[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6376834,"mediaKeyId","2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05","parentId",2139735,"title","Commissioner urges review of committee rules after controversy over omnibus resolution and budget timing","audioSeconds",516,"startMs",388080,"endMs",904884,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05&start=388&end=904","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05/thumbnail_388080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6376834/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Commissioner-urges-review-of-committee-rules-after-controversy-over-omnibus-resolution-and-budget-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376834-759eac876125dd8a2ea81650801145c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930850&Signature=HTEd3ULze1OX4Ru6J5gl~le4c1ZlgiC10N2GRU96Z~LRyYobiDjRlBPFmZy3Tiwc8OoRXy2nebnmtyRNUPw4MUC4Ky7koQry6UzNmifHp2I-u2M~7NMC~3VdHkFlWvufNT2Gnzx84V6~GfAI1lf0-O-s0MMjnCkH6o~O5YkxT2HVoWYtFKisPSaJ1mM84fHTsPTNG-cWS6EdP7utNQTPa6UpvnvmDKP5KYgHMZvGGva8dVLJ8-ILpFAtA9EQBNfVtKoOPtMxCXa15UEDpS63DgGTr8OiqsLZYlfg-EP06WVdym8oTI6iFeqHBQ6KwxB1rfupB9RSZhNnpsEm9aY0XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford County, TN","date","2025-01-22T14:07:14Z","article","A commissioner urged the Bedford County Commission to review committee rules and limit the use of omnibus resolutions after public complaints about a multi-part resolution identified in the meeting as Resolution 20-416.

The commissioner said Resolution 20-416 combined multiple projects — including a Liberty School project, a juvenile facility matter and a surplus facility — into a single omnibus action that generated public outcry. “The biggest complaint… is the resolution 20 416,” the commissioner said, noting that five or six members of the public spoke at a prior meeting to object to packaging multiple proposals in one resolution.

The commissioner proposed revisiting committee roles and recommended considering creation of special committees under Tennessee Code Annotated 5-21-105. He summarized provisions he said were in that statute: that a special committee can be composed of five members appointed by the county legislative body; that the director of finance shall be the ex officio secretary of such committees; and that the budget committee should establish policies and procedures for preparing the annual operating and capital budgets.

“My main responsibility with that committee is to watch the finance director,” the commissioner said, naming the financial director, Robert Daniel, as the official the finance committee should oversee. He said commissioners should ensure budget preparation is not left solely to the county mayor, superintendent of schools or highway department.

The discussion also included concerns about transparency for projects referenced as the DUC Sun Electra Plant and “Project Cardinal,” and broader questions about adherence to the Tennessee Open Meetings Act and salary caps for county employees. The commissioner said those matters had generated disappointment and calls for clearer procedures.

Commissioner Vick and others debated an amendment adopted in December that referenced state authority and the “Dillon Rule.” Vick said Tennessee is a Dillon Rule state and characterized the county commission as limited to powers granted by the state; other commissioners questioned whether that interpretation applied equally to counties and municipalities and whether the amendment had been shared before the December meeting. The transcript records back-and-forth about whether the amendment had been debated in committee and whether it was appropriate to have it come forward as it did.

The commissioner said the proposal — and a written set of suggested finance-committee duties he received from Charlie Curtis — would be provided to fellow commissioners and discussed further at the next meeting. He urged commissioners to read the statutory provisions cited and to consider forming or following special committee guidelines to avoid recurring concerns about process and transparency. No formal vote on committee reorganization occurred at the meeting; the item was set for future discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rules Committee Jan. 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A commissioner urged the county to review committee rules and limit omnibus resolutions after public complaints about Resolution 20-416, and recommended using special committees under Tennessee law to improve transparency.","taxTitle","Bedford County, Tennessee","taxId",28224,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6376839,"Fairhaven Baptist opens as 24-hour warming center; volunteers and agencies continue outreach",149,195655,345025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05&start=195&end=345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05/thumbnail_195655.jpg","/articles/6376839/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Fairhaven-Baptist-opens-as-24-hour-warming-center-volunteers-and-agencies-continue-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376839-2ffa00296b6e832697f4d7fd9fbe5c95/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930850&Signature=iI5KVu94r9NnTiT~oArbnzqXlEPFAIYYnJUgfqJlKlrV9Fo88tCg9H0TK1n3CJYjJlSRXh~1Yv0bJuzM-gbOnuuMu~uEf2GbyPbwPcHOMurSclmVWNOIFoqUt6GTBYDrO7XnZsM0MoaD2n4EViLVNzI5thMmKR420kUqHTkBtxQOzZvZMCbrO7ygVwYLUeR6Q0vwI2xehfSLYvIGIctHzM9CZZay20jspYYX0m1saNtmd7cZMPIIoEF9dzEeQbq~MPJRg~U39R2J9eb0~k7wZ~4mXl5hCPEH5E~o-1dKlP9tkC0RmCTpse3S6rQaSuVmElFBLzy2RiNhd7-b9vS-eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials and volunteer coordinators reported continued work to shelter people experiencing homelessness during a period of very cold weather, including a local church opening as a temporary 24-hour warming center.

