Commission - Regular Meeting

all rise. Oh yes. Oh yes. Oh yes. The county board commission now in session of adjournment. Honorable chairman Greg Mley is presiding. Come to order and remain standing.

Good evening mayor commissioners. Our first order of business this evening will be our prayer led by Commissioner Lo Malone followed by the pledge led by Commissioner Wexler. If you will join me in prayer. Father in heaven, we pause to uh to come to you with with thanks. Thanks for the many blessings of life for our health, our ability to be out and about service to you and to our community. most for salvation. We thank you for this time together meet to discuss matters involving Washington County, its citizens. Pray that you would help us to to make wise decisions that would be honoring and pleasing to you and to the citizens of Washington County. Recognizing sometimes our decisions are perhaps unpopular or even misunderstood. It seems sometimes when you listen to the news or or look at social media that we are so divided. I think the news and the social media is often what does that to us. Help us to be respectful of one another and willing to to listen to what happens in view. Again, just help us tonight as we wait matters to make life decisions.

Amen. Amen. Let us honor America 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. Madame clerk, if you will please switch us to the roll call screen. If you will please indicate your presence.

15 present, zero absent. Our next order of business this evening is to approve the agenda. I need to um amend the agenda to add a proclamation for Captain Foster under special recognitions and proclamations. It would be item 9B to approve. Second. Motion by Commissioner Madly, seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the agenda as amended. All in favor, please say I. I.

All oppose. Thank you. Our next order of business this evening is to elect a chair. At this time, I will open the floor to nominations for a chair. Commissioner Wheeler. Yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to nominate Greg Madd.

Commissioner Matley's been nominated. Any other nominations? We have a second by Commissioner Tamita. All in favor signify by saying I. All oppose. Commissioner Maline, I will turn the meeting over to you. Congratulations.

Get your stuff out of here. Get out of Get out of Thank you, Mayor. I said Do you have my collection?

Yes. I never can do that. All right. Our next item of business is to elect the vice chairman. I open the floor for nominations for vice chairman. Commissioner Malone or I'm sorry, Commissioner Vitz Gerald.

I'll make I'll make a motion. I'll make Mr. Mr. Wheeler second Commissioner Fitzgerald's motion. All right. Any further nominations? All right. Seeing none, we have a motion uh relations to uh Are we just going to vote? Let's just vote. We'll go ahead and close the nominations. All in favor of Commissioner Wheeler being elected as our vice chairman signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm not opposed. Yes. Yes, Commissioner. I'm sorry, Commissioner Jones. I didn't say no. I just I didn't want our um what I see as a collective um appreciation for you to be um to pass as though we're taking it for granted because we do really appreciate both of you and and and we feel that you work well together and lead us well together and um this is your you're going into your eighth year and we know it's a lot of work and thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Jones. The good thing about me and Commissioner Wheeler, I'll just tell you before I we we do work well together. Some days we don't agree on everything and we shouldn't. And I really appreciate him and and uh and all all that he's done for me and his commission. So, thank you, Commissioner Wheeler. And I'll say this, any opposed? Seeing none, congratulations, Commissioner. We were you our next vice chairman. Again,

would you like to say a few words, Commissioner? Just a very quick thank you and it is a pleasure to work with you and you're right. We don't always agree but we certainly respect each other every day and I'm just looking for and Jim has bailed me out several times when I couldn't get here because of something. And and it's always good to know you have somebody to to catch you when you fall. And I failed a couple months ago, didn't I, Jim? Yes, that's right.

All right, move right along. I know we have a lot of business to do this evening. Uh we'll move right on into public comment or public comment if is a time that each individual should be given three minutes to address the board regarding agenda items. Comments shall be limited to items that's on the meeting's agenda. We do have uh one gentleman that signed up to speak. Um, and uh, I really appreciate him and and I've worked closely with him over the last several months. Uh, Bob Wilson, if you'll come forward to the podium. We're glad to see you here tonight, Bob.

It's very kind of you to say that after after the last meeting. Hey, we we get through it. Bob Wilson, uh, 309 Shadowwood Drive, Johnson City. I'm here to speak in favor of resolution number 25913, which is amending the Washington County, Johnson City bylaws. Uh, the last time we met, there was there was one of our biggest issues was the second city and county appointment. Uh since then the bylaws have been amended to reflect that that appointment can be a county commissioner or a county resident. Uh so that was uh that was that was changed uh based on the discussion and the feedback that we received. Um so that's I'm just speaking in favor of that. Uh if you have any questions when you get into it, I'll be here and I'll be happy to happy to answer those. I'd also like to thank the HCW committee uh for their input and guidance on this. Uh it's very helpful. Um so thank you very much. We sure do appreciate all your hard work on this this we really do and and I know the animal control board as well and we thank you all so much. I think.

All right, that'll conclude our public comment for this evening and we will move on into public hearing for reszoning. We have several uh reasonzonings this evening and our first one is the resolution uh 25901. It's a resolution reszoning the tax map in the first civil district presently owned by Cecil and Christy Callahan and Taylor Cochran. Is there anyone here to speak in opposition to this request? Is there anyone here to speak in favor? Sir, if you'll come forward to the podium and give your name and address for the clerk. How's everybody doing tonight? My name is Taylor Cochran. It's 422 Roaring Creek Road, Tennessee. I lost my shop and equipment and some vehicles here in Hurricane Fine. We had a custom furniture company. I'm multigenerational in Woodcraft. Um, and we're just attempting to relocate the business and rebuild. Uh this property is closer to my home and it did join the farm of my business partner uh David Callahan although it was surveyed separately previous to this. Um we have since uh both been placed my name on the property along with his uh to do this adventure there at that property. Um it is close to another uh planned manufacturing district zoning which was previously a paint shop for Spear Metals I believe and now is a solar business. Um, as far as um in favor of this, it just it means

that I can continue my business and uh my family's legacy and hopefully continue to build furniture and do what I love to do. All right. Thank you. Thank you, co.

Our next item is resolution 25902. It's a reszoning of the tax map. the fifth civil district presently owned by Matthew and Kayla Tiddle. Is there anyone here to speak in opposition to this request? Seeing no one is here to speak. Anyone here to speak in favor of you'll come forward sir and give your name and address to the clerk podium. Matt Title, 850 Hell Chapel Road. Just looking to get it reszoned so I can subdivide the property and build a single family home on the front part of the property.

All right. Thank you very much, Matt. Appreciate it.

Seeing no further, we'll move on to the next resolution. 25903 is a reasonzoning of the tax map in the 14th civil district presently owned by Cody and Erica Patterson, Ralph C. Fulkerson Jr. and Betty Karen Fulkerson. Is there anyone here to speak in opposition to this request? Seeing none, is there anyone here to speak in favor of? Yes, sir. If you'll come forward to the podium, please give your name and address to the clerk. Cody Patterson, 121 Metallark Drive. I'm just looking to reszone so I can build a house um for myself, one house and can't currently do that zone R1. That's why it's going to

All right. Thank you, Cody. Our next item is a text amendment. Resolution 25904 is amending the Washington County zoning resolution uh regarding sign regulations. Is there anyone here to speak uh uh in opposition to this request? Seeing none, is there anyone here to speak in favor of? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing and go back into regular session. At this time, we'll call Miss Charles to the podium. She's our zoning and planning director. Looks like you've been doing a lot of work. You know, we appreciate all the work you do, your staff.

Thank you, sir. You have a really good office. Would you like me to present all together or one at a time? Um, just go ahead and present them all together and then if we need to back up and there's questions on one, we will. Thank you.

