Dickson County Commission unanimously approves negotiations for Project Knight Pilot, courtroom video grant and $1.5M paving notes

The Dickson County Commission met Sept. 20, 2021, in Charlotte and unanimously approved a series of resolutions that together authorize negotiated economic development incentives, accept grant funding for courtroom security technology and permit borrowing for road paving.

The actions included authorizing the County Mayor to enter formal negotiations with an unnamed company, described in the meeting as Project Knight Pilot, and empowering the Industrial Development Board to negotiate and accept payments in lieu of taxes to reopen the ConAgra Brands facility in the county industrial park. The motion to authorize negotiations was made by Commissioner Mike Petty and seconded by Commissioner Randy Simpkins; the measure passed by unanimous voice vote.

Commissioners also authorized the county to execute a contract accepting a State of Tennessee grant of $100,000 to purchase a courtroom video arraignment system. Meeting materials show the total system cost at $110,865, leaving a county share of $10,865 to be paid from the county general fund. Commissioner Randy Simpkins moved to accept the grant; Commissioner Danny Williams seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The commission approved issuance of interest-bearing General Obligation Paving Capital Outlay Notes, Series 2021A, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 to fund paving projects. Commissioner Carl Buckner moved the authorization; Commissioner Stacey Batey seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

Other measures approved without recorded public opposition included: budget amendments for the county’s school funds; establishment of terms and appointments for a Memorial Committee to consider naming public property; setting a 35 mph speed limit on Swift Road; closing a portion of McClurkan Road at the request of property owner Soggy Dollar Farms LLC (approval noted as pending a letter from the owner); rezoning Parcel 039.01 of Tax Map 121 from R-1 PUD to A-1 at the request of Sid Dumes/CBS Investments; a 36-month lease for a postage meter with Quadient, Inc. at $49.68 per month plus taxes; authorization to enter into a contract with Life Check Systems, LLC for technology related to the county jail; and authorization to apply for Tennessee Valley Authority Investprep and Select Tennessee Site Development grants (50/50 match programs).

The commission also authorized acceptance of $58,008 in U.S. Department of Justice BJA FY20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental funds for the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office. Meeting text states this DOJ grant requires no county match and that the DCSO budget will be amended to reflect receipt and expenditure of the funds.

The commission approved a roster of county notaries submitted by County Clerk Luanne Greer and set the next regular session for Oct. 18, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. in the Buford L. (Booty) Reed, Jr. County Commission Chamber. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.

Actions taken at the meeting were recorded as unanimous voice votes unless otherwise noted.