[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6304569,"mediaKeyId","2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e","parentId",2459653,"title","Committee reviews bid irregularities for health‑department project; approves putting jail HVAC replacement out for bid","audioSeconds",819,"startMs",4514000,"endMs",5333000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e&start=4514&end=5333","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e/thumbnail_4514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304569/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Committee-reviews-bid-irregularities-for-healthdepartment-project-approves-putting-jail-HVAC-replacement-out-for-bid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304569-a7ba442334706683e7423f55cf892fc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574597&Signature=hrUZP8qR5xQtkamX66EJsuKGAOaK8H9ikmRvnVNh~Y51qk1wAoIyX1b~HaNmJcuf6dncc~zkySid70SCcWV-iviowdfI0p8S6GqoD47YRXURAphj9JmGolEHF1NL9Do7DfFwAFD79jXUzf0SIymYItiewVjmFWJNKOfZJAFKf7UQyr5vz6xDu62B~dIiOMtromE9cRVTC3hVhNY~5b3kOezWI2YvmGj8-fdJSh8AiUElVhHi6V0R9tP8RPo9VhrsxpcboTEiKoWCpTzxn01KQsCrHdcnBJ3kc2sPfoHqSnATiNhUGltU1wIFpseiet7SkkKbN1jNbXvoOPZgzPtypQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffee County, TN","date","2025-03-01T13:07:39.773Z","article","Dennis (last name not specified) briefed the Coffee County Budget & Finance Committee on a bid‑opening for the county health‑department project that had an irregularity: two contractors delivered bids to the wrong room and one packet was rejected at the opening because it arrived after the 11:00 a.m. deadline.

Dennis reported nine bids were opened at 11:00 a.m.; one contractor arrived at 11:01 and was told the packet could not be accepted and left without contesting the rejection. Another contractor arrived slightly late after visiting the wrong office; the representative did not voice an objection at the opening. Dennis said the contractor who had his packet rejected later indicated he was not the low bidder and would not press the matter. The county attorney reviewed the facts and the county staff said no formal procurement violation required reversing the opening. The committee scheduled a special Capital Outlay meeting for Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. to finalize any actions on the health‑department project.

Separately, the committee discussed an urgent capital need at the county jail: multiple HVAC pods are failing and the existing units are obsolete or at end of life. Staff presented three vendor options and recommended a particular manufacturer and option given warranties and lifecycle history; replacement cost for the pods was discussed in the meeting materials (the example figure discussed was up to about $345,000 for the recommended option). Committee members confirmed that replacing units is a procurement action (not routine maintenance) and that the county must follow formal quote/bid processes for purchases above the county threshold (the committee referenced a $50,000 bid or quote threshold). The committee approved a motion to put the jail HVAC project out for bid and instructed staff (facilities and purchasing) to obtain specifications and quotes.

Ending: The committee will meet in a special Capital Outlay session to consider health‑department bids and will proceed with a formal procurement process for jail HVAC replacements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/27/25 Budget & Finance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members discussed a bid‑opening discrepancy for the county health‑department project after two contractors submitted to the wrong room; members authorized a special capital‑outlay session and separately approved seeking bids to replace failing HVAC units at the jail.","taxTitle","Coffee County, Tennessee","taxId",70973,"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},6304575,"Rural solid‑waste department seeks front‑end loader, pickups and used‑oil facility planning funds",1723,2660000,4383000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e&start=2660&end=4383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e/thumbnail_2660000.jpg","/articles/6304575/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Rural-solidwaste-department-seeks-frontend-loader-pickups-and-usedoil-facility-planning-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304575-ad0233b3ca0d43055383682290f4cf06/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574597&Signature=W5t~BBLqIISeQ9rzYBA8dFxcqIqX9kSvpL0cy9LanjHpLycJt3rCiWtCdUCXKm-wKkm7hpgg9ugkRWfVt1SWp2qTUnycvlYc2abrvxDGDJvMCP7AqEKQAIfgs1qKV26SCYIms0Huw7hQXzUeB87BWQojFWKSrBGlOlJbLBNg03sfoHfJPUoCsmG1sfeXLRqbO6w~iIpWuPF-lhtYLZq5zolw4~JMHoT5XJnv8TkFhmw2V9BkTKBJVEvFa3QLwhwM3ye2Q~dMg8J4GTneU7omAx87X~R88WjoYmtt-bDX3h9GB6lE3tlWOB8Fog42I6rsIt~tr6TV28BMm3klX~fJXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Randy (last name not specified), representing the Coffee County Rural Solid Waste Department, outlined capital and operating needs at the Jan. 23 Budget & Finance meeting, including equipment replacement and a site plan for an oil/antifreeze collection area.