The first resoning comes to you with a unanimous recommendation of approval from the Washington County Planning Commission and that is for the reszoning of 136 Royal Creek Road from A1 to PMD and that's a planned manufacturing district and as you heard from the petitioner resoning request is to allow him to rebuild his custom woodworking business that was destroyed from the flooding from Helen. The next two items on the agenda come to you from Jonesboro's planning commission. The first one is the reszoning of 110 Polo Lane from A1 to R1 and that is to allow the subdivision of the property for a second single family home. The properties along Hairtown Road, there are six properties total. The request there is to go from R1 to A1. and that is to allow a second residence to be constructed on one of the lots and then the rest of the lots the owners are interested in maintaining the agricultural use of their land so that a one district is is appropriate for that and both of those come to you with the unanimous recommendation of approval from Jonesboro. The last item is a text amendment request to the zoning resolution and that would expand the allowances for electronic message board signs. So they're currently allowed in the county and we looked at the language that the town of Jonesboro has in their code and modeled this amendment after theirs. So the codes will will align very more closely. But it would allow electronic message board signs for government buildings and schools and churches. So no matter what their zone for those uses, they would be permitted electronic message board signs. And because it is a text amendment to the code, it has to go before Iowa planning commission, Jonesboro's planning commission, and the city of Johnson City's planning commission. So this text amendment comes to you with a unanimous recommendation

of approval from all three of those planning commission. Thank you, sir. So any questions for Miss Charles? Yes. this question uh affect the regulations inside either Jonesboro city limits or Johnson City although that they still have a sign off that is correct correct okay thank you is there any particular place Angie that you know that this would affect that's been identified that that in the county that it would have a negative impact on

that would have a negative impact on No sir no Um that we've had requests from churches who want electronic message board signs and the way the code is currently written would not be permitted. This amendment would allow for them to have an electronic message board sign. All right. Thank you. All right. Is there any further questions? If not, we'll go in into our vote. All right. Seeing no further questions, we'll go ahead and consider resolution 25901. It's a resolution reszoning tax map first civil district presently owned by Cecil and Christy Callahan and Taylor Cau. Motion to approve.

Move for approval by Commissioner Loan. Second by Commissioner Wexler. Question or discussion? Call. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switches the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Next resolutions. Resolution number 25902 is a resolution reszoning the tax map in the fifth civil district presently owned by Matthew and Kayla TD. Motion by Commissioner Edens to approve. Second by Commissioner Tucker. Question or discussion?

Questions? Questions been called clerk if you'll switches the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes and the resolution passes. The next resolution is resolution number 25903 is a resolution reszoning tax map in the 14th civil district presently owned by Cody and Erica Patterson, Ralph C. Fulkerson Jr. and Betty Karen Fulkerson. We have a motion. Motion by Commissioner Davenport to approve the resolution. Second by Commissioner Wheeler.

Question or discussion? Call questions been called. Mad clerk, if you'll switch us to the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. Next item is our text amendment resolution number 25904. The resolution amending the Washington County zoning resolution sign regulations. We have a motion. Motion by Commissioner Wexler to approve. Second by Commissioner Jones. Question or discussion? Question.

Question been called for. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, could you announce the vote? 15 yes. And the resolution passes. We'll finish up on our public hearings and our resonings and we will move right on into special recognition and proclamations. Uh Mayor Grand Chairman, we have two proclamations tonight. Um the first one uh is in in uh recognition of the nearly one year anniversary of the uh hurricane balloon flood. So Jim Hughes, would you come up and on behalf of the long-term recovery group, please?

Awesome. Thank you, Jim. You can post it anywhere. Let me be sure and put this up.

Again, as part of the long team recovery group that's been working with survivors down there on the river for many, many months and again, we appreciate your work. So, this proclamation isn't recog recognizing and honoring the resilience of Washington County citizens in the reflection of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Le whereas on September 27th, 2024, severe storms inflicted substantial flooding in Washington County, Tennessee, causing significant damage to property, infrastructure, endangering the safety and well-being of our citizens have required energetic efforts at all levels. And whereas one of the areas in upper east Tennessee and western North Carolina affected by the flood waters that caused loss of life, significant property damage, and ongoing hardship, Washington County faced tremendous and overwhelming needs in order to restore this community. And whereas family, neighbors, friends, and complete strangers came together immediately to provide shelter, clothing, and food for so many of the families in need in the most desperate hours after the flood. And whereas groups of volunteers from outside our region arrived ready to work with first responders, local government, local residents, church groups, and civic groups to provide aid. And whereas the commitment to recovery continued through the fall into the winters and was sustained through the spring and summer months. And whereas the personal commitment, faith, hard work, and appreciation of the special qualities of this area holds by all Washington County citizens impacted by the flood waters deserves this recognition. And whereas reflection on the perseverance of the Washington County, Tennessee community and all of the support from others gives

perspective, reveals resilience, and offers insight and hope for the future. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Washington County, Tennessee, that we do hereby recognize all of those citizens impacted by the storm and the collective and individual and group volunteers, responders, organizations, and service providers who brought powerful hope and confidence to aid in rescue, recovery, and rebuilding of Washington County, Tennessee community, and proclaimed that September 27th, 202 25 shall be a day of reflection and remembrance so that the selflessness, generosity, and kindness may serve as a foundation for hope. This to the commission for approval.

Thank you, Mayor. Do we have a motion to approve the proclamation? Motion by Commissioner David, second by Commissioner Johnson. All in favor of the proclamation signify by saying I.

I. All the opposition opposed like sign. Seeing none, the proclamation passes. Mayor, thank you. I know most you all either my service as a city employee or ski patroller or I mean golf courses or something or the other. But that being said, I would like to thank the commission, Mayor Grandandy especially, cuz I got with Joe just shortly after this. And for somebody from Johnson City, he got me involved very quickly. We have multitudes of people that volunteered to help in this. We've got a a great asset within the Berles construction community that took the lead on on the organization, but we were actually the centerpiece if you wanted to structure a long-term recovery group. Washington County was it. Everybody in North Carolina, everybody in East Tennessee, we were what they were looking to. And I give you all the credit and Joe the credit. And I'd also like for you to look at the uh bit of advertisement we've got. We do have a thing down at the farm at Jackson Bridge Road this coming I'm sorry, this coming Saturday starting at about 4:00. Uh it's commemoration. Uh this is not a celebration. The four people lost their lives in the county. A lot of people lost everything and only to witness it firsthand and see the recovery efforts that will be going on for millennia. It seems like uh this is just a a piece of little bit of thank you to people and to let people know that we're still caring about them. But please put that on your agenda to come show up make these people feel gracious and again thank you for your all support and love.

Yeah, we thank you for your leadership uh through this recovery process and ongoing. So the next is um this next proclamation is really a special proclamation because it's uh it involves one of our own and um it is so welld deserving this individual for so many reasons but Mike if you would come up bring your family and they need to celebrate this with you. Um he is he's he's really not happy with the sheriff and me right this minute. But um Mike is a very selfless person and uh doesn't necessarily like to be called out in recognition, but this is unique and special and he is unique and special to us. So, welcome. Looks a proclamation recognizing and honoring Captain Michael Foster for his excellence, teamwork, and leadership in law enforcement. Whereas, Captain Michael Foster embodies what he means to be a true dedicated member of law enforcement. And whereas he became he began his career in public service in 1996 when he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard and has served the citizens of Washington County since 2001. And whereas as a tank crewman, he participated and evaluated tank three gunnery skills, he proved to be a very intensive team work environment, one in which Captain Foster thrives, learning how to maintain and maneuver an M1 A1 Abrams battle tank while ensuring accur accurate execution of orders, commands, and instructions set the foundation for his career in law enforcement. He was awarded two Army achievement medals, one

during annual training in 1997 and the other during annual training in 2000. And whereas Captain Foster joined the Washington County Sheriff's Office in November 2001, starting in the detention center. By 2003, he was the litter control officer working with the Dirty Street Fighters. In 2004, moved to the community service and support services. was next promoted to sergeant in 2011 and thereafter quickly rose to the rank of lieutenant. In late 2022, he was appointed to be a task force officer with the United States Marshall Service Office Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force. His ability to work with any group of individuals to achieve a goal makes him a remarkable team member. His extraordinary leadership skills led to his promotion to captain in 2024. And whereas in September 2024, Captain Foster was instrumental in rescuing eight of his fellow officers who were isolated when flood waters ravaged the Highway 107 section of Washington County. He volunteered to lead a rescue operation into the flood waters with an officer from the Johnson City Police Department to bring the stranded deputies home. For that bravery, he was awarded a Washington County Sheriff's Office commenation for distinguished service. And whereas on September 11th, 2025, Captain Foster received the American Legion Sheriff's Deputy of the Year Award and was further acknowledged as an exceptional first responder who exceeded the DD requirements of his position with acts of heroism and selflessness during the time of Hurricane Blame in 2024. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners,

Washington County, Tennessee, that we do hereby recognize Captain Michael Foster for his outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment, teamwork, and exemplary service to the citizens of Washington County. Chairman presents his population to the commission for consideration. I could be no prouder to present this one, mayor. Motion to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Wheeler. All these seconds. We'll add all these seconds here. Second by Commissioner Wexler. All in favor of this approving the proclamation signify by saying I. I.

