Commission - Regular Meeting

Testing 1 2 3 4. Testing. Testing 1 2 3 4.

by Commissioner Edens. Commissioner Carter.

Thank you. Y'all please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this day, for the beautiful sunshine that you gave us after the the snow and the cold weather. And uh we know that our area needs all that to remain healthy. Um, we thank you for the big turnout at tonight's meeting. Lord, it just means that the people that live here care and uh as somebody that serves, I just ask that you guide us and help us during tonight's meeting to think about our decisions, to discern through our decisions, to listen well, and to uh just to make decisions that help glorify you but help this area at the same time. Um, so Father, we thank you for all this and we love you. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Let's honor America. I pledge allegiance 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.

Madam clerk, if you will go ahead and call the role. Our roll call system is not working this evening. So, let's go ahead and start it off uh calling the roll today. Here

we have 15 present, no absent. We do have a quorum. Our next item is approval of the agenda. I do have one item that's been requested to be removed uh by the um zoning administrator and that's resolution 260101 uh resolution amending the Washington County zoning resolution meat products manufacturing and slaughterhouse if that can be moved to the um next February meeting on the 25th. Motion to approve that change. Motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second. Second

by Commissioner Fitzgerald. That was a motion by Commissioner Tucker. All those in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I.

All opposed. That will be our amendment. Also, I got a thing that I want to bring up the uh the end of the month, the BWXT. I'd like to move it over to the March 23rd meeting. I had several emails and phone calls from several people in the community in different areas saying that we moved it to a Wednesday night to keep some of them from coming. So, I'd like to get it off of church night and bring it back and put it our regular meeting in March the 23rd is the motion I'd like to make for that. March the 23rd. Would we add that as discussion item, Allison, or how how would you prefer that be added or just

I think you could put it discussion or new business, but that's your decision. Under new business, one place or the other as a new agenda item. Yes. All right. And we'll go ahead and place that under new business. Thank you. Uh that would require us to suspend a rule to add that item um to the agenda. Um, do we have a motion to suspend the rule? So move.

Motion by Commissioner Tama to suspend the rule, seconded by Commissioner Wexler. All those in favor, the suspending rule does require two twothirds majority. Um, so sus, let's go ahead and uh and call it first and see if we can get it without a roll call. See how it works out. Um, all in favor of suspending the rule signify by saying I. I. I.

Opposed. All right. That item will be added to the agenda under new business. Do we need a vote Allison separately though to add that question? Okay, that's what I thought. All right. Now, we'll go back to the the question of adding that for discussion under new business. I will second Commissioner Tucker's motion then. Oh, I thought Commissioner Fitzgerald was I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Was No, I second.

Does it even have it up there now? All right. So the question was to add discussion of moving the March 25th meeting 23rd March 20. Is it 23rd or 25th? I may be wrong. 23rd February 25th to March. What was that Alison 3rd? I think you said 23rd. 23rd. So move it to March just that one item back to where the March. Yeah, that'll clarify. Yeah. And specifically, Mr. one item. One item. Yes, it's just that one item. Just move the whole meeting.

Yeah, we didn't. Yeah. All right.

We have it in. All right. So, that this does not require twothirds vote. All in favor of uh of that motion signify by saying I. I. All opposed. I'm the only no. Oh, wait. Was that the vote for We moved it to new business, didn't we? We did. Yes. Okay. So, we're discussing it under new business. Yes. Okay. Had this moment. Okay. Okay. Moving right along.

All right. to leave it though. Approve the agenda. Is there any other um agenda items to consider? Move to approve as amended. Move to approve as amended by Commissioner Wheeler. Seconded by Commissioner Huffine. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of approving the agenda as amended signify by saying I. I. I.

All opposed. And the agenda is approved. All right. We will move on into public comment at this time. Um, we did add that item of discussion discussion about the BX BWXT date change. Uh, we have one person that has signed up to speak on BWXT. Um, this will be a very narrow scope of moving the meeting. It won't be any uh for or against BWXT or the reasonzoning. It'll be just a discussion of the date. Um so under public comment, we'd each have uh each person be given three minutes to address the board regarding the agenda item. Comments shall be limited to items on the meeting's agenda. Kevin, come hold up.

Kevin Hendricks, 200 Roy Phillips Road, Jonesboro, speaking about this BWXT team moving the date of the vote. It's absolutely ridiculous that you folks would even consider moving it. You've had a few emails. I speak for hundreds of people in this county that want this thing resolved. It's been uh it was moved to uh the February 25th meeting two months ago. Come on. Everybody knew it was moved to a Wednesday. This should stay on the agenda for the February 25th meeting as it's been outlined. I would think all of you would want this resolved one way or another. Whether you're for it or opposed, it needs to bring some certainty to it. Um I suspect some of these emails will probably come people that are pro BWXT. They want to delay this thing and try to influence people more and more all the time. you folks have had plenty of time, whatever your decision is, to make up your mind. What what's going to change in in 30 days? Um, I I also know it's it's been well known that one of the commissioners will be absent from the February 25th meeting. We know it will take a twothirds majority to overrule the planning and zoning. And so, I think people are counting votes. And I think that's probably the damn reason that this is being moved. So, I would urge you to keep it on the agenda for February 25th. There's no valid reason to move this. Um, and really benefits no one. Everybody wants some certainty out of this. I know as commissioners, you'd like to make a a decision on this and move forward with other business. We would like to know what's going on because, you know, there could be appeals, there could be other things that could be done. And BWXT will probably, you know, depending on how that turns out, may want to do things. So, for all concerned, whether you're pro or negative, people want this to be decided and move on. And so I've tried to keep it, you know, I'm sure you all know where I'm at on it, but I regardless of where you stand on this, keep it on the February 25th vote and let's move on. Thank you.

All right. So, that kind of opens it up since we did have that addition u additional agenda item. Is there anyone else that would like to speak to the time of changing the meeting? You'll come forward, sir, and give your name and address to the clerk.

Oh, yeah. My name is Gabriel Wilson. I live at 249 Clyde Miller Drive in Telford. And um thank you for even considering moving it for the sake of a church night. I think that's a really big deal. However, I I also agree with Kevin. We'd love to know what's going to happen. We're in a state of feeling like cats that got thrown up in the air and we're wondering how this issue is going to land. And um and so I trust you to vote your conscience and vote the way you feel your heart being led. But as a person that's really involved in this, more time makes it difficult. I don't think it makes it easier. So thank you for your consideration. Please don't move it.

Thank you, Gabriel.