Department staff said the current front‑end loader is a 2015 model and the county obtained a rough estimate of about $387,000 for its replacement; lead time if ordered this year was described as one to two years. The department also requested replacing a 2012 pickup (used by the litter guard) and buying a new pickup for a supervisor; quotes for new pickups were described as approximately $46,000 each. The two capital purchases were discussed together as part of a capital projects request (the presenters asked for $450,000 total for the two pickup and loader items).

For hazardous‑waste handling, staff requested $90,000 from the Rural Capital Projects Fund to prepare a site plan and perform grading, rock, fencing and engineering costs for a used‑oil and antifreeze storage facility located at the rural solid‑waste site on Murphysboro Road. The department cited recent incidents in which the facility could not accept a 55‑gallon drum from a resident because it lacks the approved collection capability.

The committee approved a package of budget amendments and transfers that included rural solid‑waste requests and capital‑project allocations. Committee members discussed convenience‑center rental and tipping fees (currently about $60.63 per ton for disposal) and asked the department to rebid vendor contracts that expire in May.

Ending: The department will pursue the site‑plan work and capital‑project procurement through the county’s capital projects process; timing and funding depend on capital‑project approvals and bid results.","Coffee County’s rural solid‑waste superintendent presented capital requests including a front‑end loader (estimate $387,000), two pickups (quotes near $46,000 each) and a site‑plan/preparation estimate of about $90,000 for an oil/antifreeze storage facility; the committee approved related budget amendments and transfers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304580,"County approves application for state grant to buy voting‑machine carts; state would reimburse full cost",172,3234000,3406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e&start=3234&end=3406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e/thumbnail_3234000.jpg","/articles/6304580/Coffee-County/Tennessee/County-approves-application-for-state-grant-to-buy-votingmachine-carts-state-would-reimburse-full-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304580-81ce4bc21c59572957fd0b379a8dd666/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574597&Signature=XWAb0qSdDUo2K8ae9octEygmlNjcudJ~zAkzvyrDqmc28Wyq8To9qHvewJs14cjH6ju6GMrnsIv5tpndvzUYauJvniQmv3xQ7HENxaSnx32e15tzo8mHDhZ~mDtPsT-JhF-o-ZWrjpL5KEwfHEZgg-lzEu2bmVfR9Cebdh4MLDV-ACCn6bCcM3N6TZt4qlNMStR6b9prfD5HUkd5U9XOH6eclaGMCMgaiGDa95OUaQEp1cNpxxV697Wum4ZxSCXDTCPqNKVBeBIVxB2X-4BUJQ~7rPJUc7fx4nT8zjaq1e1sebg7LJ~uYc5~SRug4GPdGyFpEpW6RSdEunIoh1mLPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Budget & Finance Committee unanimously approved a motion on Jan. 23 to apply for a state grant to buy dedicated carts for its voting machines.

Election Administrator (name on file, presented) told the committee recent shipping and handling damaged several voting machines after transport; the carts would allow machines to be permanently attached for safer transport and faster setup at polling places. The quote from the vendor that supplies the county’s election machines was $99,000; the applicant said the state election office’s program would reimburse 100% of the purchase and related shipping and installation costs.

The committee voted to approve the application. The administrator said the vendor will ship and install the machines on the carts as part of the quoted price, and the county will only apply and wait to see whether the state awards the funding.

Ending: The county will proceed with the state grant application; procurement and final purchase depend on receipt of the state reimbursement.","The committee approved applying for a state election office grant that would fund carts to secure and transport voting machines; the project is quoted at $99,000 and is described as 100% reimbursable by the state.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304584,"EMA requests pay increases for part‑timers, hazardous-materials training and compliant drones",611,1148000,1759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e&start=1148&end=1759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","/articles/6304584/Coffee-County/Tennessee/EMA-requests-pay-increases-for-parttimers-hazardous-materials-training-and-compliant-drones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304584-023b148c61887472284eb64f3c2ea17a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574597&Signature=G7b0C-tXEftvWtoDeTsFMp6f9occZwEg21K7MBODylzyrFyvBancn4jK8q5JZ-jTlN7sL~UJQXG8F8DxrkB-Z-951qLRkz3YW~KWj5~bND8zXK2QAU-2x2KaGoxtxyct1vvghfL673AkavpS-ing-XSSB9llAzBc7OZhKCpvyDrP3Tfb1Sw-f0IY8A51u20-lYDiGdVKOyjZ8C0u3SstYVuvpeu1qF9vmRBvDMC7FG6w5KG5HAAgXi9PGgejL9s6NoaSaX7-QMF6T1JPrmnOY4j4RhwzudUCFzGyQFAlErBBr77AT5R4pNAdyHYVJGSsvEuJHgAVlEqSVYaVQruYlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan Lindley, director of Emergency Management Agency (EMA), briefed committee members on Jan. 23 about higher call volumes, credentialing needs, hazardous‑materials supplies and an equipment proposal to replace non‑compliant drones.

