Commission - Regular Meeting

OS board is now in session pursuit to adjournment. Honorable vice chairman Jim Wheeler Midi come to order and remain standing. Thank you chair. Our first order of business this evening will be our prayer led by Commissioner Malone and then our pledge led by Commissioner Stout. Commissioner Malone,

if you'll bow with me, God is good and we thank you for that, Lord. We thank you for being here with us tonight. Mercies you bestowed on us and the opportunity to be out and about in your service. Lord, we thank you for everyone that's gathered here tonight. business accounting conversation decisions honoring and pleasing you and in the best interest of the citizens of Washington. We pray for those commissioners that are away from us tonight or for various reasons. Mr. Wheeler as well 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. [Music]

Madam clerk, if you would take the role. Can't do what you do. Waiting for my name. 13 present, two absent.

13 present, two absent. We have a quorum. Our next item is approval of the agenda. Um we do have two items we need to ask you to look at. The first is uh the request for um reszoning under 7A and uh resolution number 25-7-01 Omega Road has been withdrawn uh by the developer. So that was is completely off the docket. And the second is to add a proclamation under eight is item C. That would be a proclamation declaring August 28, 2025 Washington County, Johnson City EMS and Tennessee District 1 task force day in recognition the swift water rescues associated with hurricane flooding. So have those two

changes and I would entertain a motion to approve with those changes and any others.

Uh Mr. Rexer. Yeah, I' I'd like to u propose deferring uh under elections appointments item B. This was not um made it hasn't gone to a committee yet and we have a process to do that. The other two uh appointments that were talked about tonight have been committed. So I think it set a bad precedent to not have done this and would like to defer it to September enough time to to post it and do the process. You're um the last time we handled this rule 10 is the rule you're talking about and it deals with when we are to a point from a list of nominees that we've received. Um, so it does not really apply here. But the other thing that last time when this position was filled, the commission entertained a motion that we fill it with a commissioner and then we turned around and elected one of our own, which would also not go through a committee. And if we're going to change that and not have it be a commissioner and post it, that's one thing. But we don't usually post for members of the public to apply when we've decided we want it to be a commissioner. So

is that is that the rule is that what our decision is that that was the when we went through I looked at the bylaws for for that board and it doesn't require a um commissioner be and and I did couldn't find anywhere where we had had done a had changed it so it's require it requires it to be a commission as far as I understand right now it could be two com two people that live in Washington County. It can be the commission made the decision last time they wanted it to be a commissioner. So if we want to change that

for last time that wasn't forever was it? Well until it's changed but we can change it if we want to do that. I didn't I don't I just I just thought it set a bad precedent if we were not following the same type of procedure that uh we had I guess done in 2020 when we came out with the resolution that outlined what the uh um process is for. Well, that that again that resolution amends rule 10 and it talks about when the commission is making an appointment from a list of nominees.

Is that a motion? I'd like to put a motion that we defer for the reasons that I gave. Is that a motion to approve the agenda with the changes that the chair announced and that change? Yes. Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second. A motion by Commissioner Wexler. Uh second by Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Chairman, is this going to be a vote on the motion to defer or amending the resol the agenda with that change? No, this is a vote on accepting the um agenda with all the changes, the changes that the chair announced and the change that has been proposed. Thank you.

We'll do a roll call vote on that. Mr. Chairman, if I may two two clarifying items. One, I'm assuming this will be deferred and go back to the committee you chair CIA. I mean, that's what on the on the resolution, it said it it was originating from the CIA committee, but it's never been to the CIA. I understand. No, it doesn't seem to be the appropriate committee. So, thank you. Yes. And then secondly, I serve as a member of CIA, but but I'll go ahead and share with the group. I mean, I I think there's value in having one of our own serve on that board,

and I don't I don't disagree with that. I mean at all but it no I agree. Well, we need to clarify one thing, but you're asking them to post it, which means post it for the public to apply for it, correct? Well, I I guess if you want to get into if if it if it is a commission appointee, if if we are going to choose someone from the commission, then we have to decide what will happen if one the commissioner decides not to run or two if the commissioner decides to run and is defeated. How will he how will he fill the rest of will that that that position go through the rest of the term or or or for just the time?

The thing they need to know between now and your September meeting if you're talking about doing it in September is what whether they're posting it or not. You said post it earlier, but if you were saying not to, then

Well, I mean, I guess I I guess we have to decide, you know, if we want to make it a commission only point appointment or if we want to um take uh applications from the the public. So, and I was going to to I guess we could decide that in committee or we can decide that tonight. Mr. Chairman, um would it be helpful to know that both of the county appointments to the Bright Ridge board expired in April of 2025? So there would be two appointments and one would since the the bylaws state that they cannot both be held by members of the governing body, you don't have the issue uh of what to do with that. And I think I heard you say September meeting, but the next meeting would be August. So if it were posted, um, we would just need to, you know, round. You couldn't go through August committee is what you're saying. Thank you. I just caught up with you out loud. I beg your pardon.

Yeah. There's there's not sufficient time to post. That's right. That's exactly why September. I agree with them. That's exactly. And and that way they can post it because the second position will be So you all will take up both positions. Yes. That's that is your motion. That's my motion. That is your second. All right. Does that clarify? Yes. Commission alone. Would that clarify your question? Okay.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sitting here looking at my votes. Sorry. Well, yes. One abstain, two absent.

And the motion carries. We have an agenda. Um there are several people signed up for uh public comment regarding that uh reszoning on Binga Drive. So, because that's been removed from the agenda, I think they may have we let them know ahead of time that it had been removed, but that will not be discussed tonight because it is no longer on the agenda. All right, we'll move into public comment regarding agenda items. We have one uh Mr. Brunai, if you would come to the podium, give your name and address, and you'll have three minutes. speaking on resolution 257-29 and that is um in your packet under uh elections and appointments and actually that's been

removed from the agenda but if you'd like we'll give you the three minutes to talk about it

please yeah because we cannot hear you over there the microphones are so silveny 166 g way in Johnson city so tonight actually not tonight the CIA will go on discussing the reappoint appointment potentially of Commissioner Hafine or somebody else as the county's representative on the Bright Ridge board. So, I'm here to ask for transparency before that vote proceeds. Last year, Bright Ridge, which is a publiclyowned utility, paid $525,000 for a parcel of land in Johnson City's Buffalo Mountain Industrial Park that the county itself valued at $193,600. That's nearly three times the assessed value. Yet, no formal appraisal was conducted on this parcel. So, why not? We learned earlier this summer after a lot of public pressure that this land was slated for use as a cryptocurrency mining facility right behind my house and that of my neighbors. But here's the problem. The Brightidge Board minutes from August 22nd, 2023 and January 23rd, 2024, the two meetings where this purchase and projects were approved, contained no mention of crypto mining. If this was known at the time, why was it not disclosed? So, I asked the commission, was the bride board informed of the intended use of this land for crypto mining when it approved the purchase? If so, why is there no public record of that disclosure? If not, how did Bride Ridg's leadership actually justify paying over half a million dollars for land that is worth less than 200,000? These are basic questions of fiscal responsibility and public accountability. Commissioner Huffine and Johnson City Mayor Hunter, both public officials and member of the Bride Board, have declined to answer. Instead, they've pointed us to Bride CEO Jeff Dykes, but he has not responded to any of our inquiries uh so far. So, respectfully, that is not how public service should operate. Before any reappointment of the Brightidge Board um

is confirmed, the public deserves a clear and documented explanation. We're not asking for drama, just good governance. Thank you very much. All right, we'll call Miss Charles up and we'll uh look at our planning commission report. You have the minutes on page one of your packet. Thank you. So, our first uh reasonzoning was withdrawn from your agenda. So, we'll um talk about the one that was submitted in Gray off of Adam Street. Uh this property is 17 acres. It is located in between Bob Fitz Road and Grey Station Road. Um, the requested district is the PRD2, which is the planned residential district, which would be a good zoning district for this property since it is an infill development. It would not be out of scale with the surrounding area. And this resoning comes to you with a unanimous recommendation of approval from the county planning commission.

Okay. And there were no no one signed up for public hearing on any of these resolutions under the um planning commission tonight. So we'll let's take up uh resolution number 25-7-02 on this this resoning request. Motion to approve. Second motion by Commissioner Malone and uh second by Commissioner Jones. Any further discussion? Question's been called takes to the voting screen.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. M. Charles,

thank you. The next two items on your agenda are both text amendment items for the Washington County zoning resolution. The um first is for public services and it would be to provide a definition for this use and allow it in the zoning districts in the code. Um it's not presently in there. So this is more of these both are really more of housekeeping items. So the second one, the second amendment is to allow churches and cemeteries as permitted uses in your commercial district. So both of these because they are amendments to the zoning resolution require review through our county planning commission, Johnson City's planning commission and Jonesboro's. So both of these come to you with unanimous recommendations of approval from all three planning commissions.

Okay. We'll first take up resolution number 257-03. This one's regarding public services and found on page 19 of your packet. Motion by Commissioner England, second by Commissioner Wexler. Questions been called. Clerk takes the voting screen.

13. Yes. two absent 13. Yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Next, we'll take up resolution 25-7-04. This one is regarding churches, cemeteries as permitted uses in commercial districts found on page 22 of your packet. Motion to approve from Commissioner Fitzgerald. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner um is there any further discussion? Uh, Commissioner Davenport, I saw your hand.

Yeah. So, I want to commend you and everybody on the board. This is a great job of getting out in front of something before we have issues and that's that's fantastic. A lot of times we deal with everything on from behind. This is a great way to get through. Thank you. Thank you. We'll share that with the planning commission. Thank you. Question's been called. Please take us to the voting screen.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes and two absent. And resolution passes. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Charles. You find the Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals minutes on page 25 of your packet. And before we move into special recognition, if you all don't mind, if you would use tonight the request to speak, that way your mic will come on. It's it's difficult to get the mics on otherwise. So, if you just use the request to speak, I'll go in that order um and make sure everybody gets to speak that way. Um the first one is the UTSU Extension Summer 2025 report to the people. Come on up and join us. Hello. Thank you all um for having us this evening. I'm Elizabeth Renfro. I'm the county director for the UTSU Extension Office here in Washington County. Um thank you all for giving me the opportunity to come and speak this evening about the impact and outreach um that our office is doing here in the county. Um so our report is on page 26 of your packet. Um I'll go over some of the highlights here with you all. Um, we held an open house at the end uh of April to kind of kick off us being back in the office after the storm damage that we that our office incurred during Hurricane Helen. Um, it was probably one of the largest open houses that we had that the community attended. There was about 100 individuals there. Um, and then agricultural impacts. So, um, our office directly assisted two local farmers in filing for the governor's response and recovery fund, resulting in awards totaling, um, over $580,000, um, here in Washington County. Um, there's also been, uh, gardening classes offered um, as well as some of those, uh, classes being posted on our YouTube channel, um, for people to go back and reference as well. Um there has been two uh Helen agriculture recovery webinars.

Um we've also had individuals um participate in the master small ruminate program as well as the master beef program. And then uh we also had a value added meat workshop with 15 producers uh gaining more knowledge in the retail meat um which kind of ties in with the Appalachin Producers Cooperative um that started harvesting beef and pork in May with the USDA certification. um and they had their grand opening here mid July, July 17th. And I know many of y'all attended that um grand opening as well. Um we also had two master beef trainings um with our livestock marketing um opportunities and then um held some leadership meetings with farmers as well. um 4 which is our youth development program that we have um we um received a grant through the fac um and it was introduction to quilting and then uh we had 16 youth attend that camp and then we had 71 youth from across Washington County attend the uh junior 4 camp which is held at the Clyde Austin 4 camp in Greenville and we had six uh junior high campers attend in the junior high camp as well in Greenville uh the second week of July. We also offer project groups and heritage skills, livestock, horse and judging teams and wildlife uh livestock forestry land judging. And so you'll see some of those um pictures of the different things that the youth have done uh through the 4 program. One thing that did um was new this year was an inaugural angller camp um to teach the 4ers from across the uh upper eight counties um you know proper fishing techniques and things like that. So that was a two-day camp. Uh the family and consumer science um program which is the one that I oversee as well. Um so far this year we've had 26 single home loans completed the first-time home

buyers courses. Um so on average the house price is about $180,000 um for those individuals which resulted in approximately 4.68 million in economic impact so far this year. Um and I usually have around 50 individuals completed um throughout the year. I continue to offer co-arenting classes for divorcing parents um with 22 individuals completing that courtmandated uh class so far. Um, I also offered a home safety and disaster preparedness class uh for those clients uh from core services. And then um health-wise uh I guess exercise-wise doing cardio drumming with the seniors not only at Memorial Park um but at a local facility as well with many of those individuals um diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. So it does help with their um exercise as well as their u mental health and things like that. So, um, these are just a few of the highlights from the first half of this year. Um, but we just like to thank you all for your continued support. We like to thank commissioners uh Johnson, Tuffine, and Carter for being part of our ad committee and being those uh supporters for us on the commission as well. But are there any questions?

