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Claiborne County Commission approves CDBG application, equipment purchases and a vehicle transfer; ARC grant application fails
Summary
At its Jan. 27 meeting in Tazewell the Claiborne County Commission approved a Community Development Block Grant application, several equipment purchases and appointments, and a vehicle trade between Claiborne EMS and the sheriff's office; a proposed Appalachian Regional Commission application was defeated and a proposed wheel tax amendment was tabled.
The Claiborne County Commission met Jan. 27, 2020, at the courthouse in Tazewell and approved a set of routine and programmatic actions while rejecting one grant application and tabling a proposed wheel-tax amendment.
Chairman Mike Campbell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. County Mayor Joe Brooks and county staff presented multiple agenda items. On motions from commissioners, the commission approved a 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application that would allow Claiborne County to request up to $630,000 in federal funds, with an estimated local match of $85,909 (total request not to exceed $715,909). Commissioner David Mundy moved the CDBG resolution and Commissioner Mitchell Cosby seconded; the roll-call vote was 21-0.
A separate resolution to authorize a 2020 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant application was defeated after a PowerPoint presentation and debate. Commissioner Nathan Epperson moved that ARC resolution; the motion failed on a roll-call vote of 3 for and 18 against.
The commission approved a range of department-level budget and equipment items. A sheriff's department budget amendment to purchase a vehicle from restricted funds ($24,450) passed unanimously (Res. 2020-001). The commission also approved purchases for the Clerk and Master's Office (replacement PCs and software quoted at $5,300.20, Res. 2020-007) and the Highway Department's purchase of a leased Caterpillar excavator (listed at $46,560, Res. 2020-008); both passed on roll-call votes recorded as 21-0. The county also approved its statutorily required 2020 road list (Res. 2020-005) and appointed the 2020 budget committee (Res. 2020-004).
A proposed amendment to the county's 2015 wheel-tax resolution was moved for consideration but then tabled indefinitely by a 20-1 roll-call vote after Commissioner Joe Brooks successfully moved to table the item.
Commissioners also approved personnel and oversight items. The Work Release Commission appointments (Res. 2020-006) were approved 21-0 after an amendment clarifying the sheriff will continue as director of the workhouse; appointees included Sheriff Bob Brooks and jail administrator Tammy Reagan. The commission adopted an Americans with Disabilities Act policy (Res. 2020-009) to formalize complaint and investigative procedures and to name an ADA coordinator.
During the meeting the commission heard several presentations. Rob Barger introduced Bart McFadden, president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, who described plans and community benefits for a local Boys and Girls Club. Economic development director Anna Beth Walker presented the proposed Adventure Tourism District map and prospects for business attraction and job creation. County Mayor Joe Brooks reported that the CEASE program has lost funding, the shelter house has closed and he is working with Community Health of East Tennessee to continue needed services. Commissioner Mitchell Cosby introduced Dr. Michael Davis of the U.S. Department of Commerce, who urged officials and residents to promote completion of the 2020 census and noted available census recruitment opportunities.
On New Business the commission approved an interdepartmental vehicle transfer: Claiborne EMS will trade a 2011 Chevrolet 3500 Type 1 ambulance (valued in the documentation at $6,500) to the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department in exchange for a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe (valued at $6,500) to be used as a first-response EMS vehicle with emergency lighting; the motion passed 21-0.
The meeting concluded with a vote to amend commission packet reports (Res. 2020-011) to include the County Mayor's Report, County Sheriff's Report and committee minutes; that resolution passed on a roll-call vote of 16-5. Commissioner David Mundy moved to adjourn; the motion carried by voice vote.
The commission recorded the override of a prior County Mayor veto on Resolution 2019-091 concerning reporting requirements for highway, mayor, sheriff and finance departments; that override passed 18-3. Several votes were by roll-call and recorded in the minutes; other routine items passed by voice vote as noted on the record.
