse of commissioner. The chair of the county commission shall ask the members of the commission whether any member believes a vote was cast by someone with a conflict of interest to declare the outcome of the vote. Also provides that such votes must be taken by roll call or by a recorded electronic method of vote. Does everyone understand that

if you are an accounting employee, you have to state before you vote. If you're voting on anything to do with money, you can't vote on anything that you benefit from. But you can vote in general, but you're supposed to state your interest and you're actually supposed to say there is a paragraph that you should know about. Not hearing any questions. We've covered open conversations. U Rick, you say vote in general. Can you please clarify?

Voting in general means like if you vote for a whole budget, the the question at hand that you're asking me about is is that if you vote like if you vote to pass a whole budget for the county, your problem would be what would get you in trouble is that if you voted on a specific item that affected you. If you vote for a whole budget, that separates that issue. So that that makes the difference is that if it was amended and separated out, you couldn't vote on it. Thank you.

Um to address one of the uh one of the constituents resolutions taking time to pass. You're talking about government moving slow. I will address that as the chairman that when we do something, it has to pass the state comprollers's office and it has to pass the legal. In other words, it has to be run through an attorney. So sometimes when a committee does something, it can't just show up here. We have to see the constitutionality and the legal aspects of what we have done in the committee. So therefore, it takes time. We cannot always expedite because when you take shortcuts, it could come back to bite you. So appreciate everybody and we shall move right along to reports of committees. We got budget amendments. individually or um I'm not sure if you guys want to just take them one by one. Is that how it's set up on the

It is, but we can do however works for you. I do just have to make note um there is fund balance and reserve usage. Hold up just a second. Skip over county. I got I got question attorney.

Yeah, just before we get to that, this goes back to what was just addressed and addressed earlier on this resolution about uh short-term rentals. We all I think most of us came here thinking we were going to vote on that tonight and then just hours previously we found out it was going to be pulled. Last comments I received were it's in your hands. Can you provide some feedback for us?

U well I just mind CASS had looked at it as well and indicated that there were a number of the sections that just needed to be reported. Let me just go ahead and say it's a uh with the time that was spent on it. It's a it's a was certainly a good skeleton to do and much more comprehensive than some of the others. Several of the sections uh simply could not be in. For instance, we don't Our county does not enforce international fire code. We don't have a fire emergency and we're not an exempt jurisdiction. Doesn't mean that you can't require certain uh safety equipment, fire alarms, interconnection, that kind of thing. You certainly can do that, but we don't have an official that actually enforces those codes. That's just an example of some of the of some of the things. So, I I got it probably about um a week ago. uh looked at it but CASS I think had looked at it. They did not recommend passage as is um and uh I and I I made some additional comments than what STAS had made as well with respect to some of the things that need doesn't mean that some of the things can't be regulated. It just means that we don't some of the things we simply don't do um and those just have to be revised. some of the statutes that were quoted either were not complete or potentially not applicable. Again, they might be for some counties and they might be for some cities, but not necessarily with respect to Jefferson County. And and to be candid with you, um on the the the short-term rental, this is a fairly new uh area where counties, cities, governmental entities are able to realize revenue. There have been a lot of jurisdictions that have passed it. So there's not been a lot of candidly there's been none with respect to any kind of legal challenge of any particular one. So that uh I'm

not saying you're reinvent wheel because you're not. There's some models out there, but you want to try to get it as close to not being able to be challenged as you can in some of those those sections you just were. That wasn't just my opinion. That was Cass's opinion as well. Based on that, do you think that's something we could have ready for next month's meeting? Okay. Thank you. The goal the goal would be to to uh have that ready for your August meeting. I I now I assume that the the public service committee would since they brought it, I assume they're going to would they review the the draft again? I'm certain. But yes, for sure in August. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.

Does anyone else have a question for the attorney while he's here? Not hearing any. Thank you, Doug. Back to budget. We take all them at once. Just what I'm seeing, you can I just as long as you make note of the fund balance and reserve usage. Um on the first one, fund 101, item one and the second one is fund 116, budget amendment number one. They're both using fund balance and fund 101's using reserves. I believe if you're spending money, we're going have to take them separately. They need to be separate. Yes. Be happy to do that as well.

Okay. So, back to square one. Um fund 101 amendment number one. Uh the total fund balance usage is $56,73912. Reserve balance is $128,300. Um reserves and fund balance are on item number one. That's where the Tennessee riskmanagement insurance came in above and beyond what we had budgeted. So I used what we were refunded last year for our estimated versus our actual and that place that into the reserve. So that's the reserve usage. And then we had to use a portion of fund balance to cover the remaining. Item two is a reserve. Item four is a reserve as well. And item eight is um it shows fund balance. It's just transferring funds to the appropriate fund uh from general 101 to school 141.

Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. There you go. Passes 17 to zero. Fund 116.

Okay. The next one is sanitation fund 116. Amendment number one. Uh same same scenario. Tennessee risk management. We're utilizing $6,420 of fund balance to cover the actual cost for fiscal year 2526. Question or comment? We'll proceed to vote. passes 170.

And the last one is highway fund 131, amendment number one. Um we we had the funds budgeted just um the actual cost came in on different lines. So we're just moving the funds around from the workman's comp insurance to the correct expenditure lines. No use of fund balance or reserves. Question or comment. Proceed to vote. 170 passes. Does that conclude your business, ma'am? Does it? Well, we have the the landfield bid results. I don't

uh the next item I believe is the the lobbying. Is that the next item on that? The land landfield class. So the next item on the landfield,000 we moved out of 207.

So there is um since we would normally format a budget amendment for you all now that we've gone monthly, we just met. So um they made a motion to move $500,000 from fund 207, that's the landfill fund, the fund balance to start this work and to award this bid. The bid did come under a million dollars, but they've only allowed up to $500,000 of fund balance for this project at this time. Question or comment. Proceed to vote. 16 yeses, one no passes. So I guess the next item is the contract is let

you handle that. That's general fund balance was where the funding is from for this. You want David to speak to this or what? Jimmy there's a question or comment. If there's not we're going to vote. Any questions to David on this? $5,000 voted. Oh, we already voted. Yep. I'm sorry. You're not too far out of date there, Tim.

We have 16 yes, one no. Passes.

We are done, Jimmy.

We are done. Thank you, sir. [Applause] There is no old business. Is there a question or comment for any of the nonprofits? Not hearing any, we'll move right into new business. First on the agenda is the land purchase of the Moore property. Did everyone receive a map in their docket? This land came about from the Moore family. The mayor and I sat down and had a meeting with the Moore family and they would like to present this land to us, the 86 acres for the county's acquisition. The price of this land, they're asking $1,750,000 for 86 acres. This land is strategically in a good place on state highway right at the 8140 split. It joins our landfill and the Malone property. So, it's in a real good spot for the county. In the county, we have the money that we can afford to buy this through the hotel motel tax. That money has to be spent for future development. We also in the industrial development board have a million dollars that we can invest on this property. So we do Jesse, do we not have 2.2 million in our hotel motel tax money?

Uh currently without us posting year end. Yes, without posting year end. We we can be safe in saying we have 2.2 million. Uh mayor, do you have something to add to this property? I'd like for the county attorney to to address the legality on what you can and can't do here. Sure. And so we can do it properly if that's your Sure. Is the question or the matter whether or not you can vote to purchase it tonight? Sure.

What I would say is yes, since it's on the agenda, you could vote to purchase it or or not. Um, but only thing I would suggest is if you're going to do that, um, you probably would just want to make that contingent on a sales agreement, good title, those kind of things. You know what I mean? Um, but I think you could go ahead if you if you decided it's a purchase you want to do. I would just make it contingent on a sales contract that we would draft and uh transfer of good title, that kind of thing. Typical standard uh issues. In other words, just not a here's a deed and here's the check upon your review.

Yeah. Upon your review, sir. That's the only my only recommendation or suggestion. We have a motion on the floor by Jim Snogers, seconded by Ronnie Coleman. What's the motion? The motion is to buy the motion, sir. No, my motion is to table this item until next month's meeting until we can get more information and data on it, not just hearsay. You're talking, what do we say? 1.7. Well, that's my motion. 1.75.

We have a motion on the floor in a second, Mr. Ble. I'm good. How are you? Katie Hilfiger. Okay. We table. Is there a way to get in a contract with the seller? So, we have essentially first rot of refusal for the property. So, nobody can come in behind us and purchase it between this meeting and the next meeting. That would have to come in in a separate amendment. Sure. This is a motion to table.

So, we're just we should be discussing vote on the motion to table. Well, maybe I I know, but my vote I would like to know. Actually, your conversation needs to be on the motion to table cuz if that motion passes, it's going to be tabled. If that motion fails, you can vote on buying it anyway. Well, that may be true, but it would the answer would determine whether or not I voted to table it or not. So, I'm trying to get information to figure out if I want to vote to table it. So, can I ask I guess the person selling's representation and our lawyer if we can

that's the county attorney the county attorney if we can draft something like that. You sure the question first option is buy?