All oppose like sign. Congratulations. Well, Captain Foster is one that uh you never have to worry about Captain Foster. He has it under control. You need an answer, he gets it to you. Uh on that day, we didn't know exactly how we were going to get those officers and we figured out a plan to use a big military truck and he was he just stepped up and he said we said we'll have to spons and officer Cheryl D with the John Police Department. They went through water. If I had been able to see it from where we were at, I would have told them not to. And at times that big military truck was even floating and they they went into it anyway and got those guys and came back. Uh no finer employee. Thank you C for what you did.

Peace out.

I've known most of you folks on this board for many, many years. Um, those of you all that know me know that I I don't like being in the spotlight. Um, I like to do my job and go home at the end of the day to my families. It was heartbreaking that day to think of officers that couldn't do that. That's why I volunteered along with Cheryl D. deserves just as much credit as I do. There were more hands in this whole process than just the two of us. Um, there were behind the scenes folks that were giving us directions on where to go, how best to get there, uh, when the bridges collapsed, um, what turns we needed to take to get those guys back home. And I know without a doubt that every single one of those guys would have done the same thing for me. So, thank you all very much. for shield.

I was blessed to work with Mike for many years. He's been such a he has been a great employee for the sheriff's office and continue to do that. And it's it's great to see somebody do so well and uh you know it's just you just celebrate celebrate him. Thank you Mike for everything you've done for us here.

Mayor, I've got to stop you just a minute. So, I you know, we have forgot something. And if I can have just a little bit of leeway, we have Brenda Witson here with us this evening. Brenda, come on up here to the podium if you don't mind. I promise I did not do it right. Well, now I know this is kind of a little offguard and I'm sorry, but you know, Brenda Brenda was in Kingsport the other day and and and she went to the governor's conference on tourism where she received the tourism professional of the year.

Now, we got to stop just a minute. Brenda is our executive director of the convention and visitors bureau and she does so much work and so much good for Washington County, John City, Jones for she just does so much. So, when we get just a minute, Mayor, I I think we should recognize Brenda and uh just thank you, Brenda, for all you do for us and and congratulations on on that award tourism professional of the year. That's a that's a big that's a big talk now. So, you know,

you know, I am blessed that I do get to do what I love. And I've been doing this, as Greg said, you know, for a very long time since 1998. So, you got to love something if you've been doing it that long. And it is a pleasure to get to work and promote uh this place that we get to call home that we're very blessed to live. And so, um I thank you, Greg, for doing that. That was a total shock, just like the award was a total shock as well. So, but thank you very much.

I I could not let that go. I was so impressed. If you go back and read that article of the numbers, uh there's a story to be told in the numbers. So, y'all have a chance to go back and read that article. It's it's an amazing it's a great story. Spending was up uh almost 9 and a half% in 24 over 23. So, that's very impressive. I think we had the, you know, the largest increase of anyone in the region. So, hats off to Johnson City and Washington County for that. Thank you so much, Brenda.

Sorry about that. I just had to I had to I didn't mean to catch you off guard, but I don't get you down here much, so um you were on my list and I know you're on the mayor's, too. All right. So, our next item is the board of county commissioners approval of the minutes. We have a motion to approve the minutes of our 25 meeting. Motion by Commissioner Jones to approve, second by Commissioner Wexler. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I.

All opposed. The minutes are received. We have several elections, appointments, and confirmations this evening. Uh our first one is resolution number 25905 is a resolution appointing members as Washington County representatives to the Bright Ridge board. Uh there are some recommendations in your uh packet from the CIA committee. Um I will say that there was an email that come out earlier this week that I read over that there was some bylaw issues. Is there anything Miss Wilkinson you would like to comment about that before we move before I open the floor?

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I will confirm that you should have in your um email from me and I think it's also in the packet as a memo that was distributed to the CIA committee that the bylaws do preclude uh current or former employees of uh serving on the Bright Ridge board. So if you look at that memorandum that is within the CIA minutes, you'll see that. So just consider the fact that you may not wish to want to uh appoint someone that the entity would not seat onto a board position. Uh this county commission does not have the authority to amend the articles of incorporation of uh the Johnson City Power Board or Bright Ridge.

Thank you. Thank you. So to just want to clear that up before I open up the floor for nominations. Um we'll open up the floor to appoint uh um members to the right ridge board. Commissioner Tamita like to nominate Commissioner Richard Tucker and General Heist. Commissioner Tucker and second Commissioner and and General Hot.

All right. Who was Did I have a second on that as well? Commissioner have find a second. Any further nominations? Mr. Chairman, I requested Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. I didn't see you on there, Commissioner Carter.

So, when we got our fact Eugene Ward was nominated down by the CIA. Eugene is the retired employee of Cbridgeidge. I guess he was nominated and put on there before the bylaw and check. I just wanted to speak on on YouTube. If that wasn't part of the bylaws, you couldn't find a better person to have been placed on that board. I understand the uh you know there's pros and cons to that. Evidently, there was a history that I didn't know about maybe before my time of somebody that that didn't really act in the best interest of the county that been on that time city power board of directors. But I don't know that I would agree with those bylaws. Not that the priorities will come back and adjust them, but to me having a past employee that was a lifelong employee that could see that could be beneficial in ways that really no one else could. So, I just wanted to point out that Jim was a a man of character and they would have benefited if that wasn't his body. That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Commissioner Carter. And I know that Mr. Ward is a fine man and I think he he uh there could be other appointments that come up that we that we consider him for.

Mr. Chairman, before you vote on the resolution, if I may, and I did not ask this in advance, there may be a Bright Ridge meeting this week, and it may be something to consider as you vote on this resolution to consider the effective date that this resolution be effective immediately uh and then go forward after it's signed. If that is something that this commission would like to consider uh so that if there is a board meeting this week before the resolution is fully executed and distributed that uh the appointees have the standing to attend the meeting.

All yes absolutely effective the meeting. All right. Commissioner Hine are you affected immediately on your second? Absolutely. There is a meeting committee start at 3:15 tomorrow and we do need representation for that. Thank you. Sorry, Mr. Duck. All right. The floor does still remain open. Is is there any further nominations before I close the floor? Seeing none, we have um Commissioner Tucker and General Height to be considered. Uh the floor is closed. All in favor of those uh that nomination signify by saying I.

All opposed. Congratulations to uh our very own Commissioner Tucker and General High. Can I say it? Yes, Commissioner Jones.

I would just like to thank Commissioner Hine for his time on that board. serving on that board is a lot of work. And his timing on that board came right after we sort of closed out on our um well at least a beginning part of our um interactions with Bright Ridge around the Bitcoin mine and some of those challenges early on. And uh coming in during that u was was a hard it was a hard time to be a leader. And I would just say that going forward, this board position is super important. Communities all around our state are um dealing with power related questions and also these supercomput systems that are super noisy. Some of them are Bitcoin, but some of them are just powering AI, for example. And those are just things that I think all of us need to stay on top of. And I know Mr. DS is always willing to talk about those things and some of us will have lunch with him from time to time, but I think staying on top of those things be really important. Thank you for being willing to serve Ducker.

