[{"_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",6211640,"mediaKeyId","3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466","parentId",3692821,"title","District attorney seeks county approval of $12.50 court-cost funding authorized by state legislature","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",1997000,"endMs",2274000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466&start=1997&end=2274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466/thumbnail_1997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211640/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/District-attorney-seeks-county-approval-of-1250-court-cost-funding-authorized-by-state-legislature","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211640-4e46a7a3811a397492d6c8d5e9e72f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978666&Signature=kS7zW-wGI37KNwHQSBsd329gP2YxTn3eQe0RS3VjH6ENNZ8rXMTuHkWNwW1Zbwk1aUZzJPt9F3D93H8C4DWaENO3wJ9y2FfpVyTPaby5tEkHZQP7wDOUqkvKjIAY4MuEUc2j7XMfwoJleoU~UnySr4kYGO5w4iMEmG6zKycH5WV2wlW83HOSTrSTmuFko002r7Wt~CxOnKumPYT0JZF5Upb0HpFKMuL-qBosfUYs-hk-KIi2N93RHLe8E76SjnMCi5FIueOMN5keOQBUF6Mb2IvE2rcy6Qr37pUcTeJwrfP4Afxcb3pZ6Fl~7AnB6o5Gby-1H6fvkzMwEpqIJc5wgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County, TN","date","2025-06-06T00:09:58Z","article","Jennings Jones, district attorney for Rutherford and Cannon counties, asked commissioners to approve a resolution implementing a $12.50 court cost the state legislature authorized to provide funding for prosecutors.

\"Some years ago, the legislature approved a $12.50 court cost, for the public defender's office to assist with their funding. This this year pardon me. It it had to be, approved again by the county commission,\" Jones said, adding that the legislature this year approved similar funding for the district attorney's office contingent on county approval. \"This is a cost that is not paid by the county. It does not come from the county coffers. This comes from an additional court cost paid for by the folks who my office is prosecuting for crimes that are committed within Rutherford County. Additionally, this allows me to, fund my office, without having to come to y'all and and ask for further funding.\"

Commissioners discussed process and whether the item requires a two-thirds vote when it is considered by the full commission. Jones and staff clarified the public defender's $12.50 is a separate court cost and would not be shared with the district attorney's office. The steering committee will review the resolution and return recommendations to the commission.

The commission voted to forward the resolution to steering for review; a formal vote by the full commission will follow. Commissioners noted that, if adopted later by the full commission, the cost is assessed through the court system and paid by people convicted in county courts rather than from county general-fund appropriations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget & Finance Committee - June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district attorney asked the Rutherford County Commission to forward a resolution to implement a $12.50 court cost the state legislature authorized to fund prosecutors; the commission agreed to send the item to steering for review.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",4625,"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},6211645,"Resident urges higher pay; county finance director outlines recent and planned increases for public safety",654,1689000,2343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466&start=1689&end=2343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","/articles/6211645/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Resident-urges-higher-pay-county-finance-director-outlines-recent-and-planned-increases-for-public-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211645-fb38149d7303e135fbd4c90d2b392bbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978666&Signature=J1uD7wErzh3N-zpeMMTp8XYAWCKHiSsCOEDQ0uodFHsdo8MbPhxul6vlXM8NdaNwLLGw5LGh--dOlwe3O7msq7UIZ3M9KovULlXJMlpDOHKCO6vv8Kmaj1rx1xBQDnKieGh8ANw47gVsXCBasNeKo86PSrsDwcOCbVjH1A~9FUAsuBwTJvdp3xzb2pUnu73nXkL1eXZ7BB~VvAbPjpcnG2yii-0ppTrmIXNxbNzJQMVg8COe1cNxC96FSDOFBCoidBnevIkiG2MA9~vzf3q1sV19DhiuOE5MbYwhKtsZT7ndGxKIBXkHaEAsvgTfbCdnZXLU0P5qkR8YHKB3UyJ5Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Rutherford County resident used public comment to press the commission to raise public-safety pay, saying the county should fund salaries at the 90th percentile to retain workers who can afford to live locally. Commissioners and county staff then addressed pay changes the county has approved over the last two years and those proposed in the current budget.

