Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approves grants, equipment and administrative actions
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a mini pumper purchase via a federal grant, accepted a property conservation matching grant, authorized multiple administrative and budget items, and approved a Jan. 1, 2025 change in employee health coverage.
The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a package of routine measures at its Oct. 14 meeting, including authorizing the purchase of a mini pumper with FY2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant funds and approving a change in employee health insurance effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The board opened at 6:03 p.m. at Surgoinsville City Hall. Mayor Merrell Graham read the police report for September; Assistant Fire Chief Denny Steele presented the fire report; Donnie Morrison read the maintenance report; and a sewer report was provided. Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved to accept the departmental reports, Alderman Bishop seconded, and the board voted unanimously to approve them.
On personnel and equipment, the board authorized Fire Chief Shane Suthers to purchase a mini pumper using the FY2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The board also acknowledged that a 2011 Ford F‑350 was declared a total loss after storm damage on Sept. 27, 2024; after the $500 deductible the insurer's settlement is $23,500.
The board approved a number of administrative and financial items: accepting the 2024–2025 Property Conservation Matching Grant Program through Public Entity Partners; paying $222 in county and $88 in city property taxes that accrued before the town took ownership of 113 Hendricks Street; and approving a budget amendment to purchase seven new legislative meeting chairs at $149.99 each.
The board voted to designate the Surgoinsville Community Kitchen at 1034 Main Street as a town‑hosted event, with Alderman Mierek continuing to organize the program. It also approved the 2025 holiday schedule as presented.
On employee benefits, the board approved transitioning medical, vision and dental coverage to BlueCross BlueShield through Partners for Health with the State of Tennessee, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin made the motion to proceed with the board's stated Option #2; Alderman Bishop seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board adopted Resolution 157‑2024, which sets the terms and conditions for extending the existing sewer trunk line along Main Street to Lee Highway (U.S. 11‑W) in proximity to the Virginia Hills Subdivision. Alderman Collier moved for adoption, Alderman Bishop seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously.
A motion from Alderman Collier, seconded by Alderman Sandidge, authorized City Recorder Megan Gentry and Police Chief Hammonds to work outside normal business hours to review sewer user files to ensure required documentation is included; the board approved the motion unanimously.
On personnel planning, Alderman Bishop asked for an update on employees who have certified commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements. Mayor Graham reported that the employee identified as Lee "plans to retire in less than a year and is not interested in obtaining his CDLs." The board requested a written retirement document from Lee with his signature; no additional updates were provided.
The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
