Benton County commissioners approve budget moves, appointments and back U.S. 641 expansion

Benton County commissioners convened Aug. 16, 2021 at the Benton County Courthouse and unanimously approved a slate of administrative and budget resolutions, including funding to cover election-office security upgrades required by the state.

The commission voted to appropriate $15,981.45 from the county general fund’s unassigned balance to cover outstanding invoices for security and upgrades at the Benton County Election Commission; the county intends to submit the costs to the State of Tennessee for full reimbursement. Commissioners also budgeted a $4,500 city allocation for Benton County Library part-time personnel, re-allocated $408 in the health department budget to meet a state-mandated pay increase for the local public health educator, and moved smaller sheriff-office revenues ($375 and $150) into the appropriate sheriff accounts. Each of those motions passed on roll-call votes with all present commissioners voting Aye.

The commission approved an administrative resolution (20210816-01) to establish a county committee to manage resale of properties acquired through delinquent tax sales, citing T.C.A. § 67-5-2507. That resolution authorizes the committee to set minimum bid prices, combine or split parcels, solicit third-party services if necessary and withhold properties for public use when appropriate.

Commissioners appointed Kristin Bell Baugus to the Benton County Civil Service Board for a one-year term through Aug. 16, 2022; a separate resolution to reappoint two E-911 board members was presented but pulled by the mayor and did not receive a vote.

On transportation policy, the commission unanimously adopted a resolution supporting expansion, improvement and widening of U.S. Highway 641 — urging Tennessee’s legislative delegation and the governor to seek funding to extend and improve the corridor. The resolution frames the project as a regional economic initiative spanning multiple rural counties.

During the Commissioners Forum, several commissioners discussed COVID-19. "Commissioner Presson" raised the possibility of a monetary incentive to encourage vaccination; Commissioner Nunnery responded that "there is still work to be done before initiating an incentive." Commissioner Ferguson said she "feels that everyone should get vaccinated." Those remarks were part of discussion only; no formal incentive or policy was proposed or voted on at this meeting.

Other routine business included approval of July minutes, the public utilities report and a list of notaries for August. An Oversite Committee meeting was announced for Aug. 17; Commissioner Kiehn requested that committee meeting minutes be added to packets for commissioners who cannot attend, and Mayor Randy Shannon said he would work on a solution.

Votes at a glance: all roll-call votes recorded in the minutes show "all present voted Aye." The minutes list 12 commissioners present at roll call. Several motions were moved and seconded as recorded in the minutes; where a motion or resolution was pulled (Resolution 20210816-03) no vote was recorded.

The meeting was adjourned by voice vote with all present voting Aye.