\"My name is William Travis, and I live at 1333 Round Rock Drive,\" said the resident, who previously worked for the sheriff's office. He said a commissioner's remark that the sheriff's office should hire from outside the county \"is a tacit and condemnatory admission that this county does not pay its first responders a wage sufficient enough to live here.\" He urged the commission to use unexpected revenue to increase salaries and said he would accept higher property taxes to fund pay at the 90th percentile.

After public comment, Michael, the county finance director, gave a detailed clarification of recent and proposed compensation actions. \"What's in the budget this year right now is an approximate 2 percent lift to the county pay table,\" he said, noting eligible employees would also receive a 1.75% step increase where applicable. In addition, Michael said targeted pay-grade adjustments proposed in the current budget would increase pay for firefighters, EMTs and detention officers by two pay grades (about 6%) and that group would receive roughly a combined increase of about 9.75% when other measures are included. He said patrol received a proposed single pay-grade increase (about 3%), and that 50 to 70 positions across departments were reclassified per a recent market study, with those reclassifications ranging from roughly 10% to more substantial increases in some cases.

Michael noted these changes are on top of prior increases: the county previously implemented a 4.25% increase last July and another 4.25% increase earlier this year. Asked whether those targeted increases stack with earlier raises, Michael said they do; he summarized that some employees in targeted groups may see total increases in the low to mid-teens percent range once all adjustments are applied.

Chairman Phillips and other commissioners said they wanted the public to know the commission is addressing compensation and that the county has made multiple pay adjustments over the prior two years. The commission did not take an immediate vote to raise base pay to a specified percentile; instead, staff and commissioners said they would continue to consider compensation policy and that previous and proposed actions already provide significant increases for some public-safety groups.

The resident comment and the finance report will be part of ongoing budget and compensation discussions; commissioners asked staff to present details and follow up at future meetings.","A resident urged the commission to raise public-safety pay to the 90th percentile so employees can afford to live in Rutherford County; county finance staff summarized recent and proposed pay increases that together amount to substantial raises for firefighters, EMTs, detention officers and others.",{"_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},6211650,"Rutherford County applies for federal grants to staff deputies and firefighters",1557,650000,2207000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466&start=650&end=2207","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466/thumbnail_650000.jpg","/articles/6211650/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-applies-for-federal-grants-to-staff-deputies-and-firefighters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211650-88b9bc97ac72b8546dc96a610428a369/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978666&Signature=h9LkRS9tr5A18Ap~KnoX4uHUpt5pn~WfywcVjb7AVlFZLi7vVsGuO5yVNeJSLm59Rp08iUYhSxuoPL~thZ57EHipoveTPFUbuOQHu-dc4jvpOjYrRZ-o9me1YR1wGPfimzRYTLs8sZ5ooKwviIumlYtjIEQjv9tfC49c8mzOX~A1Fh8Ere5lCIvSg-EC9LRfp4UmqTwsESRYQP2Vc-imPJNIFqH4kK8SXk9kYjEft865McLhcO~uKP0JP8nZkmH5z-VWG0BaYpmRMtRAJsKNmGeBVijwSGvW0LizUkiXxM5CPGDVnXAqIn8HAhVYybzcJZR7pCBEni1~5GN1RpAm4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County commissioners authorized staff to apply for two federal grants intended to add public-safety personnel: a Department of Justice COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant for deputies and a FEMA SAFER grant to add firefighters and medics.

Steve Spence, deputy chief at the sheriff's office, said the COPS grant is a three-year award with a 75/25 match. \"The max award from the grant is $750,000, which is a hundred and $25,000 per officer for 3 years,\" he said, explaining the department would use awarded funds to hire deputies for traffic-safety education and enforcement. Spence noted the 25% match had been approved previously by the county opioid committee and that the match would otherwise come from opioid-committee funds for the next budget year.