All right. Would anyone else like to speak in this narrow time frame that we have on this u very narrow subject? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing or close the public comments. We do not have any public public hearing for resoning. With that being said, there's a difference between public comment and public hearing. Um and um especially public hearing for resoning. A lot of times you'll hear hear me call for people to uh that are in opposition to or in favor of. So I know whether the meeting is in February or it falls in March, a lot of them you want to speak during that public hearing. And I appreciate that whether you're speaking for or against. But I would appreciate your understanding in public hearing. So when you come down that evening, whatever night that is that falls on the agenda, you will not need to sign up for public hearing for reszoning. We will have a period of time that we call for for and against. and we will set those periods of time and we'll get as many people in to speak as we possibly can during those periods of time. So there's some difference in public comment and public hearing. Many of you are here tonight and I want to take that few moments and explain that to you so you don't have to think I have to sign this piece of paper. It's not this is for public comment about things on the

agenda. the thing you will be coming down to to discuss is a is a reasonzoning public hearing. So there's two different things tonight. We're not calling a public hearing for reasonzoning because uh we had one and it got moved off till February 25th. So, just to help you understand that more for February, uh I want to take that just a minute to to kind of clear that up because I'm sure many of you that are here tonight will be here to speak in public hearing next time or March, whichever time is is decided here tonight. the minutes of the January 6th meeting of the regional planning commission you can find on page one. There is no u uh report this evening from the board of zoning appeals. We'll move right on into our special recognition and proclamation. It's our UT report to the people. Elizabeth is out this evening. She could not be here from our a extension office. Our UT a extension office. However, it's the report to the people is on page 11 and uh she regretted she could not be here this evening. Our next item is our presentation by Alicia Summers and Lexi Vance of the Washington County Economic Development Council. Let's talk about a lot of good things going on here in Washington County economic development wise.

Absolutely. Good evening, uh chairman, commissioners. I'm Alicia Summers, the executive director of the Washington County Economic Development Council. I have with me tonight Lexi Vance. Lexi is our economic development coordinator and she'll be presenting the strategic plan of the council to you this evening.

Good evening, chairman, commissioners. Thank you so much for having me here today to talk about the WCEDC 2025 2027 strategic plan. Lots of anticipation. Okay, before we start talking about the strategic plan itself, I want to quickly give an overview of economic development and the WCEDC's overall goals. Economic development is programs, policies, and activities that seek to improve economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and retaining jobs and providing a stable tax base. Ultimately, economic development is a revenue strategy for communities, generating additional tax dollars from new business investment. The purpose of the WCEDC.

Oh. Oh my god. They decided they wanted. Okay. Matthew.

There it goes. Okay. In Tennessee, all local governments in each non- metropolitan county are required to have a joint economic and community development board. The WCEDC through an intergovernmental agreement between Washington County, Johnson City, and Jonesboro fulfills the requirements of the JECB. Many economic development activities are only allowed to function through JECDBs. Additionally, there are grants and trainings that are only available to JCDBs. We are the economic development organization that has been given power by state legislation to conduct economic development activities in Washington County, Johnson City, and Jonesboro. Chairman Matherly, Commissioner Malone, and Mayor Grandandy are your county representatives on the WCE EDC board. The mission of the WCEDC is to enhance job growth and increased tax base of Washington County, Johnson City, and Jonesboro by engaging the community and business leaders through nurturing existing businesses and actively recruiting new industries in commerce. Economic growth comes from three main activities. Recruitment, bringing new jobs and new industries to the county. Retention, keeping existing jobs here with current employers, and expansion, supporting our existing industries here through increased production and job growth. While recruiting often gets the most attention, research consistently shows that most job growth comes from existing businesses expanding. That makes retention and expansion just as critical to long-term economic health as recruiting new industries. Can you push the slides forward? Thank you. As mentioned in the last slide, thank you, Mayor Grandandy. We

pay a lot of attention to site selectors needs. Site selectors are the decision makers for the location of new industries. It is vital that what is important to site selectors is important to the WCEDC so that our community remains competitive. Site selectors consistently rank workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life as top location factors. Our strategic goals directly align with these priorities to ensure Washington County remains competitive. This plan is required for participation in TNECD's three-star program and serves as a roadmap for coordinated economic development efforts over the next three years. We identified three main goals and those goals were identified by site selector priorities, feedback from existing industries, and input from community stakeholders. Once this plan is submitted and approved by TNECD, the communities get the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $250,000 for a project that is in line with one of the three goals. The three goals chosen were workforce development, child care, and business retention and expansion. Workforce development. Employers continue to report difficulty finding and retaining qualified workers. Workforce development needs to better alignment with education, training, and real world experience with local industry needs. The goal is to strengthen workforce readiness through experiential learning and career awareness, to improve employer connections to workforce resources, and to engage 10 new employers in workforce related programs. Success in workforce development can look like many different things. It could be an incarcerated workers training program, an educator externship, mentorship programs for students entering the workforce. But what we're focusing on right now is more existing IND industries utilizing work-based learning programs, internships, and apprenticeship programs. Child care is a workforce issue, but it's so vast that we thought it deserved

its own goal. Child care access directly affects a parents ability to work. Lower income and single parent households are mostly impacted. Many providers are full or operating below capacity and licensing staff and facility challenges limit expansion. The goal is to expand child care slots in Washington County to reduce regulatory space and funding barriers and to pursue partnerships that result in measurable slot creation. Childare success can look like employer supported child care, the recruitment of a new child care provider, increasing the capacity of an existing childare facility. But what we are working with is working with school systems to pilot child care facilities. And this is what won the $250,000 grant. Business retention and expansion. Existing employers are critical to Washington County's economic future. A more formal proactive BR program is needed. Earlier identification of business needs, risk, and opportunities, and improved follow-up to prevent employers or talent loss. The goal is to formalize a comprehensive BRE program, conduct structured visits with 12 businesses annually, develop a critical needs inventory, offer quarterly program driven by business feedback. Success can look like more industry visits completed, annual program evaluations, business expansion identification, and what we're working on right now is a better database to log visits, concerns, follow-ups, and trends. accountability. Each of these goals has its own task force. As goals are reached, projects are started, or challenges are met, the task force is updated. Reports are also made to TNCD on all three of these goals. Key takeaways. Strong economic development should protect and grow the county tax base, attract, retain, and

expand employers, remove barriers to employment, lead to the creation of high wage job, and enhance the quality of life of residents. This strategic plan directly supports fiscal stability by strengthening our workforce, child care capacity, and business relationships. We reduce risk, retain employees, and position Washington County to compete for future prospects. Thank you, Mayor Grandy, for the assist.

Any questions? Just a couple, Legacy, before you go. Um, I know this has been a a great job you've been doing on this childcare development for our county. And it's it's very significant to employers. Um, if you go out and talk to a lot of employers, you'll find that one of their great needs is or benefits is child care for their for their workers. And u, I I want to say I appreciate your hard work on that. Thank you very much.

It's uh especially bringing in the kind of money you brought into our county to start to start that working with our school system and uh no questions for me. Just thank you. That's that's a great great for us. Very much chairman Mly. Any other questions? Got it. Commissioner Davenport,

you you talked about uh the ability to hire workers basically, right? And how that's not as much of an issue as it was 10 years ago because we know it was an issue 10 years ago of not having enough jobs. Would you do you think that's because the jobs have increased or is there less people in the workforce?

