Commission - Regular Meeting

This meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners is now in session pursuant [clears throat] to adjournment. Honorable Chairman Greg Matherly is presiding. Come to order and remain standing. Thank you, Sheriff. Our first order of business this evening is our prayer led by Commissioner Carter and our pledge led by Commissioner Wher. Mr. Carter.

Thank you, Chairman. you [clears throat] would please just bow your heads with me and we'll have a moment of silence for Fred Kim and Lieutenant Gary for I pray. Thank you. Heavenly Father, we just come to you tonight and ask that you bless Kim's family and the Garrett family as well. We know that it's been a a very hard few days for them and we ask that you uh help everyone that knew them to have great memories with them [clears throat] for the rest of their lives so they can look back to see what good servants they were for your community. Father, we also ask that you keep your hand of protection on the rest of those that s out in the dignity and that you keep them safe and that you bless their families as well. And Father, we ask that you help us to find joy in tonight's meeting. We we don't want to have a [snorts] look down on it and not be in a good mood. We we know that you you blessed us with a a great place to live and you've given us a great form of government that just lets each individual take part and look out at the courtroom and see

how many people came tonight. We know that this is a special place to live, Father God, for the ones making decisions tonight. No matter how small or how big, we ask that you help us to [clears throat] make decisions that bring glory to you and that they're the right decisions for our community. And Father, we just ask that each person dear to make their relationship with you strong. All these things we ask in your son's name. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Please join and salute our flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam clerk's call. Tucker here. Johnson here.

Mley here. England here. Malone here. Stout here. Here. Jones here. Wexler here. Here. Wheeler here. here. 13 present, two absent.

13 present, two absent. We do have a corn. Uh the first thing I want to let you know this evening is this is our first time that uh we will be using our [clears throat] new microphones uh for the uh commission meeting. Uh if you'll notice, they're all on and uh if you can uh just scoot right up to them and talk. And uh so uh how do we turn them off? Uh well, we're going to get to that in just a little bit, but uh tonight we can't turn them off. Uh we are working on that and uh so if you do uh do need to say something, your mic is ready to go. Uh so I appreciate your all support in in this endeavor and working through this. Uh we're almost completed with this project. Uh and and this is nothing but a opportunity for the public to hear what's being said here at the commission meeting. So give yourself a big pat on the back tonight for sure for getting this done. I've had many requests to do this and uh people at home watching uh should hear better tonight. We hope. Uh but with that all said, we will move right on in to explain to you why we call the role this evening. Commissioner Wexler's cabinet is down. I didn't do it. And [clears throat] so we will have to call the roll until it is updated.

It it has something to do. If you can hand it to me, I should be able to get you online here. What did you do? It's that dark. It was scared. That's right. Scared. Uh while that is going on though, we will move on with our approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? So move you have one change with the election commission item. Second.

We have a motion to second. Uh one change though I I didn't need to bring to you is the election commission. um had an item on there uh for your consideration this evening that would that has failed to have been through a committee. It would need to go back through benefits committee and uh if that would be appropriate to remove that I think has discussed that with him and he'll be back next month for that. So where which item is that? [clears throat] Under the election commission report

E2 page two of the agenda. Yeah.

All right. Should be ready for you. It says submission of the Washington County Election Commission staff policy. Okay, that only the number two the E2 is what we would be deferring to go back to the Oh, I see. Okay, move as amended. All right, thank you. Second, Commissioner.

Any further questions or discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of the motion [clears throat] signify by saying I. I'll oppose like sign and the motion is approved and the agenda as amended is approved. All right. [clears throat and cough] Now, a little bit more confusion for this evening. So, uh during our public comment period, you're given three minutes to address the board regarding agenda items. Uh one of the things that under public comment that you don't hear is reszoning. everyone that signed up to speak is under uh public comment, but you all will speak under public hearing. So, just to clarify that with you. Uh and it's a little bit of a different process. So, uh but you'll get it as we get started. So, I won't be calling your name, but you'll have to give your name and address uh to the clerk when you come up to speak. So, uh, we have no one here for public comment on the agenda items, but we do have, uh, several folks that have signed up for public hearing. Uh, the public hearing work similar to the public comment. You have three minutes to address the board regarding uh, uh, public hearing items. Uh, [clears throat] now we will as we get started, uh you'll see you'll see there's just a tad bit of difference on how that's done with reszoning. So, our uh our first uh resolution and only resolution for reszoning this evening is 25101. It's a resolution resing the tax map in the 15th C district uh pres presently

owned by Ming Road Properties. Is there anyone here to speak in favor of the reszoning? Sir, if you'll come forward and give your name and address at the podium, please [clears throat] clerk. My name is Jonathan Lewis. I live at 4605 Bristol Highway and I'm here on behalf of the developer, the owner to speak about the reszoning of the property. I'd like to start off by giving you an accurate description of the current use along Minga Drive. Along Minga's 1700 linear feet, you'll find the following Walmart gas station and Lebanese mini storage at the corner of Minggan Market with specialty car auto body just a bit further. Bit further on the right, three mobile homes and one single home. All of which are rentals and finally anytime self storage. All these properties are zone B3 within the city limits of Johnson City. The remaining portion of Minga Drive is residential, consisting of 22 apartments, five mobile homes, three duplexes, and four single family homes. Two of which are small rentals. The other two are the Hopland property and the Bowers [clears throat] property. The latter of which is a very large 25 acre property which addresses off Claude Simmons Road has a very small section that joins Minga Drive. The city of Johnson City areas that had joined Minga Drive are home zone R3 and those areas in the county are a mix of B3, R3, and R3A. All of which are greater in density than what we promoted

tonight. It is also worth noting that the property of reszoning sits approximately 450 ft off Minga Road or Minga Drive. city water and sewer available and the average footprint for the proposed zones to 3,000 square feet with an average cost $500,000. The next very important bit of information is that the density and use proposed for this resoning follows the city of Johnson City's growth management plan for Rise 2045. And just as important, this resoning has the support of Johnson City Planning staff who recommended approval of the resoning. Johnson City st Johnson City Planning Commission disregarded the opinions of the of the staff and the master plan. You will hear tonight that Minga Road is too narrow too dangerous for this type of zoning density. However, for Anthony Todd, Johnson City traffic engineer, the city will require a traffic study and developer will be required to address the findings. Since the entrance will be tying onto a Johnson City street, the result of this traffic study will most likely be wide a drive of 45 ft a 24 bit wid. There's plenty of room to do this within the current rideway and this has been done in the past in Washington County roads like the Lake Estates and Thompson Fields. The developer is prepared to follow the recommendation recommendation of the study and widening a drive along its 1700 foot lane as needed. The city planning commission basically said that if this if it were annexed into the city [laughter] that they would look upon it more favorably. They said that the city unlike the county required a binding site plan to accompany the reszoning with that. Mr.

Lewis, you reached your time. Thank you very much. May I ask for just a another minute? Just a closing statement. Yes. Closing statement. Thank you.

In closing, we have brought you to these facts so that you will hear [clears throat] In closing, we have brought brought you these facts so that you will hear those who will argue against this resigning and you will have context as to which to base your decision. We ask that the commission play close attention to the address of those who will be speaking tonight against this reszoning and see how many actually reside off of Minga Drive and how many are here just as a favor to a friend. Finally, we ask the commission do not simply disregard the professional opinion and recommendation of city planning staff and the master plan and allow for the reszoning of this property. Thank you.

Thank you for your time. And this uh can this is just the exhibits and everything that I have on this project. Yes. Feel it to the clerk, please.

Yes. Thank you. [clears throat] All right. Is there anyone else here speaking in favor of the res? Seeing none, we'll move on to against the reszoning. speaking speak against the reszoning. Is there anyone here to speak against the res? One of you come forward please and give your name and address to the clerk. [clears throat] Hello. Uh, my name is Tracy Bowers and I live at 269 called Simmons Road along with my husband Britt and we also own the property adjacent to us at 237 called Simmons Road and our two properties do join the property in question. So, the gentleman said we don't live on Mega, but our property is on MA. Um, we are opposed to the resoning um for many reasons. However, the most important reason is the traffic increase that will happen at this uh size development is allowed. More specifically, the increase of accidents that will occur. We have seen many accidents over the 17 years that we've lived on Cloud Simmons. This is just a photo here of the guard rail along Cloud Simmons. And for the 17 years I've lived there, it has been in this state. It's been hit so many times. Um, in preparing for this meeting, I was curious if I could find out just how many accidents had occurred in the 780 foot stretch of road that's in front of our two properties and included Manga. I contacted Washington County 911 and picked a date range of January 2023

through June of 2025 and they told me there had been 29 accidents in the 780 foot stretch of road. When the developer pulled the resoning request minutes before your July commission meeting was starting and we got the notice the resoning request was back up, I reached back out to Washington County 911 and since your meeting in July, there have been nine more accidents in the same 780 foot stretch and on Mina Drive. I am aware our area is growing and there is a need for housing. I also believe that property owners have the right to want to develop their property. However, this property on this street is not the answer. My understanding was no changes were made to the resoning request of this property from the first time, but after speaking with Chris in the Washington County zoning office last Sunday, he informed me that no concept plan was submitted this time. Previously, the concept plan showed 69 homes and the PRT2 zoning for this particular property allows for a maximum of 120. It makes me question what exactly are they planning? And with no binding concept plan required in Washington County, I feel like the potentially victims of a bait switch. 69 homes were unthinkable. 120 is crazy. Minger Drive is too narrow, even with improvements, for two cars to safely pass each other. and it cannot support an additional 150 to 250 cars. Like to take a quick moment to ask anyone in the audience that's opposed to this resoning to please raise their hand.