See, no questions. Thank you very much. Thank you. We have two proclamations this evening, Mr. higher.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, we do get a bargain with our UT egg extension office. Um, I say most of you probably know, but it's a cooperative effort with the University of Tennessee. Most of the people there are actually uh University of Tennessee employees that the county that the county funds but dollar for dollar um we get tremendous value. They do great work and certainly in a year when uh a number of farmers were struggling trying to figure out what in the world's going to grow in this new dirt along the Noah Chucky River, ET was there from the very beginning all through um all through the season in the spring and um helping those folks test and we've got tomatoes, we have corn and it's really green down there in the morning.

It looks a little better than it did in November. Yeah. So, thank you uh UTA for what you do for us in the county. So, tonight we have um really two first responder um proclamations. So, if we could get I saw Jim Dawson out there. There people from Gray or Sulper Springs uh Fall Branch. You guys like to step up? I want to be bashful. I know never seen you bashful here. Are you doing okay?

Well, thank you. So, this um proclamation is recognition of a of heroism recently in a fire. Whereas this country was conceived by individuals willing to sacrifice their lives and fortunes for the principle of freedom, equality, justice, humanity, and the volunteer state is proud to be the home of so many valiant men and women who have performed above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our individual and collective well-being. And whereas Washington County, Tennessee, continues this timehonored tradition of volunteerism through service as volunteer firefighters in their communities and daily face the rigors of corporal impermanment in the protecting the lives of neighbors they so selfishly serve. And whereas at 9:16 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th, 2025, the Grey Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire, knowing that the pre-arrivalation included a report of a fire burning at the back door of the home with one person trapped inside. And whereas a long gravel driveway made locating the residence and getting to the residence a challenge, engine 502 made it up the drive to find the singlestory residence with heavy fire on one side. And whereas when engine 502 crews entered the house on the opposite side, furniture and personal belongings limited their direct access, but they were able to locate the resident who was removed from the burning house and transferred to care by Washington County John City Emergency Medical Services and the fire was extinguished with first responders on scene for nearly two hours. And whereas mutual aid was required by Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department, which responded with one engine and four personnel, and Fall Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, which responded with two tankers, one engine, and a total of nine personnel. And

whereas although the fire caused significant loss of property, a life was saved, and none of those involved in fighting the fire were lost. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners, Washington County, Tennessee, we do hereby recognize the brave men and women of the Gray Volunteer Fire Department, Sul Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department, especially Connor Morgan, Dakota Sparks, Justin Garrett, Dakota Kilner, Kennedy Carroll, Trevor Martin, Bryce Carney, Braden Goddard, Kenny Humeman, Michael Kelly, and Christine colon who put their lives on the line while fighting the fire to protect their fellow citizens. Mr. Chairman, I present this proclamation to the commission.

We're ready for a motion for approval. Second. In fact, we're going to get that motion by Commissioner High. Second by Commissioner Jones. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.

I. Any oppos. Next is the proclamation for the Johnson City Washington County EMS District 1 task force. Dan, would you come up with your folks? Washington County swimming team here. All right. So whereas flooding is a leading cause of weather related deaths worldwide and swiftwater rescue is considered one of the most dangerous types of rescues for first responders due to the inherent risk of moving water hypothermia and the dynamic environment. And whereas in February 2022, Washington County Washington County Johnson City Emergency Management Agency and the Washington County Johnson City Emergency Medical Service joined in the creation and operation of the Tennessee District 1 Task Force to provide response and rescue services throughout the northeast area of the state of Tennessee. And whereas since 2022, the district 1 task force has trained working with instructors across the regions to stay prepared for emergency. And on September 27th, 2025, severe storms inflicted substantial flooding that caused significant damage to property and infrastructure and endangered the safety

and well-being of citizens throughout the region. And whereas days before the hurricane elen storm event, swiftwater rescue teams were staged and a full team from Washington County Johnson City EMS was activated on September 27th, 2025. And the teams worked around the clock performing rescues, welfare checks, and responding to medical emergencies. And the work continued for months thereafter conducting searches for missing citizens. And whereas the investment in training and preparation paid off in numerous frescues and lives saved with no rescuers injured during the event. And whereas Higgins and Langley memorial award was established in 1960 1993 by members of the swiftwater rescue committee of the National Association for Search and Rescue in honor of Earl Higgins, a writer and filmmaker who lost his life in 1980 while rescuing a child who was swept down the floodswollen Los Angeles River. and Jeffrey Langley, a Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter and paramedic who lost his life in a helicopter incident in 1993. And whereas the efforts of the Washington County, Johnson City EMS, and the Tennessee District 1 Task Force were recently honored with the internationally prestigious Higgins and Langley Memorial Award. Now therefore be proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Washington County, Tennessee, that we do hereby proclaim August 28, 2025 to be Washington County, Johnson City EMS, and Tennessee District 1 Task Force Day in recognition of the swiftwater rescues associated with Hurricane Helen flooding and encourage all Washington County citizens to join in honoring our local first responders who consistently train and prepare in

order to be able to answer the call of duty. And these these folks were amazing. The team members, the leaders uh not only were dispatched along the Noah Chucky River in Washington County, but also were dispatched as part of the rescue team for the hospital in Uncoy. And some of them wound up getting rescued off the roof. But anyway, they um made wise decisions. They made calculated maneuvers uh saving nearly a hundred individuals during the afternoon of that Friday of September 27th and no one was hurt. And if you think about and really in talking to Dan the other day, he confided to me that really the leadership and the decisions that were made not only saved nearly 100 people of our citizens that were being washed down the river, some of them in their homes, uh but also maintain the safety of these crew and this team. So they do amazing work. They um they help disasters in other parts of the country. Our uh team of director Patrick Shehan speaks highly of this group specifically and sends them on the toughest uh challenges, but uh we you know really prefer for them to train in somebody else's disaster so they're ready for ours and they did a phenomenal job. So Dan, your team, Rand, congratulations. Thank you for all you do and and really thank you to the citizens you saved in Washington County during the flood.

Commissioners, is there a motion for approval? I don't know who would move to approve. We didn't see a hand, but Tamita Commissioner Tama and second by Commissioner Huff. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? The proclamation passes.

Not a lot to add. Um, as the mayor said, um, you know, it was a group effort. The dis district task forces, Washington County, Sullivan County, Kingsport Fire, John City Fire. Um, the guys before you today were part of the leadership that day. um and our swiftwater team leaders and our senior leadership and and as he said, the um decisions they made that day saved a lot of lives. Um we're very proud that none of our responders were hurt um through this and uh we thank the commission support for supporting us, providing us with the ability to train like we do and so we can take care of our community. Thank you'all. All right. Next on our agenda is the board of commissioners uh minutes. Uh we have minutes from both June 18th, 2025 and June 23rd, 2025. Is there a motion to approve both sets of those minutes? Motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Is there a second? Second.

Got it. All right. Second by Commissioner Wexler. Um any further discussion with those two sets of minutes? All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Next we move to election appointments and confirmations. Um first is the item A, elect members to serve on the committee committees. And before we take nominations, I will first since we do have this from time to time are any motions with respect to how we're doing this? Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we leave that committee as is.

Motion by Commissioner Edens and second by Commissioner Huffine. Any further discussion? The question? Questions been called. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Okay. All right. Next is um resolution number 25-7-5. Resolution naming Washington County appointee to the tax increment fund advisory board of the Johnson City Development Authority found on page 40 of your packet.

Approve. Um motion in a second.

It looks like there is there somebody has requested to speak before we do that. All right. Hard to tell. Um okay. So we called the question. So take us to voting screen please. 13, two absent. 13 yes and two absent. And the uh resolution passes. Next is uh resolution 25706, resolution appointing a member to Washington County Industrial Development Board found on page 42 of your packet. Is there a motion on this resolution?

Mr. Chairman, may I share with Chairman uh Wexler of CIA and the other members that you requested that it be posted to see if there were other interested applicants in addition and um Mr. Friselle is the sole applicant. Right. Had a motion by um Commissioner Wexler, second by Commissioner Huff. Any further discussion? Thanks to the voting for

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Next is resolution 257-7, resolution amending fiscal year budget 2526 regarding general sessions court judicial commissioners. Uh you have a revision on your table. Um that's here we also have the um representatives from the general sessions court here I believe I saw. Do you all want to speak on it before you? They've just gotten this tonight most of them. Okay.

The memo I think was emailed last week, but the revised resolution was distributed this evening. [Music] All right. the um move for approval on 257 one one moment. This is not it's not the appointment right after that. Yes, sir. Okay.

All right. So, just so everybody's clear, we're going to take up this resolution that deals with the funding. Then we'll separately deal with the appointments. So, we have the motion was by Commissioner High. Is that correct? Okay. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Is there discussion? Quick question. No need spending. respect.

Yeah. So these judicial commission replaced some of the work that my courts were doing and that was in the budget basically. So those dollars were associated and approved in budgets. We moved over to the judicial where it's going to take for the new judicial commission. Any further discussion? Please take us to the Commission Davenport. I'm sorry.

So, this is enough money to get us through the year. Okay. Thank you. Further. All right. We have a motion in the second and no further discussion. Please take us to vote screen.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes and two absent. And the resolution passes. Uh next would be resolution 257-08, resolution appointing judicial commissioners found on page 50 of your packet. And you have the names in the memo that was on your table that are being recommended by the chest court judges. Do you is there a motion or do you want to hear from them or what? How does what's your pleasure? Sir, Commissioner Johnson,

is it the night clerks that have moved into these positions? They were all required to submit applications whe

Did any night clerk submit an application? Did they get hired? Did any nightcl lose their job because of this? That is basically what I'm asking. No, yes.

Can you hear me? Yes.

Okay. the when the program was approved, um the job was posted through the HR director for the county. Resumes started coming in. They were being forwarded from the HR director to the judges. We received a total of seven. One of those was from a current life clerk. Okay, that person is on your list that we've recommended. I know that Miss Jared is here tonight and I know that um and I don't know exactly whether or not she's here requesting your all's nomination. Um we have not received her application or her resume. And I explained to Miss Jared and I thank a lot of Miss Jared. I explained to her that we had to recommend people to you from the applications we've received. So, I hope that answers your question. One applied and one was recommended, but when you said, "Have they been hired?" We can't hire them, if that makes sense. You all are hiring them.

Exactly. But when we talked about this, it sounded like that we were taking the night clerks and moving them to this new position. We realized they, if I'm correct, was they five night clerks and four positions. Yes, sir. Four positions plus the administrative test that we're not going to be able.

So now four of our previous night clerks are not going to be employed by Washington County. Is that correct? I reached out to every night clerk that I was told by Miss DS wanted to be considered and asked them if they would apply. Is there a way we could hear from Miss Jarrett about I feel like she may feel like she's been done wrong and I haven't spoken with her once, but I'd like to hear where the maybe the miscommunication was. Is there any objection to hear from Sharon? And that request to Mr. Johnson will hear from Miss Jared. Would you like us to

ask more? Okay. Sharon, if you would come to the podium and Miss Johnson, do you want to ask a question? So she just did you feel like the job was available for you? No, because it was a full-time position. The four clerks that couldn't apply were all semi-retired and we can't apply for a full-time position. That's that's all. Like I said, I hadn't I haven't heard from her. That's Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any additional questions of the judges? Mr. Jones.

Uh I was uh there was a late briefing memo just summarizing the uh folks that were selected and a little bit about the process and it looks pretty pressured and I did not ask a lot of questions or learn much on the front end about how how you train these uh folks. Can you give us a little so that if I get questions from constituents, how how do we get these folks trained? And I was especially curious about that when I realized a few of these folks were not night clerks previous and so um curious about that.

Very pressured. Um they're expected to start Thursday. Um, if you approve whoever you appoint tonight, we're going to be required to train them to get ready to start Thursday. Um, we will spend the next three days doing everything we can to get them ready. Um, if we don't feel they're ready, and they may not be, one of them, if you approve them, is a current night. Um, if you do not or if we don't feel like they're ready, the commitment I've made, um, is to be down here with them throughout the night, until they're ready. And if you don't appoint anyone, we will be down here throughout the night until you put someone in the job. That's the best answer I can give you is we're not going to let them be on their own until they're ready and 3 days is not enough.

Mr. Tucker, the lady that works here just spoke, is there any way is there any way possible that she could work down there at a parttime position? Absolutely. Absolutely. She's trained. Absolutely. She could probably start third. I don't know what her what her time is. So, where's the mis where's the misleading information? What what's the issue? Why she can't get hired? We have we didn't get an application. Has she got time to give application? Specification says full time and and you're exactly right. specification says I'm also got a Washington County res

and we're asking you to wave that for one of the people because we interviewed four people. We got seven applications. We didn't get to interview three of them because one of them withdrew her name. Two others we couldn't even contact. We interviewed four people and we recommended four people. One of those four is part-time because he same situation as Miss Jarrett cannot work more than 960 or 980 one of those 960 or 980 hours per year because of his pension. He's retired police officer. Um he's from Washington.

