[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6231914,"mediaKeyId","3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76","parentId",3427557,"title","Library bids, roof repairs and programs discussed; commissioners say roofing bids not yet approved","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",1793000,"endMs",2100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76&start=1793&end=2100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76/thumbnail_1793000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231914/Houston-County/Tennessee/Library-bids-roof-repairs-and-programs-discussed-commissioners-say-roofing-bids-not-yet-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231914-2521809d8f2e90c0af0e492b6911c2f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803615&Signature=HMy2y87ynlRV4Qy4QVJqkLLiZPztHhu3aatmxiL8wnYD8l7jSF774-0PyaJ-Bh35hBBsyswBxo8tqwwRaqo2Z7wr5DC9ufD2wKrZYqd3T08p9WOIRz07EOgSpSR7-FUxReZ23payMkqmfZMD9YPFTjqjdv0xi1TQG~wnUTgrtTyGCkAfC5ZrRhcH8jYI292Dfmc4byDXJhITQGtUKy0BfcfxmLj4YQ7H1mYWgG6BTnid5EuFjmQKOW3lrNLlemE6U-7lx4tYrb6wgG0k8C2zlMqQLYrjyKhXnv3Q6IQZs~JpUIKCrFqDik0bUbi6YNCDiZnbHroA58UcvNDVxPDOxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston County, TN","date","2025-05-21T18:14:53.86Z","article","During public comment Houston County staff and a library representative discussed pending roof-repair bids for the county library and associated facilities. Staff said the library roof project has bids but that the commission had not yet approved contracts.

A library representative gave usage statistics for April and described active programs. The representative reported 927 library visits for the month, 107 program attendees, 460 wireless sessions and about 787 checkouts across library collections, and encouraged commissioners to visit a weekly children's story time to see high attendance.

Staff said roofing for the library will be combined with bids for two other projects, including work at the debt center and jail, and that the county is having difficulty finding contractors who will repair a rubber roof on the health department building. Staff also said a contractor named Keith is scheduled to begin work the week after Memorial Day and that renovation work on the 911 building will start June 6.

Commissioners said the library roof and other capital work will be considered in the ongoing budget process and that more information would be presented at the next budget meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/19/2025 CLB Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public and county staff discussed pending bids for library roof repairs, timelines for work and recent library usage figures during public comment. Commissioners said bids exist but approvals are pending and that roof work will be scheduled in the budget process.","taxTitle","Houston County, Tennessee","taxId",73401,"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},6231919,"School official urges commission not to cut SRO funding, says officers work evenings and events",255,2114000,2369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76&start=2114&end=2369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76/thumbnail_2114000.jpg","/articles/6231919/Houston-County/Tennessee/School-official-urges-commission-not-to-cut-SRO-funding-says-officers-work-evenings-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231919-1f31ef6db4fd9bea9a619858b236fac3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803615&Signature=PLjxTVmO~HfcCyOJbdLCns1tK~ZLQKrNHNsW6jpXILwAAzy0BJxX-qWwiL-8-eVt5SFl~6aevCmkl2f92sYgr8eQ5xnzio4uIPACo5fBRZt5MzMRGp5Vsu6wrAwvTZMjQ8J-EC7bDtaLdaw8OrAuekPzkH21Glk2xuwWbJ4163c-SVsRwUPzcuFSvgYj8MEvUsXRzSE0XA9pUol~qh2274Bfl04o5-mBrgJNJos4OHAKtg4tZ2XTmOnz9ovcoHSSSbv3lUdMz4nIuESMZ-jArthk17PfDJzwmp7uI4SLoAYsses9FdYyNKnFNlA0sNmHp12qKR12Pahu6-72zCKnDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A school representative urged Houston County commissioners during the public-comment portion of the meeting not to cut funding for school resource officers, saying SROs provide essential safety services and work far beyond typical school hours.

The speaker said SROs assist with evacuations, attend off-site events and sometimes work six days a week. \"These SROs are working 6 days a week,\" the speaker said, describing travel to events and additional duties beyond the school day.

The speaker said the SRO program is supported by grant funding that could end, and that losing grant money would require the school system to find alternate funding or return state funds. The speaker asked commissioners to review school budgets with school staff before making cuts and said parents and school staff had reached out in support of the SROs.

No formal commission action on SRO funding occurred at the meeting; the remarks were delivered during public comment and the commission did not record a vote or direction based on the comment in the meeting transcript.","A school representative spoke during public comments defending school resource officers and urging the commission not to cut funding for the SRO program, citing extensive hours, travel and grant dependency.",{"_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},6231924,"Commission approves UT occupancy; commissioners warn utilities, remodeling costs will fall to county",334,1208000,1542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76&start=1208&end=1542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76/thumbnail_1208000.jpg","/articles/6231924/Houston-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-UT-occupancy-commissioners-warn-utilities-remodeling-costs-will-fall-to-county","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231924-07937d54585d469bc240672fdc07e2e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803615&Signature=QQfnbn0PGS3ypLfCbH9npJXaBHwtpsVH1xxtTFNOdEAOGAXHjT6ofxgIVgwT9PyTZYKiePCIHPA0kc02NQDgOQC5Ej5MbT5L0PcksDzcnENkFqWovQN5Z9Xu~5RTFhwbaIGC49V1S4wEw75ZZjaWg1pgj4UGiK0JAgS2ugqySHvNdX7bLQKrMuanR1xfw8x~1PuCn4D9s32VdiCQCjoweXrCY0~fMYuqgdX8bV4DPw~kRjDE-8iOXQDgHL-5oW8yJmoicZQWkA6-Mh5D6BKazvRga3PQdXJuDHeuXJpom93W6s3v3dadlnEDIxr8syzs1XzX2lFaFCAQyBEygRD3Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston County commissioners approved a measure to allow UT to occupy county space after a discussion about what UT would and would not fund. Commissioners and staff agreed that UT is willing to provide about $50,000 worth of furniture and technology, but meeting speakers said UT will not pay utilities for county-owned buildings.