We we can't we can't pose. Oh, okay. Sorry. Excuse me. So, um we were all opposed to this resoning in July and as nothing has changed from that meeting until now except nine more accidents occurring, I am asking you to vote no to this resoning. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you. All right. Next person, if there anyone here that would like to speak, uh, [clears throat] you'll come forward, sir, and give your name and address to the clerk. Thank you.

Uh, my name is Brett Bowers, also at 269 Club Simmons. Uh, I, uh, our property does extend over, uh, on to Binga. Uh, I am actually speaking for my neighbor, Dr. Jeff Hoplin who uh lives at 130 Minga Drive. Uh this is from Dr. Hoff. As we all know, the reasonzoning of 138 Minga Drive has been resubmitted. There have been no changes to the resoning request. I am unclear as to the re reasoning for the preapplying this soon after denial by the Johnson City Planning Commission. Minga Drive is a small cut through road from Cloud Simmons Road to 11E. It is a narrow road with no shoulder. The electrical poles sit very close to the edge of the road with no allowance. This road has many uh limited sight lines. Since most cars use Minga as a cut through, they are often traveling at excessive speeds. I know all this because my driveway is adjacent to this property and runs parallel to the only entrance to the development uh entrance the development would have. I have personally had several close calls with possible accidents simply attempting to pull out of my own driveway. The proposed zoning would allow up to 120 homes. A development with such high density will add a significant amount of traffic to an already busy and dangerous road. In addition, the only two outlets are either to 11E, which is hazardous to pull out on, especially when making a left turn, or the one lane tunnel at the other end of Claude Simmons, which is already overloaded with long weights. Minga Drive is a local road within Johnson City limits. While the proposed development is in Washington County, we along with our neighbors consider this area to be agricultural country living and would like to keep it this way. We would also like to keep our families,

pets, and neighbors safe as we travel our small country roads. The addition of such a large number of homes does not correlate with the existing housing densities along Minga Drive. There is some medium densities along Minga Drive. Uh the maximum number of units is 14. This is obviously nowhere near the 69 to 120 that PRD2 will have. The addition of this many homes may also place a strain on utilities. Uh during my time collecting signatures for a petition against the resoning, several residents voiced concern about issues with water pressure uh even with the addition of a new single home. So in closing, I ask you to please deny the resulting request. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Or is there anyone else here that would like to speak in against the result? If you'll come forward, give your name and address to the guard, please.

Good evening. My name is Ben Dutton, seven Cox Farm, Johnson City, Tennessee. Um, I am also serving as the vice chairman of the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission and actually it's in that capacity I'm speaking with you this evening to express our unanimous opposition to this proposed development. I would like to address very quickly a couple of mischaracterizations that I think you've heard from the applicant with respect to consistency with the Horizon 2045 growth plan. [clears throat] Excuse me. The rise of 24 2045 growth plan speaks to this area as neighborhood residential. Neighborhood residential does not correlate with any specific zoning specific zoning district. It's really a place type that covers a multitude of uh of specific zoning zoning designations. With respect to the sentiment of Johnson City staff, I can share with you as well that Johnson City staff is most certainly concerned about the proposed density of this development, especially at the upper end of PRD2, which you guys know is about 120 units. as the density declines probably the mayabia that we're not necessarily proposed to any development this location but certainly um at higher allowable density under that district we have extreme concerns with respect to the compatibility with the adjacent neighborhoods and frankly the capacity of Ninga Drive Minga Drive is actually about 16 ft wide it's pretty narrow it's and it's not just Minga Drive that we have concerns with the intersection of Minga uh um market street which is on signal rise currently and board sims as well. With respect to uh with respect to process we are concerned that um that there should this application move forward there would not

be a holistic analysis of the infrastructure and the capacity of the infrastructure to support a certain number of units up front. We just wouldn't know that we just wouldn't know that in advance. So for all those reasons, we are very strongly opposed to this specific proposal. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. D. [clears throat] Is there anyone else that like to speak? If you'll come forward, please [clears throat and cough] stay. We need to see him down more often. Yeah,

my first time in front of the commission. It's kind of intimidating actually, but glad to be here. Thank you.

My name is Stan Widner. I live at 9 St. An's Court and uh I'm against the reszoning the manga properties to uh PRD2. When I was a young man, 40 years ago, I had the luck come in to the farm 60some acres, sold off 20 acres of that about 20 years ago. Most of it is now the mega property under question. I retained that 42 acres. I've not developed it. I will not develop it. Don't have any plans for doing that. It runs all the way to West Market, several hundred feet there. I would like to see the incredible community preserved. I'd like to see my land eventually go 5acre many farm. Something to keep the feeling of East Tennessee rural community, the farms between Johnson City, Jonesburg. Wall Street Journal 2022 front page news best place to move America best economy and affordability. Johnson City, Tennessee. We have a rush hour now. Have you noticed interstate people are coming here? We got to have all kinds of homes for them. All kinds. PDRs are need PRDs are needed. One, two, and three. But I ask this commission to choose wisely where you put them. People that are here that live in that community are concerned they do not want TV farm down there

for 240 cars a day 100 year old roads. Mango called Simmons. It's too much. I'm probably the only person that in the last 40 years that walked every inch of that ridge. It's called Simmons and the ridge that runs the Huntington Green subdivision. First time I was down there, I got lost. It was unbelievable. It's paradise down there. The trees, the wildlife, the deer. Black bear comes on my house eating my cherry tomatoes summer. [snorts] Preserve that. We're begging you. Tears in your eyes. Preserve that. That PRD will destroy that sense of Thank you. Thank you. 2 minutes 53. [snorts] [laughter] Outstanding. All right. Would anyone else like to speak? Ma'am, if you'll come forward, please and give your name and address to the micro to the clerk, not the microphone. [clears throat]

My name is Linda Stern Surell. I live at 252 Claude Simmons Road, Johnson City. I request that you deny the proposal for reszoning the property at 138 Binger Road. My family and I have had roots in this community since the late 1940s. Some of my family plan on living here for many years to come. I have witnessed as our community has progressed from a dairy and tobacco farming area to a more residential one. Most of my neighbors and my family, both then and now, value having elbow boom to enjoy our beautiful natural surroundings. Back then, Andy Ming would call his cows in for milking, followed by family names, including now. My neighbors love to bring notes and photos of dear wild turkeys, be and other wildlife that we frequently hear and see. I fear that adding so many more houses would result in the loss of our community character where neighbors take time to look out for each other and show up at meetings such as this. I remember my two older brothers following me in my little red wagon up the gravel roads of Claude Simmons and Manga to the little country store. When Mr. Jones was out of something, he would give us kittens who bore the name of the item. So we had salt, pepper, mustard, and ketchup as cats. Now both boats are paid but not safe as they are not wide enough, do not have adequate shelters and have many

blind turns. I fear that adding more traffic if this resoning is passed will increase the alarming number of accidents. I remember a time when there were no telephone service nor platform service to our little farm. That was one of the reasons my parents in 1954 moved our family to Kingsport but decide to rent our home as they could not bear to sell it. I fear that so many proposed new homes will put a strain on both the county and city infrastructure. I know that we need more housing in the area. I would support homes on this property of 138 Ming Road in that are in keeping with our world community character would not put extra stress on our remote safety and would not put a strain on our infrastructure. Again, I request that you not deny the proposal for resoning this property. Thank you for your service to our beloved community.

Thank you, Linda. I think that was the best cow call I've heard in this one. [laughter] More show. All right. Is there anyone else speak? We're going to take one more speaker. Be sure and add something to uh what everyone else has said you. So, and sir, if you'll come forward and give your name and address to the card, please.

Yes. Uh my name is Chris Buck. I live at 285 Clot Simmons Road. I also own the house at 283 Cloud Simmons Road. Um myself along with my fellow neighbors remain adamantly opposed to this proposed reszoning of the property from its present zoning classifications and we request retaining the current A1 designation on the forested north portion of the parcel and the R1 on the southern portion. The Washington County approval of this request does not provide or guarantee the ultimate configuration or density of development which is part of our big issue. It's kind of like a Trojan horse what really is going to happen. Um therefore we cannot analyze and evaluate impacts at this jun at this juncture as adjacent property owners. Um unfortunately the current city county approval process um does not allow us to review these impacts until after reszoning especially the impacts of final density and conceptual grading plans. A notable portion of the forested northern section, no hardscape, has significant grading height differential and the current sizable runoff flows through a swale to the northwest across the 283 Claude Simmons property and ridge drainage at the peak elevation will be towards my residence at 285 Glad Simmons Road. There are numerous other issues. The resulting major traffic flows that have been discussed on an underdeveloped rural road. There's problematic sight lines and outlets to larger arterials. The current parcel, if developed, will shown only one narrow access point off Mingle Road, which if was blocked by an accident or fire, prevents any access or egress from the site. Removal of trees from a heavily sloped and forested north portion would result into in views and dislims how to mitigate impacts to the rural context of surrounding properties. We understand that if Washington County

approves this resone to PRD2, the owners can submit change of development plans as any currently submitted concept plans are not binding. From our perspective, this is too late for our opposition when changes can occur from the currently suggested very low information concept design submitt request with its potential for high density development is incompatible with the adjacent properties. The major surrounding properties are rural, peaceful, and quiet with abundant wildlife. We request keeping this them in this way. Thank you for consideration.