I think that it's a labor force participation issue. Right now in our country we're seeing very low labor force participation rates which means that the people that are able to work are not always working. And for our county that sits at about 60% which is actually the highest of our region. Um and that is a huge shift that we saw during COVID and it's not totally bounced back to numbers where it used to be. So it is not because we have increased jobs. I do not believe so. I believe it's okayreased. Thank you, Commissioner Malone.

Thanks for being here tonight. Thanks for the info. Um, I had the opportunity to uh to join uh Miss Summers and Miss Vance on a I guess it was a retention visit with an existing business um sometime last year and I was impressed uh and I I know for a fact that the business we visited was impressed um by the information that the two of you were able to share with them. We have some business owners on the commission itself, I'm sure, in the audience. But Miss Vance, you might speak just a little bit about some of the subscription services you have and the manners in which you can help existing businesses. What I what I was impressed by in large part and I think that client or that business that we visited with was um some of the geo fencing and and some of that in terms of just tracking of retail consumers or potential business customers. Absolutely. So when it comes to we focus mostly on industrial manufacturing type businesses, but when it comes to retail, we actually have capabilities of using Placer AI. Um, and that is a software that can tell you how many people are driving by your storefront, how long they're staying there, where they're going before and after they come to your business. Um, and we can pull all kinds of information and share that with business owners if they request. and my email is at the very end of that slide deck.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for Miss Vans? Seeing none. Thank you, Lexi. Thank you. We appreciate you, Alicia. Y'all come back anytime. Thank you. All right. Our next item is our board of commissioners minutes at uh to receive and consider the minutes of the December the 15th meeting of the board of commissioners on page 13. Do we have a motion? So moved. Motion by Commissioner Jones to receive the minutes. The second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question or discussion? All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I.

All opposed. The motion passes. Moving right on into elections, appointments, and confirmations. Resolution 260102, the resolution appointing members to the Washington County Public Library Board. Do we have a motion? So move. Motion by Commissioner Huffine to approve. Second by Commissioner England. Call for the question. Questions been called. Commissioner Malone, go ahead. It was about a tie.

Well, I don't want to cause much of a delay, but I'm sensitive to the issue because the rules committee was actually at our meeting, I guess, last week that got cancelled due to the weather. We were taking up the issue of board appointments. And so,

with a little extra sensitivity to it, I noticed that one of the appointments were only making to April 30, 2026. Is that correct? And I just wonder if we have the ability tonight to make that appointment further out into the future or it just seems I guess this is an unexpired term, but it here we sit in February and we're going to have to take this up again in in two months or my greater fear is that we'll be here a year from now having not addressed a term that expired April 30 of this year. So, I was just I wanted to ask the question, are we really approving somebody now that is only going to serve until April 326? Miss Wilkins.

Yes, you are, Commissioner. In fact, the library director is working through that. I noticed that term we rely very much on the entities to which the appointments are made to let us know the terms. So, she has gone through and is going through all of the past appointments. We've reconciled the resolutions. uh it's a pretty good size lift of work for her and she's working with her board and other resources available to libraries. So my recommendation would be that you allow her the opportunity to level set and identify any discrepancies in the board makeup that she may need to bring back. Uh that this may not be the only aberration.

Thank you. Thank you. We do have a motion and second. Any further questions or discussion for question? Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the voting screen. We're going to try it out here. And Matthew says it's in fully fully operational. Houston, we have a problem. Hey T, you're I think you're it, Mr. Davenport. I think it's you know, it's I've got Touch screen just doesn't work. That's it. That's it. Madame clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. That look like Dale Ford reaching over.

All right. The next resolution is uh resolution 260103 is a resolution confirming the mayor's appointments to the budget committee. Do we have a motion? Mo motion made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Tama. Mr. Carter. So you all can read on the resolution that I'm one of the the members and of course this I think would be the fourth year that I served on budget and I'm willing to do it again but I want to make you all aware that I don't plan to run for commission next year. So, if that causes a problem with your all's vote, I just wanted to make sure you knew that upfront.

You're not getting off at Mr. Jones. Squeeze every Yeah, I feel like this happened a couple of years ago and there was some sort of rule that you actually continue to serve on budget even after your commission term ends. So congratulations. I just wanted a requirement. Not right. Okay. All right. So that that's okay for four additional years too. I think we we appreciate your dedication and service. Yes. Thank you.

And I will remind everyone September 1st, you know, we organ reorganize the entire commission anyway. So, um, I know the mayor may not want to change his his plan over there, but, you know, we we appreciate your service, Ben, over the last four years. You've done a great job. Any other questions? Oh, Commissioner Wheeler, Mr. Carter, I would just Are you willing to serve at least until uh the term's up and then decide beyond that? Oh, yeah. All right. Question or discussion?

All question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. The next resolution is 260117. is a resolution appointing the superintendent of highways for Washington County. I will go ahead and ask for recommendations from the floor or from the audience of anyone that would like to recommend somebody to be the highway superintendent. The recommendation would go to a commissioner. Seeing none, I'll open the floor for commissioner nominations as at this time. Commissioner Davenport, I nominate Doug Jones. Doug Jones is a nomination. Commissioner Hine.

No, just second that one. Absolutely. Move nominations close and wee. Elect by acclamation. Have a motion by Commissioner Huffine to move that nominations cease and uh Doug Jones be elected by acclamation. We have a second to that motion. Second by Commissioner Wheeler. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. I. I. All opposed. Congratulations. Doug Jones, if you'll come forward to the podium, please. We'll get you sworn in. Brad, you you all can come on up, too. We're going to need all of y'all Joneses back there.

Sworn in. Now, you better get up here now. Doug, the podium's all yours till Cheryl get you sworn in here. Are you ready to be sworn in now? I'm ready. Well, come on up. Getting ready for two weeks. You've put me off for two weeks now. So there. Well, you you know, you kept the ice was around the courthouse. I mean, it's your fault. We had it clear, man. It was your fault. Clean. You did an awesome job. I made sure this was priority here. Yeah, I'd say you did. Doug, if you want to come up here and we're going to get you swore in right here at the clerk's bench, then we're going to give you an opportunity to speak.

All right. Further to the appointment of Washington County Board of County Commissioners on Monday highways for raise your duties of which you have been selected which you highlight for Thank you all. I appreciate your uh

yeah, I appreciate your confidence and um hopefully we'll have a successful what three, four years coming up and serve the county and the residents as best we can. Thank you. Yeah. Are you promising this is lots of salt? Is that it too, Doug? You know, lots of salt and everything. That's the touchy subject Tennessee. So, yeah, we're still waiting. Doug, we appreciate you.

