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Surgoinsville board adopts zoning change, fire‑department grants, employee raises and sewer route
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting the Town of Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance 155‑2021 (adding an R‑3 zoning district), adopted an ordinance regulating false fire alarms, accepted an Assistance to Firefighters Grant with a required local match, approved FY2025 raises retroactive to July 1, and selected a sewer extension Route Option #1 via Virginia Hills.
The Town of Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously on Sept. 9 to adopt a package of ordinances, grants, budget amendments and administrative actions affecting zoning, public safety, personnel pay and sewer infrastructure.
Mayor Merrell Graham opened the meeting and the board approved the Aug. 12 meeting minutes before moving to substantive business. On a roll‑call vote the board adopted Ordinance 155‑2021, which amends Surgoinsville’s municipal zoning ordinance to add an R‑3 residential district. The board also approved Ordinance 178‑2024, a local regulation addressing false fire alarms.
The board accepted the FY2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, an award the meeting materials list with an estimated amount of $30,000. Council members authorized a budget amendment to supply a minimum 6% local match and directed that those funds be budgeted to account 110‑42200‑297. Fire Chief Shane Suthers asked that published bid specifications for a Fire Department mini pumper be tabled for further review; the board agreed to postpone that procurement action.
The board approved personnel and compensation changes for FY2025 to be retroactive to July 1, 2024. Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin’s motion, seconded by Alderman Mierek, established a 5% hourly wage increase for full‑time employees (with a specified full‑time police officer excluded from that motion) and an additional $1 per hour for full‑time employees who hold an active commercial driver license. Elected officials approved the corresponding budget amendment.
On infrastructure, the board considered two routing options for a sewer extension to U.S. Highway 11W and approved Route Option #1 through the Virginia Hills subdivision after a motion by Alderman Mierek. The board also accepted a three‑year donation of land at 1293 Main Street from First United Methodist Church of Surgoinsville so the town can apply for a BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Place program at that site.
Other administrative actions approved unanimously included declaring the Fire Department’s Sterling Cascade/Compressor System surplus, accepting a Judy Housely Safety Partners Matching Grant through Public Entity Partners, authorizing Mayor Graham to sign an agreement to provide firefighting services to Phipps Bend Industrial Park, opening a checking account to receive the $5 e‑citation fee (authorized for Megan Gentry and Mayor Graham), and opening a Local Government Investment Pool account for the Drug Fund.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 155‑2021 (zoning, add R‑3 district): mover Alderman Hoss; seconder Alderman Collier; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Ordinance 178‑2024 (false fire alarms): mover Alderman Mierek; seconder Alderman Bishop; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Accept FY2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (est. $30,000): mover Alderman Collier; seconder Alderman Mierek; outcome: approved (unanimous). Budget amendment to provide minimum 6% local match to account 110‑42200‑297 approved. - Mini pumper bid specifications: tabled at Fire Chief Shane Suthers’ request; outcome: tabled. - Declare Sterling Cascade/Compressor surplus: mover Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; seconder Alderman Collier; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Accept Judy Housely Safety Partners Matching Grant: mover Alderman Collier; seconder Alderman Mierek; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Authorize firefighting services agreement for Phipps Bend Industrial Park: mover Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; seconder Alderman Hoss; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Authorize checking account for $5 e‑citation fee: mover Alderman Mierek; seconder Alderman Bishop; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve FY2025 employee raises (5% + $1/hr CDL premium), retroactive to July 1: mover Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; seconder Alderman Mierek; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve sewer extension Route Option #1 (Virginia Hills): mover Alderman Mierek; seconder Alderman Bishop; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Open LGIP account for Drug Fund: mover Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; seconder Alderman Collier; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Accept 3‑year land donation at 1293 Main Street (apply for BCBS Healthy Place): mover Alderman Bishop; seconder Alderman Mierek; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Budget amendment for dehumidifiers/blinds/microwave for Little House and City Hall: mover Alderman Collier; seconder Alderman Mierek; outcome: approved (unanimous).
The meeting record shows no divided votes; roll‑call votes were recorded as unanimous for the listed actions. The board adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