Yes, absolutely. Um, Commissioner Huffine did go on at a tough time. I know that was a time that I had been appointed also as well to not to the board but to kind of work through some challenges. So, um I I know that was a really tough time for me and thank you for your service, Commissioner Huffine. It's it's definitely it was good to know that you were at the board meeting um because because I know we had we had some difficult times there. So, glad to see those times are behind us.

Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to I just want to reiterate Commissioner Jones comment there, the time I served there. you know know know how well recognized it is but brought ridge is one of the foundational components of our community for our growth and develop and it's a very wellrun organization but I think it is critical that this commission continues to have representation there and help influence and balance that I'll also say general high up serving him for the previous years you could not find a gentleman someone of higher integrity, his 30 some years plus service around the country. But his knowledge that he has and his leadership qualities is really a huge huge contributing factor to the success of that board and will be in the future. And thank you again.

Thank you. All right. Our next item is a resolution number 25906 is a resolution appointing the judicial commissioners in Washington County General Sessions Court. Move to approve. Motion motion by Commissioner Jones to approve. Do we have a second? Let's keep this party. Second by Commissioner Wheeler. We are I'm happy to sit back down. Well, we we're moving right along here. The floor is open for nominations as well. Do we have any further nominations?

For the question, questions been called, madame clerk, uh the questions been called and the meeting, we have cut off debate on the nominations. We have the nominee with with them this evening. If you would like to hear from the nominee,

this is Eg Max Lovery. I signed my temporary authority to appoint Max. Um about three weeks ago, he's been working for three weeks. He's working two to three shifts a week. As a matter of fact, we had one heart with a family emergency this week. Uh, I need to get the uh midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift covered at a last moment's notice this week or this past weekend. First person I called was Max. Max said, "I'll be there. No problem." So, um, he's available. He is extremely intelligent. He is a law school graduate law school in University of Illinois. um has um an abundance of experience as a law clerk, a judicial extern and will be a very fine attorney one day. Hands off to Mr. Willer, but we'll be a very fine attorney and uh but for now, he's a very fine judicial commissioner. We we ask that you

Thanks, Judge. It sounds like we better getting sworn in pretty quick because Commissioner Wheeler is looking at it over there. All right, so that's our nominee. Uh we're going to go ahead and close the floor for no further nominations. Uh seeing none. Uh all in favor of our nominee, uh signify by saying I. All opposed. Congratulations, Max. We appreciate having you and I know you'll do a great job. Just watch that Commissioner Wheeler. He'll be over, you know. Watch.

Thank you all. All right. Our next item is um resolution 25907 is a resolution appointing members and standing committees of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for fiscal year 25 through 26. And last time we had voted uh we were not u changing the committee structure. We were leaving it the same. Um, when we talked about that, I know me and me me and Miss Wilkinson had a discussion. Are we leaving when we say leaving it the same, are we leaving it uh the committee chairman's the same and just everything the same or we going to come back and and uh and do some of that to see?

The the thought was we would leave the membership the same and elect officers at the upcoming meeting. Okay, sounds good to me. All right, so I won't make it difficult for me. Um, so we will leave the membership the same and uh do I have a motion to approve the resolution? Motion by Commissioner Eden, seconded by Comm Merrission Tama. Question or discussion.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to voting screen, please. Go ahead and cast your vote. Madam clerk, announce the results at 15. Yes. All right. And the resolution passes. The next resolution is resolution 25908 is a resolution appointing the members to the ethics committee. Have a motion. Motion made by Commissioner Fitzgerald, seconded by Commissioner Huff to approve the resolution.

Question or discussion? All further question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes. All right, that will conclude our elections, appointments, and confirmations, and we'll move right on to the county mayor's report. Mayor Granner that Washington County 101 will begin this Tuesday. Uh the first uh session is an overview of county government. The next Tuesday will be at the health department with the health department featured election commission, EMA and EMS. Uh followed by the next uh Tuesday night will be right here in the justice center and will be a program on the entire court system. who number of judges will be speaking and the final Tuesday night will be the favorite, the all-time favorite, the best food served by public service and sheriff's department and the detention and the best part uh we have the dogs. So that is the next four nights and that graduating class uh will show up here hopefully on for the October meeting to receive their awards. Um, second item, you've already heard from Jim Hughes. He talked about um an evening of reflection uh for help uh Hurricane Lean one year anniversary Saturday this coming Saturday 927 starting at 4:00 on the uh farm at Taylor Bridge. That's 190 Taylor Bridge Road. If you want reservations, there's a QR code on this and I'll leave it up there on the table. And finally,

bless you. And finally, uh what the most important uh news of the day is that today speed limit in Jonesboro on Greens Creek Road was changed. So, uh Commissioner Tucker, you have free rain to go above 30 miles an hour coming into town. Thank you very much. Anybody have a question?

Mayor, I just want to say I want to stop you just a minute. You know, we we want to thank you too for as we reflect back on on a year of past Halloween. We want to thank you for all the hard work you've done, too, cuz I've seen it and I know how what a great job you've done. And I just I just want to take just a minute thank you because you you you definitely deserve it. Stay. Thank you, mayor. We appreciate you. our county attorney's report. Miss Wilkinson.

Thank you. If you can hear me without the microphone, I'll just make two brief announcements for you. Um first, it would be uh just to remind you that we celebrated on September 17th last week the 238th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. So that's part of the work that we do as lawyers and and that you of course swore the oath to uphold that and how important it is to us. And just to share something that I learned just this week that of all the countries that have had constitutions, France is almost as old as ours. Theirs has been changed I think 14 times um in the same time period. Uh Haiti is a number of times since 1801. We are an exception to the rule. The United States of America is the only country that has the same constitution that it originally adopted. There have been amendments there too, but the Constitution stands and the United States has celebrated Constitution Week since 1955. So, I wanted to take this opportunity um to bring that to your attention as um county officials who have uh taken that oath. In other news, uh, more to the point is that last month during public comment, there was a gentleman who came to you to make complaint about some property out on Taylor Bridge Road, specifically, I think it was 212 Taylor Bridge Road. The very next morning, the planning director and I uh worked through that issue to determine whether or not the uh tents, RVs, and other uh permanent like dwellings out of temporary like dwellings were in fact in conformance with the zoning resolution or any suspension of the rules related to Hurricane Helen. The property was not in compliance. If you'd like to look at your packet on page 118, you'll see photographs taken by the general welfare

officer in advance of the health education and welfare committee meeting and that I incorporated into the quarterly report. The property owner uh received correspondence from the planning director advising that the property was not um in conformance. The property owner came to the county and acknowledged receipt of the letter. There was a September 17th deadline. At the HW committee meeting, I requested citation authority in the event that compliance was not in place in advance, you know, at the September 17 deadline. There's been almost no change to the state of the property since that Septeon resolution. And I just wanted to make you aware since that was a public comment that was made to you as a commission, I thought it important to report back in the public that it was immediately addressed uh both by the internal offices and then through the appropriate committee the following session. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Any questions for Miss Wilson? Seeing none, we'll move right on into the department director of the health department of Director Mlelen. I don't see here here this evening. We'll move right on to our director of schools report, Director Boyd. Good evening. Um, as usual, you have the report. I do want to point out, I did make an error. Uh, our joint meeting is scheduled for the 29th, but that is Monday, not Tuesday. So, you know, please forgive me on that air, but I do look forward to it. I know the board does. Hopefully, if many of you can attend, it's intended to be a conversation as was requested. You won't have to sit and listen to me. It's a dialogue between the elected officials. Um, I'll be there to support and answer any questions that anyone may have, but it's it's really between the two bodies. Um and I look forward to that opportunity. Um we also on tonight we have the request for funding that will help us proceed with the upgrades of our entrances to our K8. We've completed the two high schools. Uh they're completed um to the point we have substantial completion. Um, and we look forward to hopefully have an opportunity to move forward with our elementary school upgrades and differences. But, uh, that if anyone has any questions, I certainly would, we'd be glad to address those.