Thank you so much for all you do for us. All right, we'll keep continuing right on down the list to the county mayor's report. Mayor Grandandy Good evening and thank you. I just wanted to give a um a quick update um on kind of where we were on on flood recovery stuff. Looks like to this point uh we're we're looking at a little over $140 million $142 million in total damages. As you recall that 119 homes were completely eliminated by the flood along with all the belongings and vehicles and so forth. To date, 70 homes have been completely rebuilt and are being occupied and an additional 30 more under construction. So, um progress uh moves forward on um our recovery. There's there's still a lot to do. Um I will say this just in as a wrap-up that today we celebrate the first of our reimbursements from FEMA on month 16. Um, and today we received $5,518 900 95 $518,99566. So, um, it's long time coming. This is money mostly that was spent to rebuild the road and the bridge to, um, Little Germany. If you recall, 14 months ago,

we spent this money. So, it's been a it's been it's been more than a process. It's just been a lifetime. But, uh just looking at um well, I was There we go. I I was just going to show you a couple of before and afters. Um this is AJ Willis. This was the remnants of a section of AJ Willis Road um which now looks like this. Um one of the things that Okay, thanks. One of the things that you'll notice on this is is all the large rock there um supporting the reinforcement of it. This was a project that was uh done at 100% cost by um NRCS and um this this project and a couple others you will see before we get finished with this uh this reinforcement of rock that is that are from 2 feet to 4 feet in diameter are designed to fortify that road so it will not suffer the same uh consequence it did in the storm. So that's the rebuild section. Um this is um the space where Bailey's Bridge used to be and um today it is being rebuilt and um yeah so that's what it looked back up just a little bit. All right. So, this um this was taken about three weeks ago. All three peers are in place with the supporting structures and today girders are spanning the the river. So, that

bridge is intended to be uh back into service in about June. Uh this was once Bill Road. Uh you can see it very top left part of the screen where it um turns in. and there was absolutely nothing left of it. Today it looks just like this. And you can also you can see where the rock fortification is on it as well. Um, this was the site of our former highway block two and it uh about 150 feet of it was washed down the river towards Douglas Lake and there wasn't enough left there to to put the highway department as you know it's it's been relocated and now solid waste is going to take over that site. And so this is what it looks like today under construction. Here you can see the river fortification. That was the first piece of the project. River bank fortification and the construction that's taking place there for the Lamar Convenience Center is underway and is expected to be finished in somewhere around the next 60 days. Uh this was once the road to Little Germany and um as you can see there wasn't a lot left of about a 1500 ft section of it and today this is what it looks like completely rebuilt and this is the project for which we've just been reimbured. You may remember that we first built a little one rain lane road to get in there and we accomplished that in less than eight days. uh we with the support of the contractor did so that we could get emergency vehicles in there and then this is the finished product. So um this is the space at the top left where um Taylor Bridge was Highway 81 what it looked like just a little bit after the storm. Lower right is under

construction and today this is the finished product. So um I think that's it right? Nope. Oh yeah. So, um, for public infrastructure, those are the projects that we've been working on for the past year or so. And, um, from this time last year to now in 12 months, I think, you know, we've made a little progress and are actually beginning to get a little bit of the funds back. So, these next few slides just show what some of the uh, individual um, assistance has done. Most of these houses were built um by some of our contractors sitting in this room and the assistance of ASP and um and other folks who came in to help the community. So, a lot of change from 12 months ago. So, thank you. That's it. I'll answer any questions, but I think we truly celebrate um the first of our refunding. I'll say that this is the first large project that has been u reimbursed by the federal government in the entire region and uh the first project uh you know the first million dollars worth of money coming into any county. So um that's it. Thanks.

I have question. Um well, first thank you for the update and I feel like I kind of at least maybe others do also forget that this just is an ongoing project for the county that's so timeconuming and thank you for not just you know looking out for the people but also helping get the bills paid on the FEMA side and I feel like we all knew it was going to take a year or more until that first payment. What are our expectations going forward? Is it project by project and do we have a whole bunch more submitted and we're expecting a steady stream of reimbursement?

So, uh, we have payment number two that I would expect to see within the next several weeks and that's going to that that will that will cover our cost for Bill Mark Road and AJ Willis. We've already received the funding back for over half of the NRCS work. We we had to pay for that, but it was reimbured at 100%. So, the way this FEMA thing works is the federal government um is in at 75% of our cost. The state is coming in with another 20%. So, there's still a 5% local cost share that we will live with regardless. We have to date. So the the process uh dealing with FEMA is that it go about more or less six months to work through their processes to get to a place where the federal government will what they call obligate funds for a project or a group of projects. We currently um including this one that we've already been paid for have $44 million worth of projects obligated. The um there may be a couple of little ones hanging on there. So all of our stuff thankfully has worked through the FEMA process because as you read in the paper, FEMA is under attack, you know, at the federal level. Um it goes on hold, goes off a hold. It's under Homeland Security, which is, you know, constantly under abuse. Hey, Homeland Security, which is TSA, Border Patrol, FEMA, bunch of stuff, you know, there's been funded for 14 days. Like, okay, so what are we just going to fund it for two weeks at a time? I It's very

difficult. And uh initially last spring, 10% of total of FEMA employees were uh um retired. And uh currently employees that are core employees which a lot of the ones that we work with um are on a contract basis two or four year contract basis and these contracts are not being renewed as they come up. So gradually the workforce of FEMA is getting smaller. Um, you I just sat through a a team of calls this afternoon where 23 counties in the western part of Tennessee, you know, were devastated by ice. Different different than ours, but if you can imagine being without power in sub-zero temperatures for 7 to 10 days, you know, that's a, you know, that's a tough deal. So, they they've gone through a lot. That's that is a federal disaster at this point. There's over 90 federal disasters across the United States currently and the workforce to manage them is is diminishing. So um where does that leave us really our one substantial project is Corby Bridge. We don't know the cost of it. 25 to $30 million is the estimate. It's under design. that's been under design and we expect to have that final design in about another 60 or 70 days. Um so then it starts then that project begins its work through the FEMA system. Um so we'll just see I I will probably come back to you and say legislators here's our situation. We this project is not obligated yet. It won't be

obligated for some amount of time. Um do you want to move forward with the rebuild or wait until the money is obligated? I mean to the except for emergency situations in the past. Um we have waited until the projects were obligated at the at the federal level. Now, that doesn't mean that a federal government writes a check and sends it to us or the state. It just means that those funds are available. We have to go do the work, pay the bills, and then submit it through Teemo. We have this money that just came to us today came from the state

now that now they have to go back to the federal government and ask for reimbursement from our obligated funds. Anyway, I said all that just to say that it, you know, the bridge may not seem like an emergency to you, but the folks that use it every day, um, that is not what they tell me. And I hear from them on a regular basis. There's folks that have farms on both sides of the river down there that are having to go nine miles out of their way just to move from one side of the farm to the other. So, we'll see how that works. We're doing um certain things to try to get ahead of it in the FEMA uh world. We're working. You know, really without our consultants, this would be almost impossible. So, um,

that was that was way longer an answer. That was great. Thank you. I'll bring it to you. Thank you all very much. Commissioner Fine,

I just a thanks to you and and staff consultant. Uh, first off, bringing that consultant to us first and recognizing what a process this was. We probably wouldn't have any reimbursements yet or even have any idea where we might be if everyone in this hadn't done the due diligence. So, thank you to yourself, the staff that really have done all the paperwork and the due diligence to stay on top of this. Thank you. Well, a bunch of them in the room. I mean, without without Doug and his team, I mean, most of what you see is is Highway and Roads. Um, on the public conservation people

on the public side and the soil conservation people. Thank you, Mr. Board Member.