Thank you. I'll go ahead and close public hearing and we'll move back into regular session. All right. Go ahead and ask Angie Charles, our planning and zoning director, to come forward and answer any questions you may have. As you heard, this property zoning request did go before Johnson City's planning commission, and that's because property does fall within their planning boundary. The comments that you heard from public hearing this evening were those that were heard by the planning commission at their regular meeting as well. And the planning commission deliberated on the item for for quite a while afterwards. So the conversation pertained around comments that came up in the meeting and then further discussion from the planning commissioners as they visited the property as well. The primary concern the the recommendation from the planning commission was for denial and that was a unanimous recommendation that denial was based on the fact that the current infrastructure not handle the density of the BRD2 district and additionally the the density [clears throat] that could be allowed in that district would be a maximum unit approximately 120 units in that district would be out of scale. and would be out of character with the immediate surrounding area and properties of Claude Simmons Road and 51. Be happy to answer any questions there.

Any questions for M. Charles. Thank you, M. Charles. We appreciate all you did for us. So the only item that we have to consider is resolution 25101 is a resolution resounding the tax map in the 15th civil district presently owned by Omega Road properties. I have a motion commissioner. I would move to deny. Commissioner moves to deny Mr. Hi. Second second that motion. Any questions or discussion? Question.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you move us to the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. [clears throat] Madam clerk hold commission law just for clarification purposes since the motion is to deny a guest vote would be to deny the reasoning. Is that correct? Got it. We have to look at the uh resolution so uh it can be clarified our attorney.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Uh the third whereas is that uh you have a choice of does or does not. So you've had a motion to deny it which I understand commissioner Wheeler to to be saying that it's a motion to say that it does not and therefore is denied under section one. So I think voting yes would say that it is denied.

It would be important for every commissioner to think about what they cast if that was consistent. So, a motion to I'm not sure what your uh options are, but if it says yes, that would be a motion that would be approving the denial. So, does that make sense? I know it has two negatives in it. Yes. [clears throat] That's correct. Yes. No, it's yes. [laughter] It's not a cow call, but that's a lawyer cow call. [laughter] [clears throat] I may have to get Linda back up here. So, let me make this.

So, is everybody satisfied with their vote?

Madam clerk, announce the announce the vote, please. 12 yes, one no, two absent, and the resolution passes. All right, we'll move right on to the next item. That'll be the Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals. You'll see their minutes of meeting on uh page 10. And our next item is uh well, our first item is our director of our Brock Ridge, Jeff is here with us this evening. Jeff will want to come and give us an update and uh spend some time with us. Jeff, you come on up to the podium. We appreciate you being here this evening. Well, let me first thank you uh chair mley for me the opportunity and for one just want to thank y'all for the opportunity to be here and I hope as we move forward that I get the opportunity to do this on numerous occasions. I'd love to come back at least once or twice a year more if if request came just to kind of give you an update on some of the things that we're doing at Bright Bridge and some of the uh stuff that's going on. It's uh kind of like you all with all the stuff you're seeing and voting on and moving towards the same way that bright rich the community is growing exceptionally fast. Sometimes that's exciting and sometimes it's nerve-wracking uh when you're wanting to make sure that you keep building to meet those needs. If you looked at our plan from about 5 to 10 years ago on where the growth was expected, it grew a lot of places that it wasn't expected at that time. And if you're out and about and you see some lines being built from Gray down towards Fall Branch in that direction, that's because we're trying to shift some loads from some substations uh in lie of having to build some substations later just to because of that growth. But and I was told if I just wave at the

gentleman, I didn't bring him clicker. So if I just wave it back there, the moves to the next. So if we would do that just kind of go to the next one and and just give you a little bit by the numbers. Right currently has about 85,000 customers and we are the 10th largest of 153 utilities in the TVA system. So that'll give you an idea, you know, the the size of this area and the growth and you probably if you look at, you know, population maps, you'll see the larger cities and then you'll see this area really ranks high at Washington County and the rapid growth that has and Sen County and stuff. So, you know, we have a lot of that. We have already 22,000 broadband customers that is moving along exceptionally well. And so tonight, I just want to kind of give you just a little update. And I I had mentioned earlier to a few folks that depends on how long you want the meeting to go. Uh as my board would tell you, he can talk forever. Mr. Hine smiling. He knows that that I can talk forever. I cut short. That's not what we're looking for.

You're looking for short. The Chiefs are on TV tonight. So, you know, my family. So, but just to give you a little idea of some of the exciting things that are going on. So, we would skip over to the pass money for the substation improvements. You probably will see some folks out and about a company called Osmos. You'll see them throughout the community and they're doing poll inspections. One of the things that was not done uh for a lot of years in the past. It just really wasn't looked at that important. But we inspect 10% of our poles every year. And then we if any of them don't pass infections, we we start replacing those. We also some can be treated and extend their life. But we have over 83,000 poles on our system and we try to well we do inspect 10% of those every year. So you'll see a lot of poles being replaced. You know, a telephone or power pole is good for they say about 30 years. Uh some poles are out there 40 years, some less than that. really depends on the soil,

but you'll see our folks out and about doing that. And once they do, you'll see a lot of trucks hauling some poles to replace those on the line. So, and and substation wise and uh again, I I brought the presentation so you'd have that to go back to refer to it and feel free, please, if you ever have any questions. I think majority of y'all have my cell number. If you don't, I want to be sure and get that to you. Matter of fact, since you got your pens in hand, 423 4159026. If you ever need anything at all, please just give me a call. Be glad to take a call. Be glad to meet with you. But and also the world has that.

Yeah. [laughter] Well, I tell you, I I I believe that uh that that all of our customers on my system have the right to get in touch with them in need. My cell phone number's on my business card and I hand it out everywhere, but it's also on the website. So, I I uh you know, I value our customer. But yeah, you're right. I forgot we're on YouTube and [laughter] and I didn't want to embarrass the the young gentleman was up there earlier, the large officer, all big guy had great looking haircut. He was actually the ring bear in my wedding. He used to stand in my chair in the car seat there. So, just so you know that he is a family member and proud of everything, [snorts] but didn't want to embarrass him. I hope he's not standing behind me back there. But, [clears throat] but if you look, we have been working a lot on our substations. We've been upgrading a lot of breakers and stuff in the systems. And you'll see there on the handout, some of the substations we have been uh, you know, really upgrading a lot of stuff, putting in the new, more modern equipment, controls. We've been putting a lot of Intellitors on the system. And what an Intelluptor does, it basically it allows us to swap load from one substation to another rapidly. It will actually, if there's a tree out that takes a line down or a tar, it actually sends a pulse down system, it can tell where it can loaded back to another substation. That just makes us more reliable. You know, our reliability is 99.98%. That's, you know, I would rather say it's a 100% and that's certainly the ultimate goal. But you know, if you ask what's the three biggest things that takes power out, it's car wrecks, animals, and trees. And so, anytime you see us cutting trees, it's because we want to get more reliable. You know, if I could teach people to drive, it'd be

great. And and the other thing, if I could issue, if you'd let me issue some pellet rifles to get rid of some squirrels and animals, would be really good. But but those are the three other than a major storm are the three biggest things that takes it out. You'll see our guys on the weekend constantly on the road, you know, out there getting power back on. So, if you'll skip to the next one and I and I will go through this quick because I do want to come back again. I'd like to come back hopefully in March and discuss some of the closing of the data center and all that kind of updates you on on how that's going. But, uh, also the Gray Solar Farm. Many of y'all are probably familiar with the the 12 megawatt solar farm. This is just to see that it is under construction. Once built, it's the same as would supply over 1,800 homes. But those are just some construction pictures of of where the site is uh and going and hopefully uh it will be online sometime in the spring. And that's the goal for those. Just give you an idea, we have the uh one here, the one the Martin Solar Farm and we are actually involved with two different groups, 10 other utilities and uh nine others. Uh from our flexibility, we are the only utility in the Tennessee Valley that has used the entire 5% that TVA allows and we're very proud of that fact that we jumped on it and we've used that for the benefit of our customers. And I say that because once this site is online with the Martin site and we have four megawatts that are being built, one in the lower part of the state of Tennessee and one in Alabama because we don't have the capability of putting in more solar truly on our system because the substation capacity has to be able to take it. But once all of those are online and if you take TVAs, not the rates that they just went to, but the prior rates to that based on our

