Surgoinsville board accepts FY2024 audit and approves a slate of municipal measures

The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously accepted the town's FY2024 audit at its Jan. 13 meeting after Auditor Mickey Ellis summarized the report and recommended stronger budget amendment practices and internal controls.

The audit, presented by Mickey Ellis, showed programmatic improvement from the prior year with one finding rather than two, and Ellis emphasized that budget amendments should be completed before fiscal year end and that cash handlers maintain separate tills.

After the audit was accepted by a roll call vote, the board approved a package of routine municipal measures. Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved, and the board approved, declaring a 2012 Chevrolet Impala surplus and authorizing Police Chief Hammonds to list the vehicle on the GovDeals auction site. Donnie Morrison presented a quote to purchase a spare rim and tire from Colony Tire Corporation for $260 (or $305 with mounting); the board authorized that purchase.

The board also authorized Mayor Merrell Graham to execute the First Amendment to Lease Agreement TR# 24‑11‑0002, extending the TWRA riverfront lease through March 25, 2060. After reviewing statements of qualifications, the board selected The Lane Group to provide engineering services for the town's 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Town Recorder Megan Gentry told the board that the town would add Employer‑paid group life and accidental death & dismemberment coverage through Companion Life at $50,000 per person for 10 full‑time employees and seven board members at a monthly town cost of $178.50; the board approved the coverage, which Recorder Gentry said represents a monthly savings of $399.77 compared with previous costs.

The board approved Estimate #122624 with Big Creek Services, LLC, for $7,021.50 to repair downstairs bathrooms at City Hall (encumbered to the FY2024 budget) and authorized a $1,500 water tap purchase for property on Hwy 11W (District 5, Control Map 54, Parcel 57.00), including the related budget amendment to line 412‑52200‑249.

On ordinance business, the board approved first readings of Ordinance 180‑2025, which would repeal building permits, and Ordinance 181‑2025 (FY2025 Budget Amendment #1). All listed motions passed by unanimous roll call votes.

Votes at a glance (all motions passed unanimous roll call unless noted): • Accept FY2024 audit — mover: Alderman Collier; second: Alderman Bishop; tally: 7‑0. • Declare 2012 Impala surplus — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Bishop; tally: 7‑0; authorize listing on GovDeals — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Collier; tally: 7‑0. • Purchase spare rim & tire (Colony Tire quote $260/$305 with mounting) — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Mierek; tally: 7‑0. • Execute First Amendment to Lease TR# 24‑11‑0002 (TWRA riverfront lease through 3/25/2060) — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Collier; tally: 7‑0. • Select The Lane Group for 2025 CDBG engineering — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Bishop; tally: 7‑0. • Authorize Companion Life group life & AD&D coverage ($50,000 per person; $178.50 monthly town cost) — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Mierek; tally: 7‑0. • Approve Big Creek Services Estimate #122624 for City Hall bathroom repairs ($7,021.50) — mover: Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; second: Alderman Collier; tally: 7‑0. • Authorize $1,500 water tap purchase and budget amendment for Hwy 11W parcel — mover: Alderman Mierek; second: Alderman Bishop; tally: 7‑0. • First readings: Ordinance 180‑2025 and Ordinance 181‑2025 — movers/second as noted in minutes; tally: 7‑0 each.

The board's consent‑style approvals packaged multiple finance, facilities and personnel items into a single meeting, while Auditor Ellis' presentation underlined the need for routine budget housekeeping and internal control practices.