Right. Soil conservation. Absolutely. uh with regard to this reinforcement of the bank, you know, they stepped up immediately and went to the federal government and all that work is done at 100% and we're getting reimbursed pretty quick on it. So, but you know, hats off to the highway department. Not only did they uh spend all weekend awake and pushing snow and throwing salt, but you know, for the last year have been dedicated to um rebuilding roads, allowing access for individuals to their property, uh even sometimes on a temporary basis and getting these final products, you know, looking really great. So,

Doug, they did that suffering a major setback for themselves. Yeah. Yeah. They lost the whole block down there. Thanks. Thank you, mayor. Our next report is the county attorney report. Miss Wilkinson. Good evening. There's not a written report for you this evening, but if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.

Any questions for Miss Wilkinson? Seeing none, we'll move right on to the director of the health department, Director Mlelen. Director Mlelen, I I don't see Director Mlen here this evening. Director of schools, Director Boyd. Director Boyd knows about snow in don't you, Director?

Good evening. Yes. Um, you know, I do I want to take a moment too to to commend our highway department. You know, having lived in another community, I always appreciated the highway department. this one in my five years, it'll be five years in April. Uh so a couple winners now, I've always been impressed about the responsiveness. Um you know, they treat and clear the roads. Uh they have a lot of roads and they and they do an excellent job. So want to reiterate appreciation. Thank you.

Um you have my written report from January. I'll be drafting and sending the February report uh Thursday for the Thursday meeting later this month. Uh but if you have any questions on anything in in that report, I'd be glad to address it. I noticed you had our joint meeting in in the in the packet. Yes, sir. The update. So, just so everybody's aware of that and and I think Sherry's got that on our calendar coming up for April. So just reminding everyone of when that is.

Thank you. And and that dates the 14th of April. Uh by that time we'll have worked through all of our school and department level budget process uh and engaged with the board and present some first drafts. Um I'm I'm shoot you know asking the board to be prepared at the um April meeting to um you know hopefully I've got them in a good place that they can consider at least approval of that draft at the board meeting prior to the April 14th uh joint meeting. Um and then uh we'll be following up just asking you to RSVP just so we we have an idea of who might be there on the 14th of April. I also want to say we we had a strategic planning session scheduled in the end of January, just a work session. Um, and it got moved due to weather. And we have rescheduled, we rescheduled that finally for tomorrow at last Thursday's board meeting. Uh, the board made a a motion to change the time from from 5:30 to 8:30 to 2:00 to 5. It is just a work session. No action will be taken. were really preliminary. Uh just to quickly give you an overview of what I hope to see happen is, you know, we continue to identify some key areas to focus on and then they they start engaging with community groups to um to revise the board's five-year strategic plan. So we'll have an outlook of 1, three, five and beyond. Uh you know, our their operational strategic plan, but also their long-term facility plan um that goes beyond five years. So that'll be occurring. Um and my intent is to provide various community ga engagement opportunities at different times and also different parts of Washington County so that we can ensure people if they want to engage they have the best opportunity to do so and we'll be doing

that over the next couple of months. So if your calendar allows tomorrow 2 to 5 um at the district office and as I said no action will be taken. It's really a lot of preliminary information and and just some follow up on some things the board has asked me to identify to lead the discussion. Thank you all.

Thank you Dr. Ward. All right, next item is our administrative relations. Mr. Vest, I don't I didn't see Mr. Vest here this evening. Move right on into the audit committee report. Commissioner Malone.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. The um audit committee did meet in January. The minutes are on page 28. There is a of course the purpose of the meeting was to review and uh and accept and forward on to the full commission the audit for the county's fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. There is a link to the audit in the commission packet. So you can click on it online and um and and go straight to the audit for your your reading enjoyment. Um, there's other places it can be seen, I think, on the county's website as well for those that are interested. But again, if you're looking for it, click on today's agenda and there's a link directly to the audit. There's two items that I'll mention to you with the audit committee and then also at at the full commission. I always use this as an opportunity to remind the commission, to remind um our elected officers, to remind uh county employees, and to remind the county citizens that in the state of Tennessee, the comprollers's office does maintain a hotline, a toll-free number that you could call to report fraud, waste, and abuse. And so that number, again, it's in the minutes, which are in the packet. And I always print a few extra copies. I'll leave them up on the table, but that 1-800 number is here. Um, most of we had a couple of the year. Oftent times those do relate to schools and band boosters, not band or athletic boosters, that sort of thing. Um, the second item that came out of the audit committee meeting, and this this is new this year. Um, it's been in our audit for years, but the audit committee chose this year to take some action on it. But the auditors always recommend a best practice. And I'll just read to you what they propose that best practice is. That

Washington County should adopt a central system of accounting, budgeting, and purchasing that includes the discreetly presented Washington County school department. At the moment, the county has an accounting department. And then separately the school system has an accounting department. Now at some level they have to work together but but there are separate general ledgers and that sort of thing. And so as a best practice our auditor for years has recommended that we go from having two accounting departments to just having one. So the action item that the audit committee asked that we pursue over this next year is just to investigate, review, and consider and come back with a recommendation about whether or not we want to try to do that in Washington County or if it's something we want to put off out into the future. And so, um, I have not yet visited with, um, with the mayor or the director of finance or our county attorney to decide how best to to put into action what the audit committee has asked us to do. But I'll be doing that in the near future. If you have questions about it or thoughts on the matter, please let me know. And with that, mayor, I'll ask u there is a link there to the audit, but do we do we not normally at least accept the audit formally or is it just

make it review is so I'll make the motion. Um and again, there were some findings, but I will tell you that the county's audit was clean. It was unqualified, which mean they found no serious issues or deficiencies. It does seem that auditors have to walk away with some finding, but but for the most part, they were relatively minor issues, but again, if you want to read those, they're in the audit. But coming from the audit committee, I will make the motion that we accept the audit um for the fiscal the countyy's fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. And in doing so, you know, the mayor is our chief financial officer, but then he has Mitch Meredith with him and and a staff of professionals that that really they do a good job and I think the county can be proud of the county's finances. Um, so I'll make that motion and be glad to try to answer any questions regarding the audit committee.

Have a motion to accept the audit by Commissioner Malone, second by Commissioner Jones. We'll open the floor up for questions or discussion of that motion. Just got one question. Commissioner Tucker, you know how many counties did you talk about combine the school? You know how many in the county state?