No sir. And that's what I was where I was going is we are also asking you because again we have to have people in the position. We're asking you to amend the resolution or wave that requirement. And I don't know what else. If please understand this, please understand this. If you all want to pit put Miss Jared in that position, she's got the job. We submitted names from the people we received applications from,

but she was, from my understanding, she was told she had to be a citizen of Washington County and she had to work full time. That's why she did. So why do we come to tonight and then we try to play a different field that they don't have? She was misled to a certain extent. if she was misled. With all due respect, Commissioner, it was from the job posting and the resolution because no one you see before you has told people that. Okay, that is what the resolution said. And the people who applied who did not meet those um qualifications did that from the job posting that had that requirement. They just submitted their application anyway. That's what we were allowed to go with.

Commissioner H. I would Sorry. Excuse me. Go ahead. If you're No, I would have loved to seen 30. Mr. Chairman, we got we have Commission, Mr. Malone.

Yes, I appreciate that. This thing's hard to see. Thanks for being here tonight. Um, and it sounds like there was either a lack of information or lack of communication, but perhaps not not on the part of the judges. But it sounds like you just answered a couple of my question. One, it sounds like the judicial commissioner does have to live in Washington County unless we wave that requirement based on the resolution, not based on the statute. Okay. Miss Jarrett has worked in Washington County as long as I know.

And it sounds like the only reason she didn't apply was full-time versus part-time issue and the residency requirement as per our resolution. So, it it does sound like we we could perhaps conditionally approve her tonight to submit an application. I don't even know that she has to submit an application to you all. Well, not to us, but perhaps to HR. You all can you all can appoint anyone you want to appoint and we will we will be just fine. Thank you Mr. Tomato.

Yeah. Similar question is number one the time crunch and I hope I don't end up in your court anytime soon but the time crunch was not our deal. All right, that we we responded when we were at okay draft really slow, but first off, I mean, we basically we look for to I can only speak for myself, but I wasn't going to try to second guess what you were asking for. I figured you all knew what you needed. So that's what we approve. I I didn't think it had to be a in statute. should have done state it why we put it in there but we basically we approved what we were prevented. Did we rush into it? I would say probably yes. Is there is there a requirement statutory requirement that it be a full-time position? Could they job share? Why couldn't you take all of them and just the ones that don't and just let them work to their you know schedule so that they don't don't exceed their max. I mean, statuto and again,

I cringed when I heard they're going to report to the commission because that's the worst arrangement ever ever made because if you report to everybody, you report to nobody.

So that's that's problematic. Who signs for time cards? Who reviews? We don't do that. That's not what we do, right? So I I'm very uncomfortable with that. I should have that was on me. Should have brought that up last time. But again, we were approving what we were presenting. So why can't we job share? Why can't we take three part-time employees and and fill those fill two full-time positions for Is there a reason we can't do that?

No. So, you know, why are we tell why are we suggesting that? I mean, that that that should be. So, let me explain something. Yeah, it's frust It's just frustrating because we were we were brought this in a great rush. I can't tell you how frustrating it's been. Yeah. Um

but again, it's our respon again, it's being that responsibility is being passed to us. We'll have no contact ultimately with those people except right. So, Why? Why that probably should have come as a recommendation is instead of hiring four people, hey, after further review, why don't we try this? And again, that's something again, I don't want to try to do your job for you. I mean, I know you you know what you need, but

we need 123 to 147 hours filled every week. every week. And can you do that with three part-time employers? No, not with just three part-time employees. How many hours can you um 29 * 3?

These are all things that we've talked about every waking moment for the past um two months. We're constrained by the number of $185,000. We're constrained by whether or not those people need. If any of you, several of you are in business, have you ever interviewed someone and they said, "How much can you pay?" And we say, "It depends if you need health insurance. It depends if you want to be full-time. It depends on if you want to be part-time." We have to back off what they might need if they want the job. and figure out what we can pay. If they take the maximum, if they're full-time and if they take the maximum benefits possible with the county, we're left at this point with $84,000 in salary and taxes for four positions full-time. I hope that answers your question,

Commissioner Davenport. Yeah, I think my questions for the county attorney. Uh, I have a little bit of experience in posting jobs and when the criteria changes, I have to repost. And that's what we're talking about here is criteria change. You know, you no longer have to live in Washington County. You may be able to work part-time. To me, this job would have to be reposted legally. From from my work experience,

I would say that Washington County is an equal opportunity employer, which is why it was posted. Um, there were obviously people who submitted their applications and then said, "But I don't have this." We tried to make it as broad of a posting as possible. Um, I don't know for a fact that it has to be reposted because it's But I would be happy to look at that and and confirm that. But I don't know if that for an appointment, which is what this is, that that would be required. But just for background, um, a question was asked about training. And so we looked at this as a county for 11 months, if not a year. Um, and we met with the district attorney, um, we met with the sheriff, the court clerk, the sessions court judges. We then got public defenders. And I know you know this, but I'm just reminding you how we got to this point that we're not looking at just the head of the pin. For training, uh you'll might remember that there's a judicial commissioner association that provides quarterly training. Uh my understanding is that it's generally at no expense to the local government that it is done through stipens. So at some point, not in the next three days, but at some point that would be made available to the appointees um to the judicial commissioners. With respect to the decision to be fulltime, which is what made its way into your resolution, that came from months of roundtabling the issue. And for Washington County to have a full-time employee under the law, 30 hours is full-time. and being um entitled to benefits but not pay TCRS. There was a decision made in a discussion amongst the decision makers that they said it would be better for

the county if we were paying four full-time people to cover those number of hours rather than a number of part-time people with the pay and then the benefits. So that's the background that was not specific to any one applicant. Back to the question. Yes sir. If we change the criteria, is it legal to change the criteria and make a selection from that which others may have applied if they would have known the new rules.

I think that your appointment is lawful because that is not a statutory requirement. That is something that was added in the discussions and the roundts and the specific requirement of residency was put in your resolution which I think you can amend um and if there were still a vacancy we could go back but I don't think that there are any applicants um who my next my next question is if they report to this commission how is disciplinary action for someone not meeting ex job expectations How's that hand?

It's in the resolution. I'll read it. Section one, subsection C. Um the second sentence, the legisl legislative body for Washington County shall take into consideration the views, comments, and suggestions of the general session of judges of Washington County in making decision relative to the appointment, which is where we are today. Evaluation, retention, reappoint, and termination of the commissioners.

That's not a process. I mean I I mean as far as what the expectation is and the breakdown, you know, that's that's an HR. It's not something that's usually handled in a public setting. So it's I don't see how that that process is set up if you're not getting what you you need for whatever reason. I'm

I don't like statutes all day every day. I don't agree with statutes all day every day. This is statuto. Question for the county attorney. Is this is this different than some uh employment because of the fact that it has a judicial nature to it?

I think that the distinction is that it's an appointment by this governing body for an official, a judicial commissioner. But just looking at just some of the general equal employment opportunity rules, it's not a mandated law as a general rule. Thou shalt post X number of days before and on on jobs. Most companies do that as a matter of course. Um so I don't have a black letter straight line answer for Commissioner Davenport's question. Um this is a an appointment because for example the reason that's so important to say is right now you technically with all respect to our judiciary the commission could appoint anyone who meets the statutory um or the resolution requirements with with some comment on amendment. So, that's different than hiring someone um for a job, which is being an employee with a job description that's not statutory.

Thank you, Commissioner Johnson. Uh simple question. Do you have the money in your budget as stands right now to add Miss Jarrett as a time worker to these four that you've submitted tonight and her or would that would require extra? Best answer I can give you is we don't know because we don't know truthfully we don't know who you might appoint us and we don't know if they're going to need insurance. We don't know if they're if they need insurance if they need employee plus one or if they need family. We just we don't know. We're working backwards from the 185 960 number and we just don't know. I would love to see this

commission. So, what happens if we go back to where it was until we get our act together? Yes, sir. Last week, can we just suspend? Can we suspend this? You can indefinitely send it back to the drawing board knowing what we know and answer get all those questions answered and do it a little more orderly fashion. Right. You can think that might be a good idea. August 1st, you will have absolutely no one in Washington County to sign arrest warrants after 5:00 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day. I will ask the county attorney to help me with a motion, but I'd like to make a motion to suspend. You You've asked your question, but Commissioner Huff's asked, Commissioner Huff,

my concern is not only, you know, now, but moving forward. You've got four applications only one that has done the job with as commissioner Dav you may hire four x amount of days months it's you only have two and I'm concerned if we're trying to do this every month replace this it's really going to be a complicated process and we're going to have this empty position out there said it starts getting p I can see where we appoint these and we still may not have anybody in in position.

Yeah. I mean I just they'd have to accept the job too. Yeah. Now I guess my final question and I'll make sure I understand if we defer this which probably need to. We're not going to have anybody in place on August 1st unless We have to unless we appointed first some people that resolution back to the way it was. She can do that and those people stay in that position. I would I do a car. Well, however, would you really?

However, I just as I'm not the county attorney. I hope you understand that. Another attorney brought this before this commission. Not the judges. We are not advocates. I feel like I've been having to be an advocate. We're not advocates. We were asked is what we're doing right now the way it needs to be done is illegal. If you go if you if you reverse the resolution makes me happy as a person. But I'm telling you there needs the county.

We have to move forward. I would not say we go we go to that indefinitely. But let's get it right. I mean, come on. We got nobody to sign up. Couple of days. And we've been doing it for how long? Couple more months probably won't kill us. Although I think we we probably highlighted it more than we need to but it just it makes absolutely no sense to me that we do that right. All right. The county attorneys has to address this.

I wanted to answer your commissioner uh to me to your question. Procedurally it would be to make a motion to uh withdraw or suspend uh the resolution that was passed in June. But just to be clear, um, even if you brought back, even if Washington County returned to the implementation of the night clerk system, in fact, since the resolution was passed, the night clerks recognized their limitations. Clerk DS ensured that her staff was not doing something that had been brought to the attention, was outside the scope of what the law allowed. So the judges can't authorize someone else to sign an order granting bail for example or these other orders. Therefore the judges for the month of July have been doing that work. And so when you talk about suspending it, it would not be the night clerks doing it. It would be the three general sessions court judges, um presumably clerk downs, the county mayor. Is the county mayor authorized under the statute? We'll be the ones.

That's not a shock. It's We'll be the ones. So, I I just wanted you to know that that is the that's the actual mechanics of it. The actual mechanics I think that the the last day is the 31st. Well, let's stay with our order here. Commissioner Tucker has to be recognized. So, if we go back the way it was, we still have not in the office. That's my question. Not about going back. I just heard a note. So, I mean, I'm just asking if we go back and then who if we go back to the the old way till we get all this out, who signs the war?

So, I guess the question is that we can ask do we still have the night clerks available until we get all this established? I ask was and the clerk DS is here so I don't want to she knows the ins and outs of her staffing but my understanding is that the that the 31st is the last day but even if the night clerks all mor all resumed their responsibilities they cannot under the law take this action. So they would they can they cannot perform the key function that is being described and the responsibility of judicial commissioners

but they go back and do what they did in the past. Why can't we reinstate that? I'm sorry. Mr. Hine.

So we we're really in a quandry here. We we don't want to have a vacancy. The process needs a lot more work. Can we do this? And this may be multiple answers. Can we for 90 days appoint the current night clerks as commissioners giving you giving us we have people in place formally in function and they are legal at that point in time in 90 days and maybe it's 120. whatever that time frame y'all think.

Look at the process. How does it need to be changed? What needs to be revised? How do we what do we need to do to do it correctly so that we're not having these discussions moving forward? I mean, to me, is that a solution? It's a band-aid, but it's better than ripping the band-aid off and let it close down.

I'll certainly let um Miss Downs and her clerks who are present um answer that, but from my perspective, I called them. Only two of them were interested. Okay. And so they may have other jobs. They may just say, "No, I don't I mean that." So I'll let you guys answer that. Judge Manga did approach this question just last week. If I cannot get four judicial commissioners, will your night clerk stay on when I asked that question last week, four out of five said, "No, we're done." I don't know if they found new jobs. I would have to literally walk out with these two and call the other two to find out if they would stay for another couple months. But they cannot do order granting bails. That was established. Um, Miss Wilkerson was correct on that. During the June County Commission meeting, General Finny made the comment, "It is illegal for night clerks to sign ordering bills." So, the judges would have to continue doing that

unless we appointed domestic issues. That's true. Any judicial commissioner can do. That's true. Which is a whole new question. If I ask these four night clerks, do you want to come back as a judicial commissioner and report to the judges? I don't know what their answer is going to be on that. We have one. We have one. We have one who maybe can give us an answer tonight, but I'm going to put her on the spot. But if if she hasn't to answer that question part time she will. So we we've got two and I got to think right now two is better than none. Mr. Tina.