Lindley said 2024 call volume rose compared with recent years and that he included a 10% placeholder in his budget for cost‑of‑living adjustments and asked for an increase to the EMA’s part‑time line so part‑time staff — currently paid about $12 an hour — could be raised toward $16 an hour. Lindley noted two part‑time EMA staff also work full time at Arnold Air Force Base.

On training, Lindley said his deputy director is pursuing hazardous‑materials specialist certification that requires several weeks of out‑of‑state training (National Fire Academy and additional out‑of‑state classes) and that the county has only one existing HAZMAT specialist. He asked for an increase to the hazmat supplies line and pointed to rising costs: fully encapsulating protective suits now cost about $2,000 and have a five‑year shelf life.

Lindley described the department’s existing drones as DJI models that are not on the federal “blue list” and therefore not compliant for some operations; he said the agency is looking at Skydio drones that the vendor quotes at roughly $20,000 each and that Skydio offers a trade‑in/buyback program for older models. Lindley said Homeland Security grant funds cannot be used to buy drones and that the department will continue to seek other grants or capital‑project funding.

Committee members asked about part‑time pay parity with EMS and whether partner agencies could help fund equipment. Lindley said the department has letters of support for drone use from partner agencies and that the drone proposals include FLIR/thermal, zoom and loudspeaker capabilities to support search, hazmat and law enforcement tasks.

Ending: Lindley’s request will feed into the committee’s broader budget work; the department did not seek a committee vote on capital purchases at the meeting.","Coffee County Emergency Management Agency asked the committee for part‑time pay increases, training funds for a HAZMAT specialist and funds or capital-project guidance to replace noncompliant drones with DoD‑compliant units.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304589,"Probation director asks for targeted raises, cites retention and extra duties",508,582000,1090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e&start=582&end=1090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459653-48af7027464db0d696bccebdac39372e/thumbnail_582000.jpg","/articles/6304589/Coffee-County/Tennessee/Probation-director-asks-for-targeted-raises-cites-retention-and-extra-duties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304589-0f209190a43bacbc9a36ea199969ee3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574597&Signature=WgDWdvZ~38GoqwDrBNKML3tfGs~kRTS5pCiYhkbCveyJ3wS8CGRCFeDHefo-c3DDPgb1dzwcwJ~XzhiIK6FgjsRQMhVGmYxHnLhrnOKU2ic3CMstm4UHfe93~UWKncXVENvArrN3GQ0RCyoHH0R0C4ZO8QiCNsNfEbNmX3f8qUhruGGZ4j-1a~c5zlrrflxwF7qmAmu67MOZVljGd~tRdLfoGFfh4YYJ3sFzoS~GLO2XKJtKvpb7hATmSALIR6wPwNlWD8BItrvNK3bX6Lkhvx4sIxIYzruvAS730V87LfSqg7aePGFQO6BifmVHVGW0c5uaVI1GV-12Vc4YKKs6Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Linda Baker, director of Probation Services, asked the Coffee County Budget & Finance Committee on Jan. 23 to approve higher pay for probation staff and modest increases in several operating lines as the department competes for workers and absorbs rising costs.

Baker told the committee she proposed raising the director’s salary from $55,306 to $57,000 and boosting probation-officer pay so a senior officer would earn about $48,000. She said six probation officers are currently budgeted at $252,903 in total and proposed increasing that total to about $274,000 so newer officers would move to $45,000 and one particular second-longest-serving officer would move to $46,000. Baker asked for $2,900 more for four officers (about $11,600 total) and described one officer who steps into multiple roles when the administrative assistant is on leave.

Baker said she was not requesting “willy-nilly” spending and cited a 2021 salary study that showed the office was behind neighboring counties. She also sought smaller increases in supplies, communications (calls, AT&T, Google, Twilio), case-management maintenance, copier and IT backup contracts (about $450), tuition and training (roughly $200 per staff member), and uniforms ($500).

Committee members pressed Baker on how last year’s across‑the‑board raise was distributed. Baker said one officer received more because of tenure and consistent extra work. Committee members noted the 8–8.5% pool approved last year had been left to department heads’ discretion and agreed clearer guidance is needed this year if commissioners want part‑time and full‑time raises handled differently.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was received for the committee’s budget deliberations.

Ending: The probation budget will be considered again as the committee refines countywide guidance on raises and finalizes department budgets.","Linda Baker, director of Coffee County Probation Services, presented a budget request seeking raises for probation officers and support staff and outlined several non-salary increases tied to rising operating costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews bid irregularities for health‑department project; approves putting jail HVAC replacement out for bid

Rural solid‑waste department seeks front‑end loader, pickups and used‑oil facility planning funds

County approves application for state grant to buy voting‑machine carts; state would reimburse full cost

EMA requests pay increases for part‑timers, hazardous-materials training and compliant drones

Probation director asks for targeted raises, cites retention and extra duties