I I do not. I imagine that may be some research that we try to do to answer that question. It's a good question. I do know that in recent years, Sullivan County, went through the process where they combined two separate accounting departments into one. And so I think our sister county, Sullivan County, is is maybe one we can look to the reasons why they choose to do it, how the process worked, you know, you know, and in hindsight, what were the benefits, what were the disadvantages, and so it's a good question, but I don't know right off the top of my head, but I do know that Sullivan County just recently did it, let's say, the last five years. Thank you,

mayor. Did you have any comment? All right. Question question. Call questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the motion is approved. Anything else, Commissioner Malone? That's it. Thank you, sir. All right,

Commissioner Wexler, did we have a CIA committee report or is that just a Is that just a packet inclusion? No, it's a it's an inclusion of the uh of a of a flyer for the fourth quarter um uh marketing report. Okay. And probably could have been in in the last packet. All right. So, that's on page 31 of your packet if you'd like to review it. Had no meeting. All right. But but you had a you had a flyer. But we have a fly. We'll move right on to county on property report. Commissioner Tama,

your uh minutes are on page 32. There are two action items. The first one, consider resolution number 26-01-04. Resolution declaring surplus of a portion of county owned property located at 115 County Farm Road, map 068, parcel 199, southerntherly side of the county farm road rightway, 6.88 acres. That comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and in the form of motion. I have a motion to approve the resolution by Commissioner Tamita, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Question or discussion.

All the questions. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. Commissioner Tamita.

Next is consider resolution number 26-01-05, resolution declaring surplus of a portion of the county owned property located at Painter Road, map 018, parcel 57, and map 018, partial 5701. tell you exactly what that means. 3.030 acres. That comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and in the form of a motion. Motion to approve by Commissioner Tama, seconded by Commissioner Jones. Question or discussion. All the question.

Just a quick note. Yeah. um this this was a piece of property that's been like many have had hands in getting this piece of property pulled together in a way that allowed us to declare it's I mean it's been going on for both terms that I've been here maybe before me and I can actually remember visiting that property with Commissioner Ford many years ago. Um, so thank you to the current chair and like many people in this room and even some of our community members who helped us get ideas about how to handle this property and I'm really proud of how it all turned out. So, thank you. Question.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame clerk, if you announce the vote. 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else? Commissioner Tita. No, Mr. Chairman. That's all we got. All right. Thank you. Moving on to the Health Education and Welfare Committee. Commissioner Carter.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Our minutes are on page 44. Um, we have four items this evening. The first one is resolution number 26-01-06. It's a resolution approving and authorizing certain educational capital projects fund expenditures up to $60,000 and FY26 for security alarm system upgrades. It's on page 64. This comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and I move for its approval. Motion to approve the resolution by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question or discussion.

Call for the question. Questions been called. Madame Clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame Clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. Commissioner Carter.

Our next item is resolution number 26-01-07. It's a resolution approving and authorizing certain education capital projects fund expenditures up to $100,000 in fiscal year 26 for the repair and replacement of the roof on the WCS Washington County Schools Transportation Building. It's on page 67. This comes to you as a recommendation from the committee. And I move for its approval. Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Wexler to approve the resolution. Question or discussion?

Call question. Questions been called. Madame clerk, if you'll switch us to the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. Commissioner Carter.

Um I a little explanation on the next two items. Um item C in the packet. It came to Hugh um in the January meeting because it was a little bit timesensitive in the committee that it was supposed to go in uh wasn't meeting. So that's that's why we saw it. Um, it's resolution number 26-01-08. It's a resolution approving and authorizing amendment memorandum of understanding between Washington County, Tennessee, and Erecording Partners Network LLC. It's on page 70. I don't believe there was any um money attached to that. Um, and this comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and I move for its approval. Motion made to approve the resolution by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Wexler. Question or discussion?

Question. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the voting screen, go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. Commissioner Carter.

Um, on this item, it came in January as well, and we heard from several different organizations. Um, and we moved all of them on to budget with without recommendation. Um, so budget could hear it and and plan for the next the next budget. uh not this year's, but um then recovery court um their request as you can see in the resolution on page 80 um needed the money to to finish up this year. So even though it went through Hugh and I, as I phrase it, I'll say that it's not with recommendation. It went to budget and budget did recommend it. Um, so I just wanted you all to know that's that's why that's written like that. So our last item is resolution number 26-01-09. It's a resolution amending the fiscal year budget 2025 2026 on the recovery core funding. And again, this this isn't didn't didn't come through as a recommendation, but but I'll move for its approval.

Second. Okay. Motion by Commissioner Carter, second by Commissioner Jones to approve the resolution. Question or discussion? Commissioner Jones. Just a one other minor point. Thank you for that summary is that this is using the last of their baby dough funds which is money we allocated to that program several years ago and thank you Miss France for all you're doing in that program and uh appreciate you doing it more.

Commissioner Jones you bring up a good point. Do do they have a revenue source of any kind now other than what the county funds them? Well, only from sitting through budget, I learned that after this year, they'll that's the last of the money from baby dough. And at that at that point, all the baby dough funds will be spent. And so the other groups that presented to Hugh and also to were present at budget are interested in furthering their programs using our ongoing opioid abatement money that's coming from the state which is not the opioid abatement money that came back in four or five years ago. So going forward we just have the state funding um and considering how to continue these projects.

Yeah. Recovery court's been around a long time. It's part of the Washington County court system even. So it, you know, one of the re one of the ways we kept that going, the mayor with the mayor's help was to to use that abatement money. But it looks like mayor will have uh some thinking to do come budget time for the for for those good folks. So thank you for bringing that up, Commissioner Jones. Is there any other questions or discussion on this item? Call for the question.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the 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 Carter? That's all. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. All right. Thank you. our investment committee report. Our trustees here tonight, commissioner, commissioner, trustee story. Uh do you have anything to report for the uh investment committee?

Minutes are in the minutes are in the packet. Um Commissioner Blown, did you have anything to to add? No, sir. There were no action items. The investment committee did review, which we do annually, the county's investment policy, but there were no changes to it. So, no action necessary at the commission. All right. Thank you both for your service on that committee. Move right on into our public safety committee report. Commissioner readings.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You'll find the minutes from our January 8th meeting on page 83. We have four resolutions for your consideration tonight. First, we have resolution number 260110. That is a resolution authorizing the disposition and destruction of Washington County Sheriff's Office surplus property on govdees.com and by destruction. This comes to you as a recommendation and I move for its approval. Motion made by Commissioner Edens to approve the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Questions or discussion?

Question. Question's been called. Madame clerk, if you'll switch the 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. Commissioner Edens. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Next, we have resolution number 26011. That is a resolution amending the fiscal year budget 2526 sheriff's Tennessee Highway Safety Office THSO equipment purchase. This comes to you as a recommendation and I move for its approval. Motion to approve the resolution by Commissioner Edens, second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question or discussion? Call for the question.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switches the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in.

Momentary. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Wake up. Commissioner Edens. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Next, we have resolution number 260112. That is a resolution amending the fiscal year budget 2526 uh for the sheriff's SRO salary supplement. This comes to you as a recommendation and I move for its approval. Motion made by Commissioner Edens to approve the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Davenport. Question or discussion? Call the question. Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in.

