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Surgoinsville board appoints Collier as vice mayor, adopts ordinances and accepts grants
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed Alderman Randall Collier as vice mayor, unanimously adopted three ordinances and a resolution, accepted a $47,200 firefighter grant to buy airpaks, authorized a playground grant application, approved routine purchases and a new court software trial.
The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Feb. 17, 2026, at Surgoinsville City Hall and unanimously appointed Alderman Randall Collier to fill the vacant vice mayor seat. Mayor Graham opened the floor for nominations; Alderman Hoss nominated Collier, Mayor Graham seconded, and the Board approved the appointment by roll call.
The Board adopted three ordinances on second and final readings and advanced a fourth on first reading. Ordinance No. 192-2025, amending the town's sewer extension policy, passed on a motion by Alderman Hoss and second by Vice Mayor Collier. Ordinance No. 193-2026, setting a minimum livable floor area for dwellings, passed on a motion by Alderman Bishop, seconded by Alderman Sandidge. Ordinance No. 194-2026, adopting a schedule of reasonable charges for copies of public records, passed on a motion by Vice Mayor Collier, seconded by Alderman Bishop. Ordinance No. 195-2026, establishing time limits for demolition and building permits, received its first reading (motion recorded as Alderman Hoss; second recorded as Alderman Bishop) and will return for a second reading.
The Board also approved Resolution 169-2026 to set fees for building permits and inspections. Alderman Bishop moved the resolution, Vice Mayor Collier seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
On grants and purchases, the Board authorized Recorder Megan Gentry to apply for the 2026 Healthy Built Environments Grant to install playground equipment at Riverfront Park. The Board accepted a Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant of $47,200 and authorized Fire Chief Suthers to purchase airpaks with the funds. The Board ratified an emergency repair purchase made Feb. 2, 2026, to install a heater core in a 2018 Dodge 3500 for $598.55 (account 110-43190-332).
Police Chief Hammonds requested and the Board approved a six-month, no-cost trial of new court software; Recorder Megan Gentry and Court Clerk Cindy Wallen were recorded as supportive. The Board also approved hiring a part-time general laborer for the Maintenance Department. All recorded motions in these items were approved unanimously.
During public comment, resident Joshua Googe raised concerns about regular-sized school buses using Surgoinsville Creek Road; Police Chief Hammonds said he would contact the Bus Administration to follow up. The Board asked Recorder Gentry to contact the Hawkins County Election Committee to obtain details about the vacant alderman seat. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Appointment of Randall Collier as Vice Mayor: mover Alderman Hoss; seconder Mayor Graham; outcome: approved (minutes record unanimous approval). - Ordinance No. 192-2025 (sewer extension policy): mover Alderman Hoss; seconder Vice Mayor Collier; outcome: approved (second & final reading; unanimous). - Ordinance No. 193-2026 (minimum livable floor area): mover Alderman Bishop; seconder Alderman Sandidge; outcome: approved (second & final reading; unanimous). - Ordinance No. 194-2026 (public records copy fees): mover Vice Mayor Collier; seconder Alderman Bishop; outcome: approved (second & final reading; unanimous). - Ordinance No. 195-2026 (time limits for demolition/building permits): first reading; mover Alderman Hoss; seconder Alderman Bishop; outcome: advanced (unanimous per minutes). - Resolution 169-2026 (fees for permits/inspections): mover Alderman Bishop; seconder Vice Mayor Collier; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Volunteer Firefighter Equipment & Training Grant acceptance ($47,200): mover Alderman Bishop; seconder Alderman Hoss; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Emergency vehicle heater-core repair ($598.55): mover Alderman Sandidge; seconder Vice Mayor Collier; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Court software six-month trial (no cost): mover Alderman Hoss; seconder Alderman Sandidge; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Hire part-time maintenance general laborer: mover Vice Mayor Collier; seconder Mayor Graham; outcome: approved (unanimous).
The minutes record the votes as unanimous for the actions listed; individual roll-call vote tallies were not provided in the minutes beyond that description.