6 p.m., you know, the intent is blocked off an hour and a half. It can go as long as as you know, all of you want to be as brief as all of you want, but the the target was 7:30 an hour and a half. Thank you. All right. Thank you.

All right. Next uh next item is our administrative elections. Uh Mr. Vest, you here this evening? Don't see him there. I know he has think he included his report in the packet on page 72. and we'll move right on into the CIA report. Uh, Commissioner Wson.

Uh, yes. The CIA committee met on September the 4th. In your packet, it's a copy of our minutes. And from that I bring to you u resolution 25909 resolution approving and authorizing $55,000 funding to support updated marketing plan design to promote Washington County tourism and amending amending fiscal year budget. I bring it to you in the form of a motion and I ask for your approval. Motion made by Commissioner Wexler.

Oh yeah, this comes from the hotel motel tax. This is not this out of the budget because comes the money comes from the hotel motel. Motion made by Commissioner Wsterford to approve, seconded by Commissioner Tama. Question or discussion? All questions. Question been called. Madam clerk, switch the voting screen. Please go ahead. Cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. That's all I ask.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner. Right on around the table. Communication task force. Commissioner Huff.

Yes. You will find we met and you'll find the minutes from our September 4th meeting on page 95. Has any questions? I'll be glad to answer those. We do have one resolution, resolution 259-10, resolution defining communication objectives, goals, press release process. Uh and we bring that to you in the form of a motive. Motion Motion to approve by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Second by Commissioner Edens.

Question or discussion. Question been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch us to the vote screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Block me. Madam clerk, announce the vote. 15 yes. The resolution passes. Mr. Huff, anything else? That is all. Thank you very much. On to the county own property committee. Commissioner T. The minutes are in your package.

There were no actionable items. Just wanted to invite everybody to we initially thought to try to hold the meeting out there last time, but logistically it was really really problematic u from a time standpoint. So uh we're going to have a meeting there tomorrow. It's been noticed. It's public meeting. Public's welcome to come uh just kind of eyeball the progress and get a get a visual on what they need to be done down the road. four o'clock uh out of out of the far you're facing the building to the far right. Don't you like me and go to Blackburn Children's Sol first time. So that's all I got. You got any questions? Happy answer.

Well, seeing no questions, we'll move on to employee compensation and benefits committee. Um we have one resolution there. It's a resolution uh 25911. It's a resolution approving and authorizing the amended consulting contract terms with one digital an insurance broker consultant for Washington County, Tennessee and amending the FY26 budget. One of the reasons that we came back to discuss this with you uh just a moment uh once we got into looking at the proposal uh with one digital and and bringing that back to the committee and the mayor as well. Uh, one of the things that One Digital found was um there was no money uh to pay an insurance broker. Um, so that did cause for a some some confusion in the in the preliminary health contract because that's where we assumed it would be paid from the commissions. Uh, the only commissions they really receive is from from a small portion of dental insurance and and and the like. and it was a very very small amount. Um even if you wanted to go back and readvertise it and redid it, nobody would want to do it for free. Uh however,

somebody did.

Yeah, they did. But then but then there wasn't any uh any available money to pay anyone out of it. Uh, however, I will say that that I continue to believe that One Digital is a is a is is doing a good job for us. Uh, and very cheap at that, but they can't continue to do it at at the rate that they're doing it. U, but if you did go back and have to re, you know, have to put a new RFP out, one of the challenges we had was we would be someone needing to do it for free. So we do have to get this corrected and to move forward with it and uh we have done this is what the committee had recommended. Um it went to budget uh budget had uh had reviewed it as well. Our county attorney has reviewed it. Uh Wendy is here this evening uh if you would like to ask her some questions about it. Uh and and really this is just a a solution uh to try to get us to a place that we can move forward.

That's motion. Would you make that motion? Because I can't make I don't really feel like I should make the motion. Motion motion by Commissioner Wexler, seconded by Commissioner Hine. All right. Any further questions? Questions been called. Madam clerk, switch the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, you can announce the vote. 15 yes. And the resolution passes.

All right. Our next item is the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee. Uh, Commissioner Carter, you don't have as many resolutions as you normally do. I'm counting our minutes on page 105. The first resolution dealing with the security upgrades upgrades on property school but this resolution is going to deal with the K through8 school. So resolution number 25-09-12 is a resolution approving and authorizing certain education capital projects funds expenditures to $2 million 26 for schools and this comes to you as a recommendation from the committee. I move it to approve.

Motion to approve by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Huff Five to approve the resolution. Question or discussion? Question.

Question been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes. Commission scor the next resolution what Mr. Wilson had talked about earlier in the meeting and again we just want to tell him thank you because they they worked hard on this. I think it's in a good stage right now. This resolution is number 253. The resolution approving the adoption of RIS provisions to the Washington County Johnson City Animal Control Center follow. This comes to you with the recommendations from the committee and I move for approval.

Motion made to approve the resolution by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Wexler. Commissioner Wheet refer the resolution refers to exhibit A, but I don't there's no resolution or exhibit A in the packet and there wasn't anything I could find in the minutes. I'm catching up to you there, Mr. Chairman. That would be our office. I didn't check here. Let me look and see if it's in the minutes. Is it in the minutes?

That's our office commissioners. We did not attach it as an exhibit in the packet. It was provided and voted on. Uh typically if something is going to be an exhibit, it's not included in the minutes. So I don't have a copy there uh to add for you. Did anybody go over the chil?

Would you would you come up to the podium just a minute? We just Do you have a copy of the of the agreement with you? It's actually the agenda from the HW committee. Well, do you you have just the changes to the that we could talk about here to see? I would be glad to walk through the Mr. Chairman. I think I'm going to ask Blake if he can get them from that agenda. He maybe can share them with your uh commission if you'd like. Okay, that that'll be fine. If we can see him on the screen, that it be even better, wouldn't it, Commissioner Wheeler?

Yes, sir. We'll just have that for you in just a moment. All right, Bob, we ain't going to make you stand up there the whole time so you you can they're going to they're going to get them on screen. So, so I think that that'll work. We We don't I don't know how long that'll take. Mr. Chairman, would it be appropriate to table this like to do this without so much pressure? Absolutely. Yeah, we could we could do that. Do we have a motion motion to table here just to be a motion to table? Have a second on table. Second by Commissioner St. Adam table and we'll come back to that here. Bring it back to the table here in just a minute.

All right. Anything else, Commissioner Carter? No. All right. Any questions for Commissioner Carter? All right. Well, we will move. All right. All in the public safety committee. Commissioner.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh you'll see the minutes from our September 4th meeting on page 130. We have two resolutions for your consideration tonight. First, we have resolution number 25914. That's resolution amending the fiscal year 26 budget to accept a non-matching grant of the sheriff's office. This is the state of Tennessee Department safety and homeland security grant otherwise known as HSO. This comes to the recommendations from the committee and I move for approval. Motion made by Commissioner E, second by Commissioner Wexler to approve the resolution. Question or discussion? All

questions. Questions been called by the clerk. If you Switch to the voting screen. Please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes to the resolution passes. Commission.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our next resolution is resolution number 25915. That is a resolution approving and authorizing EMS funding for expanded fire services at Limestone and Emberville Volunteer Fire Departments and amending the fiscal year 26 budget. This comes to you as a recommendation from the committee and I move for it. Motion made by Commissioner, second by Commissioner Jones to approve the resolution. Question or discussion?