contracts is our customers [clears throat] will save off of what I we would be paying TVA for that same electricity over $2 million a year when those go online. And so that was one of the big things of of putting the solar out there is it truly benefits our customers from the savings stand. one is a 35 year contract. Those prices are locked in for that entire period. So every time TVA has a rate increase, customers get additional savings because we're not going to have to pay that for that solar that's online. So that's another positive. We also are using the bricks, renewable energy credits off of these solar farms with our industrial customers. We have sold some to some of them. If an industry wants to say, I want to have 50% or 90% of my electricity be classified as renewable energy. They can buy those wrecks. Again, that money comes into our general fund, which benefits my customers, but it also benefits those industries. And we're meeting with some more in the next few weeks because they have interest on some expansions they're doing here of having that classified as renewable energy energy. So those are some other things that that Tesla has allowed us to do. The um and then again as as we get closer y'all will certainly get an invitation for the ribbons coming out there. It's it's an exciting time for the community talking about impact and safest customer. So if we'll move to the next one and I'm talking as fast as I can the but one thing that y'all probably are familiar with is how many of y'all here have smart on your phones website? You

know it's amazing about five years ago we had about less than 50% of our customer using smart hub. Now we've got over 77,000 customers that actually use Smart Book. You can track your usage. You can pay your bills. You can sign up propane. You can you can actually now go in there with some new things that have been added to the app and you can see the usage of the of your appliances and stuff in your home, whether it be your HBAC system. You can go in and track that now and see what what is costing you the most. It especially helps you if you have an older HVAC unit and I had to replace some in my home and you can go in there and say, "Okay, I just got rid of this old unit and I've spent this all this money to put a new one in. What did I save?" And it's amazing the drop in the electric usage which helps you, you know, reduce your cost. And so those are some of the things with Smart Hub. We also we use it for outage management to let customers know about outages. And uh I have some I have some amazing folks that that work at Frankfish. I I I don't do much. They do it all. I I I just tell you, they truly do it all. And they are working. um take more control of your duties at home and having to use energy. So, if

you'll skip over to the broadband u the uh the next page after that one, the this version is just full of things showing we we are past right now. We have 80 almost 85,000 customers. We're already passing over 53,000 of those and uh with the majority of those being within Washington County and Johnson City. Of course, you get out in Washington County, you probably have seen we're building a lot of fiber grants out in the community over the last few years and it's just the nature of the sparse density out in the county to getting that. But we we will continue building that out until we reach every customer. So if you'll go to the next page, this was a what we'll call the middle mile grant. Uh this was a grant a few years ago that we received and you can see the the variant colored dots there. This is where we had filled out county with those grants. The total grant total cost of that part of was 9 and a half million. 2.83 million of that was money invested by bridge that matched. It was a 7030 split with the uh with the grantee and of the thing that we offer those to communities along the way. So that's helping us. The grants that just keeps on giving allows us to keep building off of that fiber as we go to it. So that's the one with the middle mile. If you go to the next one, that is a grant that we have applied for if you if you're familiar with the grant. And this is probably the last grouping of dollars that we will ever receive federal government toward broadband. And so we know we have been awarded one of the three sections there. The other two we're not doesn't look like we will get those, but um but that will get us some

more of the unserved area. And if you'll look at the bottom, the cost per passing reach those areas where those 128 unserved 300 488 left addresses and it's 2.2 million to to get there. Uh the grants for 1.6 we will match that to 550,000 the cost per pass. That's pretty high priced and and 1,200 1127 Virginia. But that one will be hopefully contract signed off through we'll start building that out. But what I want to show on the next few pages is kind of give you an idea back when Bright Bridge originally looked at going into broadband. At first we looked at a mix of fiber and wireless. And we quickly realized when we started doing some of the wireless that wireless doesn't work really well where you have a lot of trees or where you have mountains. And no matter how high you get a tower on a mountain when you're trying to shoot down to folks, uh it's still hard to get through those. So we we adjusted started moving towards fiber. The original business plan, you can see the red area was fiber. The rest is supposed to be a build out of wireless. And then you can see at the end of 2026, the colored areas here what will be built out. So you can see it's a huge difference compared to what the original was. And we will actually at the end of 2026 have passed. 75% of the customers on our system will have to pay as far as having access to broadband. The next page just kind of shows you the growth over the next few years by the end of 2027. We'll pass 80% of our customers. And so you can see it really shows how the county area is really getting filled in and the more we can reach more and more of those folks. And then by 2028 we will

pass 82% of our customers and more of that area gets built in. And and as you continue to build, and our goal is to continue to build until everybody has wiper to their home and has access, as you can see, that percentage went from the ADA to two. If you pull that back up really tight, look, we build out a lot of area, but it's just densities. You're passing through and through, but the ultimate goal is to get there. And then um then one thing I did want to pass is may know who that is, but we did [clears throat] want to put his last name in case he didn't want to. Excuse me. But you know, he said previously only cable internet available in my area. Once I heard fiber was coming, I was just waiting to switch once it was up and running. Fiber is better for speeds capacity and multiple devices running at one time. The cable was inconsistent at times. cable never gave me the speeds it claimed. It was costing me more for slower speeds than they offered. Once I told them I was switching, they tried to offer faster speeds and to data and lower cost than what it was already paying. Not happy with the switch and would not go back to cake. One thing I can tell you the bright system with our broadband is being built out to make it future proof. Uh right now we offer a 10 gig symmetric which means it's the same speed up as a residential product if somebody needs it. We have quite a few people that use this freight. Uh you know you're transferring lots. We actually have capability to do 25 and 100 meg. If someone came in said I need more, our system is built, we can do that. We don't have to come in and change out a lot of equipment or rebuild stuff to do it. We're trying to futureproof everything to make sure the community has what it needs when it comes time to to grow and to move

forward. Um, the last slide is just, you know, my marketing folks want to be sure that you knew that that the four years available. They were rated the best proper band in the business for four years and and I thought I'd use that as a question and answer page too. So, just see if there's any question on anything else. I I say I'm very open to answer questions. It doesn't have to be what I went over here. Jeff, you want to tell me about the the new broad band the speeds where you uh added more speed but no more money? Yes, that was just passed up last month, I think.

Yes, sir. Thank you for bringing that up. The this past month, you know, a lot of times, you know, you want to do something for your customer and one of the things you don't want to do is really raise rates and offer more speeds. So this past month, our board agreed and voted to approve that we raised the speeds on every customer we had at no increase to it. So if you if you had a 300 symmetrical uh at your home, the price you were paying stayed the same. We raised it to 375 symmetrical. The next grouping went from 600 to 750 symmetrical. you had a gig available, you now have a gig and a half symmetrical. And uh and we we also have a two and a half gig that we raised to three. And so one of those is, you know, as people grow and realize more and more they can do their home. Uh they need more and more speed. We want to always be ahead of that. It's always a good thing when you can up their speeds and not ask. So we did promotion improve that this past month. And so that's that's one that as we grow we make sure that our customers have an opportunity to grow and try to keep and not increase the cost.

Any more questions for Mr. All right, you've done a really great job. Thank thank you all very much for the opportunity. Look forward to coming back as soon as possible. Like I say, if if there's ever anything comes up you want me to come down and respond to it, please please just let me know. And again, you got my cell number, don't ever hesitate to reach out and call because there's no question. Let's go up now.

That's that's not a problem. If if by chance you uh want if I don't answer right away, then text me and tell me your name and I can plug your name and have that contact. But uh but feel free to call anytime. Jeff, we appreciate all the Bright Reach does. Y'all great partners out. I can say again, we got a lot of great people. Certainly a lot of good people up there that do. [clears throat] Thank you'all so much.

All right, Mayor. I think we're up for some proclamations. So, we've had the chance to share stories and awards for a number of our emergency groups in the county and tonight we had two more that played part 500. It was very good to me. I think we spent some time bonding over the last year. But in any event, u this is honoring Washington County and Scott City Emergency Management Agency for efforts during the storm. And so on September 27th, Eric and Lincoln brought devastating flooding to Washington County as we all know. And Washington County and Johnson Emergency Management demonstrated extraordinary dedication, courage, and professionalism in response to this unprecedented disaster. And whereas under the leadership of emergency management agency director Evan Clapper, the agency coordinated a unified and effective response fostering collaboration across multiple agencies and jurisdictions. On September 13, 2025, Director Clurn was honored at Bristol Motor Speedway about 100,000 of his favorite people um honoring neighborhood heroes recognizing those individuals who go above and beyond to serve and strengthen their communities. And whereas emergency management agency personnel work tirelessly around the clock to coordinate rescue operations during the storm direct critical response resources and to provide vital support to ensure the safety and well-being of the Washington County citizens. And whereas through their dedication, swift action, and unwavering commitment to public safety, Washington County Emergency

Management Agency not only safeguarded the lives, well-being of our citizens, but also fostered strength in the aftermath of the disaster. health. Now therefore be proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Washington County, Tennessee that we do hereby recognize and commend Washington County Johnson City Emergency Management Agency under the leadership of the Revenue Department for service to citizens of Washington County. Let it be further resolved that this board on behalf of all citizens extend its deepest gratitude for these efforts and declares that the community service shall long. Congratulations. Commission for approval.

Have a motion. Motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Co to approve the proclamation. All in favor approving the proclamation signified by saying I. I. All opposed. And the proclamation's approved. Mayor just back. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you guys for your support. Our agency does a lot to worst case scenarios supporting commission.