Okay. We have a no. I think one of them has found a new job. I'm not 100% certain on that. I would have to call him. And one of them does not want to be a judicial commissioner. She's not even a name. I gave to Judge Minga to call. I did give the three people's names to Judge Minga and he did call all of them, but I I know for a fact two of them are out and I would have to check with the third. Commissioner Tomato. I'm sorry. I hit that by mistake. All right. Mr. Johnson,

we're saying that it's illegal, but is it not true that maybe some other counties in Tennessee are doing it the way we were? Yes, sir. We just reverse states. Several counties within that. That's not correct because last time you said just a few counties even had I think in Carter County they're doing the order grant bills over there. Just because somebody may do it does not mean it's legal on Rockford. Yeah. Yeah. Mean as a governing body that was just his interpretation there's one person's interpretation law saying that it wasn't I do think there was

I remember the stats. I thought I had them. I was going to bring them to you. Um and and you all didn't like my stat, but 58 out of the 90 is there 94 or 95 counties in the state have a judicial commissioner program that are doing these things. All 14 with a 100,000 or more population have this program. all of them.

Well, I just want to make sure they have.

So, I guess back to my question to that we get a point. So there is at least one qualified person that we could appoint that would provide some relief to the judges and the mayor. Sorry, but I mean there's at least a warm body there. It's a step forward qualified warm body. Mr. Tomato

I didn't hit that mistake. So help us help you. Okay. What would work as knowing that this again I would like to see as many who who wanted to stay stay on? I mean that cuts there's a lot of I think my you know being put in that same position I would say well we'll make work right and go with what you go with what we got. I don't know if we do four or five or if two of them can can job share. Can we just make it work along the way? Will that work for you? Or if we can't go back to the way it was, which apparently now we can't because gone, you know, what do we do? We don't want to we don't want to shut you down. I We don't want to we don't want you. What? Help help us help you. Help us what you need. Sure. So, what you have in front of you is our recommendations for four names. One of those names um is part-time, has to be part-time or he can't take the job. One of those names may not be able to take the job depending on what she can be paid. And I put that in the memo. She understands that we're here tonight and hopefully tomorrow I can give her a better idea of what she might be paid. If you appoint Miss Jarrett and if she wants the job as a part-time, then that gives you three full-time, two part-time. One of those full-time, I'll just tell you, and one of the full-timer is here, wants the job and knows the minimum that can be paid and is okay with that. But if the one

part-time who is not sure because of the pay decides not to, that would give us two full-time, two part-time, you would have to wave the residency requirement that not even sure where it came from for two of those people. paper around. Understand understand we didn't we didn't I'm I'm not saying you all suggested it's just time was bad and we didn't give enough time. Commissioner Malone. But can we would that work for you temporarily?

Great. Provided we can pay it. Yeah. We were told that it was budget central and it is and that's the decision that we're made and it is budget and that's that's what's kind of frustrating too right and it is I'm not here asking you for more money

but you're saying he can't say that people are not going to take jobs campaign that we don't have enough to add two part three part you know we been around long enough to know what what would be coming next. But what would what would ra for you forever? If I tell people all the time in these courtrooms, tell me what you want. What I want is an appointment of those four people. And if you want to appoint Miss Jarrett, by all means, appoint Miss Jarrett. That gives us two part times. Mr. alone.

I have a statement, a question and then a suggestion that I'll do them in that order. The statement first, it is a little discouraging for me and I expect this this this body to hear that there have been round table discussions regarding this topic going on in months or even a year and then we find ourselves in this position. It it causes me to question whoever was at was seated at that round table. So there's my statement. It I go, "How in the world did we get here?" And I don't know the answer to that question. One of our commissioners, Commissioner Huffine, seems inclined to only want to approve the one individual that has experience, but by in your memo, are you stating that you believe each of these individuals to be qualified to serve as a judicial commissioner?

Yes.

Here's my suggestion. This is just a suggestion to get us out of this morass, if you will. I'm going to suggest and and I'm I'm content to put it in the form of a motion, but I'm going to suggest that we appoint the three full-time judicial judicial commissioners that you have proposed to do so tonight. Go ahead and appoint them so that you can start training them and you can have some assistance after August 1st. then move forward with a reposting of of the judicial appointments to to make changes relative to the residency requirements and allow for part-time. then Miss Garrett could then apply for the position and the one you have in in the memo could also apply or still be considered and come back to us in 60 days maybe maybe 90 days but come back to us with additional suggested appointees along with the process I think have valid point about and I understand the statute but I don't I'm I'm assuming the statute doesn't preclude us as a local county from coming up with a process about how these judicial commissioners are reviewed and if nec necessary discipline andor removed from their appointment. So, so again, I'll I'll allow the county attorney maybe to formalize that as a motion, but again, my motion would be that we appoint the three full times that you have recommended and requested. In other words, there's only three part. I'm only suggesting we appoint three full-time

that we revertise the position to allow for part-time and to remove the residency requirement and that in you know by the October meeting that this infamous round table we're discussing come back to this body with a a process for review and disciplinary action including termination if necessary. First of all sir. So, we have a motion on the floor. Do we have a second? Second by Commissioner Jones. So, further discussion and the first person is Commissioner Edens.

We've got the motion in the second, but I don't speak as elegantly as Commissioner Malone does, but um he talks in the professional world. I talk to seventh graders, so I don't have to be as elegant, I guess. But

um I don't know. Got some smart seventh graders. Um my concern sitting here and Commissioner Malone's motion actually answers that concern and makes a lot of sense. Um is if we were just to back up and punt and defer, well, who's to say that the ones that we have applied and and here tonight for appointment wouldn't back up and punt theirel instead of go back through the process. Then you're back at square one. um on you know rather to the rather point there these folks that work for Miss Downs they've already made it other plans they've been presented something they knew what their deadline was they've already made other plans so that's not a good option either but what Commissioner Malone is saying um I would certainly endorse um I think it would you can tell me if I'm wrong I think it would provide you guys with some relief in the immediate but also So to what Commissioner Davenport was saying, it would make things more transparent. Um it would provide some clarity to that job posting. Um and it would certainly allow a candidate like Miss Jarrett to apply where the full-time and out of county was a little confusing for her. I think that checks all the boxes for us. And I I really do.

Mr. Wexler, yeah, I agree with with Commissioner Malone. Josh, um I uh I think that maybe we ought to look at maybe all four of the the things. I mean, you know, rather than going out and and reposting it again, you've got somebody that you you feel happy with and you know, you need to start training, then why not train the four and then and then the one that that uh let's make it five. If I may respond to Miss Jerry could certainly speak for herself, but she had the most experience of anyone,

right? And we heard that you have the authority to appoint her tonight. So, I'm not sure why she of all people would have to wait 60 days to open it back up when you're going to give us help. She would obviously be the person who has the most experience right now here. And she's here and she said she do it. Now granted, there's a communication problem, but it seems to be cleared up now. I'm not sure why all people, she should have to wait 60 days. And I agree. Mr. Johnson,

Judge Harden just answered my question. She has the most She has the most experience. She's been with the county for years. Probably have her unemployed for 60 days and reapplying when she's sitting here wanting a job. say we couldn't do that. You all can't. We can't.

I'm fine with that. The only reason I suggested that we not do the part- timerrs is to Commissioner Davenport's point that it wasn't advertised as partition. And and I had imagined by giving it a little time, we could repost hopefully Miss Barrett and then the other gentlemen would would both be considered for part- timerrs. I'm I'm comfortable anyway, but that's that's experience point of the job. Is that a motion to amend? That's a motion to amend the add. Sorry, mischief. Do I have a motion to amend and a second?

Can you clarify if that is to appoint the four that are on the special Mr. original plus this year.

We got five people that that worked for me also. Mr. Chairman, I'm content to consider that a friend.

All right, we're we're voting on the amendment. Voting on the amendment. Switch uses to the voting screen. One just second. That's amendment for five. Are we all clear? No, no, no. Wait a minute. Wait. The amendment was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and a second by Commissioner Tama.

Wait a minute. Take us to the voting screen, please.

13. Yes. To right. So, the amendment passes. We're now back on the the main motion as amended. Chair has a question. Are we okay budgetwise with doing the five? Hope so. You have to be. All right. You can You're going to make that work. I'm sorry. I can't stay silent. I've been here just a very brief period. You all have given me an opportunity to take this job and I've only been here for a month, but I have seen

a lot of things transpired during the short period of time because it is a very transitional time. I'm trying to make this program work and get off the ground. Um what where we find ourselves is yes. Whatever or whomever you all appoint is going to have to fit in to the budgetary constraints based upon a the last resolution you just passed before this one was setting in and locking in the budget subject to potentially I guess future requests for amendments or whatever. But also understand that the five people that you are uh proposing or about to appoint have to also be accepting of whatever package we're offering to them or you all are offering to them as um as proposals for um for them to decide whether they want the job based upon the compensation as well. So, you know, we will only know if they accept the offers that are that are procured what is presented to them. And so, you will by all means do our best effort. Judge M has already been crunching numbers and he's looked at a whole lot of these things and we have discussed it a tremendous amount. But also know, just like he told you all, we're committed to making this process work because we want it to be a success more so than anyone else in this room. And some of the concerns about training and the authorities uh the authority as to how to address um discontent. There's a built-in 90-day probationary period in the resolution. I put I did read through the resolution trying to educate myself on what I'm stepping into. There is a 90-day probationary period in the resolution that can help address some of your all's questions. So perhaps that's something you all can address um to call things back in or to deal with the 90-day probationary period to help answer some of the questions or concerns

you have about this transitional. Thank you, Judge. Mr. Jones. I just wanted to um say thank you to the three of you and especially Judge Harden and Mina for your leadership on this. When I spoke with General Sessions judges and and learned about that role, I understood that it's a full day of sitting at the bench. So where you have found the time to develop a whole another program and think through the logistics on it especially given the financial constraints that we've presented I I applaud it and I appreciate your time very much. Thank you for that. I think it's going to be better for our citizens. So that's the best part.

All question has mercifully been called. Please take us to the voting screen.

If I may, Mr. Chairman, just for the record, you will need the names of the appointees. May I share them so that the clerk has them? Um, these are all included in the memorandum that the judges have sent. It is Steve Sumi, Kayla Face Meyer, Patrick Pat Collins, Michaela Bowser, and I don't know Miss Jarrett's first name, but Sandra and Sandra Jarrett. And so those are five judicial commissioner appointments. And I understand in your motion that it includes a revision to your standing resolution from June as to the full-time or part-time nature of the position and the residency requirement. Thank you. And if you were looking for a recommendation on how to handle um and or anything that's different from the round table that was used over the past year with the district attorney, I would recommend that the public safety committee um appoint a special committee of commissioners so that more than one of you can be in the room and y'all can have, you know, boots on the ground for these decisions that you'd like to make. Thank you.

I just want to make clear commissioner hot Did I call you by fine? Did I do that? I don't think so. Oh. All right. So, everyone, please vote.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes and two absent. And the resolution passes. Thank you, judge. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you, chairman. Good. We've been at it over an hour and a half and we still have quite a ways to go. We're going to take about a 10-minute recess and we'll reconvene.

The next item on our agenda are year and reports. We're going to take the first um A through E on these um as a group. You got them. The circuit court clerk's year in report on page 52, clerk and master's year in report on page 86, county clerk's year report on page 88, reps year end report on 91, and the sheriff's year year end report on page 92. Um I I think I've checked with most of these officials there who do not feel the need to speak unless you all have a question. Um, if not, we'll take those as a group and ask that you accept those year-end reports A through E. Second.

All right. Motion by Commissioner Wexler, second by Commissioner Tamita. Question. Questions been called. We can do this. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Those are taken. Now, we're going to call up the trustee of the year for the East Tennessee region, our trustee.