Chief Farley, the county's fire chief, asked for permission to file a SAFER application for 16 people. He said the SAFER grant pays 75% of wages for the first two years (county pays 25%), and in the third year the grant pays 35% (county pays 65%). He said the proposal would \"allow us to fully staff the new head rescue\" and place a full crew on Engine 60.

Both applications were authorized by the commission as requests to apply only; commissioners noted staff would return for formal acceptance if either grant is awarded. Roll-call votes were recorded in favor of both applications.

Spence and Chief Farley both stressed that approval at this meeting was only to file the grant proposals and that any acceptance of awards would require future commission approval.","The county authorized applications for two federal grants: a DOJ COPS grant the sheriff's office said would fund deputies focused on traffic safety, and a SAFER grant the fire chief said would fund 16 firefighters/medics to staff a new rescue; both applications were approved to be filed and would return to commission for acceptance if awarded.",{"_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},6211654,"Commission approves 2026 hearing-aid benefit for active employees; selects Securian for voluntary accident and critical-illness plans",335,378000,713000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466&start=378&end=713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466/thumbnail_378000.jpg","/articles/6211654/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-2026-hearing-aid-benefit-for-active-employees-selects-Securian-for-voluntary-accident-and-critical-illness-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211654-86a553fdd6ab4481fdee34f5475f486e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978666&Signature=W-40smr4frtr8Yz6tJWkZhUq3alx0vd64zV5ZhP2wBnMqDVPsiSIxHLLnpVu3Pbi5gdRCgt4vr8EXazL~WIPOenBiio-Nt2m7CHsr~CmdES5hqvCOatm4jsbpQOb-jadGH2UDZOQJi0Ub56eipG3oEMOZY1Keac0C2RZ-ya3tJ4wnG68bm9Hk4lUKB~1uJYC0yV9dqPIt2sDXf2FlMWRr3omL0s68Qplc3YINsmtq-Ne7iRl4PZ3NbIy2DtoPAhRonKmhpI2fgDWsQmOtGecuQVWDUoYpaKcRdNWx11JxltUuoAxxEWzUm3pqCKTeb97CYJ~pRW948vqBAjdKs-tQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County Commission approved two employee-benefits measures recommended by the benefits and insurance committee: (1) adding hearing-aid coverage to the county's medical plans for active employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and (2) placing voluntary accident and critical-illness plans with Securian for 2026.

Ed Elam, the county's insurance and risk management director, presented the committee's recommendations. For hearing aids, staff proposed \"a $2,000 maximum benefit per member for up to 2 hearing aids every 12 months, subject to deductible and coinsurance,\" applicable to active employees age 18 and older, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Elam confirmed the change applies to active employees only; retirees post-65 who are on the county's Humana Medicare PPO already have a similar benefit.

On voluntary coverages, Elam recommended placing accident and critical-illness plans with Securian. He told commissioners the products are employee-funded (the county makes no contribution) and Securian's proposal included a five-year rate guarantee, as presented in the packet.

Commissioners voted by roll call to approve both recommendations. Voting was recorded in favor by Commissioner Trey Gooch, Commissioner Harris, Commissioner Irvin, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Piercy, Commissioner Sereno and Commissioner Peay.

Elam closed by noting the retiree Medicare plan already includes comparable hearing-aid coverage and the Securian plans are intended as voluntary, employee-paid options.

