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Simpson County fiscal court approves budget moves, ordinance readings and courthouse renovations
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Summary
At its Dec. 19 meeting, the Simpson County Fiscal Court approved first readings of two ordinances, authorized participation in a $78,500 HIDTA subaward, approved multiple budget transfers and a $25,518.77 courthouse renovation quote, and signed off on the county's bills and claims.
The Simpson County Fiscal Court on Dec. 19 approved a set of administrative and budget measures, including first readings of two ordinances, authorization to accept a $78,500 Appalachia HIDTA subaward, several budget transfers and a renovation quote for the Historic Courthouse.
County Judge/Executive Mason Bames opened the meeting and the court moved unanimously to approve the minutes of the Dec. 5 meeting. The court then approved first reading of Ordinance No. 230.31, which updates the Simpson County Code of Ethics to bar county officers and employees from supervising or taking employment actions involving immediate family members, while preserving a limited exception for participation in budget decisions that include family members as part of a broader class of employees. The first-reading vote was recorded as in favor by Magistrates Marty Chandler, Scott Poston, Jeffrey Burr, Myron Thurman and Judge/Executive Bames.
Magistrate Myron Thurman introduced first reading of Ordinance No. 220.254 — Amendment No. 2 — in the amount of $172,919.84; the court approved first reading as presented. The court also authorized Simpson County to participate in the CY2024 Appalachia HIDTA subaward, accepting the administrative and financial responsibilities for $78,500 and authorizing the county judge/executive to sign required documents.
Financial housekeeping included approval of a cash transfer of $11,739.43 from the Federal Grant Fund to the General Fund and multiple budget transfers that reallocated funds for a sheriff audit, building maintenance and communications equipment. The court approved the bills and claims list covering a broad set of vendors and payroll expenses, including a $100,000 payment to the Simpson County Board of Education and routine payroll disbursements.
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Bill Rohrs presented bids to renovate office space on the north side and two offices on the east side of the second floor of the Simpson County Historic Courthouse. The court accepted a contractor quote of $25,518.77, which includes a lower HVAC bid from Contractor B, and authorized moving the building and electrical inspectors into the renovated space; the court noted that Thurman Electric will perform electrical work with the county paying materials only. Rohrs also reported that recent roof leaks were located and patched by Waterman Building Services, and a roofer recommended coating the main courthouse roof within the next few years using the same coating applied to the detention center roof.
Appointments and administrative adjustments recorded at the meeting included the appointment of Scott Poston to the Simpson County Extension Service District Board through 2026, with a concurrent appointment of Jeffrey Burr to the Franklin Simpson Boys & Girls Club Board through 2026. Other routine motions — including budget transfers, the cash transfer and approval of bills and claims — were approved by the court during the session.
The court adjourned at 9:19 a.m.