The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in a virtual session on Monday, October 19th, 2020. County Executive Jim Mangubat presided over the meeting. Commissioners in attendance were Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Tim Powell, Phillip Casteel, Vickie Petty, Stephen Pevahouse, Tim Prater, John McDonald, Kathryn Staggs, Sherrie Powers, Mary Lauren Garner, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough. Commissioners Joe Hall and David Martin were not in attendance.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the minutes of the September commission meeting. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kelley then made a motion to approve the committee minutes as amended, and Commissioner Garner seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the Building Committee minutes, and Commissioner Powell seconded. Those minutes were approved as well.
County Clerk Horton presented the following to serve as notaries with approved bonds: Gary Warren II, Jordan Staggs, Patsy B. Evans, Byron T. Davis, Autumn Raine Kelsey, and Colby Staggs. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Prater. The notaries were unanimously approved.
Next, Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the presentation of bond debt obligations. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Staggs, and was passed unanimously.
County Executive Mangubat then informed the commission that the Beech Creek Volunteer Fire Department qualifies as an active fire hall, and was therefore awarded $5,000 from the CARES Act money received from the state. Eight other volunteer fire departments in the county were recently awarded $5,000 as well.
Under old business on the agenda, County Executive Mangubat told the commission that State Representative David Byrd is addressing the problems of highway mowing in the county at the state level.
Also under old business, Commissioner McDonald made a motion to once again table the determination of speed limits on county roads until the commission is able to meet in person rather than virtually. Commissioner Staggs seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Mangubat read a report stating that the HVAC system for the Collinwood Welcome Center has been completed, and the showers at the Criminal Justice Center are nearing completion.
Next, Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the $1,500.00 cost of installing WiFi at the Lutts and Holly Creek Fire Halls. The WiFi installation will allow students in the areas to access the internet for their school work. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner and passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Commissioner Petty then asked if there was an update on the water system, and County Executive Mangubat said that there was no update at this time.
Line item budget amendments were then presented for approval. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Brewer seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Staggs made a motion to approve the amendments to the Sheriff’s Department budget as presented, and Commissioner Powers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Brewer inquired about getting the courthouse cleaned, and County Executive Mangubat said that he was waiting on a quote from All Pro for the cost.
Highway Superintendent Chuck Moser next presented a list of surplus property to be sold on govdeals.com. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve the surplus property. Commissioner Powers seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was discussion of an insurance claim on the UT Extension building. Commissioner Mathis suggested that the Building Committee go look at the site before any further discussion among the full commission.
Highway Superintendent Moser next gave a brief report on his department, stating that the bridge at Weatherford Creek has been completed, and a bridge at Double Branch Road and Ella Gallaher Road has been discussed.
Director of Schools Marlon Davis gave a brief report on the schools, and Commissioner Garner reported the revenues that have been generated at the Solid Waste Facility since the new fees were put into place.
Commissioner Powell began a discussion of fees owed to the county from the assisted living facility. A fairly lengthy discussion among the commission members followed, but no action was taken by the commission at this time.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner McDonald made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Staggs seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