The commission did not alter the coverage scope or the employee-funded status of the Securian plans during the vote; staff will implement the insurance changes through plan documents and enrollment processes ahead of the Jan. 1, 2026 effective date for the hearing-aid benefit.","The benefits and insurance committee recommended adding hearing-aid coverage for active employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and the commission voted to place voluntary accident and critical-illness plans with Securian; retirees were not included in the active-employee hearing-aid change.",{"_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},6211659,"Rutherford County documents roughly $32 million revenue gain, approves year-end budget cleanup",1442,123000,1565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466&start=123&end=1565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3692821-2492b63c64f9a1d362c297cf85963466/thumbnail_123000.jpg","/articles/6211659/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-documents-roughly-32-million-revenue-gain-approves-year-end-budget-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211659-76741df5b55143703bd7d7920492e2f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978666&Signature=FpbnzuZR--tVZbUzoF1uyFh5G~6gtUXO2qQ9BfXkB5OBdAI2U3cPNpwROBzy~5tR99JH55Ar6IhUKyz1bGOoPn28JiFwmXOATGOBe1-j7srCZz~UguIOs2shmpetigBg~PIPlopnWOa6I5kgGyJhTFWUvqx6my0Rb386UAUwTXPfCLM2ZHbQryj8undU-xEGbwyEAT8Yu9UGnpZTd8d7mtZUvO1bgVmTOYBkX1~X39~95OjbTST54~uMCVGvRuLdbRbUDEisMwXzrdrMuT7c4EpHKzctKmyenqS3vQ4P9U06HQjgeWzv-54Nq2es8t19NvlUyE2AuXxMe78QIZrgjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County commissioners voted to approve a package of year-end budget amendments that recognize roughly $32,000,000 in additional revenue and, after expenditure adjustments, would add about $26,000,000 to the county's unassigned fund balance.

Michael, the county finance director, told the commission the packet of amendments covers routine end-of-year cleanups, revenue revisions and refunding entries. \"On the county general fund, the net increase, roughly to unassigned fund balance, ... is gonna be about $26,000,000,\" he said. He also said total additional revenue is \"right at 32,000,000 increase,\" but that some of those dollars are restricted.

The package consolidated multiple line-item cleanups across funds, including: adjustments to revenue estimates, payouts of accrued leave for separations, transfers to correct budgeting line items, and entries related to a recent debt refunding that showed roughly $20 million in refunding receipts and matching bond-payment adjustments. Michael emphasized the amendments do not create new positions or authorize pay increases: \"none of these amendments tonight are gonna grant any new positions. None of these amendments grant any raises or anything like that.\"

Commissioners asked for and received clarification on magnitude and timing. Michael said the estimates remain provisional because a month or two of sales-tax and hotel-motel tax receipts are still to be received. He also noted certain receipts are restricted, such as roughly $1.5 million identified for opioid-related programs and that some previously authorized use of fund balance earlier in the year (about $15 million) was anticipated to be partially restored by year-end receipts.

The commission approved the consolidated amendment in a single roll-call vote. Commissioners recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Trey Gooch (vice chairman), Commissioner Harris, Commissioner Irvin, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Piercy, Commissioner Sereno and Commissioner Peay; the motion carried.

The broader packet also included routine cleanup amendments for the unemployment pooled account (allocating costs to the departments that incurred them), transfers inside an EBJP grant, and an insurance allocation that reallocates employee insurance costs to the departments where the employees elected coverage. Several smaller departmental transfers and position reclassifications tied to the fiscal-year close were approved by separate motions during the meeting.

Commissioners were offered the chance to pull any item for separate consideration; none were removed from the consolidated vote. Finance staff said they will continue to monitor revenues and will return with final figures after the remaining receipts post.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote.","County finance staff told commissioners they are recognizing about $32 million in additional revenue and proposing year-end adjustments that would add roughly $26 million to unassigned fund balance; the commission voted to approve consolidated cleanup amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District attorney seeks county approval of $12.50 court-cost funding authorized by state legislature

Resident urges higher pay; county finance director outlines recent and planned increases for public safety

Rutherford County applies for federal grants to staff deputies and firefighters

Commission approves 2026 hearing-aid benefit for active employees; selects Securian for voluntary accident and critical-illness plans

Rutherford County documents roughly $32 million revenue gain, approves year-end budget cleanup