Where did you go? When did you come in for this position? [laughter] [clears throat] Yeah. So, how long were you guys? I was the interim director for a few months and was the actual director for right at a moment before. Welcome. Yeah. That's the worst you ever face. Let's hope so. Thank you, Ev. You're you're an asset to us, buddy. We appreciate you so much. [laughter]

seems sort of a quarterback for a lot of things that happens on basis and certainly this one was no exception. The leader of 911 of course leader chairman Galilee and he may have to comment or two. He usually does but uh you know this group uh was amazing. They also received a very exciting award. So we're aticant damage to property infrastructure and and endangering the safety and well-being of our citizens that require energetic efforts at all levels.

[snorts]

And whereas emergency communication specialist [clears throat] telecommunicators provided critical support to first responders and citizens during this crisis, managing a surge in emergency calls and addressing rapidly evolving public safety threats. And whereas to ensure that essential assistance was delivered promptly and effectively offending personnel were called in in advance, increasing staff phone positions and collectively answering more than 1,000 calls for service. And whereas despite the unprecedented call volume, nearly 97% of the incoming calls were answered within 15 seconds, surpassing the national standard of 95% of calls answered within 20 seconds. And whereas in the weeks that followed, telecommunicators dedicated an additional 343 hours to provide continued coverage of both routine operations and emergency response. These telecommunicators provided vital support to multiple search and rescue teams served as liaison with outside agency responders assisting in Washington County and facilitated information sharing a coordination among f federal, state, and local responders. And whereas on September 20 on September 30th, 2025, the Emergency Communication Specialist Telecommunicators of Washington County 911 Center were awarded the Tennessee Emergency Number Association's dispatch event of the year for their exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment, and dedicated service to the profession. Now therefore, be proclaimed by the board of county commissioners, Washington County, Tennessee, that we do hereby recognize the emergency communication specialist,

telecommunicators of Washington County 911 [laughter] for their exceptional service, professionalism, and dedication to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Washington County and surrounding areas during a shared emergency and time of crisis. Congratulations, I'll present this proclamation to the commission for the motion by Commissioner Tama to approve. Second by Commissioner Malone. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. Oppose like sign. Congratulations. Congratulations.

They all have to make a speech. Yeah, they all have to speak. [clears throat] I want to see one of them jump out.

No, I tell you, I've I would have to They've done all the work. They have they have done such an amazing job. The flood was was interesting at 911 in the fact that it continued for weeks. Um, another one of the things that I was amazed at is is normally each each section has its own channel, police, fire, med. But I remember the flood we had 27 additional radio channels for three weeks after that. And uh I I really thought the flood that day was just a massive event that took every employee to make it work. And they stepped up, come in. Many of them worked late. Many of them come in early. Many of them were on vacation, but they came in and did it. And I want to thank you all publicly for the job that you do. Not just on days that we have floods every day. how hard you work, how committed you are to this community and all that you do. That is truly from my heart and thank you. And this commission wants to thank you too. We appreciate all that you do for us. And uh it's definitely a job of self-sacrifice. And uh but that's what community responders do. They sacrifice for the community. So with that being said, Chrissy is our operations manager, Christy is our training supervisor, Kesha is our trainer, and everyone else was just about everyone else right here today was here during the flood. Am I right? Kha. Yes. And

Alexis, were you here? How long have you been working? I mean, you know, I was lucky she came by, you know, [laughter] and and Ally and Connor, you know, they have not been been with us long enough, but that community service is is I really appreciate in them. And and there's a reason that responders are responders, right, Sheriff? Absolutely.

They're going to serve the community. So, u we appreciate everything and thank you all for no kid. Is anyone would like to say anything? Thank you.

Okay. [laughter] Mayor, thank you for those. We appreciate that. Um, our next item is our board of county commissioners minutes. You'll find those on page 13. That's the September 22nd meeting. Board of County Commissioners. Uh, do we have a motion to approve? Motion by Commissioner Fitzger. All in favor? Motion signify by saying I.

All opposed. [clears throat] The motion passes. The minutes are received. Move right on into uh I think I'm on the wrong page. [laughter] I've ever seen him do it before.

Okay, I'm interrupt. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to start tonight by acknowledging the folks who participated in our 101 county government 101.3 version of uh program. We have some certificates for them for their accomplishment in that program. So I would ask those folks that were part of the program selfly certificates talk just a little bit about the program as you talk about it before but it was about a 4w week program and we had only 17 participants this year started with just sort of an overview of county government and went next to the health department and and some emergency services. the invest was there. Uh next we went to the right here in the court system and we heard from judges and clerks and all sorts of help with the process of justice that takes place right here during the day and then wrapped up with the uh the fan favorite over at the sheriff's department playing with the dogs running around and then best food on best food. Yeah. So, and they do not serve that food at the jail. I think chef mentioned that [laughter] that's only special guests, but those folks can cook. Uh, but that, you know, that's always a lot of fun. And hopefully, uh, through this, um, some of our folks have opportunity to understand a little bit about what the county government looks like from the inside and they ask a lot of questions. their very attentive attendance.

Without further ado, I'd like to present these certificates and just thank you all for participating. Hopefully, you'll share with your neighbors when we do it again that was worth worth the time and the energy and and maybe it's possible we let one or two of you speak if you'd like to. So, all right. Um, first would be Cindy Humphre. All right. Danny Clarkine Lee Christine Deb Johnson. oddball. [laughter] [laughter] Banks of the program. I already said all right. So, um this is the group and they survived four nights of intense training.

[laughter]

Um, does anyone want to address this intimidating group?

Please do. All right. Well, I'm Debbie Johnson and I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated this opportunity to be in this 101 class or program that was available to us. You know, no one wants to pay taxes and no one raises their hand saying, "Yes, raise my taxes, please." But it was wonderful to see how our taxes are being used. uh from the clerk's offices to showing how our deeds and other documents are being protected, particularly the ones that are archived that documents that are older than the state of Tennessee that we have um to going to the health department and seeing all this available there for those that medical and dental now that um those that can do on a sliding scale to um one of the things that I was really proud of was to hear about our election commission and the integrity You know, so often we're told that we're in like the bottom third of the states in various things, but we're number one in election integrity in the United States. And that I am very proud of. Um all of the other departments that we got to see, the the judicial um what they're doing with um the mental health courts and the um the drug or substance abuse courts is amazing. and Sheriff Sexton what he was showing us and how he was reiterating how they treat these individuals not as convicts but as someone's mother, father, sister, daughter, [clears throat] child. uh it was just something worth going through and I hope that you continue to do this and most of all was I think most of these people were spending you know volunteering their time to come out to us to show us and they were all excited and proud of what

they're doing and we were you know very blessed to be able to see all of that. So I thank you for that. All right. [clears throat] Thank you all again. We appreciate it. Thank you.

Y'all like to take a 10-minute recess to business folks? Just a few minutes. Mayor, did you tell them they have to stay the whole meeting? [laughter] We'll find out. We're going out. Okay. All right. Let's take the kid says, "Saw visiting with our visitors. Just a minute.

work. I know. I didn't want to delay anybody. All right, mayor. We'll call us back into session after that recess and uh turn it over to [laughter]

I just want to thank this group for the way you support like this and support the individual proponents of the county actually so they can do their work. What they saw was great group of dedicated enthusiastic individuals there that work for the county every single day just take for that. So they could do their job if they all do is really important for them. They we have the uh results from a survey that they took afterwards and generally program pretty high marks but they as they they asked about things might be included that wasn't and so one of them was a a roster and a profile of people that were part of the program. So Jerry's working on that we don't really have a consolidated profile of all of our county people and we do for the commission for the most part. So, we're gonna we're putting that together, but we'll include the commissioners a little bit of a bio. So, if you're asked to sh [laughter]

one of the other things, wow, the number two thing they would like to have is a session with the county commission. that be careful what you ask. [laughter]

That's what I'm thinking. Anyway, um and then they wanted to do something with the school system. So anyway, a lot of these things got really good feedback was helpful. Um tonight you you had in front of you um a little bit of a summary. Mitch and I were going to put sort of year end together. Uh, good news is he got called out of town so you don't have to endure that. But I did u put some slides together some information and among them is a list of u responsibilities that county government has to perform either constitutionally or statutoily. And I don't know that I've ever really seen it bound in one list like that. So it's you might just take a look at that and if you you know talk to folks who wonder whether they put tax their tax money goes you say well you know one of these things on this list. Um so under the financial highlights of the page of that and you can see those for yourself. start with the some of the things with herolene and going you know get through the facility gray emergency medical borderline extensions and number of other things have been accomplished. Here's a u a sheet that covers fund operating summaries and he compared the balance of the fund balances of the various funds uh at the end of 24 versus the end of 25 and I think one exception they were there's all there's positive variance and then there's just a handful of other stuff in there that you know has to do with various financial

components. you might just when you're kids sleep at night might want pull that out and take a look at it and certainly any questions that you might have. Mitch and I've been requesting maybe someone is closer to it or to the Washington County Republican Party quarterly meeting to think mostly explain where tax dollars go or whatever, but Anyhow, so some of that information will be delivered that night. Felt I felt like going to city at first and um that's really the other thing and you all may have gotten some questions. I've certainly got two questions over the last couple days as to what uh impact the u the I won't say reduction but this the stopping of federal funds SNAP programs might do for a county and I was with Ra Chapen last week and we did have a conversation she feels like there'll be a pretty big run on the food pantries And so there may be some issues surrounding that. But for our school children, um, speaking of Jerry Ford, the intent is to continue the the program for the for the children school just as it has been. So far, the funding has not been disrupted, but they feel like they can carry it on even if it does get disrupted. interrupted for a period of time. So, um you can report to folks that our schools will continue their

plan to feed our children [clears throat] despite what might happen with staff and some of the other federal programs as the government shut down. So, u that's really all I have for tonight. We obviously had a very difficult week last week. Um and much folks and uh Ben, thank you for very thoughtful prayer tonight as we open because you know both of those fellas will be significantly missed and really hard as you imagine when these folks that operate together on a daily basis have a loss in their family. So you can just sort of you just keep those families in affairs who would be they'd be supportive and it would be greatly appreciated. So that's all I have question. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. It's very interesting list. I'm sure [clears throat] we'll cover that some your next report. Need time to digest that. Next item is the county attorney's report. Miss Wils.