The short answer is yes. You could um ask the property owner or pay the property owner for an option to do that. But you would have to ask them. And if if the motion was you're going to approach them about either holding off until we get to next meeting, you could do that, but I mean it's it's ultimately up to them. There are number of ways to do it. You could purchase an option to buy and or just simply request that time uh 30 days to be able to to consider it or until your next meeting. You can do that. Yes. We have a motion on the floor. You'd have to amend the motion or let's vote or let's vote on the motion on the floor.

Okay. I want to amend the motion contingent upon You can't make a motion to amend the we will proceed to vote that if you want to vote to table. I'll get final discussion. Sure.

So again, this this amazes me. We spent 50% of the budget meeting talking about spending $25,000 on someone that has a great potential to bring significant amount of dollars to this county. Yet, we're so easily ready to take a quick vote on $1.7 million of spend, which we don't even know what it can be used for. None of that's been defined. We don't have a plan. Some people are saying it could be used as a landfill addition. We just bought 72 acres for landfill expansion two years ago. And at that time the land we had as had been reported would last us to 2040 until we purchased that additional 72 acres. Now I'm hearing also this is coming from hotel motel tax and it can't be used for landfill. It can only be used as a public use area. What would we do with a public use area at that location? There's no infrastructure there. No water, no sewer, no industrial electric. So where would we get the money to develop that land in order to make something for us that can generate revenue? Okay, that's why my motion is to table so we can get more facts on the table rather than hearsay rather than postpone. A postponement would mean it's dead forever. So, I think before we just jump to it and try to spend 1.7 million when we were already talking about coming shortfall next year, we need to back up, get some facts, and have something in writing that says this is what we can and can't do. This is where the money comes from. Here's what we want to do with it in the future. I'm not against it. I'm just saying we need to catch our breath and take another look at this thing.

We'll proceed to vote. Vote yes if you wish to table it. Mr. Greg, we've done he's done finished. So you won't be able to speak.

Yes to table it. No to not table it. We have four nos, 13 yes. Six tables. We will move right along to land sale Baneberry property parcel.33 acres vacant lot on Irongate Drive Baneberry owned by Jefferson County due to delinquent taxes by previous owner. Land is adjacent to the Bainberry dog park. Bainberry would like to acquire said land to expand the park.

Mr. Chairman Bangberry approached my office about this land. It's next to their dog park. It's land that we got through delinquent taxes. Uh they're expanding their park area up there. They're buying some land from wit. This just goes in together. They joined that land. It's more used to them. They've asked for us to donate the land to them. I I would recommend that we donate it to them. They cover all closing cost on doing it. So the county has no use for this land and we're not collecting taxes. If they can use it and do something for the community, I I think we ought to donate them the land. Anyone else question or comment? Sure. Mr. Brooks,

can we hear from the county attorney? I I don't disagree with what the mayor said, but And the mayor is also Yeah. Doug, do we need a contract or anything for this? Just showing. Do we need a contract or anything for this transfer? Not just declare it um I don't even know since it's between governmental entities that you would have to declare it surplus. I don't think you even have to do that. But um the the short answer is no. Uh you don't have to have one.

You would be the person donating it. If um desired anything over and above just simply that um but all you would be doing is quit claiming your interest. you wouldn't be warranted necessarily. FYI, my office represents Bayberry. So, uh, we'd have a conflict if y'all got crossways, but So, you will. I don't think we will. Uh, but anyway, yes, you could do that. Uh, you would not have to have a land sale contract for that donation. No, just a description of the land. Um, that I understand the motion was Bainberry would have to bear that cost anyway, right? Yeah, that was part of the motion that they would have to do a survey, deed description, that kind of thing.

Yeah. As long as we can transfer the land at cost to the county. I mean, you don't you don't have to have a sales contract. We have a motion on the floor. It's been properly seconded. Anyone else question or comment? We'll proceed to vote. Your motion, Mr. Tim, your motion is to donate it to Bainberry. Yes. with them paying all closing cost and uh having it surveyed. Thanks, sir.

15 yes, two no passes. Next, we have resolution 2025-06. resolution of Jefferson County, Tennessee to establish regulations for licensing of short-term rental units in Jefferson County. I believe that should been pulled. Correct, Mr. Chairman? We did not pull it. So, no, we did not pull it. Right. So, I'm happy to make it is what we need to do. I'm happy to make a motion to postpone to our next meeting. You want to postpone? Yeah. Mr. Parliamentary, you want it postponed, tabled or what you do?