Questions been called. Mad clerk, switch vote, please. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, you announce the vote. 15 yes. The resolution passes. I want to thank everybody worked so very hard on working working on this project and we we really do appreciate everyone especially the committees that's looked at this and uh the the even the fire service committee has been involved and we really appreciate them especially our volunteer fire chief association uh they've been a big big part of this. We want to thank them for the job they do in our community every day, especially what they they've also done to make this work and uh and without partners like EMS and the fire department and Jonesburg fire department and everything, but we could not make this work. And I just had to stop a minute to thank everybody that's been involved part of this process because truly and uh and because we got to keep our good partners like Town of Jones for making things work and I think it gives everybody relief. So thank thank everyone. I know some of our folks is here and uh that's that's worked on this project for quite some time. So um we appreciate appreciate everyone on that. So I'll be quiet now. Commissioner and I will go back to

Well, that was the last that's all you had on public safety. So, thank you for all your hard work. All right. Our next item is the public works the public works committee. Commissioner Davour,

we see our uh minutes on page 146. We have one resolution coming before you tonight that comes before you in the form of motion. It's resolution number 25916. Resolution adopting the revision to Washington County Road list to allow closing uh a portion of West Oakland Avenue and amend Mill Road. Uh, is that a motion commissioner? Yes. Motion by Commissioner Davenport, second by Commissioner Malone to approve the resolution. Question or discussion? All question.

Question been called by the clerk. If you'll switch to the voting screen, please. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 and the resolution passes. All right, Commissioner Davenport. uh water task force as well was youth as well, huh?

Yes. You're on a roll on this whole page is what it is. I'm feeling good about it. Yeah. Yeah.

So, you'll find our minutes are September 11th meeting page 150. I will note if you look through there, I think the big thing here to pull out that we have completed over 25% of the roads. It's 219 miles. have completed. But if you look at that 25% uh we said 20 30 year project you look at the time taking out co and stuff like that we're well ahead of that schedule should be in that schedule to you one time you ask when completed. So I think you know with that really think funding some of these projects are getting more costly just because things are going up and some of them go up because we need water tanks and stuff like that but just the timeline think that uh I think we can get there in uh in 10 years for a total of about 15 years. So that's pretty quick. Now we'll see about funds because like I said these these there's a reason We're about to run out of low low hanging fruit, but we have more on the road list in October. Next question.

Now, we we used to do about what was it about 10 miles a year. I mean sometimes I mean that's where we were before we Yeah. So that just goes to show you the difference is what how far that's come. It's basically Yes. Yes. And the folks working with us really everyone seems to be working together this municipalities that have water and access and stuff like that working well together. All right, Commissioner Davenport, if you'll just take us on to the budget committee.

So, you will find minutes of meeting uh on page 151. Uh there are several resolutions coming before you tonight. Uh the first is 25917, the resolution amending fiscal year 26. Uh it's an extension of the county FEMA consultant contract and that's an important motion. Motion by Commissioner Davenport to approve the resolution. A second second by Commissioner Eden. Question or discussion.

Call been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen and cast your vote, lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes commission the next resolution resolution amending this year 26 budget on the office replacement of a block motion made by commissioner Davenport, second by commissioner Tucker to approve the resolution. Question or discussion? All questions.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, switches the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes and the resolution passes, commission. Uh, next resolution. Resolution 25919. Resolution amending year budget 26 U archives HBAC. Motion to approve by Commissioner Davport. Second by Commissioner Staff. Call for questions.

Questions been called. M clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go and cast your vote. Lock it in. M clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. Commissioner Dport. Next resolution is resolution 25920 resolution amending fiscal year 26. Uh various departments paid up life insurance to qualifying retirees.

Motion. Yes. Motion by Commissioner Davport. Second by Commissioner Wexler. Question or discussion? Call for the question. Question has been called. Madam clerk, switch the vote screen, please. And cast your vote. Block it in.

Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. Commissioner Davport. Resolution. Resolution number 25921. uh resolution approving and authorizing uh the appropriation of grants Johnson City Rotary Foundation for the creation of a children's bicycle plot to approve. I've had a couple of questions about about this one a little bit about which committee it went through and and different things. I I I wonder sometimes maybe we should suspend a rule on this one a little bit. I I don't recall a committee had been through. Do you all recall? I don't think it had been It went through budget, but

Yes. Did it come back through another committee earlier, mayor, or so? How'd that go? Let's Let's go ahead and suspend the rule on this. It' just make me It It kind of make me feel better if we did. You want a motion to suspend the rule? Motion to suspend the rule. Consider this one. Motion by Commissioner Jones. say goodbye commissioner fine.

I I would though if it's okay I I would um like to hear going forward with with this grant how that gets does that go through committee or how that is that a mayor's office project or how does that go from here? Well, um I guess it would come back the results would come back to a committee or you may how would that work?

U thank you really appreciate the question uh as explanation on this. So this is part of this first frontier trail which is a connector connecting section between the Tweetsy trail and Johnson City and the trails that have already been developed and intend to be developed in Jonesboro ultimately connecting Soros a historic site in Carter County with Jonesboro the oldest town in Tennessee and a lot of that we've already talked about. So as this project began to unfold uh there were a number of different a committee was created uh of interested parties uh trail people, bike people, Scott City people, Jonesboro people, the middle Washington County people to just sort of build a concept. uh maybe four years ago, there was a group that that uh was a graduate um studying group from Clemson who came into the community four or five days had had five different proposals for trails in Washington County. So that's formed the basis for what this committee looked for. Um so out of that I mean there there were no no funds for it. Uh and so out of that a proposal was developed by this little committee and we we took it to basically we took it to the governor and asked for funding of this trail section. And um so year one he funded he the governor and the legislature funded um 2.1 million dollars to develop portion of this trail section in Jonesboro and out to the town town

limits. Um we went back last year and asked for the completion of um what it was going to take to build it out between Johnson City and Jonesboro. We asked we asked for $5 million and we're granted $5 million and that's what this grant is. Um, baked into that proposal, which is really question for tonight, was $200,000 to match funds that have been raised by the Rotary Clubs of Johnson City, primarily the Johnson City Union Club with support from the other Rotary clubs, I think, in Johnson City, the morning club and evening club. Um, so this amount of money and this was part of a proposal of the governor. Uh this amount of money will fund this youth training park that will be built um at the foot of Panorina Hobs mountain bike trail. So, it's all sort of this was about 10 acres of land in the middle of Johnson City that was that was donated by Grant Summers for this facility and um some and parking and and so the city's got a piece of it that that's what's really in in the resolution tonight is this $200,000 to complete the funding to build the the youth training park be a place where families come. I think we've looked at that before. There are in the packet a handful of pictures and diagrams that sort of show what that'll look like. Um the balance of the funding um the county is um in possession of the money. The money has come um from

FNAA. It's in our separate account in Washington County. And as um survey work takes place, notification to neighbors along the route takes place, uh the the trail process will move forward. It probably will have some rightway acquisition and some other things that are really unknown at this time. So there's there is this committee that is uh together that's looking at how this is going together. Uh park and rec from Johnson City is you know heavily involved that Johnson City is undertaking the surveying using their own forces trying to make trying to stretch this money so that we get the trail complete. That's probably more information than we wanted to know, but that's kind of where it is today. What what what direction you would like to give as to how you'd like to see it come back to you in the future for

Well, I guess my question was is is this was part of the the the trail money that we had looked at previously. Is that correct? Or have we have we looked at that yet? We haven't. Actually, we just have received this funding. So, we went we went to Nashville May, sometime in May, I think, and and made this request. Governor put it in supplemental budget. Legislature uh passed it through and now the funds are in Washington County. Yeah.

Is Commissioner Wexler, I'm sorry, I didn't see your hand. Yeah. I just wanted to ask so basically this isn't any new funding coming from the budget. This this money is coming from from the the governor. This money is coming from the state, right? All of it and and we're just taking it out of a big a big chunk and and putting it over here. Well, the of Yes. So, so the the $200,000 that's in the resolution tonight is coming from that $5 million. Right. And and that was part of the big proposal that was approved. Correct.