The floor is yours. Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Wheeler and Commissioner Long, a couple of them asked for a report that I gave last year. The one I is laying in your seat this evening was a uh was a the correct updated report. I'm not going to run through every page, but let's just look at couple right quick. I would mention there on about the fourth page or something like that, it shows where the taxes were collection period as of the end of the year uh 24 we were at 96.7%. The next one it shows 24 delinquent at the top. Uh the 24 taxes we had three 38 38 parcels or 2 almost $2.9 million that 24 property taxes were due and that averages out about $961 and the personal property taxes was about four three 400,000 795 parcels or about $223. Uh I was mentioning there down below on that where it says 23 delinquent 23 personal property taxes were 416,000 and those were turned over to uh the clerk and master and the 23 personal property tax the real first one was real property next to me personal property was 23,000 uh 1236 bills is about $165 and the lot bottom total there is where we collected did American Financial Credit Services. We turn our estate line to a third party vendor and we started in in October of 22 and through the end of June it's about 253 $254,000 that they've collected from us and we get our interest and everything plus they get their commission on top of that uh tax relief. I would just mention briefly the state of Tennessee uh we had 2456 vouchers. uh we received uh 443 made 2721

and we had 301 voids. Uh so the state contributed 88 $881,218 and Washington County to draw generosity $690,413. Uh the next report quickly is the the annual corrections report from pickups, roll backs, correction deletions that comes through the assessor's office. Um the decreased we had the 363 part par part parcels uh of deletions and and corrections and that was 915,000 and on the increase side we had 188 parcels for $870,000. So we had a deduction in overall taxes about $45,541. And uh the last page is is is the money that the the county uh gives to both county schools and uh the city schools. And I'm not going over every line. I would just tell you on the upper or on the left hand side you'll see that Johnson City Schools receive on this is through the property tax collection process. They received 13 million $32,000 and county $13,918,000. And below that is the distribution of the sales tax of John City Schools received 20,829,983. Uh Washington County received uh 22,244 594. So what the what the county contributed to this both school systems was uh total the city schools is 33,862 uh 862 just happened to come out that way. and the property taxes uh the the what Washington County schools received was 36 million 168 157. So um I think the conversation sometime is you know the county doesn't give much money to schools but uh you that just gives you a little conversation piece there but you

know you got a long agenda other things to go over but uh any questions? We have a motion to accept Commission Malone with the motion and um Mr. Wel with the second. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Okay. County mayor's report.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh first uh a long-term recovery group u on the river uh has uh over $667,000 that are donations that have nothing to do with their administration. That's uh for direct assistance to survivors. Um they just received the governor's a portion of the governor's grant of $712,500 to be added to that. Uh currently there are 26 homes that have been completely constructed and have people um living in them now and there are 68 more under construction as as speak. So a lot of activity going on. They have produced a uh six-month impact report which is available if anybody wants it. U happy to send it to you electronically. It's got a lot of interesting stuff in there and statistics. Um, in terms of our work on public assistance, we have bid uh the replacement of Bill Mach Road and uh will be under contract shortly as well as river mitigation that's been bid and we have a low contractor and the contract is being worked. We're in the process of preparing a bid for Lamar Convenience Center and for AJ Willis Road uh reconstruction. both AJ Willis and Bill Marco roads that were completely lost to the river. So they're they are being contracted out. Uh to date, FEMA in individual assistance in the total region uh has provided over $35 million to individuals. Um a lot of that is uh damaged homes and another portion of it is living assistance. Um, we currently have six projects in queue at the secretary that are on

the secretar's desk at DHS for approval. Uh, process is slow. They've added a bunch more projects for them to review at the federal level that were uh here for being done at the regional level. So, it it's slowed down, but that's our federal government, I guess. Um, just wanted to remind folks that um the grand opening for EM EMS station 5 in Telford will be this Friday, August the 1st at 5:00 p.m. Um, it's it's a beautiful facility. It's going to house some fire equipment from Limestone and um that's something that I think we can all be proud of. Um there's um information from the rest of the money that was given out in the governor's grant that's available if anybody like it. I haven't reported. It covers folks all over the region, but it's it's broken down by business and for farmers and then for land owners. So, um a little over 40 $41 million I believe was the total in that. Um, and finally, I would just like to um remind you last month uh legislative body and the government of Washington County received a petition uh that was presented to the Washington County Commission on June 18th meeting by a Mr. Ramuno and he referenced seven specific allegations concerning the mayor's commissioners and representatives. Petition was wording in it. There was actually 11 points to it. Um it was not uh the

author was not known but there were seven specific demands that were placed um that were that were stated in this and I don't know if anybody if you all have seen this or not but um I'm going to cover them and I'm going to have this document I'm going to uh go over just for a second and then present as um an offset to this petition. So these seven um individual um demands for first the demand that the mayor, commissioners and representatives serve their constituents interest and not their own. The next is to stop the unnecessary spending of our tax dollars to subsidize developers and inflate the value of their properties. Third is to stop the abuse of power to enrich the rich with taxpayer money. Fourth, the 2025 tax increase was caused by the abuse of power by politicians. Five, do what the majority of the electric wants, not what the special interest wants. Six, tax dollars should never be used to pay for bad decisions made or crimes committed by public servants. and seven people with conflicts of interest should not hold public office. The author of the above statements and innuendo not named. However, I take this and I think we all take this very seriously and would be happy to address any specific incidents regarding them. If anyone knows of particular crimes or abuses of power, they have a moral obligation to their fellow citizens to report those allegations and provide evidence to the appropriate law enforcement or investigative

authorities. However, broad accusations without names or evidence should not and cannot be taken particularly seriously. Furthermore, concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse should be addressed with the county audit committee or reported directly to the Tennessee comproller through the hotline 1 800232-5454 or their website comproller.tn.gov. Commissioner Malone is is one of the spokesman in our audit committee and he always says that that hotline number is in the audit and it's in all it's posted in the lobby of the courthouse and it's provided uh in a number of places. It's on our website. So the specific response to these seven demands in a democratic elector representative government is rare for all constituents to agree on the right course of action. That's why we have elections and delegate decision making to elected representatives who face regular accountability in the form of elections. Sometimes elected officials may make decisions you disagree with. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are serving their own interest. It may mean they are making a good faith effort to make the best decision under the circumstances and they happen to see things differently. Developers are building and prices are rising because people are moving into our area and buying homes. In an introductory economics course, this is called supply and demand. The Tennessee state constitution requires county governance to provide public school systems and a number of other public services. So providing basic maintenance for schools isn't unnecessary spending. If one knows of specific examples of

abuse of power to enrich the rich with taxpayer money, please report them to the proper authority and provide the evidence. The tax increase was caused by inflation which was caused by exe excessive federal spending. Providing roads, schools, and public safety has become more expensive because everything has increased in cost, including the compensation of our law enforcement and first responders. What the majority of the electric wants at any given time is difficult to determine without requiring every citizens to vote on every item. That is why we hold elections at regular intervals to elect representatives to act on our behalf. If you have specific evidence of special interest wielding inappropriate influence, please report them to the proper authorities. If you have specific examples of tax dollars used to pay for bad decisions made or crimes committed by public servants, please report them. He should hold public offices up to the voters as they express the will of the electorate. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to add to uh enter this into the public record for the meeting. The um this is this is the petition. There's um some pages with signatures on it. And then there's a number of pages in the back with typewritten names and addresses. addresses from places like Saudi Daisy, Tennessee, Lancing, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, Bristol, Virginia, Gate City, Mountain City, Miami, Florida. Are these our people? Really? Anyway, thank you for your indulgence and I appreciate your time. Any questions?

Can I see you in the back and give you a response? Come on. Bring it on. Mr. Malone had a question. Mayor, thank thank you for responding to that petition and thanks for sharing the uh abuse hotline controllers office. Um I too was disappointed in the in the petition and even some of the people that I know personally that had signed it. So thank you for addressing it. Well done. And it's one of those situations kind of wish we might do it in the form of a press release, but sometimes the more attention you pay to to silly stuff, and I'm going to call it silly stuff, um I can I can do far worse.

We go out back, but I anonymously um changing subjects though, I was hopeful very briefly if if you might provide just a little bit of an update. I know some in the public that were not here tonight, but uh about the city building, I know we have a big name for it, but I can't remember it. The the transition of the great library and then I was curious about Northeast State and the culinary program.

Yeah. So, Gray Training and Learning Center is uh we'll have a a grand opening of library. They haven't set a date yet, but my understanding be the 1st of September. I was in there um last week, last Thursday, and it it that space is really looking great. The uh two training rooms uh are framed in and met with the folks from UT and CASS. They came in to see what what was going on in that building as they want to move training that traditionally we've moved our people to Nashville to do they would like to bring their trainers and do in this region. So, one of the spaces about 2,000 square ft and will accommodate 60 to 70 people. The other spaces about 3,000 ft² will accommodate um close to 100 depending on the setting. Um

so that alone is an economic development initiative,

we think. We'll see. But anyway, the folks at UT are interested in helping to fund some of the electronics in there. So once the walls got up and drywall was on, it was important for them to see and talk about the orientation of the room and what they envisioned. We want them to be able to come and bring their equipment and their trainers and just plug it in and have it work and they know exactly what to expect. the uh the we have the lease of course with Northeast for the culinary program which is planned to start in January and uh the architect is putting together the bid package for modifications that they want and to add to their lease. So uh that's where we are really at this minute. We uh have a number of people that have expressed interest in some of the rest of the space, but we're just really just kind of pulling that together and then we'll get this property owning property own committee together and sort of review that and see how it how it, you know, shakes out. All of the use of the building is envisioned to be public use.

Thanks. Without objection, we'll make the copy of the mayor's written board a part of our minutes and ask can provide that for the clerk.

Very good. Uh, next is the county attorney's report, the annual open records report.

Good evening. I've passed out to each of you a memorandum that looks like this. And I won't step you through all of it in the interest of time, but certainly I think I want to remind you why we're doing this. We've talked a lot about transparency. So when you look at the executive summary, I bring up to you that Washington County adopted a public records policy in 2016. I joined the county in 2018 and by 2019 I was bringing this report to you as required under the policy annually. So Matthew has this on here. Thank you, Matthew. Um, if you'll just flip on over then to the year in review in Washington County. That's on page two. I've included here for you that the Herald and Tribune asked the county attorney to provide an article in recognition of Sunshine Week, which I did. And I think that this is a good opportunity to share with the public Washington County's commitment to transparency and what the process is. So, I've I've attached a copy of that article here for you. I want to be sure that I'm not out there where you don't know that I am out there. Um, but it has some interesting details in it. For example, just to kind of make it on a national scene, the article does site that Fanny Willis, the Fulton, Georgia, Fton County, Georgia uh district attorney was fined $54,000 for failure to comply with the Georgia uh public records law. So sometimes what looks like a general administrative requirement, not a big deal how you do it, the way you do it ends up being very consequential uh to the local government financially and in the confidence to the community. So the policy requires that I come to you and I share the year in review and I advise you if any recommendations are recommended

in this year. I don't think you have any um that I would recommend changing. That said, it'd be easy to say no recommendations, but I feel like I'm required to tell you the basis for that. Um we did look at a software program that I think was in the $25,000 range roughly, which would have been an annual recurring expense, which would have been to join how many other local governments administer their public record requests. After looking at it in I think a 45minute Zoom call to give the provider as much opportunity as possible, um I determined and of course I conferred with the parallegal about our mechanisms and if that would really be something that would free up time and add value to Washington County and determined that it would not um that in fact I think it had limitations, was ripe for some error and then ultimately would commit the county to that software almost in perpet perpetuity because you would lose your internal data by having it in that software. So the the website-based software approach was rejected or not recommended due to the cost um the in the performance limitations some of the questions. One thing for me to tell you performance limitations I have to thank all of the um public the the officials and the department heads because they are the actual custodians of these records. The Washington County policy states that the county attorney shall be the uh coordinator for these requests and that means that they come back through the county attorney's office and so the parallegal and the county attorney review all of the records for privilege and so we redact what should not be submitted for public review and there are almost 600 exemptions. So there's a lot of personal identifying information, juvenile

information, um, and other protected data. So the other thing in in in 19, excuse me, 1925, 2025 was Real ID came out. So one of the things we did was we worked with the offices and the department heads, probate court, circuit court, uh, chancery, the health department and archives to get people the information that they needed. How could they do it? recognizing that if we processed their request, they'd get a Xerox copy and it wouldn't suffice for their needs. So, we've tried to be responsive to what the people are asking. Um, just so that you're aware of this, the parallegal does the the the laboring or work on this, answering all of the calls, intake of all of the requests, sending them on to the custodian. I'm on every email. We have a very strict process that we follow. We try to be very consistent with it. We have to have a response to everybody within seven days, seven business days. So that means there's always a deadline ticking on these requests. So Tiffany has been trained over the past few years and does an excellent job in managing the front end of this and then on the back end getting the documents out uh to the community because we don't ask, the law doesn't allow us to ask why do you want these? we just read the request and send it to the appropriate custodian. Now, across the state, um it's interesting if he follows this kind of thing that a law professor filed suit in uh the Nashville division alleging that as a California citizen, he should be able to get certain records and he uh made a constitutional claim for that. And it's interesting because the Tennessee policy says that you have to be a Tennessee citizen to get copies of these public records. And it'd be nice to think, well, wouldn't everybody want to do that? Um, shouldn't everybody have