I got that in that time. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. Commissioner Edens. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. We have one resolution remaining. That's resolution number 260113. This is a resolution amending the fiscal year 26 budget for the sheriff's office insurance recovery uh damage sheriff's deputy cruisers. So this comes to you as a recommendation and I move for its approval. Motion made to approve the resolution by Commissioner Edens. Seconded by second second by Commissioner Jones. Question or discussion. Call for question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else? Commissioner reads, that's all we have this evening, Mr. Chairman. All right. Thank you all. Public Works Committee, they did not have a meeting this this month. of the Washington County Library Board of Trustees. You'll find that report in uh of the January 13th meeting agenda and attachments along with the November 18th minutes on page 103 of the water task force. Commissioner Davenport.

Uh yes, you'll find our our minutes from our January 5th meeting on page 112. I guess one thing just to let you all know that, you know, we're currently working. We've approved and you all have approved a list of projects that we'll get started here in the spring when the weather breaks and those are on track and we are working also on another round to try to get started uh this fall which would be in the 27 year. So moving right along there. Uh like I reported the last time we have got a lot of the lowhanging fruit. uh you know, the roads that we're getting now are um a little more difficult. You know, we we're looking we could be looking at some pumps and things like that. And uh so those things are coming. Just a heads up there if you've got questions why things gets a little more expensive or something like that. That's what's going on there. Okay. We have uh one resolution. resolution for you to consider tonight and it comes to uniform of emotion is resolution number 260114. Uh resolution approving additional project in Chucke utility district concerning waterline projects within certain areas in the incorporated areas of Washington County, Tennessee, and author uh authorizing certain capital project funding spending up to $170,000.

Second motion. Yes, that's in a formal motion. Motion made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Fitzgerald to approve the resolution. Questions or discussion? All questions. Questions been called. Commissioner Fitzgerald. No, this water task force is something all commissioners should be proud of.

We took on a task been talked about 20 years and a lot of a lot of times uh we don't hear anything about that. You know, people get clean drinking water and we should be really really proud that it's it's a it's a big task. It's expensive. Like he said, prices are going to go up and that's something I'm we ought to be proud of and we ought to take credit for it. Everybody sitting here far as taking credit. I think years ago, Mr. Fisher was the one to come up to hire a county crew to put water in for our county and the ones don't sit on the water task and go to these meetings. So, we got a county crew that's operated through Jonesboro City, but the county oversees it and they put in a lot of these water lines to get put in. They're putting it in for pennies on the dollar compared to what city of Johnson City and I think Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Davenport's the one that come up that year. So, we're getting I'll just give you example. Uh Jonesboro puts water lines in. It probably runs just $40 a foot 50. Johnson City puts water lines. We're looking at 220 250 foot. That's just some rough numbers. Don't hold me to those numbers, but when they decided to do this uh water deal with the county and the city of Jonesboro has really helped and it's going to really benefit the people out in our county. So, you two I think stirred that up years ago.

Well, I think it's also and I I keep going back to the commission. I Commissioner Fitzgerald as well. I can remember I had people approach me that didn't like his idea and said he they didn't think it would work and uh we should do something different and I said well if you'll tell me what to do different I'll push forward it other than that we're going with that idea and it didn't start out perfect

and it's not perfect now but it's a good process and that's good but it still comes from the commitment and uh if you look at government the problem with government is short-sided thinking because you got four-year terms to get things done but this commission commission is the ones that stepped up and said, "We're going to do a long process. We're going to commit to it to the time that we're here and then we'll put a a process together for others to see if they support it or not. It's up to them. So, uh, a lot of good work, but yeah, Commissioner Fitzgerald, it was his idea.

You talk about the flood that we had. You know, if it wasn't for the county crew, Jonesberg would have been without water. We had six extra people. America can tell you that we had six or seven mixture of guys that we could use to pit water back in service with the county people help. So it all was a joint venture. It all worked out. Everybody should be proud. Yeah. Think of what I see when I'm riding around. Great job. Thank you. Yeah. Mhm. That means that makes me think Mr. Davenport. So how we started with a 100 miles of water line, right? not having we needed a 100 miles.

We started with two 200 started with 200. I don't have an update on that right now. Uh but I always told folks 20 years and that was back I don't know 18 or 20 and we're under that 20 years. We should complete uh you know in the next several years. We're under that 20. And uh that's that's pretty amazing. Again, you think about again with government and things like that, you try to do things that take you do in four years and sometimes that gets us in trouble. So this was a long time.

You know, you got to keep commission commissioners that wants to push it too. If you get people that don't want to push it, they can die out. So that's something you got to remember too. You want to have people sitting here that wants to go forward with that project. This tax money. Everybody deserves clean drinking water though. Yeah, man. I would not know about that. Have it. They deserve to have it running in front of their house. Absolutely. And then they make the decision on whether to get in or not. Let me clear that. I've taken several questions on stuff like that. So, that's all it is. All right. We got a motion and second. Sure. Uh,

all the questions been called. Now, Madame Clerk, if you'll switch to the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Well, that I need to cast mine, don't I? All right, that that was the hold up. Little less talking, little be 15. Uh, yes. And uh the resolution passes. All right. Anything else? Uh, Commissioner Davenport, that's all I have, sir. I guess you're still on the budget committee. You've not been uh demoted yet. That's right. you know, so um after this meeting,

if you'll go ahead and get this budget committee for me, uh we'll if you don't, we'll have to go back to Commissioner Carter. And uh he said he'd serve four years. So, you know, chairman. All right.

So, you'll find our our minutes on page 116 of our January 14th meeting. Uh we have one resolution before coming before you tonight. It comes before you uh in the form of a motion. Uh it's resolution number 260115, a resolution uh amending fiscal year budget 2025 2026. Uh it's the library uh patriot Wi-Fi hotspots. All right. So we have a motion uh by to approve by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Wexler. Question or discussion? All the question.

Question's been called. Madame clerk, if you'll switches the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Davenport? That's all I have, sir.

All right. We have no old business to report to you. Uh we have uh notaries this evening. Resolution 260116 is a resolution appro approving the election of notaries public for appointment and/or reappointment for Washington County, Tennessee. On page 125, do we have a motion? Motion to approve by Commissioner Wexler, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Question or discussion? Call question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch at the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madame Clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes, and the resolution passes. A couple of items now under new business. Uh the first item is uh new business. Under item A is discussion of a possible county-owned property committee meeting on the location of the Washington County Training and Learning Center at 533 Sid Martin Road in Gray, Tennessee to discuss the purchase of additional area of parking lot. Commissioner Tama, are you going to lead that discussion?

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. When we put that in there, we thought the January meeting would actually be held in January. Uh we're not we not making a recommendation to or not. We but we think it's important that everybody takes a look at it before we take action on it. meeting out there. Having the meeting out there causes some disruption with on committee day uh because people have meetings before and after and to run out to Gray and come back to Jonesburg can be challenging. So what we will undertake, we will have a meeting in March and we we will undertake we'll schedule a non-committee day meeting to meet out there. Great.