During discussion commissioners and staff flagged additional county costs tied to the building. One speaker said the county would face about $19,000 in basement remodeling costs regardless of whether UT occupies the space and noted that heating and electrical costs for a garage that houses fire trucks would remain a county expense.

Commissioners asked whether UT currently pays any utility bills; staff said the county is covering electricity and water while the county building is in shared use. Commissioners emphasized concern about recurring utility costs and the long-term fiscal impact on taxpayers.

The meeting record shows the commission moved and seconded the occupancy item, discussed utilities and remodeling, and then took a roll-call vote. The motion passed on roll call with one recorded no vote.

The commission did not adopt a separate utility-cost-sharing agreement on the record; the transcript records that staff will continue discussions with UT and that the county will proceed with planned basement renovations.

The decision authorizes the occupancy arrangement (including the in-kind $50,000 furniture/technology contribution) while leaving utility-payment responsibilities with the county unless a different agreement is reached later.","The commission approved a motion to allow UT to occupy county space with a $50,000 furniture/technology offer; commissioners raised concerns that UT will not pay utilities and that basement remodeling and garage heating costs will remain county obligations.",{"_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},6231929,"Houston County approves limited TCRS buyback; county to cover roughly $83,006 lump sum",138,456000,594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76&start=456&end=594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427557-1af9076489214c3f9d7cebc7ae24cd76/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6231929/Houston-County/Tennessee/Houston-County-approves-limited-TCRS-buyback-county-to-cover-roughly-83006-lump-sum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231929-bb83876b2b94e9395763cfcd6fa88c0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803615&Signature=moCP8AxDYUYIt0Obmg0FqMvkcSKPSWkSwNok6tLvs-APsfz4bccscL-c~XqwweJCtjF4WnQHsBBZKWtefO3QrsShDp7UUyTXIYWchBb9M0mvxcus-4lQSdW~islunDztizJPwhmqeY4AfXCgKc25UjdHgYFWttdjzG-2yPu4a4uXC81fsfTOZCOpXn4yie1a0iqq7xbrCPqa-kMJlUKYiUeaoTrkodnJQa59MsxYzAPCUnf5olQT4B6tVVFM4CNY9IZRc0KQNEJdss8~9gwzXRZgZCmel~CNNFIYZcGAIgp3WnZRZks2~Fj579qxrSoNsH2~~s5OPrdyMVX8YIHMsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston County commissioners voted to approve a three-year buyback option under the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), a measure county staff said will require a one-time employer lump-sum payment of about $83,005.94 and would raise the county's employer contribution rate from 2.97% to 3.0%.

Dan Garmsstead, identified in the meeting as representing the county's emergency charging department, explained the buyback would let eligible employees purchase prior service years so more workers can reach the five years needed to vest in TCRS benefits. \"This will allow some of your employees to get to that 5 years,\" Garmsstead said during his presentation.

Garmsstead described two buyback options the county had studied: a three-year purchase scenario and a five-year purchase scenario. He said the three-year scenario would add about $83,005.94 to the county's plan assets and would move the employer rate from 2.97% to 3.0%. He also said a five-year scenario would cost more (the figure mentioned was about $90,001.43), but the commission voted on the three-year option.

Garmsstead stressed that employees who elect to buy service years must apply and that employee costs vary by individual. He also said employees already contribute 5% of pay toward the pension plan and that the county must pay the lump-sum liability regardless of whether every eligible employee purchases service.

Commissioners took a roll-call vote after discussion and approved the three-year buyback option. The meeting record shows the motion passed on a recorded roll call.

The approval authorizes county staff to proceed with the three-year buyback option and to account for the employer lump-sum payment in county financial planning. The meeting did not set a specific schedule for employee applications or a detailed implementation timeline in the public record.

Commissioners and staff said the county actuarial and auditor work informed the figures presented; the meeting transcript names an estimate of roughly 17 eligible employees but does not confirm a final count of who will apply.

The action carries direct budgetary implications for the county pension fund and for future payroll accounting. The county will record the additional employer liability and will adjust the employer contribution rate in its payroll accounting as described in the presentation.","The Houston County legislative body voted to approve a three-year buyback option under the state retirement system, a move county staff said will cost the employer about $83,005.94 and raise the employer contribution rate from 2.97% to 3.0%.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library bids, roof repairs and programs discussed; commissioners say roofing bids not yet approved

School official urges commission not to cut SRO funding, says officers work evenings and events

Commission approves UT occupancy; commissioners warn utilities, remodeling costs will fall to county

Houston County approves limited TCRS buyback; county to cover roughly $83,006 lump sum