Thank you. The only item I'd like to bring to your attention is that there was a citizen who brought a complaint to this commission several months ago for property out at Taylor Bridge Road and I reviewed it with the planning director the next morning and we've been working on it since then. [clears throat]

So, I thought it was appropriate to share with you in this same public meeting that that matter is uh set for hearing this Wednesday, the 29th, that citation was issued. There's been no change to the parcel. You'll recall that this is Taylor Bridge Road. Uh it's property owned by Mr. Dedric down by the river that has been uh used to host a number of tents and trailers and other temporary uh constructions that are being used as permanent dwellings. So I know that since something comes forward in this meeting uh I wanted to be sure that I also shared it back to this meeting even though it was reported in HW. So I'll keep you posted through HW but I wanted the commission as a whole to know since it was brought to you as a whole. If you have any questions, I'm happy to address them. Thank you. [snorts]

Thank you very much for taking care of that issue that arose. We appreciate the quick followup. Any questions for Miss Wilson? [cough] See that? We'll move right on to the director of the health department. I think she's here. Now the director of schools, our director doc is out of town. However, our assistant superintendent and Brad Hill, our budget director from the school systems here with us. If you have any questions for them, you'll see the monthly update from the director boy. On page 24, is there any questions for Mr. Adams or Mr. H? Seeing none, we'll move right on into the administrator of elections. Uh is here. Our election administrator Chuck Best is here with SH. Thank you for coming. You'll see the administrator's report on page 28. Uh also during we uh on the submission of the electronic uh staff policy that got deferred to committee uh earlier as formality and that'll be in committee coming up soon. Jack, do you have anything you want to share with us?

Any questions for Mr. M? Yeah, I'm good. All right. Seeing n done, we'll move right on into the uh beer board report. Um our minutes uh our minutes are on page 31. Glad to try to answer any questions.

All right, see no questions. Commissioner Bl just move right along into the county on property report. Mr. Tomato, our minutes are immediately [snorts] following on page 32. Any questions? We'll answer them. We should have some actionable items for you next time.

All right. Also back up just a minute. CIA committee. Um, one thing that I failed to do and I know CIA didn't meet. We need we need to make sure that committee meets this month to for elections to make sure we have a chairman vice chairman secretary. So if you make sure meet and and let's try to have a quorum for that situation. If not this Wilkinson is really going to put the put the barrel on me up. She's already she's already been on me tonight. We will have to meet several other committees and I will try to work that schedule out tomorrow for ethics and what else? Rules committee

rules. Uh, Commissioner Malone, we need to meet and we didn't meet this month is partially my fault. We're going to blame the rest of that on Commissioner Tama. But but you know, we we failed to get that together or something. Um, we will meet uh [snorts] I hope if not we'll we'll we'll get that done. Any any other committees that we need to meet this month on committee day that have not met but those were the only two those Yeah, those were the only twoics along with ethics. It needs to be commissioner.

The u we've got one matter the mayor's asked us to take up for ARPA. There's just a small amount of money left. So what we what Sherry has put together got together agenda and we're proposing that we just have the original commission but the mayor has you on the committee before you get agend And that'll be the same day as our regular committee day too, right? [clears throat]

We're trying to keep all that together if we can. If the mayor's plan is approved, then that'll be the final meeting of Okay. Wendy, she's worked really hard on on getting this proposal together. She's been working with one digital. There was some discussion in committee and quite a bit of discussion, a matter of fact, about uh cost and pricing and and where we are. We have one [clears throat] digital here with us this evening as long as well as we uh but we do have this resolution uh uh resolution 25102 is a resolution renewing certain portions of the county employee healthc care benefits package for the Calvin year. That resolution's on page 40. Do we have a motion? Commissioner Fish General moves to approve. for any discussion. the compensation and benefits committee need your packet and that's all I have unless anybody has any further questions.

Next item is ethics committee. Like I said, we'll meet to meet ethics here one day coming up on this Thursday shar. You can then you'll need to work out a time for ethics to meet on on that. The next item is the health education welfare committee. Commissioner Carter. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Find our minutes on page 47. We only have one resolution this evening and it starts on page 56. Um, if you got a chance to look through your packet, you know, it's a the resolution is almost four pages, so there's a lot of numbers on there. Um, if you've got any questions about it, be glad [clears throat] to answer those or try to or Mr. H or Dr. Adams can do that. Um, for your consideration, it's resolution number 25-10-03. It's a resolution approving the revised Washington County 5-year capital project plan for fiscal year 26 through fiscal year 30 and amending fiscal year 26 budget and approving and authorizing capital funds for certain education capital projects fund expenditures for the purchase of seven propane school buses for the baller chiller system at Don High School. This comes to you as a recommendation of the committee and I'll move for its approval. Motion made to approve by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Huff, question or discussion. Adams is here. Mr. Hail's here. If anybody has any questions about these these capital things questions been called. Madam clerk, if you will switches the voting screen, please cast your vote and lock it in.

Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 13 yes, two absent, and the resolution passes. Anything else, Commissioner Carter? That's all. Thanks. Public safety committee report. Commissioner Jones,

you can find the minutes from our October 9th meeting on page 61. We'll first ask for you to consider resolution 25104, resolution approving and authorizing an agreement between Washington County and Alder Consulting LLC. It's on page 70 and it comes with a recommendation from the committee and I'll bring it with a motion for approval. Motion made by Commissioner Jones to approve the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Wheeler. Question or discussion. All the questions.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch it to the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Mad clerk. If you announce the vote 13 yes, two absent. The resolution passes. Mr. Jones. Next. Consider resolution 25105. resolution approving and authorizing the agreement between Washington County and Family Free, Inc. It's on page 97. It comes with a recommendation from the committee and I move for its approval. Motion made to approve by Commissioner Jones. Got a second by Commissioner Wler. Question or discussion?

Call questions been called Clark if you'll switch the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote in. [clears throat] Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 13 yes, two absent and the resolution passes. Commissioner Jones. Next, consider resolution 25106, resolution approving and authorizing a memorandum of understanding between Washington County and First Development District's caring workplaces. That's on page 123 and it comes with recommendation from the committee and I move for it approval. Motion made by Commissioner Jones to approve the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Malone. Question or discussion.

Call the question. Question's been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you'll announce the vote 13 yes, two absent. Resolution passes. Commissioner Jones. Next, consider resolution number 25107. resolution approving and authorizing the amended agreement between East Tennessee State University, Department of Family Medicine, and Washington County, Tennessee. It's on page 127. It comes with a recommendation from the committee. I'm going to abstain from voting on this one. So, I'll leave that to the rest of you.

Motion made to approve the resolution by Commissioner Fitzger. Question or discussion? All questions been called if you'll switch the voting screen please cast your vote block if you announce the vote 12 yes one abstain two absent the resolution passes Mr. Jones,

just to note that those last four resolutions are all agreements that the sheriff's office has um worked through various community mental health and substance use organizations to improve those services in our jail as a result of the sheriff's work to create a task force that interfaces with all these community stakeholders. And I'm just really proud of all that work. Even though it it's more work, we're getting it done. Okay. Next, consider resolution 25108, resolution approving renewal of the leased garage for the purpose of the maintenance of the sheriff's department vehicles. That's on page 133. Comes with a recommendation from the committee and I move for it approval.

Motion made to approve by Commissioner Jones, second by Commissioner Waxler. Question [snorts] or discussion? All questions. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voter, please go ahead and cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 13, yes, two action, and the resolution passes. Mr. Jones, next consider resolution 25109, resolution amending fiscal year 26 budget regarding the sheriff's office replacement of toileted sinks. That's on page 142. comes with a recommendation from the committee and move for approved.

Motion made approved by Commissioner Jones, second taken by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Question or discussion. Call the question. Question been called by the clerk. If you switches the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. Madam clerk, if you know, the vote 13 yes, two absent, and the resolution passes. Mr. No.

Next, I'm going to ask you to consider resolution number 251010. Resolution approving and authorizing a memorandum of understanding between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, a component of the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, and Washington County, Tennessee. That's on page 144, and it comes with a recommendation from the committee. I'm going to move for its approval. And if it's seconded, I'd like to ask the sheriff to provide just a brief summary. We had a nice summary in our committee meeting, but there have been quite a few questions about this one. I thought it would be good for transparency for him to just provide the same summary to the full commission.