Okay. and uh we'll we'll let you know and anybody public's welcome uh anybody wants to come take a look at the building where you know what's been completed what's left uh and then uh we'll consider that probably in the April meeting making a recommendation to you but we thought it'd be wise to let everybody go out and take a look at it so

all right thank you commissioner to our next item is a item B under new business and that was discussion of moving the BW BWXT reszoning uh from our February 25th meeting March 23rd meeting. Uh Commissioner Tucker, I'll hand that back to you and um see if there's I know you is that is that what we were discussing? Motion stays the same. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. All right. So, is there any any discussion? Do we have a Commissioner Johnson?

Just to reiterate what Commissioner here was talking about. I fully agree. I've had it being from my neck of the woods. I've heard plenty of comments about it being on a Wednesday night to throw people off and this and that. And I'd hate for everybody not to have the opportunity to be here. I'd hate for them to say that, you know, we changed it to Wednesday night and everybody wasn't here to speak their concerns. So, I'm for we're moving it to March for transparency.

So, Commissioner Tucker, you're you're going to yours is a solid motion. you. This is the motion you're making to take it off the fe end of February meeting and move it to March 23rd. Okay. Do we have a second taken by Commissioner Johnson? Okay. Commissioner Wheeler.

Um, you know, there was I think there's a second reason. I certainly agree with that reason, but also um and and I thought it was interesting that the speaker mentioned u you know counting votes that goes both directions. Um, and I would say that my goal would be to have as many commissioners here as possible, hopefully all of us. So, I like it much better going on a regular night that we've known for the duration of the year. Now, somebody may have conflict. I get that. I understand that. But, uh, uh, it's much easier to plan to be here on those nights than it is on when we move a meeting like we did at that time. We didn't know that that this issue or controversial issue would be on the agenda. So, I I think it makes a lot of sense to do this for that reason, too. Um, and and hopefully we can all be here, but but it will be on a regular night that that's been scheduled.

Commissioner Malone, Commissioner Malone.

Yes, I I too am supportive of the motion and and and thank you for doing it. I have my own selfish reason for for supporting it. I guess I I've had travel plans six, seven months I guess um to be out of town starting February the 25th. And so um when this and as a reminder I think the um the movement of the February commission meeting that occurred in November or December long before we knew that this matter would come before the commission. And of course it was in January. We thought we would hear it in January and uh and it got put off until February. Um I fully understand and appreciate that we're all ready to have the matter behind us, but I am going to be out of town February 25th and and some I think that are opposed tend to want to deride or wag their finger at me claiming that I was uh unwilling to show up and and cast a hard vote one way or the other. And that's simply not the case. I'm out of town that day. And so I am for that reason alone because I'd like to be here and participate in the conversation and and make the important vote. I'm I'm supportive of the motion. Thank you.

Commissioner Jones. Sure. Just a different opinion. I plan to vote no. Uh I feel like the public has had so much time to prepare for a Wednesday night meeting that shouldn't be a challenge. And I also feel like just because we're all planning on being here on a day, you never know. And there have been plenty of times when one or another of us have had to miss a meeting the last minute. I had to miss committee meetings in January due to a family emergency. So I just think we should stick with our plan. Commissioner Carter.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. it with the snow and the change of the dates and our committee dates and having two committee meetings in between the big commission meeting. I mean it it kind of has made my head a little fuzzy, but um I mean I'm ready to vote at any time too, so it's doesn't really matter to me. One thing that I've learned since I've been on the commission is if you've got a little question or something if on formality, I kind of always ask Allison if if we can do something. Um, you know, there's there's strange requirements that they make um on on dates on certain votes um time periods and that kind of thing. And I guess I would like to have the county attorney's opinion on whether whether we can move it again.

I'll recognize our county attorney, Miss Wilkinson.

Thank you, commissioners. Uh you would have sufficient time to renotice the oral hear, excuse me, the public hearing that is required. And I think that any date after about the first week in March, you take today the publish public publication in a newspaper of general circulation, any date after the first week of March should stand as available. March 23rd is most certainly within the notice period. So you it is lawful for you to change the meeting. It's your meeting. You set the date of the meeting and to renotice it. you do have sufficient time to renotice it to get the statutory required notice time so that the public hearing is available uh the date and place where it will be considered is publicly available in advance.

Does that answer your question, Commissioner Carter? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Commissioner Hine.

Yeah. I just one other thing I want to Commissioner Tucker mention. I want to make sure we bring it forward. We, this county is very blessed in many, many, many ways. And I think one of the reason we are blessed is we are a very strong faith-based community. A lot of churches do have services on Wednesday night. And I would love to be respectful to those individuals and not not create a conflict there. So I think keeping in line with our faith bait that community that's another good reason to move this to a Monday night versus a Wednesday night that creates a conflict and for that reason I will support it

sorry

I'm very sympathetic to the fact that anytime we make any decision there's no small decisions there's obviously some decisions that get more attention than others that everybody wants to be here. Um, I'm also sympathetic to the fact that life does happen outside of here for all of us. Um, so I completely understand that. As a youth pastor, I will tell you that I don't like missing Wednesday night church. Now, there might be a classroom full of 15 kids that would love to have a break from me one Wednesday night. Uh, you know, tough luck. Most Wednesday nights we get there. Um, but I do think we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge that a lot of the community members are ready for this to come to a head. Um, not just ready for it to come to a head, but ready to plan, prepare, and respond afterward, whatever that means for them individually. So, I I think we, you know, when considering this decision, I completely get all ends of it. again, I would want to be here if if I had a conflict. I would certainly want to be here and and do my due diligence as a commissioner. Um, but at the same time, we do owe the community as much, you know, expeditious action, especially on something like this as we can provide.

All the questions. There it is. Questions been called. Um, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of the motion and second signify by saying I. I. All opposed. No. No. No. No. No. I think the eyes have it. Unless we need a roll call.

Request a roll call. Madam clerk, if you'll call the role, please. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 11 yes, four no. The resolution or the motion passes. All right, we will be moving that to the to the March 23rd meeting uh at our regular time at 6 p.m. I will I will remind you before we dismiss our at our next meeting coming up. We had I don't know if you all remember it, but we had previously talked about a 5:30 special call meeting for the budget discussion. So, you'll see that also coming out in the advertisement on the 25th for that 5:30 meeting. That was in that budget pre-plan coming up. Just just to remind you, that's in the rules that we had to get that done. So, 5:30 here for the uh for the pre-planning meeting and then 6:00 for our regular meeting on the 25th. All right. Uh the cut off date and time for our next county commission agendas is uh February the 12th at 12:00 noon.

And do we have a motion to adjurnn? So move. Motion made by Commissioner Fitzgerald, seconded by Commissioner Wexler to adjurnn. All in favor of adjourning signify by saying I. All opposed.