them? I'm following that litigation because of the volume of requests that we get by people who are outside the state and the work that I would see and that would be cost to the county um with labor and other resources. So, it's actually an interesting decision that was decided in Virginia some years ago and reviewed in Tennessee. I don't expect that the Tennessee courts would would change their view on that, but it's out there for consideration and that would impact the county and I wanted to be sure you're aware. Um, in a related topic for open meetings, it's interesting to note that recently Chattanooga, the city commission, uh, and that's a little different from public records, but it's still transparency. They were found to be violating open meetings. they probably had a great uh rationale for why they thought they were doing what they were doing, but it goes to the rules and what they uh mean and why we do our best to apply the rules to the facts. So, I've included on the next page, thank you, Matthew, on page three, um the authority and the the recent the most frequently asked questions. Those are for your review, but the most exciting, if you will, is the pie chart. I mean, you got to see the pie chart. And then we'll wrap it up. That's on page five here. I know it's I saw you flipping ahead. So, you'll see that the years do kind of um start to change because when I when I was appointed, I tried to I started reading that okay, we're supposed to give this report, but it was I think in October and it seemed like it would be more informative to you to have a fiscal year in review. So, it took a couple of years, but here we are last year and this year I think. So you can see the volume of requests increasing and I just think that that is interesting for you to see. And then you might ask yourself, well, why is that? And so then the next

pie chart looks at the types of requests. So the sheriff's office is the source of most of the requests. He's got an amazing staff in place that is always timely responding and knows the difference between those records that are provided by the window at the sheriff's office and what comes through open records. So that keeps the job um very streamlined, but they have a high volume going in and out. After that is court documents. Clerk DS and her staff both in the civil and the criminal division, they do a great job of working with us. Always really responsive. And behind that is planning and zoning. And so people looking for statistics, copies of uh something that has been planned or zoned or resolutions. When you look at this, you can tell that this is consistent with exposure to the public. The sheriff's office planning and the court system is where most people see the government on a day-to-day business. And then legal is right after that. They tend to want copies of petitions um from lawsuits um and other work that is not privileged, uh memorandums and things like that that were shared with the commission that were not uh perhaps in the packet. And then you can step through that on the rest of them. And so that's grouped down. And then the next one is to share that with who is making the request. And so it's interesting to see that the largest amount of requests are by citizens and obviously everyone is a citizen if they are entitled to make the request. But when you look at that this it really is the the citizen population. Um, but when I say that, I will also tell you that you can't help but notice that with some of the requests, they are made by citizens who might be independent contractors for companies that are seeking information to compile uh data and other solicitation, which is lawful, which is why it's so important that we redact

what is exempt. So, you can look down there. Media is actually um further down on the list um that you would expect. We've had a lot of inmates requesting and then occasionally you as commissioners make requests and the policy allows that your email alone stands uh for the request rather than having to produce and that was the rules committee made that adjustment so that a commissioner at any time can make the request and we try to give it to you as soon as possible um so that you can make whatever decision you need. Uh sometimes there's extra costs that are paid by the person making the request because you might be thinking, well gosh, you're we're funding the county attorney's office and all this money is going to filling these requests. There's a limit. The first hour is at no cost and that includes the custodian for reviewing it. Um thereafter it is it is at the cost of the employee who pulls the record. And so a lot of that is the parallegal who reviews uh body cam footage uh which includes sometimes when they go into the home of someone who is not part of the um incident and then everything has to be blurred under the law. And so we send that to a third-party vendor. We've identified resources for that. And so we've just included some of those examples to kind of let you know what the costs are. When a check is written to uh pay for these fees, it goes to the general fund. We're not a fee office. We continue to be um without any fees, but it just gets deposited as such. So I thank the department heads. Um I've told you about Real ID. I've told you about the software. There are no recommendations at this time. I will tell you that um just for good order since I said that I like to share with you other things so that you don't hear it on the sidewalk. Um National Business

Institute did ask that I uh provide a seminar one-hour seminar for parallegals to learn how to respond and produce um open records. So I'll be doing that in July. And if anybody feels like they want to have a copy of the PowerPoint, I would be happy to share it with you, but I did not bring it to you tonight. Um, and if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. Um, otherwise, I just thank you for your continued confidence um, in me and, uh, Tiffany Matthews and this office. Any questions? Mr. Chairman, see no questions. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.

Next is our director of the health department, Director Mlullen. No report. All right. And then the director of schools, Director Boyd. Good evening. Uh, no written report this month. We'll resume that next month. Um, certainly I'm open to suggestions. I want to make it worth your time and quite honestly worth mine. So any adjustments you want in the monthly communication, please please certainly share that with me. Um, but otherwise we have a couple items later if there are any questions about that or anything else that I can answer. We have questions for director boy this evening.

Great. Uh, students report August 4th. Uh, teachers start their their contract tomorrow. So, we officially kick off tomorrow morning. Our students will I mean our teachers will begin their day at their schools and their team and we'll end the day um at Jonesboro Elementary School with the districtwide event beginning at 1:00. Any questions? I have one, but I'll let anybody else go first. Well, I may have a few when it comes time to discuss budget, but I I might hold them to that discussion.

Right. I director, I've got one thing. Yes, sir. Um I have had a conversation with the chairman and and felt like this needed to be addressed. Um the at the conclusion I guess of the budget process there were some um schoolboard members who may not fully understand what's gone on in the past that have said that uh their dis expressed disappointment on social media and other schoolboard members have posted that on theirs the second post. Um, but the and the chairman and I take a little bit of issue with that because we we're not aware and if you are, we'd appreciate it if you let us know if someone else is is is refusing to meet, but we do not believe that this commission has ever turned down an opportunity offered to us to have joint meeting with you all. Um, and if if if you are aware of that, I'd like to know that. I

I'm not aware I'm not aware of that statement. I'm not aware of that practice. I'm not aware of that statement and I am aware also in talking with the uh previous HU chairman that conversely when we have asked for meetings in the past they have been turned down on a number of occasions. So we I think it's disingenuous to suggest that we're not engaging. Uh certainly school board has invited us and and we appreciate that and we will always be willing to do that. Uh but if you asked for a joint meeting, we would hope that we would get the same reciprocation. And again, my four years here, I'm not aware of an incident we were turned down.

And I think it was the school board chairman at the time that had turned it down and said that that y'all weren't ready for it. But uh well, the chair certainly has that influence, but uh I have a way to communicate with all board members to to to communicate the needs as well, but board has to make the decision. Yes, sir. But yeah, I don't, you know, again, I'm not aware I'm really not aware of the incident that you're talking about, but uh I'm always open to a meeting uh in the sense of a productive meeting that will certainly avoid the conversations that happened in May and June.

Yes, sir. A similar uh accusation that was leveled was about us coming to your meetings. And you may recall that the last time I came to one of your all's meetings um at the invitation of school board members, the school board actually voted not to let me speak. And so, you know, you all broadcast your board meetings and we can watch those from the comfort of our own home if we're not going to be allowed to speak. And I encourage you to do that at least. Yes. I understand. And and I do and I know others do as well. uh we may not watch everything but we watch um we do watch and we we u learn a lot from those but I think that you know I'm I'm discouraged

when we're out there you know and and I'm doing this in an official I didn't respond I'm not going to respond on social media but I think this is the you know this is very formal to do this in this meeting but given the nature of those accusations and that schoolboard members multiple schoolboard members repeated that post you know I felt like we needed to address that and in talking to the chairman he agreed um that we we're not refusing to meet with you all. We are glad to meet with you all. Sure. And um you know we are hearing what's being you know we are listening to to meetings um and we'll be glad to accept an invitation if we're needed.

Um I would hope that if we accept an invitation that we've extended the courtesy of being allowed to speak on the subject that we've been asked to come listen to. Yes. But um but I and I know director I'm addressing this to you but you know that I that I know that you didn't post that and I appreciate that and you have always extended every courtesy to me and as far as I know to any other commissioner and I appreciate that. Um but I did feel like because you're the one who steps forward every month. Sure.

And I would point out that we give that opportunity to schoolboard every month that we and I don't think we've ever turned down a schoolboard member coming with you. if they've asked to speak, they've been allowed to speak that that I to my knowledge. But um you know, we do that at both this meeting and at the committee meeting every month. And I I would ask that you just pass that along to the school board that we we do feel like we are participating. If they don't, just invite us. I will pass that message along. And I understand I'm I'm appointed by the elected body. So I receive the messages. I receive many messages. Yes, sir. in response, but uh that that's the role that that that I've I've chosen and and requested. So, yes, sir.

I'll take that back. I appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Thank you. All right. We have a new administrator of elections with us tonight. Administrator Chuck Bass. Any report this evening? I'm not gonna ask for a knife, sir.

I just want to take the opportunity to to uh say I'm not here representing the town of Jonesboro asking for anything. I'm excited and proud to be part of the Washington County government. Now, I appreciate, you know, this this commission's leadership uh and Mayor Grandy's leadership as well. We've created a a great county here and I want to see uh I'm I'm glad to be part of it. and Mayor Grandandy made a point when I was resigning as mayor of Jonesboro to say, "Hey, you work for me now." So, I'm remembering that. I'm thinking I think I've always been nice to him. So, uh, again, just we've got a great staff up there at the election commission. So, that's in good hands. inherited a great staff and I'm looking forward to having an office that uh number one works with integrity and is fair to all candidates and residents and uh and we're going to hold oursel accountable to have you know great elections here in Washington County and I'm going to be excited about getting my first one under my belt here next year and I'm going to take the next several months of uh you know going through the certification process and but excited to be part of your all of government. So any any questions? Thank you, Kim.

Does the county trustee of the year for the East Tennessee region have any further report? Very good. All right. Uh we'll move on to the next page of the agenda and to the beer board. Mr. Malone, our we did meet we did approve one permits on page 95. that answer any questions if there are taking no questions the commercial industrial and agricultural committee commissioner Wexler

um on we met on July 10th uh 9:00 a.m. is a historic courthouse. In your packet, you'll find minutes and amongst the the minutes there is resolution which I will put you resolution 25709 resolution approving and authorizing an economic impact plan for the brush Burlington Mill development site. I'll bring that to you in the form of a motion. Have a second. Commissioner England question.

Commissioner Tucker.

Yeah, this was brought to CIA twice. The first time it came with zero and then they cancelled and they brought it back with 15%. And my concern is at the 15% and I had uh Mitser run some numbers but at 15% hold back it's uh it's 6 6,93,000 and at 25% hold back 9,210,000 which difference is 2,37,6249. And we're sitting here debating on how we're going to funding conditional commissioners over 80 or $90,000. But we're going to turn around and give the developer I'm going to say give, but take that to 15% at 2 million. And then also we got the boot creek development going to be coming up. Several other tests going to come up and we're going to set a standard that we're going to make them all 15%. And I asked this question at CIA and they said, "Did you treat each one different?" But we have a lot of local contractors, big contractors this area that's building stuff all over the city and the county. And I don't see them, you know, asking for tip. I know they could, but they don't. So, I just uh I just think that 2.3 million is needed in AR fund better than it does into the project. Give you my opinion. Do we mean to ask? We've got representative from the uh um project here. So, we can we have any other questions about the project or maybe you can shed some light on that?

All questions. Let's call the question. Any further discussion? Question has been called. All right. Take us to the voting screen, please. Nine yes, four no two absent.

Nine yes, four no two absent. And the resolution passes. That's all I got. All right. Uh, communications task force commissioner. Have fun.

Yes. We had a meeting on July the 10th. You'll see our minutes on page 114. We do have one resolution for you tonight. Resolution number 257-10. Resolution approving and authorizing a consulting agreement between Washington County and corporate media public relations consultant. That comes before you in form of a motion. A motion uh by Commissioner Huffine, second by Commissioner Wexler. I do have a question.

Yes, sir. Um I was looking at the uh the minutes and it said that that the motion first of all it says that uh following the inception of terms commissioner West made a motion to recommend to the full commission that corporate image be engaged as the new communications director. I wasn't that. So I'm just kind of wonderful or we I would think that probably

we'll ask the committee to correct their minutes at their next meeting. We get that corrected. I would say it's a topic or something. I saw him and I didn't weren't there. I don't think so. Is there further discussion on the resolution?

Mr. Jones

and I regret that I didn't catch this sooner, but we have a a budget for this item and and the and the I just want to make it clear the communications task force discussed the allocated amount just the same amount we had allocated in the past as what we have to work for this project and build more that's not necessarily made in the contract. I mean, uh, I don't know if it needs to be. Mayor, do you feel like our consultants would how how does that work? Do we need to name the upper limit for an annual budget for this contractor somewhere in the in the contract or

discuss with the unless commission approve something different and that's all we have to spend. So, Well, it's in there attorney here, but in section five compensation of the agreement there, annual agard of 340 hours. Oh, 30 hours per month at the 145. If you extrapolate that, it comes right out budget. So, it's not in total, it's expressed in hours and hour rate. So, it is the calculation. Yes,

that's why that that satisfies my concern. Thank you. Any further discussion? Call for the question. Question's been called. Please take us to the votes.

12 yes, one no, two absent. 12 yes, one no, two absent and the resolution passes. Anything further, Commissioner?