Motion made by Commissioner Jones, second by Commissioner. Sheriff, if you want to come over to the podium, I'm sure that the need to try out one of our new microphones. And uh before I get started, that last resolution, the toilets and sinks, that was paid for by commissary money at least. So I'm assuming money.

So um talking about the 287G, this is aou with ice. Um why it's It's it's geared towards removing criminal aliens from our communities. Um when the man that's over it through the state, his name is Ryan Hover. When he initially we talked about it, there's three models. There's the jail enforcement model and it's designed to identify and process removable aliens with criminal or pending criminal charges who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies. The second one, which is the one that I've asked uh or brought before you tonight, is the warrant service officer program. And that is for ICE to train, certify, and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their u agency's jail. And then there's a third model that's called the task force model that I'm I'm not interested in and uh uh we just don't have the resources for. So uh why would we do this? Uh it's minimal investment, maximum impact, no need for dedicated staff or facilities. Uh there's faster transfers so that ICE can send uh contract personnel to pick up criminal aliens directly uh directly from our jail reducing the detention time. Uh we have local control were authorized to transport detainees to uh offices further easing the burden of jail overcrowding. And then the grant eligibility uh the participation opens the door for the immigration enforcement grant which reimburses costs related to uh immigration enforcement. So we average between 15 and 20 uh uh illegals

in our jail per month. Um if you do the math at $80 a day over a year's time, that's over a half million dollars to keep that many people. And as y'all have seen in the past, I'm all about keeping our head count low. Never want to come before you asking to build a bigger jail. Um, that's what this does. ICE will train up one of our detention officers who will be able to do their uh paperwork, so to speak, and then potentially transport wherever ICE would uh want the person transported. Um, there's more and more sheriffs across the state signing on to this. um couple months ago I think there was about 25, but I I know that uh Sullivan County uh I believe Green County has now. So um it's just uh it's not it's not that anyone's going to be out uh hunting people down. You know, if if we've always worked well with ICE and any federal agency, um this will just get the people that need to be out of our jail, it'll get them out of there faster. It's always we're not hunting down people and and all that kind of thing. Now, if ICE comes and they have a detainer or something on someone, we we will assist them. It's it's we will help enforce the law and but this is done in the interest of keeping our community safe and I'll answer any questions you have.

Will they get transported before they go to court? Do you have you have to hold them to court or they get transported? No, they they are held here. Uh, as a matter of fact, their own paperwork says that they are held in our jail until all of the local uh paperwork, all the local charges are done and then it the paperwork actually I can't quote it, but it actually says if we have come to pick that person up in 48 hours, you you will release you release them. So, but um they've been pretty good about being uh real responsive. Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Jones,

it sounds like there's grant funds and some other things, but do you expect there to be a cost to Washington County for doing this? It sounds like it's mostly a savings in terms of keeping the numbers low, but

I think it's a savings and keeping the numbers low. And um by signing theou it makes us eligible for uh any grants that may come in the future um such as for transportation vehicles but it also allows us to get them out of our local jail faster. So every time every day is around 80 that's a low estimate $80 a day. So, um, if if we can do something to keep that jail population down, we're going to try and do it. [clears throat and cough] Any other questions? Thank you for your time. Thank you, Sheriff.

Question. Questions been called if you'll switch to the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Log it in. Mfield now. 13. Yes. do absent the resolution passes. Commissioner Jones,

the last resolution for your consideration is number 251011, resolution authorizing the disposition of Washington County Sheriff's Office surplus property, including firearms, much to Commissioner Johnson's chin ondeals.com and by destruction. Five on page 57 comes with a recommendation from the committee for its approval. Motion to approve by Commissioner Jones. Safety by Commissioner Malone. Question or discussion. Call the question.

Question been called. Mad clerk. Switch the voting screen. Go ahead and cast your vote. Lock me in. M clone to vote. 13 yes. two absent and the resolution passes. Commissioner Jones, that's all I have unless there are questions. One thing I want to go back to say, the sheriff talked about uh sinks and toilets a few minutes ago and that money to buy those sinks and toilets. It's a smart toilet. A smart toilet. Yes. [laughter] Well, I will say that I I I really appreciate He's actually using one of his revenue accounts to pay for it.

They're all smart. So, Sheriff, thank you. You You I want to say thank you for that. That's not a small project. No, it's not. And uh and we you know, and it's not a big show project, but you know, when you start thinking about it, it's it it's real money and that's coming out of one of your revenue accounts, not one of our capital funds. So, thank you, Sheriff. We appreciate you doing that. since that came up during public safety. All right. Anything else on public safety?

All right. Public works committee. Uh I went down the list here. Uh Commissioner Tucker, we've ran out of officers on public works committee and it looks like it's you and you know your anniversary is tonight. I think so. Yeah. He's already prepared for he's ready.

All right. You'll find our minutes from the October 9th meeting on page 170. We have one resolution in front of you. It's resolution number 25-10-12. Resolution approving water projects and authorizing certain capital project fund spendings up to 3 million in FY26. You'll find that resolution on page 171. It does come as a recommendation from the committee. All right. A motion to approve by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Question or discussion? All questions.

Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch the voting screen, please go ahead and cast your vote. Lock it in. M clerk, if you'll announce the vote 13, two absent, and the resolution passes. Thank you, Commissioner Johnson. I'll take any commissioner I can get. I appreciate y'all doing that, working that out. All right, the next item is the uh all the way down to the budget committee. Commissioner Carter.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. find our minutes on page 173. We've got four resolutions this evening. The first one for consideration is resolution number 25-10-13. It's the resolution amending because we're 2025 budget about food insecurity. [clears throat] It's on page 180. This comes to you as a recommendation of the budget committee and I move for its approval.

Motion to approve the resolution by Commissioner Carter. We have a second. Second by Commissioner Ducker. Question or discussion. Call [clears throat] the question. Questions been called. Madam clerk, if you'll switch to the voting screen, please cast your vote and lock it in. Madam clerk, if you announce the vote 13 yes, two absent and the resolution passes. Commissioner Carter.

The next resolution is number 25-10-14. It's a resolution amending fiscal year 2025 budget about broadband grant for the Boon Creek TCAP. It's on page 182 and this comes to you as a recommendation of the committee and I move for it approval. Motion by Mr. Carter, [clears throat] second by Commissioner Malone to approve the resolution. 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 it in. M clerk, if you announce the vote 13 yes, two absent, and the resolution passes. Commissioner Carter. Our next resolution did not have a recommendation from the budget committee. Um, it I'll read the resolution and then explain it or you can ask questions, but the next resolution is number 25-10-15. It's a resolution amending fiscal year 25 or 26 budget about Windows 11 conversion [clears throat] Microsoft Office 2019 to Microsoft Office 365 conversion and that resolution is on page 184 and it has the information about it behind it but the mayor might be the best one to explain this one to us.

Mayor, if you could uh answer any questions commissioners might have. [clears throat] Well, I'm probably not. I'm not the tech savvy guy. We got Matthew over here hiding behind the

So, uh this conversion take place. Anybody has um computers knows that um and the Windows 10. We put this out to two suppliers. both of them came back for this 365 platform. Um the discussion in the committee was hey how about Google basically similar things both of both of the consultants recommended not some of their explanation I think is impacted as a We will need to make a change for the

So, did you have a did you make a motion to approve it, Commissioner Carter, or there's no recommendation? No, I I didn't make the recommendation. Approve. So, do we have a motion to approve the resolution or deny the resolution?

Motion to approve. Commissioner Long makes a motion to approve for the purpose of discussion. I'll second. Commissioner Wheeler seconds it. All right. We'll open the floor for discussion. Commissioner Wheeler. Can you explain why there's no recommendation discussion?

Yes. That we were concerned that it it came on so fast and that we didn't know if there were other options because, you know, we're using several different If you look, if you look on the exhibit A, we're using se several different funds to try and cover it.

And we didn't on the budget committee. One thing that was brought up, it wasn't budgeted during budget season. It wasn't it wasn't in there to budget. So the money wasn't budgeted. So we weren't to get the budget set. And then this comes up and it's hundred some thousand dollars. And I think that was another concern that the budget had is approving this with it not being approved and it puts the system in a bad spot because they do have to make the change to be protected. Um I don't I don't think that old software is going to going to last. Yeah. So they have to do something.

But the question was could it last until it was a season? question may be able to answer this better, but Microsoft is stopping the support of Wind. So, we would be unprotected. are not unprotected but um any updates will not be for we don't know this before I mean we are we just now found out that it stops in October

I couldn't answer that I don't think I don't think we're just finding out I think this works for a while a all the various stuff all the way in the pastation. And one of my questions was going to the Google platform because it's cheaper and it's easier. But the county government has so many complex systems in it like the court data. The sheriff's office is separate, I believe, but the court data would be included in our responsibility.

