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Claiborne County Commission approves senior housing bond support, school budget tweaks, infrastructure grants and new board appointments
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Summary
At its Oct. 21, 2019 meeting in Tazewell, the Claiborne County Commission approved a Greeneville Board bond issuance that will fund a senior housing project in the county, multiple school budget amendments, state and federal grants for highways and water lines, surplus equipment declarations and appointments to a new Board of Workhouse Commissioners.
The Claiborne County Commission on Oct. 21, 2019 in Tazewell voted on a slate of budget amendments, grants and appointments and heard an introduction of the Family Justice Center site coordinator.
The most consequential action was approval of Resolution 2019‑068, in which the commission consented to The Health and Educational Facilities Board of the Town of Greeneville issuing up to $12.35 million in revenue bonds to fund projects that include Tazewell Village Apartments, a 44‑unit senior housing facility. Commissioner Mundy moved approval, Commissioner Hatmaker seconded, and the roll call vote was 21‑0 in favor. The resolution notes that approximately $2.2 million of bond proceeds are expected to be spent on the Claiborne County project and cites Tennessee Code Annotated §48‑101‑308 and Internal Revenue Code §147(f); it also states the county will not incur liability for repayment of the bonds.
Commissioners combined and approved four Board of Education budget amendments (Res. 2019‑069 through 2019‑072) to record additional state grants, insurance recoveries and federal project adjustments (Title I, IDEA and related funds). Those amendments were presented by school officials and handled on a combined motion; the resolutions state they involve no additional local tax dollars except where a specific local match is required by the grant language.
The commission also approved several infrastructure and public‑safety funding items. Commissioner Crawford moved and the commission approved Res. 2019‑074 to add $376,600 in state‑funded State Aid Bridge funds for the highway department (no county match), and Res. 2019‑075 to recognize a $15,286.06 USDA grant for roadway repairs and markings at the Clouds Road railroad crossing. Res. 2019‑078, a $5,000 Tennessee grant for high‑visibility traffic enforcement, was amended on the floor to specify the funds will be used for deputies' overtime pay and was adopted unanimously.
On solid‑waste and equipment matters the commission approved Res. 2019‑073 to amend the Claiborne County Sanitation Waste Authority budget to cover a previously omitted 2% pay increase (roll call 20 for, 0 against, 1 abstention by Commissioner Brogan who declared a conflict). The commission also declared scrap metal and two pieces of highway equipment surplus (Res. 2019‑076 and Res. 2019‑077) for sale under state law.
Commissioners appointed members to a new Board of Workhouse Commissioners (Res. 2019‑080). During debate Commissioner Mundy briefly sought to table the appointment pending a briefing from the Tennessee Department of Corrections and CTAS but withdrew the tabling motion. Commissioner Peters successfully moved an amendment to the resolution allowing any 501(c)(3) such as Appalachian Promise to appeal recommended changes to that group's policies or procedures to the county commission. The final roll call on the amended appointment was 20 for, 0 against, 1 abstention; one commissioner stated a conflict and did not vote.
The commission accepted a Community Development Block Grant for water‑line projects (Res. 2019‑081) totaling up to $524,833 for work on Greasy Hollow Road, Hunley Road, Goins Chapel Road and Cole Road; the state grant requires an 11% local match of $64,867 to be drawn from undesignated fund balance. The commission also approved a conditional $500 donation to the Claiborne High School golf team (Res. 2019‑082) from undesignated funds if the team advances to the state level.
Separately, the commission approved Res. 2019‑079 to name county bridge #30 on Crain Hill Road the SP4 Charles Murphy Leonard Vietnam Veteran Memorial Bridge and noted a dedication ceremony planned for Nov. 9, 2019.
The meeting concluded after routine business and a motion to adjourn passed on an aye vote.
Votes at a glance: Res. 2019‑068 (bonds) 21‑0; Res. 2019‑073 (sanitation budget) 20‑0‑1 abstain; Res. 2019‑080 (workhouse board) 20‑0‑1 abstain; most other named resolutions carried unanimously by roll call where recorded.