That's all we have tonight. Employee compensation and benefits committee, Commissioner England. Mr. Chair, thank you. Uh there was no meeting but I was informed not meeting that packet handout that to accept the changes to the Washington County a person and employee handbook county highway department employee handbook county sheriff Mr. Chairman, may I just share with the commission that we had the opportunity with HR to visit with um the administration of FMLA and from that experience we realized we had some issues that we best change in our policy. So HR drafted something, then I reviewed it, and then I requested outside second opinion from an employment law specialist. And what this policy change does is it makes sure that we are giving all the notice to the employees of what Washington County follows, which is the federal law for FMLA. This is not a new benefit. This is not an additional cost. This is ensuring that we have shared the information. Um, so it's really a legal uh review that has been given to all of this. Wendy Robertson is out of the office today, so she couldn't be here. I just wanted you to know um this is not a new benefit. This is a clearer description of what federal law requires for the Family Medical Leave Act.

England, is that a motion from you? I assume there is since the chair of this committee is not here. The co-chair is not here. I was appointed. I understand you're the secretary of the committee. Yes. Have a motion by Commissioner England. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Stout. Any further discussion? All the questions. Questions been called. Just take us to the voting screen.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. The uh motion to accept the changes passes. Anything further, Commissioner England? Health, Education, and Welfare Committee. Commissioner Jones,

you can see the minutes from our July 10th meeting on page 121. And we'll begin uh by asking you to consider resolution 25711 resolution approving the revised Washington County 5-year educational capital investment plan for fiscal year 26 through fiscal year 30 and amending fiscal year 2526 budget and approving and authorizing education capital funds for development of natural gas infrastructure for HVAC and Daniel High School. That's on page 23 and it comes to you with a recommendation to do. I'll bring it to you in the form of a motion. Motion by Mr. Jones. Is there a second?

Motion fails for lack of a second. All right. Next, I would ask that you consider resolution 25712, resolution approving and authorizing certain capital education certain education capital projects fund expenditures up to 131,690 in fiscal year 26 for schools fire alarm upgrades. That's on page 127 comes with the recommendation and I bring it to form of a motion. Motion by Commissioner Jones. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Davenport. Discussion.

Motion's been called. We'll move to the voting screen.

13 minutes. two absent. 13. Yes. Two absent. And the motion passes. Resolution passes. Um, Mr. Jones.

Next. Consider resolution number 25713. Resolution approving authorizing school year 26 141 general school budget amendment number one. That's on page 130. This was where the school board uh revised their budget, the one we had approved in June. So this was a new budget that they were asking us to improve and he did not recommend approving that budget. But from my understanding that discussion was furthered in the budget committee. So anyone in the budget committee that wants to speak on uh the approval of this resolution of all

Mr. Davport. So if if I remember this correctly in the discussion uh with in budget was the reason obviously we've approved a larger budget for schools and this is less so you know why do we have to pass you know if they want to spend less that's fine their business but all the changes made come before budget committee and come before this commission so to be more straightforward and uh in everybody's time be more productive if we adopt this budget then uh that would streamline our process instead of the school board bringing every change to lower because any move they make they bring to us and that's how I remember the discussion going and that's how I remember this passing and and I don't have the minutes right in front of me but that's how I recolct this happening but we approved it in does that help matters

question Malone it does help thank you but but I guess I would argue that we deal with amendments from the school system nearly every month and then at the nearing the end of the fiscal year they do a true up amendment to the budget anyway. So, I guess I would argue that that this resolution is unnecessary. They're going to the even if we approve this proposed amendment, they're going to have future amendments anyway. Is that very true?

We were just trying to work on the number Mr. Mr. Chairman, if I may to that point feels as if the school system and I think you know our chairman and I commented about some of the the the comments that were made on social media and there's a reason I'm not on social media but um part of me says that with this amendment denied they basically want us to endorse the cuts that they've made and and those cuts were their decision not the commission's decision And I'm not I am not debating this. Okay. But my thoughts and I read those comments and I was very disturbed by them. U did not appreciate any of it. But I feel like adopting this budget is the most productive thing to account. personal feelings aside and that's that's why I supported this budget. I'll support it tonight. But hey, that's my thoughts and my decision and there's what 12 others here tonight that have their own. So,

Commissioner Jones, I just wanted to make a correction. The screen said that I had made a motion. Can't tell that now. But I definitely said that the committee had not made a recommendation of this. So not

I have a question. We uh in in talking with the mayor this afternoon we need a little bit of clarification. Uh, Director Boy, um, one of us was under the impression that the, um, salary increases had been reinstated fully. The other was under the impression that they had been partially reinstated, but there was still some that had been that had not been reinstated. Is that which of those is correct? the um the 295 that we scheduled each year to be next even including next year on the teacher salary scale was included in full reinstate uh originally in in the April discussion and development budget may $1 increase on classified staff now dollar The budget reflects these budget amendments reflect a 50% increase. And then the category of what's considered management, senior administrators, small number individuals, but it was a proposed to be originally $2,000 flat increase on the scale and it was reduced to $1,000 flat. But at one point there was a motion by the board to remove all of that to achieve, you know, cutting all the six million close to the $6 million gap. But on July one, what was essentially reinstated were those things and it was a total of about $4 million balance. authorizing

us to use up to a little over $4 million fund balance. What the commission approved in that version of the budget was a $6 million fund balance cap or gap that could was apparently by the action the commission didn't be addressed by fund balance. That's where the I guess discussion and the differences what what ultimately authorized including 295 increase salary scale to teachers uh 50 cents across all classified staff increase an hour 50 cents now and the $1,000 for the the management

and and I don't know whether you'll be able to answer this but I know Mr. Meredith's not here this evening, but um you that he's indicated to some of us that the estimated fund or the excuse me the fund balance as of the end of year will be somewhere between 18 to 20 million. Does that that would be his estimate that it's not based on Mr. Hail's prediction you know probably can be anywhere between 16 and 18 million is what we anticipate based on Mr. prediction do 11 months. Yes sir. Commissioner Davenport.

So the budget that this commission passed uh and the budget that the school board ended up passing are the teachers raises the same. Um the teacher der would be the original $2,95. Although original version also included a 1% increase on top of that. So we did a flat. So that was more than that. Yeah. But that was that brought that. Yeah.

They reinstated. We had scheduled, you know, the four years essentially a rose that we had to do in 2019 to get to the minimum $50,000 getting salary by next year's budget or by the end of national. So that budget did not have getting your minimum to 50,000.

Not this year. That was not in the original plan. I mean, it would have been nice to it just wasn't fiscally possible. Yeah. So, you know, with trying to remind the commission at the beginning point next year, we were minimum the increasing teacher salary scales 2,9 the budget amendment is to shore up categories as you pointed out. We we don't have to bring back to the commission budget amendments every budget amendment but only if it changes the category that you approve in the in the original budget. So change categories that's when it has to come back to the commission in this case these adjustments change categories the totals of the cy and this of course is correct there there may be additional budget that's usually false especially end of the year true but our our request was we wanted to based on the board's action July one you know I understand based on conversation that he was trying to throw some kind of blame or ownership on the commission. It was basically at my request, Mr. H, we're going to operate the budget based on what the board has approved and we just wanted it to reflect in the actual

Mr. Tucker 50. We went from a dollars to 50 cents for the employees. Yeah. Will that be do you know what percent that is on average? Is that 2% 3%?

Um for a classified staff it depends. You know the the minimums wage was just under $15. So 50 $14 as they get higher percentage go down. I didn't do that calculations. We were we were intentionally pushing that flat rate. I guess our higher hiring employees, you know, it's not as beneficial for them. We were calculating percent we had a set amount that we believe we were trying to see do salary increases and that's why we chose to go to flat rate. Commissioner Wexler.

So, do we have a motion on the floor? We do not. Commissioner Malone. Well, Commissioner Wexler makes a good point that we may have may be having lots of discussion. There's no actual motion on October.

So, might consider that. Um, one of the things that always amuses me a little bit is the dance that does go on during the budget season. And uh, and I'm always amazed because I love numbers. It's it's my work. It's what I do. I I enjoy numbers, but I'm always amazed at how the school system and I understand you're think Mr. go and others were being conservative when it comes to certain things and Mr. Commissioner Wheeler had an estimate about the school's reserve fund or general fund balance today and I'm not sure where he got his mine is very similar although I I did speak with Mr. held recently and and he said that he expected the general fund balance for June 30, 2025 and it is subject to audit and some adjustments but he expected it to be perhaps closer to the 16 million than the than the 18 million but even at that budgeted number that we did a little over a year ago when we went through the budget process for the 24 25 years budgeted number put the school system's budget at about 10.5 million. So with all the expenses with some money spent from the from the general fund, the school systems budget last year would have put the general fund balance at June 30, 2025 with 10 and a half when in reality it sounds like it's a baseline, a bottom. It's going to be 16 million and and maybe even higher. And so in reality, your your general fund balance is going to be about 5 a.5 million or more than than the school system has budgeted. And so

it just always amazes me all the weeping and welding and nashing of teeth that goes on on one side of this equation. And then so far the entire tenure that I've been on this commission the general fund balance for the school has never even come close to what was estimated by the school system. Um I've got it going back I think to at least 2020. And so every year what the school system budget is budgets in terms of the general fund balance the actual end result ends up being much higher. And praise the Lord, that's a good thing. But when that happens, it says to me, ignore that we've been indwelling and nashing of teeth because the majority of it's not warranted or real. So,

well, it's also very dynamic. It seems that some are taking that very fun balance is very fluid.

Uh it also decisions made in a budget in a you know in a fiscal year. Uh you plan for them but then are other decisions made that impact your spending uh and generally we we are on side of being conservative. We certainly don't want to overspend this year as far as you know originally budgeted to balance last year's budget it was indicated almost $1 million. Uh we had some additional revenue. We recovered some more Esther dollars Esther dollar that was almost a million dollars that was not budgeted. That's the revenue that added to funding. We cannot we have not been allowed by this commission to budget all of the potential revenue. So there's an additional million or so dollars that is not budgeted that goes in front. We also had other funds from TISA that comes in the middle of the year that we can't necessarily responsibly budget and use it. And it was it was somewhere neighborhood 800,000 now. So there's almost $3 million of additional revenue that was not budgeted that added to fund balance or did not require us to use the amount of fund balance that we had projected to use. Well, even in our last budget cycle, what one of the things that drags on me a little bit is we we had one of the school board members stand at the podium and and say that there were no new dollars this year. Well, I don't agree with that because the school system did get the budget a full $1 million in in additional sales tax revenue. And so that was a million dollars in added sales tax revenue that the system did get the budget. Additionally, the value of every property tax penny was higher and so there was additional revenues there that flowed through. So I think it is disingenuous to say there were and you didn't say it.

I understand by mistake last year you didn't say it but it was said by school board member that there were no new budgeted monies when that's that's not true. And I and you know again myself and Mr. H worked more directly with that on a regular basis. Right.

I think what you would hear me say is there was we weren't able to use the growth or or you know new additional capital. But yes, you know, we have that buffer and and and low block the sales tax that we were able to raise a little higher to get closer to actually what the revenue would like to be. It's still less than what it be, but it's still it's getting closer. And then property tax annually has what seems to be about 75% growth. So there's additional property tax revenue from what is established. So yes, we I I try to I guess advise and coach that there may be a very specific way to say things that might be most accurate

related and then I'll I'll shut up at least for the moment. How much I shut up may literally depend on go with this resolution. But um I've had a couple conversations with schoolboard members and I am thankful for the conversation and it was very cordial, very polite and I think very constructive but wish we had more of that. But it it was individual one-on-one conversations but but at some point in the conversation I referenced a certain number that Washington County spends annually per student and they really questioned me hard on that. What would you estimate the Washington County 20 the 23 24 school year or the 2425 school year or the year coming? What would you estimate Washington County spends per student

on average? On average when you you know free K through 12 uh it's beyond the state card. Um my estimation is it's in the neighborhood of $12,000. Thank you. your school board member thought it was eight jobs. Now I I question and and I think I don't know where they get that because that information shared free. Well I think maybe that we're thinking solely of state funding and state funding probably is close to about 8,000 per student but

yeah I mean when you add in the the weighted funds but you know the the tit actually on the base around $5,000. So just thanks for being here and again my my comments are you know the situation and and I guess you know some advance I appreciate you being here answering question any further discussion commissioner hot

just one question and I wish Ben was here he's probably the the real expert but commissioner that board of the mayor from just a purely accounting function. Is this necessary to do this at this point in time? I mean in my background you I had regular meetings with count and that was always what do I need to do to keep me legal and transparent. So that would be my question is is this necessary for us to do take this action? I'll let the mayor answer that because he's in a more official position to answer that.

