Cumberland County commissioners approve wage increases, $5.9 million courthouse repair and multiple appointments; personnel policy update tabled

Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster presided over a May 19, 2025 meeting at the Art Circle Public Library in Crossville where the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved multiple budget amendments and appointments, and tabled a proposed personnel policy update.

The commission approved a set of wage-scale budget amendments moved by Commissioner Nancy Hyder and seconded by Commissioner Deborah Holbrook: $600,041 from the General Fund (Resolution 05-2025-10), $26,963 from the Highway Fund (05-2025-11), and $56,000 from the Sanitation Fund (05-2025-12). Those measures passed by unanimous roll call votes.

The body also approved a $5,900,000 General Fund amendment for courthouse renovation and repairs (Resolution 05-2025-16). Hyder and Holbrook led that motion as well; the measure passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Other approved budget items included accepting a $411,772 State allocation for Local Health Center salaries and wages (Resolution 05-2025-15) and $14,457 for travel and communication equipment for the Local Health Center (05-2025-14); a $3,750 HVAC Technical School grant to Cumberland County High School (05-2025-8); $5,500 in State special education preschool reallocation (05-2025-9); and a $2,700 General Fund amendment for a portable radio for Juvenile Court (05-2025-13). All carried by unanimous roll call votes, according to the meeting minutes.

The commission approved several appointments and reappointments: five reappointments to the County Board of Health (Dr. Danny Hall, Dr. Christopher Bell, Dr. Randall Crowder, Jim Petty and Becky Hillis) (05-2025-1); Nathan Brock’s reappointment to the E-911 Emergency Communications District Board (05-2025-2); and appointments to the Cumberland County Library Board, including a new three-year term for Anne Koci and reappointments for Melanie Sherrill and Howie Peebles (05-2025-3). Each motion carried by voice vote.

Commissioners approved an intergovernmental lease allowing the City of Crossville to pave and operate public parking on county-owned property at 209 East Second Street (Resolution 05-2025-5), and adopted speed limits for roads in the Fairfield Glade and Lake Tansi communities (Resolutions 05-2025-6 and 05-2025-7). Both resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes after commissioners representing those constituencies said residents supported the changes.

A proposal to update the county personnel policy (Resolution 05-2025-4) was moved to a table by Commissioner Charles Seiber, who said several absent commissioners had outstanding questions. The motion to table carried 13–1, with Commissioner John Patterson recorded as the lone nay. Commissioner Tom Isham asked which committee would review the policy; Mayor Foster said the Human Resources office would handle questions and follow-up.

Finance Director Jennifer Turner reported on May 2025 collections for EMS, hotel/motel tax, sales tax and prisoner boarding. County Attorney Philip Burnett said one new civil case had been filed May 1 by a plaintiff who had litigated against the county previously, and that four federal cases remained active but were progressing slowly. He also said the Andrews Lane Health and Safety Standards Board matter had improved.

The commission elected nine individuals as notaries public for Tennessee, announced a Building and Grounds meeting for May 22, and adjourned at 6:30 P.M. Minutes were noted as approved for entry June 23, 2025.