Right. So, I guess the the big question is we're not we're not taking it's not new money out of the budget. So, this is coming from the the government. It's almost kind of like a brand. It is a grant. It's officially a grant. And I would go on to say that uh we u we applied with the town of Jonesboro. You may remember a resolution that sometime in the spring. uh we partnered with the town of Jonesboro and applied for a Tekk grant uh that we were also awarded which was I want to say was $3.1 million and that helps to build a trail head and in in town of Jonesboro the plan I think is put it down around where the football field was between the middle school the old middle school and the old elementary school u and to give you have a place for people to have you know restrooms park or they access the trail going either direction. The intent you may recall u when we looked at that tip uh for the project for Burlington there's another park there that will be another trail did where people will be able to park and access that trail. Um and then of course down at the where it um the Tweetsy trail officially starts and goes over to Carter County there's there's another place there's a number of access points along the trail where folks can drive and park and up.

So back to Commissioner Jones question is were we supposed to have this go through a committee or what what's the normal procedure? Well, it's abnormal because I mean really it's it's it's really not local funding. It's funding that we have been granted state. Um so it can it can take whatever shape uh the commission would like to see it go in the future. This the um the bicycle training park part was part of presentation and proposal to the governor. So we feel like that's well you know once you have the money I guess it wouldn't be required but it'd be disingenuous to I think propose one thing and then do something else with the funding. So, um the the folks at Rotary have been kind of holding the park um building people in bay and now that we had the money, it seemed appropriate to try to move that forward so that they could get that project that part of the project underway.

I think it's I'll say I think it's a wonderful project. I personally have given money to it. It's great that the governor thinks so much about it to money as well. He has been very generous and thoughtful. Commissioner Wheeler, I'm in favor of suspending the rules tonight and moving this for but of course just because it's a grant from the governor doesn't mean we're not responsible for overseeing spending. So I'd like to see it come through the committee in the future. I think that's probably the most appropriate for recreational type expenditure. But I don't have any problem with suspended tonight, but we do have responsibility for oversight.

I just I wouldn't want to get this hung up after we leave here tonight. Somebody said, "Well, y'all did suspend a rule." You know, that's kind of caught me before. So, we just we just want to make sure it gets done right. So, u we do have a motion and second suspended rule. Uh, any further questions? Seeing none, all in favor of suspending the rule, signify by saying I. I. All opposed. The rule is suspended. We do have a motion to approve by Commissioner Davenport. Do we have a second, second by Commissioner Jones? Question. Question.

Question's been called. Madam clerk, you'll switch the voting screen, please. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. We have 14 yes, one abstained, and resolution passes. All right, Commissioner Davenport. Our next resolution resolution 25 resolution authorizing paving services county sheriff office range center.

Motion by commissioner Davenport to approve the resolution. Second by commissioner huff. Question or discussion? Call for the question. Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please cast your vote. Lock in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15 yes, the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Davenport? That's all I have.

You had a whole page. All right. That's what I like. Uh so notaries we do have resolution 25922 is a resolution approving the election of notaries public for appointment or reappoint for Washington County, Tennessee. Motion made by Commissioner Tama, seconded by Commissioner Wexler.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 15, yes, and the resolution passes. The next item under new business is where consider resolution 259 23. It's a resolution ratifying the opioid litigation settlement known as the secondary manufacturers national opioid settlement G8. Um, Miss Wilkinson, is there anything you want to uh comment on before we take this up? Do we have a motion? Motion by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Wexler.

Point out to you that this is a settlement that is consistent with the other settlements that the county has seen and it's on the recommendation of uh pliff litigation council. So I would recommend its approval as we are following uh council that this has already been approved in that pending litigation and this agreement is what will trigger the funding to the county. All right. Thank you. All right. Do we have a uh call for the question or is there any question? Question's been called.

Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote, 15 yes, and the resolution passes. We have a we have a joint meeting of the Washington County Commission and the school board u at 6 pm. That was on the 29th. Is that right, Sherry? So, that will be there. I'm I'll be out of town that evening. I hate I'm going to miss it. But, uh, you take on a resolution before you leave tonight or was it Oh, yes. Commissioner Wheeler, our attorney is reminding me of a of a table we made on the animal control mode. Oh,

so if you'll make a motion to bring that back from the table. To bring that back to the table. So we have a motion to bring it back to the table and seconded by Commissioner Huffine to bring it back to the table. All in favor of moving that back from back to the table signify by saying I. I. All oppose. All right. So that we'll bring that back to the table on the view uh view committee report. Commissioner Carter and we'll begin go back to our discussion that we were having on that. Have our visual. Yeah. We do have an audio visual. We hope. Watch the meeting.

There we go. Now, get out your good set of glasses here. All right, Blake. Thank you. See that? Okay. I believe in that document there's a summary on that Wilson if you would like.

Yes. Come on up, Bob podium. And if there's anything there you want to have any questions for want to discuss, there's the additional options that uh the changes following our meeting uh last April. Uh we went to at the control board went back and considered comment. One of the big issues I think it was probably the biggest issue was the second county city and county commission appointment as it was originally presented was to be a county commissioner. Upon hearing the discussion and input from the county commission that was amended to to uh be either a county commissioner or a county resident. So it's your call whichever one you prefer. Uh the term of that position uh is three years. Uh it said at two up to two three-year terms. Uh when we were back with the HW also uh uh a county attorney brought it to our attention that our notice for an emergency meeting it needed to be 48 hours instead of 24. So we changed that. Um I know it's been a long time since we reviewed this. I'll be happy to go through the other major changes from the original bylaws. uh if you would like me to do that. Uh it's really Yeah, you're seeing it right now. Uh the um

one of the members of the board is the Washington County Humane Society. We just changed that that if for some reason they didn't want to be on the board that the board could select another 501c3 organization in Washington County in their place. It's just kind of a kind of a just I don't think they'll ever give that seat up, but if they ever did, it just gives an option to pick someone else. uh 34B uh the two at large positions uh are designated as a licensed veterinarian and as a legal or financial professional. The other two are not designated at this time. Uh but they would have to be if the board ever chose to fill those two. uh at large positions will be advertised and appointed by the board instead of a city and county commissions. Uh we talked about this a little bit. The process of going through the city and the county uh can take a little bit of time to do that. So we thought we would we would just take that off. Uh and the the animal control board uh we're asking for your permission for us to do that. Uh that way city has two appointments, the county has two appointments and the board has two appointments. Uh but we will duly advertise those and uh uh make the appointment make the appointments. Uh the atlarge positions the term was increased from three to four years and you can serve consecutive terms. Uh individual board members do not have the authority to act on behalf of the board without the board approval. Uh no director will be held personally liable for any deaths of the shelter.

Uh that president and vice president titles were changed to chair and vice chair simply annual election for officers at the July meeting each year. Uh allows board chair to call emergency meetings with 48 hours notice which complies with state law. uh also allows the board to take action. It if it's an emergency or time-sensitive issues without meeting, this could be done electronically. But any actions that are approved electronically will be voted on and approved at the next at the next regular meeting. uh just designates the executive director as a principal officer and spokesperson of a shelter and uh just designate that the authority to hire discipline discharge employees resting with the executive director. Those were the major changes um that were uh there was a lot of reorganization that went into the bylaws. Um, but that that's that's kind of it in a nutshell. These were the most important items. Uh, if you would like further input or further have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. question. I think there was section that expanded the size of the board over those first few chain right there. Let's scroll down to the very next one that maybe those are. So, we're not talking about being able to change the size of the board. Is that correct?

