Sumner County budget committee members on July 6 advanced several items related to historic property restoration, county property cleanup and courthouse planning.

The committee voted to send the proposed budget for restoring the Latimer/William Brown house toward the county budget process; approved a resolution permitting the county mayor to use county personnel to remove debris from county‑owned parcels; and asked staff to obtain as‑built drawings and asbestos testing quotes for the recovery court space at 117 Smith Street so the committee can review contractor estimates next month. Several other projects — including design changes for a Westmoreland EMS facility and relocation of archival storage from the old archive building — were discussed and returned for follow up rather than finalized.

Why it matters: the actions move money and operational authority closer to execution for several county priorities. The Latimer House item would use county funds already set aside for the property and aims to stabilize and restore a historic house for limited public use. The debris resolution responds to long‑running complaints about demolition and cleanup delays on county parcels. The survey work for recovery court is intended to give contractors an accurate scope before construction contracts are issued.

Most important outcomes

Votes at a glance:
- Latimer/William Brown house restoration: committee approved forwarding the project and budget proposal to the county budget process for consideration by the full commission (motion carried).
- Debris/cleanup on county property (including Draper House area and associated parcels): committee approved a resolution per the county mayor’s request authorizing the county mayor to use county personnel to remove debris and to coordinate needed access (motion by Commissioner Jones; second by Commissioner Camilla; motion carries).
- Recovery court (117 Smith Street) as‑built and asbestos work: committee voted to keep the item as committee business and directed staff to obtain two quotes for an as‑built survey and related testing, to return with cost estimates next month (mover and second recorded in committee; item continued).

Details and supporting context

Latimer/William Brown house: Committee members described the packet as a preliminary restoration package that includes schematic drawings, a high‑level budget, and recommendations from a period renovator engaged to estimate costs. The materials the committee reviewed put the restoration budget in the mid‑six‑figure range; the presenter summarized a total budget figure reported in the packet as about $587,000 and said architectural and engineering allowances of roughly $30,000–$35,000 were included, with a 10 percent contingency. Committee members said the project is intended to be run without full‑time county staff on site (a volunteer or nonprofit management model similar to other county historic houses was discussed), and that final designs and bids would follow more detailed investigation and contractor proposals. The committee approved forwarding the package to the county budget process so the full commission can consider funding.

Debris and Draper House site: Committee discussion revisited a multi‑year cleanup and demolition matter. Members and several presenters criticized the continued presence of demolition debris on county property and said the county mayor had requested formal approval and a defined scope before committing resources. The committee amended draft language to read as a resolution approving the county mayor to have county personnel remove debris and to coordinate necessary access, then approved the motion in committee; the item will go to the full commission with the accompanying materials and the county mayor’s memo as requested by committee members.

Recovery court (117 Smith Street): County staff and commissioners said the existing drawings do not reflect current built conditions and that contractors cannot price work reliably until an accurate as‑built survey is produced. The committee directed staff to obtain quotes for an as‑built survey and for asbestos testing and to return next month with estimates so members can compare contractor bids on a correct scope.

Items returned for more work or further review

- Westmoreland EMS building: committee members discussed a plan change to move the EMS building down a hill to avoid costly pump and sprinkler system work. Presenters said one option would have produced an approximate $800,000 change order for the contractor; the committee authorized additional architect work (an architectural change order in the packet was discussed at about $31,000) and directed staff to return with firm pricing and a revised plan so the committee can decide whether to approve scope changes. No final action was taken at the meeting.

- Archive storage consolidation / courthouse records: commissioners debated clearing the archive building and reallocating storage into courthouse space so staff would not have to travel between buildings to retrieve records. Committee members discussed notifying constitutional officers to remove items from storage and suggested coordinating moves with trustees and county staff. The committee asked staff to continue coordination and to bring more details back to the next meeting.

Other ongoing concerns: committee members discussed recurring flooding and culvert failures in the Station Camp/Mark Lane/Liberty Creek area. That item was kept as committee business for additional field documentation and possible coordination with TDOT/TDEC; no funding decision was reached.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to return next month with the survey and testing quotes for the recovery court, updated architecture and cost data for the EMS site option, and a detailed plan and communications log for archival storage moves and debris removal so the full commission can act on any required appropriations and contract awards.

Sources: Sumner County budget committee meeting packet and meeting transcript (committee discussion and motions).