Commissioner one. Yeah, I just had a couple questions. Wow, that is loud. [clears throat]

I wanted to I think Commissioner Tucker answered my question, but when I had looked at this, I was struggling a little bit with the actual net cost. But if I'm interpreting the numbers correctly, the net cost is about 10 almost 101,000. I guess it's the combination of 85641 and 15140. So I wanted to ask that question. And then I saw the the column down here or the the thing just below that about it staff savings of 70 almost 78,000 that I guess you can net the cost out against these savings. I wasn't sure what the savings meant or how they were calculated. But, you know, things like this scare me. You know, we could be sitting here 6 months from now and have had an issue and and us wish we had spent $100,000. And so, that's the part that scares me. Uh, but those were my two questions. Just a confirmation concerning the net cost and those the the IT staff savings of nearly 78,000. Commissioner Wexler.

Uh yeah, I I I had similar questions. I mean, is is the total this 293581 is that and then we're we're we're saving money through using other reallocated funds. And what is the net the net new money I guess that we're going to have to spend? And can we can we get by with spending the the money from the reallocated funds instead to instead of spending new? Mayor, I'd have to ask you answer that.

Well, I think I believe [clears throat] the first proposal was taking pretty much all of the systems and the max level. What the team has done is determine what level of service what level of software is needed. probably right investor. We got an individual who was on staff. So, so did we determine the number? I mean the net I mean00

so if you net out the reallocation of those staff savings is is it then right at 100 101,000 new month new month thank you Mr. I just maybe garbage in, garbage out, but it looks like October 14th was it was the deadline from what I'm out here. You're out vulnerable. I guess my frustration may come from we knew this was happening.

It's definitely something that could have been budgeted for in last budget, but That doesn't mean we're going to be attacked on attack today, but get any updates that could again the surprise nature of it is

[snorts] questions been called. Madam cler switching screen, please. So, a motion and second was Mad clerk, if you announce the vote. Eight yes, five no, two absent. Resolution passes. All right, Commissioner Carter.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. We have one more resolution. It's number 25-10-16. It's the resolution approving the revised Washington County 5-year capital project plan for fiscal year 26 through fiscal year 30 and amending fiscal year 26 budget and approving and authorizing capital funds for grade ELC Northeast State Culinary Arts Education Program. And it's on page 216. This comes to you as a recommendation of the committee. And if you if you read the resolution on page 216, it [snorts] and it's in the minutes, I believe, but it says that the interest trying to scan it here quick would be included in that. And that was a a caveat that Commissioner Tucker had mentioned when we recommended this and I'm not sure if that is still part of this.

It is. If I could direct you to it, I'm happy to help. Commissioner Carter, the in the final version of section 4, that's where the funding is described and it references that interest. And in the recital on that same page 217 of your packet, uh there's a whereas that also references the interest which is the third whereas um stating on behalf uh providing full reimbursement of the $45,378 plus interest over the remaining term of the existing lease. And the interest rate was not referenced. It was just described as interest. So the third whereas and then the recital in section four.

Okay. Thank you Alison. You're welcome. Commissioner Carter, was that you did you make the motion to approve your Yes, sir. With that just want to clarify that that resolution. Do we have a second? Second by Commissioner. All right. Welcome for discussion now. Commissioner,

just to clarify it, it is net zero. we get all the money back. Okay. So, everything we stand we get back.

So, um looked at work that needed to be done to move this tenant into the space. Um and some of the work while the tenant to me state was working with the architect was strictly things they wanted change stuff that really didn't need to be done. you know, move people in. Other things as we work with the architect needed to be done with the building to, you know, basically make it upgraded part of it, part of it mechanical. So, there was a split. uh roughly um 400,000 of the cost is going to be borne is to be borne by northeast state and a little over $100,000 will be born by just Washington County upgrade the building to be able to move this tenant in. Uh with regard to the interest, it was always my intent to try to add amount of interest to the amount that county was frontloaded. Um, we worked with Tennessee um, board, Tennessee. They absolutely need that was not part of the deal. So, we worked on it hard and maybe I'm just the worst negotiator, but we just didn't get to the point where they were. So, but I will say this that uh we entered into an agreement with Northeast last year and they have been paying rent on space that they have not occupied since January just a little bit short of $70,000 which is um about double maybe a little

more than double what interest on that amount of money. remaining four years. So, you know, you might look at it as they've already paid it. Um, the other piece that they are going to pay in full is the architectural fee, which is $63,000. Um the interest was not something that board readers would approve, but um because they we've had that lease and they have really been paying for a while paid that much more way Jones.

Thank you.

This is just uh a few comments. Uh, well, first I want to just say, Mayor Granny, I know this is a complex project and just hearing you talk about Northeast State pay in for a while without really been able to use the space and all those considerations are, you can feel the pressure of just [clears throat] wanting to keep things moving. This came to county owned property and um unfortunately mayor wasn't able to be there that day and we only had a print out of the bid in an email form like a one pager. So the and you can see at the minutes on page 32 from county on property 34 we all tabled it with the idea that it will come back to county own property and there's been discussion in the past that county own property could be the place where we discuss with full transparency the business model for that building the TLC building since public has an interest in that building and frankly you know, that project has all the articulations and different agreements have spanned over a year now, and I've kind of lost track of what the overall model is. Some of it, I forget, some of it has changed. How's it how's it going to work out? I heard somebody recently saying that the library space in and of itself will be a break even for us over having built a new building. But I think we need to know more about how the whole thing is working together. And I kind of regret that this moved on to budget. Even though the county own property said they wanted to hear it again, even though I also recognize that time can be of the essence, I still don't feel like I fully understand the way this all works together. And it seems to me like what we have in here as

an attachment to the resolution, we don't even have the bid broken down the way it was for county on property. That page doesn't appear anywhere in our packet, but but we have an old lease agreement that doesn't reflect any of the changes that we're talking about tonight. So, just a bunch of words. I would like to see there be more conversation in county on property about the way this project is working in the future. Commissioner committee,

I just wanted to clarify that that we will own the improvements. Correct. All the improvements we do for Northeast State in the kitchen, we will own those assets. Correct. There's nothing that the county pays for [clears throat] that table. Mr. Wer, just a quick question. Do we need to amend the resolution to take out the deter?

Since I was the one that uh the county property with Jody and them and you know I was the one that asked about the interest and then after talking to the mayor it seems like the Northeast is rejecting the interest but then you go back and listen to what the mayor said they have paid almost $70,000 and not touch the bill so that would help cover the the interest that we're talking about also uh their payment for their uh the plan is that 60,000 for 70,000 63 63.

So out of that 400,000 they're going to pay the 63 from my understanding up front. So that 400,000 will go to 340 or give or take is what we're going to be putting in. But I say I'm afraid that if we don't move forward that we may lose them. and they've already paid $70,000. And it ain't like it's a it's not like it's a business. I mean, it's a college, it's a government, you know. So, I feel like after what I heard tonight, I want to take off my interest comment and back out of that.

Commissioner Johnson, just so I'm clear, we're getting the money back. They're paying back just with no interest. Yes. Sort of a follow up there. I think your point negotiations are over. This is approved, disapproved. It's not we're going it's either we approve it, we've got one, we don't approve it, we don't have [snorts] Commissioner Wler. Yeah. So, oh yeah,

is it am I reading here in the in the resolution that the total cost of the renovation is 561,45 and they're going to pay us back $45,000, right? So, that's that's basically where we are 155,000. But that's not counting 70,000 they paid already.

Commissioner Carter. So I'll move to amend the resolution to take out the I think there was two places that had interest noted on it. Commissioner Command, do you accept that? Yes. Change.

So, we'll stay with the resolution as amended. Question. Question's been called. Madam clerk, we'll switch the voting screen. Please cast your vote. Lock it in. Clerk, if you announce the vote 12 yes, one no, two absent, the resolution passes.

Mr. Chairman and commissioners, I would like to note that when this resolution goes for signature, I'm in light of the that amendment, I'm going to add a clarification that resolution 258118 is no longer in effect since it referenced that interest. just so that the county has something uh clear which is that prior resolution in the lesser amount. [clears throat] Thank you. Thank you, Miss Wils. Anything else, Commissioner Jones? Commissioner Carter, I appreciate that you'd like my opinion.

Thank you. It's always good to hear notifications. All right. Anything else for Mr. Carter? Yeah, that's all. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We have no old business for you tonight. We do have res notaries. Resolution 251017 is a resolution approving the election of notaries for public appointment and or reappoint for Washington County, Tennessee. That's on page 227. All in favor that I do have a motion to approve. Yeah.

Commissioner made a second by Commissioner Wler. All in favor of that motion. I signify by saying I I got to call the RO. You got me all big stuff. Commissioner Jones. I'm going to blame you.

[clears throat]

All right. Now about 13. Yes. Two absent. The resolution passes. Pick that right up. All right. Have no new business to report. Um the cut off date time for next month's county commission agend is November 13th, 2025 at 12 noon. If you have pressing business with this county commission, you really need to get it in and done before the first of the year. You probably need to be making your move to get it on this upcoming agenda in November cuz we usually don't we have a lot of things going on in November. And we uh we try to go ahead and keep a live agenda in December, but we we do what we have to. [clears throat] Just remember, get your stuff in in November. So have a motion to adjurnn

right here. Motion by Commissioner Wexler. Second by Commissioner Jones. All in favor 65 say I. I. All oppose. We're