The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 15th, 2021. County Executive Jim Mangubat presided over the meeting. All commissioners were in attendance, including Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Phillip Casteel, Vickie Petty, Stephen Pevahouse, Tim Prater, John McDonald, Kathryn Staggs, Sherrie Powers, David Martin, Mary Lauren Garner, Tim Powell, Katherine Reeves, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough.
Commissioner Kelley first made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous commission meeting. Commissioner Garner seconded, and the minutes were approved. Commissioner Kelley then made a motion seconded by Commissioner Powell to approve the minutes from the various committee meetings, and those minutes were approved as well.
County Clerk Horton presented the following to serve as notaries: Sharrie D. Partain, Sadie B. Riley, Andrew Perederij, Tonona Litle, Stephen Kovach, Dana Starr, Tracye L. Sweat, Calinder Wilbanks, Emily Pugh, Tina Bridges, Christie Simmons, Shelly Bridges, B.B. Bush, Dona Harbin, Karen Boswell, and Travis Winston. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Staggs. The notaries were unanimously approved.
A water update was next on the agenda. County Executive Mangubat stated that John Greer was preparing to meet with the officials of the cities of Waynesboro, Collinwood, and Clifton to move the water project forward.
Next was an update on the proposed Ag Center. Jeff Minatra presented to the commission the plans to begin the bid process on March 25, 2021.
An update was next on the Collinwood Medical Building. There was a brief discussion concerning the location of the Collinwood Senior Citizens building on the property.
Next on the agenda was a discussion of county budget preparation. Commissioner Garner made a motion to use the $15,000.00 which has previously been paid to financial advisor Steve Bates to hire someone to prepare the budget. Commissioner Reeves seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Commissioner Garner then amended the motion by adding if county office employees Cindy Risner and Lisa Morton do not want the position, the county should look for someone else to prepare the budget. Commissioner Reeves seconded, and the amended motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
County Attorney Yarbrough stated that a certified roofer should look at the courthouse roof to evaluate the repairs to make sure it was properly completed. This would be to appeal the insurance company’s decision not to pay for the roof repairs.
Budget amendments were next. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the budget amendments as approved by the Budget Committee. Commissioner Mathis seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
County Executive Mangubat next told the commission that the county and its three cities are set to receive $3.2 million in federal funds. At this point he is not sure how the funds will be divided between the county and the cities.
Wayne County JECDB Director Rene Purdy spoke briefly to the commission about Mueller soon to be vacating the Lincoln Brass site. She said that she has looked into utilizing the building until it could be used once again as an industrial site, but at this point it is possible that it may be turned into recreational facility.
Highway Superintendent Chuck Moser, Director of Schools Marlon Davis, and Sheriff Shane Fisher each gave brief oral reports on their respective departments.
Lindsay Ross of the Solid Waste Department presented the annual progress report for the commission’s approval as approved by the Solid Waste Committee. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Powell seconded. The report was unanimously approved.
Ms. Ross also presented to the commission for their approval the motion by the Solid Waste Committee to move forward with the Keeping Tennessee Beautiful campaign. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Powers and carried unanimously.
County Executive Mangubat next informed the commission that he had spoken with a judge from another district about coming to meet with the commission to discuss the proposed new 32nd Judicial District. Mangubat said that he felt the judge he asked to meet with the commission would have an unbiased opinion on the matter.
Commissioner Mathis stated his opinion that the commission should work on the county’s personnel handbook regarding county vehicles being used for personal use.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner McDonald made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Kelley seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