Yeah, it should be tabled postponed. Okay, Mr. Chairman, I move to table this item to our next meeting. I do have a question. If I get a second, I believe you got a second. Katie, ask away. How did this get on the agenda if it hadn't gone through the legal process yet? It was handed to me. It It was in the process at the time just with hopes that it would hopes that it would make it and it didn't make it. It got held up at SAS. Okay. All right. Thank you. Seas was the main one though, was it to hold up? Yeah,

we have a motion to table. Properly seconded. We will vote. postpone it 17 yes zero no motion to table. Next, we're into uh our ones that we had hearings over. Resolution 2025-28, resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 Agriculture Forestry to C2 general commercial. We have a motion on the floor and a second a question or comment. Not hearing any, we'll proceed to vote. 17 yes, zero no passes. Next we have resolution 2025-29 resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agricultural forestry to C2 general commercial. We have a motion on properly seconded. Question or comment? So I just

the Okay, come up, please. We'll make sure everybody knows this property is down on Deep Springs Road. Just name Eric M. Okay. Um, so I've been driving by this property for a couple of years and I'm just I'm curious. It's what's in here that's commercial. What's the future plans for this side as commercial?

Uh I'm just going to retire there. I'm going to build a house for my kids. I've got five kids and I hope that they'll some of them will live there so I can have my grandkids around. Lord's blessed me with some equipment and I'm building a road making I want to have it all where I can mow it. And one of my neighbors don't like my equipment. And she's thrilled to fit over it several times. And she's really not my neighbor. I get along with all my neighbors. We get along real good. We've got each other's phone number and we help each other any way possible. But she I don't know. She's come in here several times over me having some equipment there. And I I'm using it. I I haven't hired out anything done there. Me and my father's done every bit of the work that's been done there over the years when we get time and it's just been a slow process. But uh we've we've got all the permits and everything for what we've done so far, but I plan on living there and I just want the center section of it inside my property where I can put my stuff in garages that nobody can bother.

So why would that require reszoning if it's not a commercial business? It's A1. Correct. He's got his equipment parked there. I am in business. He's not asking for the whole parcel to be right. I got it right. Insert. Yeah. Off Springs Road. Not off of Black Road. So, which leads to my next question. If you look online at Google Google Maps where your driveway comes out, there's a guard rail blocking that. Correct. Got a state permit and an address for that. Okay. So, you got that had it for a year and a half now. So, you will remove the guardrail. Who removes the guardrail? Well, the state said I could if I wanted to, but I'd rather them do it.

Crash cushion on the end there. Okay, that's good. Thank you. Thank you. You rest.

Anyone else will proceed to vote? 17 yes zero no passes. Move right along to resolution 2025-30. Resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 agriculture forestry to C2 general commercial. We have a motion on the floor. Do we have a motion on the floor? Properly seconded. Question or comment on hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. 170 passes. Next, we have resolution 2025-31, resolution amending the zoning map of Jefferson County, Tennessee by reszoning property from A1 Agriculture Forestry to R1 Rural Residential. We have a motion on the floor, properly seconded. Question or comment? Not hearing any, we'll proceed to vote. Next, we have resolution 2025-32, resolution declaring as surplus and to authorize the Jefferson County Circuit Court to surplus and dispose of donated said equipment. We have a motion on the floor, seconded. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote.

170. Passes. Next, we have resolution 2025-33. Resolution to authorize a $12.50 50 cent charge by the clerk of every court in Jefferson County, Tennessee, having jurisdiction of the state misdemeanors and felonies for the purposes authorized and set out in TCA 40-3-106 District Attorney General James B. Done.

We have a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. 170 passes. Next, we're at 2025-14. That was at the beginning. Is there a motion on the floor? We have a motion properly seconded. Question or comment? Not hearing any. We'll proceed to vote. passes 170. I have no announcements. Does anybody else have anything that they wish to announce?

Mr. Baker, can I ask a question? Sure. Okay. So, since this is the first time we've not had a work session and we're straight in voting, because land purchase was on the agenda, can I add another motion to see if the commission's willing to get in a contract for like first ride or refusal with the property owner who's it's done been tabled. So, it's tabled. I know, but as a new item, you can suspend the rule. You'd have to suspend the rule. That's correct. Okay. So, can I make a motion to suspend the rules to add that to the agenda? Is that what I'm Yes, you can.

Suspend the rules. Yep. Rules. Then you got to make you got to vote on it. Then you got to make a motion. Okay. I'll make a motion to suspend the rules. There's a motion on the floor, properly seconded, to suspend the rule. Vote yes if you wish to suspend the rule. No if you don't. You have 12 yeses, four nos. Motion fails. Two. It has to have two/3s. That's correct.

Fails for lack of two/3 majority. Does anybody have an announcement?