The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 23rd, 2021. Chairman Pro-Tem Rickey Kelley called the meeting to order, as County Executive Jim Mangubat was absent. Commissioners in attendance were Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Stephen Pevahouse, Tim Prater, Kathryn Staggs, Sherrie Powers, John McDonald, Tim Powell, Katherine Reeves, Mary Lauren Garner, Phillip Casteel, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough. Commissioners Vickie Petty and David Martin were absent.
Commissioner Powers first made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous commission meeting. Commissioner Prater seconded, and the minutes were approved. Commissioner Staggs then made a motion seconded by Commissioner Prater to approve the minutes from the various committee meetings, and those minutes were approved as well.
County Clerk Horton presented Chase Camfield to serve as a notary. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Powell seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Tyler Taylor next spoke to the commission about renovation plans at Wayne Medical Center.
Next was a resolution to approve the proposed Highway 641 Management Study. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Mathis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was a resolution to approve a TDOT Mobility Study. This study will look into the feasibility of turning the former Lincoln Brass building into some sort of recreation building, along with a new walkway at the park. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the resolution , and Commissioner Powers seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Bids for construction of the new Ag Center were discussed next. G&G Construction submitted the low bid at $1,238,000.00. Commissioner Garner had questions about the maintenance of the future building, and pending maintenance of the buildings already in place. After further discussion, Commissioner Brewer made a motion to accept the low bid from G&G Construction. Commissioner Reeves seconded the motion, and it passed on roll call vote. Commissioner Garner was the only “no” vote.
Next was a resolution to approve the transfer of money from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Reeves seconded. The resolution passed on roll call vote with Commissioner Garner casting the only “no” vote.
Next was a discussion of the crumbling wall behind the Wayne County Health Department. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the $8,000.00 bid for repairs to the wall. Commissioner Reeves seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Commissioner Garner then made a motion that a committee be formed to study the cost of an animal shelter. Commissioner Reeves seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Casteel made a motion to approve the Kubota contract, and Commissioner Mathis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Casteel then made a motion to approve the usage of Tract #25 for the Ag-Forestry classroom pavilion. Commissioner Powers seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
A representative from Attorney General Brent Cooper’s office then made a presentation concerning a class action lawsuit in which the county is participating. The lawsuit concerns the production/manufacturing of drugs (opiods) that are affecting citizens in our district. If the lawsuit is successful, Wayne County and others will receive a substantial amount of money that can be used for anything they need.
General Sessions Judge James Ross then conducted a video conference with the commission concerning a grant resolution that would fund video conferences between inmates and the judge. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve a bid from BIS Digital, and Commissioner Prater seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
Next was presentation by Executive Secretary Cindy Risner concerning Fund 122. She explained that the State Comptroller has made a request to get this fund approved by the commission so that the county budget can be approved. Commissioner Casteel made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Reeves seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Sheriff Shane Fisher then gave an oral report on his department, followed by an oral report on the school system from Director of Schools Marlon Davis.
Road Superintendent Chuck Moser next gave an update on his department, explaining the chip & seal process on roads. He said that there are approximately 13 miles left this year to complete. He also said that Big Cypress Road, Wright Ridge Road, and Piney Road will hopefully be repaired by mid-spring or fall of 2022.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Garner made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Pevahouse seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