A commissioner asked for a short update on the homeless task force. A commissioner said the original task force had sunset in summer but a community group continues outreach, naming individuals involved: Kay Bartley, Toby Snead, Leticia Diaz and Jeff Rasnick.

One commissioner praised the volunteer effort: “These guys are the ones that are doing the leg work… they're doing some just phenomenal work,” the commissioner said, adding, “really in all reality, it's God's work that's out there to take care of these individuals.”

Mark Thomas, who relayed information from Fairhaven Baptist Church, said the church began operating as a shelter, opening 24 hours for cold-weather housing. Thomas said the church had opened the night before and would remain open while temperatures remained low; the county’s communications channel has a telephone number for people to call for help. He also said transportation coordination has been occurring, with Toby Snead involved in moving people to and from shelters.

Officials said availability may change day to day and asked residents who want to volunteer to contact the task-force coordinators; a commissioner offered to connect prospective volunteers with Kay Bartley and the other local organizers. No formal county action or new funding for the shelter was recorded during the discussion.

The update concluded with thanks to volunteers and a request that staff distribute shelter information via county social media and the newspaper so residents can find help or offer assistance.","County officials and volunteers reported ongoing outreach to people experiencing homelessness during cold weather; Fairhaven Baptist Church opened as a 24-hour warming center and county staff will share contact information and transportation help.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6376844,"Commissioners refer plan to post speed limits on unposted dead-end roads",169,26025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05&start=26&end=195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139735-675829f3b7c1e2e4d9606128422c0b05/thumbnail_26025.jpg","/articles/6376844/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-refer-plan-to-post-speed-limits-on-unposted-dead-end-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376844-8920670611b265c160206c19e9dce028/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930850&Signature=PDAK523IoRc6yet0f3JCXcjAYArt~GUQA3aq9A6~qjO8fjpuiNBErcS5ouul~~4yykzhG8fLx87HmWCQIuAw~VrI0BMmTXIbwOGT6lhaNZJLna50GYPx3ozfa0hLBWhTL6VXt87j~hrtSpbENuYUdLqnVEC5BHmfYi5CLfYuXt64nLYfDbG3CH7KuRdCe7SsUgdEepcsgCJzTq5cn3RQzOAaiLncXcMOC2lA1LTliuVVIyd49CLbdNjlps-lOCatqpnaXm5G~n~AetqJTxxrparAI2dokvs90Vmm6ewn2R1ADem1JTC1jHHxMp7~bhTLudTLy2INSyFFo6JOtjMhSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bedford County commissioners voted to refer a plan to post speed-limit signs on unposted dead-end roads to the full county commission after residents raised safety concerns about drivers exceeding safe speeds.

Residents told commissioners most complaints about dangerous driving come from dead-end roads, where visitors may drive faster than locals. A resident said, “85% of the calls have been on dead end roads… I may run 45 or 50 miles an hour… when it doesn't need to be that way.”

County staff told the meeting that state law sets the default speed on unposted roads at 55 miles per hour. “By state law, if it is not posted, it's automatically 55 miles an hour,” a staff member said. Commissioners and residents said posting speed limits would give the sheriff’s department a clearer basis for enforcement and for handling complaints.

A commissioner moved that the matter be sent to the commission for action; another commissioner seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote with the assembly responding “aye.” No individual roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Commissioners said the initial step will be to identify which roads need signage and to begin posting; staff said they would start with the roads that have generated the most complaints. The discussion noted that signage alone may not deter all speeding but provides an enforceable basis for law enforcement to act.

The vote was procedural — referring the posting plan to the commission — and did not itself set specific limits, dates or a funding source for the signs. Those details were not specified at the meeting.

The matter will return to the commission with staff recommendations for which roads to post and next steps for installation and enforcement.","After residents raised safety concerns about high speeds on unposted dead-end roads, commissioners voted to refer a plan to post speed-limit signs to the county commission; staff noted state law sets the default maximum speed at 55 mph for unposted roads.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner urges review of committee rules after controversy over omnibus resolution and budget timing

Fairhaven Baptist opens as 24-hour warming center; volunteers and agencies continue outreach

Commissioners refer plan to post speed limits on unposted dead-end roads