Well, there's been some there's been discussion on this before. The existing bylaws provide a minimum of five members up to nine, not to exceed nine. Uh there are potentially could be four at large members. Right now we have seven networks on the board and two of those are at large. The other two at large are just sitting there. There's no plans at this time to expand that. That's an existing bylaw right now. uh those positions in the event the board wanted to expand them would require I think it's a a twothird majority vote we would have to designate uh whether what experience they would have it could be fundraising experience it could be marketing it could be just an atlarge citizen but That designation as it's currently written is with the animal control board to designate what what requirements we would ask for those individuals. the uh so then if that occurs uh I'm kind of getting confused between the existing and the new bylaws but under the old bylaws then that would have to come it would be designated by the animal control board but as it's currently written I mean the existing bylaws would come back to the city and county commissions for approval what we're asking for is to let the control pro

board make those for the atlarge but only for the atlarge positions. Um we had discussion about the other two at large positions. If this is confusing I apologize. I'm trying to uh it's a lot to absorb since you didn't have this previously. Uh the the board the HW committee asked the board to go back and just look at that. Make sure you want to keep that those nine members there or just or cut it back to seven. The animal control board had a had a fairly lengthy discussion about that and we felt that it was in the board's best long-term interest to leave it as it's written. We don't know what's going to happen in the future. We might want to expand the board. We might want to bring in someone that's mar has a marketing emphasis, someone that has uh fundraising experience to help with help strengthen the board. At the current time right now, we're just trying to get the bylaws amended, but uh

I'm so sorry. So, we're we the board felt comfortable in leaving it at up to nine, not to exceed nine. Right now it's at seven. U kind of see kind of in a spiral here, but I'm personally not comfortable with the board having the authority to expand it to where the city and the county is a minority, right?

You every everybody every organization needs skills, right? They don't have to be a board member. You can you can get a marketing person to help You can you that's what volunteers are for. But I'm really really uncomfortable with the potential the funding the funding bodies to be a minority on that board and I would not support that and I'm sorry to hit you with that today but that wasn't really addressed there. I thought we I thought we had since but that was in the original. Yeah,

that was in the proposal presented back in April. So we that was that has not changed since then. That question came up from the in the HW committee. What we countered that with was that any any efforts to expand the board, the city and county representatives will have a vote in that to expand it. So there are

there are four there's there's two city and two county and it takes a pardon me up it takes a twothird majority to expand the board so it would that with seven members five members would have to vote in favor of expanding the board uh the board right now only has two appointees of those that don't as it as it's proposed in the revised. Well, as it as it says,

well, if they got that, then it would kind of be a moot point because it already will be nine. We know we're not going to go above nine. But to expand the board, the members would vote on the expansion. They would also vote on who they who they're going to be. So you there's still a lot of input that the city and county has in that because they they get a vote in two and the first one is to expand the board which takes five of the seven members to approve it and then if that passes they vote on who those new members are going to be.

So to go from seven to nine would which is already in the Bible. Correct. But to add two more would would have to be a super majority vote on that. That's correct. Where does it say? It says it. Give me just a minute. Bear with me please. If I may, Mr. Wilson, I think it's paragraph 3.4B. And I apologize that we did not include this in the back end.

Thank you. Yes. Uh 3.4B 4B uh designates two of the atlarge members as a Okay, it look this designates one one of the existing members to be a licensed veterinarian and the second as a legal or financial professional experience. The other two at large members have not been designated at this time. that would come about if there was ever a desire to expand the board. Under the current bylaws that to expand the board has to be initiated by down control board and they would designate as is currently written any particular experience those individuals none or

no yeah we have no desire to go Alison I'm gonna I'm defer to go sorry that if you scroll down one more show. I think this is what he's talking about. Okay. And and that's in practice that's what would happen, right? It would have to be that's what it states is that it would a twothirds majority of the to expand it from where it is now. See, because the bylaws allow it to allow nine members now, right? Correct.

So, I'm thinking I'm having I'm having trouble getting Are we if we add two seats, we're not expanding it by the by the We're not going beyond nine. We're just going up to nine up to nine, but that would require 2/3 majority vote. Correct. Okay.

So, but but I understand provided this was my concern initially. The big change here is now the animal control with provisions. The animal control board actually has the ability to nominate and appoint four members that prior as prior to the changes that would have to go in front of the city and the county. So the city and the county is giving up the ability to appoint four members. That is correct

to your point and and that was my concern as our responsibility financially to support this and then we're giving up control but we're still giving money. That that seems a little counter there to me. I I was very uncomfortable with the city and the county potentially not being a minority. Okay. Not not even split a minority. Well, there's one you know the what is has Johnson City approved this? They approved it initially. They approved the last one. They approve. Yes, they did. All right. That's on.

But they haven't approved this one. Commissioner Malone, I'm sorry I missed you that last time. Go ahead.

No worries. Thanks, Mr. Wilson. Two questions I'll ask them both. One of them maybe is for you and one of them is more so for our county attorney and the uh and perhaps the committee. Oftent times when I'm reviewing bylaws, and it's it's not a fun task, but it's it's often great version that shows you here's what it says now. here's what we're proposing to change sort of a redline version. I'm just curious if if we had that. And then my second question may be addressed in 3.5D. But one of my concerns is my understanding and impression is that at the moment board members from whatever source they come from, city, county, I know any that are elected representatives such as the county commissioner, their term essentially runs with the their term in office. But it sounds like, you might scroll up a little bit for me, but it sounds like other board members can serve what will now be up to four-year terms and then can serve an unlimited number of of terms out into the future. Is that correct?

As of Yes. If they're approved by the board. Yeah. uh if you get a good I mean to serve six eight years on a board is all you are in elected officials that's a long time. So to get someone that's willing to even serve you but it would require the approval of the board to do that. One of those items that maybe comes with both strengths and weaknesses. I can imagine some scenarios where you know committed board member and they're working hard and it

or I can imagine the opposite. So I I just think there would be some benefit the limiting terms to especially now that they're going from three years to four years to limit to two or maybe even a maximum of three which would be 12 rather than it being an unlimited indefinite they could serve a lifetime theoretically. So back to my first question, did we get a redline version of the B? No, you did not, sir. The reason is helpful. Thank you. But but the reason we if I may expand the bylaws will change so much that to get a redline version,

we thought about that. That's a very fair question. We thought it would be more more confusing to do that. That's why we tried to give there was so much of what's in the existing B in the prior bylaws that we kept. We there's been a lot of reorganization words smithing with a lot of it. The items that were on here are the items that were addressed that were the the really the the meat and potatoes of what the changes were. Commissioner Wheeler.

Um, I'm concerned. I don't think the twoirds vote to expand the committee adequately protects the city and county's interest because one, there could be a lot of reasons it might be a good idea to expand the size of the board. But then once that's done, that's when we lose the the majority. And so I I absolutely think you've got a very good point and and I think that it really comes into play if they do expand. I think to guard that would you know I would suggest that we agree to give up the important process. It does take some time. It may be frustrating when there are a couple of committee meetings. Um you know when the applications are done and the committee makes a recommendation of however many seats there are. It usually goes pretty smoothly. It is a couple of meetings. Somebody's got to

Yeah, it it seemly with many in the past and present, I mean, they they're presented to us as emergencies, right? We need to do this next month. We've got to get that process to where down to where we we are noticed and we've got these seats coming up and it's not next month, it's next quarter. And that gives us time to do that. I'm just really uncomfortable. Sorry to hit you on all that tonight, right? But that that I I can't I can't support that with those provisions and I'll be happy to talk to the city too and see where they but I'm just I'm just so carry on. Do we have motion to second?

Yeah, we do. We call question. I'd like to call. Is there any further questions?

Yeah. Miss motion by Carter, second by W. It was still about 45 minutes ago. Once we table,

our batteries may be getting low. Ain't that commissioner? This may need to be a roll call. Oh, I can do that. That's some days that's easier. Yeah. Tucker, no. Johnson, yes. Fitzgerald, yes. Edens, no. Davenport, yes. Mly, no. England, no. Malone, no. Stout. No. Tama, no. Jones, yes. Wexler, yes. Hon, no. No. Carter,

yes. Six. Yes. Nine. No. And that motion fails for the day. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you so much. motion.

The only thing I can say is thank you Sherry and Tiffany for all your work this week and we have a motion to adjourn. Is there a second Mr. Jones adjourn? All right. All in favor journ say I. I. All opposed. We'rejourned.