It isn't as as pointed earlier. Board of Education has the ability to spend less than they just don't have the ability to spend what and if it if it's um reducing teachers pay what the original budget was proposing way I There was a plan that that they very worked out intelligently to take place where teacher salary was teached up

and that's the 2095 add so that was in any original budget has any submission been approved.

The only question that I I'll reject if I may or not question the board's attorney questioned whether or not the board authorized you know the board statutoily only had the authority only has the authority to obligate fun and there was a question of whether or not board took formal action to obligate $6 million from that. That's the question. It appears based on documentation my direction to Mr. H myself, we will take notes and make sure that we approach a different next. But that was the question on the $6 million using the fund balance that whether or not the board based on their tax authority authorized the obligation $6 million. But at this point by their action on July 1st which reflects this budget amendment they officially and directly obligated use a little over $4 million and all those terms. I think it's last month you reflected to sister or mirror accounts and getting behind and the paper they used over $9 million fund. So I just Just like we did $11 million in the fiscal year.

Yeah. But not this year. And it left them with six a little over $6 million of the fund balance which is 6% of their total budget. Their whole total budget was 100 million. So just not we we we prefer to utilize what the controller has identified in 2024 reported 200. See every I need to find that because okay please please send that to me because everything I pick up is still 3% minimum most and it says most of the time uh school boards if they want to keep a little extra they should go up to 8%

that's all I can find it's December 2024 and it's not just referencing government. So it's not a defined school. It's just overall government. I think it's it's an overarching comment about government agencies because there's differences in agencies in what they do and what they provide and what they're required to do. Our requirement is 3%. At that point, the state tells us how we must. That's right. We would we do not want you nowhere near I do not I won't speak for nowhere near 3%. And then also over 3% of the board has discretion that statuto discretion how they obligate.

That's right. Yeah. Got that. All right. I I'll make a motion to approve. There's a motion to approve. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by Commissioner Jones. Any discussion? Well, since we now have a motion on the floor here, I do have a couple additional questions. Commissioner Malone.

Forgive me again. This is that the situation, but Mr. Boyd, the number of students in the Washington County school system, is that going up or is it going down? Uh, honestly, it's pretty flat. We you know since I've been here it has somewhat approximately 200 student but it's it's fairly flat. We start the year and end the year with little growth. Well, brought a downward trajectory other than you know 200 to 8,200 to 8,000, you know, it's also that was after co there was some fluctuation.

Would you give me that it is flat to declining? Um, it's flat. Um, how would you characterize the difference between the budget that this body has already approved and the budget that the school board approved July? What big picture items, what are the changes?

Well, um, like you said, the uh, classified staff was $1 an hour. We also did remove the 1% on top of that 295 flat. Um the management it was you know in $100 million budget small but reducing from 2,000 to a,000 they made some additions to uh to accurately reflect the maintenance expenditure. So they they produce that back. Um I made motions and suggestions because of textbook purchase cycle this year had over about 1.7 million budgeted and I and I to 750,000 that was a big construction materials but we don't have a major um a major adoption and purchase this this coming year. So the next year and the next year budget was price elevated. So those are the main

the one that got a lot of press I think was three months program.

Well that one was a big one but that was you know that was to obligate continue to obligate fund balance that was $1 million. They have a policy if the food service fund balance gets at or below 750,000 then they have to sue cost and with the projection of the cost of participating program that was going to be the trend and with Mr. H's uh advice he wanted them to be aware million dollar this year if we stayed on the program and half more the next year more the next year to It was the down slide that we stayed in the program. So yes, the million dollars was budgeted in there and that was I I can't help but see the irony that that the board chose to uh to do away with free lunch program, but unless you're going to correct me right now, they still serve the dinners at every one of the

there is. Yes. Does anybody else here see anything? Last question. Um, you know, with all due respect, I mean, I understand and that's public rule for anything. I I think, you know, that's intentionally taken care of. I don't That's probably your purpose.

Yeah, because I'm about to take it. I don't disagree, but certainly I think some of us felt as if we had been jabbed relative to social media. Uh the other irony was that in the and I'm a numbers guy. I love numbers. In the different in the budget that was approved July 1 versus the one approved by this body in June, the actual expense line item for the school board didn't go down. It went up.

And and that was correction that Mr. H made because he realized there was a miscalculation. So it is interesting that that line item went up and lots of other line items. I guess most line items, not all, but most line items went back. Correct. The school board based on that budget still spends nearly $70,000 of medical insurance for the school board. Is that correct? Um that sounds like it sounds a little hard. It's in the budget. It's

67,000. this body, the county commission, I think it was in 2016. I think maybe Commissioner Tama and Commissioner Matterly were on the commission at that time. This body chose to um to do away with health insurance for its members. I'm going to go on record as saying I recommend that the school board take that same action and save those $70,000 for students and teachers. um there was a post and I'll finish with this. There was a post by one of the school board members that um that the county that the school board was transparent and and the county knew where the dollars went. And I argue that is not true. Most of the Washington County citizens don't know that $70,000 goes a year to pay medical insurance for a very few member a number of your board members. Most of Washington County citizens do not realize how many non- Washington County students, students that don't live in Washington County attend Washington County schools. I don't think most Washington County citizens realize the level of capacity that some of the school systems are at when apparently the school system just will not redistrict and rebalance student population. So, I challenge that schoolboard member that no, I think I think the average Washington County citizen I have conversations with I don't think they understand some of the points that I just and you're right. Forgive me. I'm taking jabs, but I'm I'm responding to punches. I'm not being the first one to throw.

Thank you. coming up.

Commissioner Huff. Yeah, just I I know that you all do your risk assessments with these cuts if there are any risk or what what impact do you think that if any that's our big concern the goal in in any of the reduction is to minimize impact

and I believe the board accomplished the only the thing is going back to the you know there is still a program that provides families that are underresourced and have the needs for free and reduced opportunities. Where we made the commitment and the board did was we felt like regardless of income as an idea, we wanted to be able to feed and continue to feed our students. But practically, we knew there was risk there and sustain and that was how they had to respond. going to create a deficit that would continue to they would have to return back to a program that we know is sustainable and that's to reduce program for those that won't but the risk was the intent was is to minimize that risk on impacted classroom and I believe that

so really students should not see any impact you shouldn't see any increase loss of of teachers staff or anything that you're comfortable we held Um, you know, we had discussion about reduction. There was a motion made by board member not to pull those out, but we have not obligated those based on any growth or any area of the ratio issue to class size that we might have to address. So, but at this point,

call any any we're not we're not the the chair has some discussion, but we're not. So, anybody else want discussion before the chair has any the uh and this is not really a question director boy. This is more discussion. I I want to say that, you know, since I've been on this commission, we've asked the school board to look at things like tuition. We've asked the school board to look at several of the things that Commissioner Malone brought up. We had a our budget committee had a plan to uh facilitate their request this year. They elected not to do that. Um, and the biggest part of this budget, some of this budget amendment may need to take place, but I'd like to see them go back and and and let's do what we have to do. But on these salary increases, you know, they they could they've made their decision. Um, if they don't want to do that, I guess that's their their they have the ability to do that. Certainly, they're going to set those salaries. Um, but I I think that it's a jab coming back to us and asking us to lower that when we when we anticipated they would do that from the fund balance. And the fund balance continues to go up year after year after year. If you go back to when some of us first started, when I started, that fund balance was around six or seven billion. Now we're at 20. Um, so you know I I I'm just going to state that I I would be voting against this resolution. Any further discussion? Now would be appropriate if someone wants to call the question.

Call the question. Question been called. Please take the motion. Five, eight no and two absent. Five yes, eight no and two absent and the resolution fails. Mr. Jones,

we have one more resolution for your consideration. It's the 25714 resolution approving and authorizing certain capital projects fund spending up to 47,34 and fiscal year 26 for library related network computer infrastructure amending fiscal year 25 budget accepting and executing the Tennessee State Library and Archives TOP grant. That's on page 2043. It comes with recommendation to you. I bring it to you in form of motion. Have a motion by Commissioner Jones, second by Mr. Wexler. Discussion questions. Questions been called

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. And the resolution the investment committee Who's the vice chairman of the best? Yes. We did have a meeting July the 10th. Our minutes are on page 161 to answer any questions as our trustee. Seeing no questions, uh, the public safety committee, Commissioner Edens.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You'll find the minutes from our July 10th meeting on page 16 and two. We have five resolutions for your consideration tonight. First, we have resolution number 25715. This is a resolution approving and authorizing certain capital projects fund spending up to $18,000 for fiscal year 26 budget for computer laptop replacement. This comes to you as a recommendation from public safety. I move for it approve. Motion by Commissioner Eden, second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Call the question. Question's been called. Please take the voting screen.

13 yes to exit. 13 yes, two absent, and the resolution passes. Mr. Edens. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Next, we have resolution number 25716. This is a resolution approving and authorizing certain Catholic projects fund spending up to $86,000 fiscal year 26 budget for taser replacement to you the recommendation public safety and I move for it approve motion by commissioner Eden second by commissioner Wexler further discussion all question questions been called the voting screen 13 yes to absence

13 yes to absent And the resolution passes. Mr. Edings. Yes, sir. Next, we have resolution number 25717. This is a resolution amending the fiscal year budget 2526. Um, the remaining Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant revenue expenses in fiscal year 25. This comes to recommendation from the public safety committee and I move for approval. Motion by Commissioner Eden, second by Commissioner Wexler. No question. Question's been called

13. Yes, two absent. 13. Yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Mr. Edens. Next, we have resolution number 25718. That is resolution approving and authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the Washington County between Washington County and Ballot Health Pure Health Program. This is a recommendation for public safety and I move for it approval. Motion by Commissioner Eden, second by Commissioner Huffine. All the questions questions been called.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Commissioner Edens. Finally, we have resolution number 25719. This is a resolution approving and authorizing uh the stepping up initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illness in Washington County detention center. This comes to you a recommendation from public safety and I move for approval. Motion by Commissioner Eden, second by Commissioner Wexler. Question's been called

13 yes, two absent. 132 absent. The resolution passes. That is all, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Commissioner Eden. Next is our budget committee, Commissioner Davenport. Uh, yes. You'll find our minutes from our three meetings and July in the pack. We have five resolutions all the budget committee form of the motion resolution fiscal year budget 2025 2026 county data processing equipment maintenance

motion by commissioner Davenport second by commissioner Wexon Question has been called

13. Yes to exit. Mr. T. Next resolution resolution 2572 resolution year 256 county development board officers liability. Motion by Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Tama. She's been call 13 yes, two absent.

13 yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Mr. Davenport. Next resolution is resolution 252 resolution amendment process. Motion by Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Malone. Any further discussion? Question. Question's been called. 13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. The resolution passes. Mr. Davenport,

resolution resolution number 7.3 resolution authorizing.

Motion by Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Wexler. Call the question. Questions been called.

13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent. And the resolution passes. Mr. Davort resolution 24 resolution project,000 this year 26 project office. [Music] Motion by Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Wexler. Any discussion? Motion.

12. Yes. One, two. 12. Yes. one no and the resolution passes Mr. down. That's all happen. Someone has any questions. All right. Our next uh resolution is resolution number 25725 approving the noies for the month. It's found on page 209 of your packet. Is there a motion for approval? For approval. Motion by Commissioner Malone, second by Commissioner Wexler. Follow

question. Question's been called. 13 minutes to absent. 13 yes, two absence and the resolution passes. Under new business, we have several items. The first is resolution number 25726. resolution approving and authorizing Washington County to join the state of Tennessee and other local governments as participants in the Sando settlement and approving the related settlement agreements.

Mr. Wexler, I'll make a motion. Motion to approve by Commissioner Wexler. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Malone. Any discussion? Question's been called. What is that?

13. Yes. Two absent. 13. Yes. Two absent. The resolution passes. Next is resolution number 25727. Resolution approving and authorizing an independent contractor agreement between Washington County, Tennessee, and India scal down on page 214 of your act. Mr. Mr. Chairman, if I could just um advise that the sheriff's office has informed us that in fact Miss Scout has taken another position and the independent contractor's name would be Savannah Fleer under the same terms. Savannah Fleer. Is there a motion for approval? Move for approval. Second.

Motion by Commissioner Huffine. Second by Commissioner Wexler. Question from

13. Yes to exit.

Tell you all quick draw over here gets us to the voting screen so fast. You cannot see the upper half of this chart about whether or not you all want to discuss. So holl at me if you're want to discuss something. Um, all right. Resolution 25728, resolution approving and authorizing the acceptance of the proposal of the Tennessee Department of Transportation to construct a project designated as federal project number BR STP19, state project number yada yada yada. Um, it's late. Let's move on. That's a motion for approval. Yes. Motion by uh Commissioner Tamita, second by Commissioner Wexler.

Any further discussion? You're already on like 13 yes, two absent. 13 yes, two absent and resolution. announcement that the cut off date and time for next month's county commission agenda is August 14, 2025 at 12. Is there a motion to adjurnn? Yes. All in favor say I. I. You're