The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 in the commission meeting room at the Wayne County Courthouse, with County Executive Jim Mangubat presiding over the meeting. All commissioners were in attendance, including Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Tim Powell, Phillip Casteel, Vickie Petty, Sherrie Powers, David Martin, Tim Prater, Mary Lauren Garner, Kathryn Staggs, Joe Hall, John McDonald, Stephen Pevahouse, and Rickey Kelley. Also present were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the committee minutes as presented. Commissioner Prater seconded the motion, and the committee minutes were approved.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the commission minutes from the previous meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Powers and was passed unanimously.
County Clerk Horton next presented the following to serve as notaries: Janice Smith, Christy D. Jack, Joan Y. Daniel, Leslie Gardner, Jordan Clark, Rhonda Staggs, and Ron Durrand. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the notaries. Commissioner Pevahouse seconded the motion, and the notaries were unanimously approved.
Under old business on the agenda, Commissioner Powers stated that if available, she would like an update on previous topics including water department plans, the Agriculture Center, the hospital, and the Highway 641 extension. County Executive Mangubat said that he would have a presentation on those topics at the December meeting.
Under new business, County Executive Mangubat first told the commission that in their packets they would find the County Attorney’s opinion concerning medical records, along with documents concerning refunding bonds.
Next, the County Executive brought up the Financial Advisor fee for discussion. Commissioner Powers said that her understanding of the Financial Advisor’s contract with the county is that he does not have to appear at County meetings, and that the contract is automatically renewed each year. Should the county wish to withdraw from the contract and no longer use the services provided by Guardian Advisors, a 90-day notice will be required.
The $50,000 Three-Star Grant was next under new business. Commissioner Powers made a motion to accept the grant. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and the grant was approved unanimously on roll call vote.
Sheriff Shane Fisher then gave a brief update on his department, stating that there should be SROs in place in three of the county’s schools after Thanksgiving break.
Budget amendments were next. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve the amendments as presented, and Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion. The budget amendments were unanimously approved.
County Executive Mangubat next told the commission that a vote needed to be recorded concerning the bid from AllComm Wireless for the emergency sirens. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve the bid. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Prater, and was unanimously approved on roll call vote.
Solid Waste Director Robert Hayes addressed the commission next, stating that there were two items that needed to be added to the resolution concerning the fees for tire disposal: 1.) County government fees will be waived for tire disposal at the facility, and department heads of county government will monitor employees so they will not abuse the policy by bringing their personal tires for disposal; and 2.) There will be a 30% late fee added to receipts if not paid within 30 days of tire disposal. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve the two items to the resolution. Commissioner Kelley seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Garner went on to tell the commission that Mr. Hayes should be recognized for being elected as a board member for the Tennessee Recycling Coalition. He was unanimously voted in not only by the Tennessee Solid Waste Directors Association, but also by members representing solid waste recycling at the state level. Hayes received more votes that all the other candidates combined.
Road Superintendent Chuck Moser then gave a report on his department, first mentioning the issue of drainage near the Franklin Cole residence. Moser said that the Highway Department is not at liberty to do any construction to improve the problem, and that the commission should be aware that Mr. Cole has hired an attorney to evaluate the situation.
Road Superintendent Moser also told the commission that he is working on finding where fudns can be transferred to replace a bridge located on Rocky Ford Road which has been designated as a mercury bridge.
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christine Chapman told the commission that there will be a meeting concerning the 2020 census of the county on Monday, November 18th at 5 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce office.
Next, Commissioner Powers brought to the commission a proposal to remove the $10 fee paid to members serving on the Budget Committee. Commissioner Hall made a motion to remove the fee. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and it was passed on roll call vote with Commissioners Brewer, Garner, Mathis, Pevahouse, McDonald, Casteel, Powell, Petty, Powers, Martin, Staggs, and Hall voting yes, and Commissioners Prater and Kelley voting no.
Commissioner Powers then announced three events that are coming up and invited everyone to attend: the Cypress Inn Fish Fry on Saturday, November 16th; Open House at the Wayne County Welcome Center on Saturday, November 23rd; and Small Business Saturday on November 30th.
Commissioner Casteel next made a motion for law officials to enforce the law concerning license plates being purchased out-of-county by citizens who live in Wayne County, a law that is already in the TCA code. Commissioner Powers seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. Sheriff Fisher assured the commission that this issue would be addressed.
Commissioner Mathis stated next that it is very important to stay in contact with the TDOT Commissioner concerning the Highway 641 project, and that everyone needs to make sure their voices are heard.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Garner made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
