Franklin County commissioners approve package of contracts, grants and appointments in unanimous vote

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 4 to approve a series of resolutions authorizing contracts, grant applications and local appointments.

Chairman Eddie Clark called the session to order and the commission rapidly approved consent items before moving to new business. The body recorded unanimous voice votes on a string of measures, each motion entered into the record and approved 14-0.

Key approvals included: authorization for a multi-year telecommunications audit contract for the finance department (Resolution 8a-1217), approval to execute a contract with Heritage Environmental Services for solid-waste hauling and processing (Resolution 8e-1217), and authorization to apply for two Select Tennessee Site Development Grants related to the county's Moon property (Resolutions 8f-1217 and 8g-1217). The commission also authorized a multi-year lease-purchase and maintenance agreement for copiers used by the Franklin County Board of Education (Resolution 8h-1217).

Motions were recorded with movers and seconders in the minutes. For example, Resolution 8a-1217 (telecommunications audit) was moved by Commissioner Tim Fuller and seconded by Commissioner Barbara Finney; the minutes record the outcome as "all ayes; approved by voice vote 14/0." The Heritage Environmental Services contract was moved by Commissioner Dave Van Buskirk and seconded by Finney and approved by voice vote; the two Moon-property site-development applications were moved by Commissioner Chuck Stines and seconded by Finney and also carried unanimously.

The commission also approved grant pre-applications submitted by county departments: a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant pre-application and an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) application from the county Emergency Management Agency; and a Solid Waste TDEC Organics Management pre-application. Those pre-applications were presented by EMA staff and supported by the Finance and Finance Committee recommendations. The minutes record motions and voice votes approving submission of the pre-applications.

Routine appointments were also handled. The commission approved three reappointments to the county Animal Control Board (terms ending December 2020) and confirmed ten applicants to serve as notaries public. Each of those items passed on recorded voice or roll-call votes.

What happens next: grant applications will proceed to the relevant state and federal agencies; the telecommunication audit contract and Heritage contract will be executed per the terms recorded in the minutes and attached contract documents. The Board of Education's copier lease will be implemented under a multi-year agreement; the minutes include the lease resolution and a vendor proposal in the packet. The commission adjourned at about 7:30 p.m.

Action list (all outcomes recorded in commission minutes): - Approve minutes (Oct. 16 and special sessions) — motion passed 14-0. - Receive and file Finance Director quarterly reports — motion passed 14-0. - Approve Resolution 8a-1217 (telecom audit contract) — motion passed 14-0. - Approve grant pre-applications (Homeland Security, EMPG, TDEC organics) — motions passed 14-0. - Approve Resolution 8e-1217 (Heritage Environmental Services contract) — motion passed 14-0. - Approve Resolutions 8f-1217 and 8g-1217 (Select Tennessee SDG applications for Moon property) — motions passed 14-0. - Approve Resolution 8h-1217 (Board of Education copier lease) — motion passed 14-0. - Approve Animal Control Board reappointments and ten notaries — motions passed (recorded 14-0).