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Surgoinsville board approves ordinances, accepts $31,500 firefighter grant and appoints hardship committee
Summary
The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Feb. 10 approved two ordinances and a resolution, accepted a $31,500 Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant, authorized property‑cleanup and small purchases, and appointed a hardship committee; all actions passed unanimously.
The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Feb. 10 at Surgoinsville City Hall and, by unanimous vote, approved two ordinances, adopted a resolution to join the State Regulated Building Program, accepted a $31,500 firefighter equipment and training grant, authorized several small purchases tied to code enforcement and parks maintenance, and appointed a hardship committee.
The board approved the Jan. 13 meeting minutes after a motion by Vice‑Mayor Bobby Jarnagin, seconded by Alderman Warren Bishop. City Recorder Megan Gentry presented January financial statements and the Tax Aggregate Report; Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved to accept the reports and the board voted unanimously in favor.
Alderman Randy Collier moved to adopt Ordinance 180‑2025, described in the meeting as an ordinance repealing building permits; Alderman Bishop seconded and a roll‑call vote was recorded as unanimous. The board also approved Ordinance 181‑2025, the FY2025 Budget Amendment #1, on a motion by Alderman Tim Hoss and second by Alderman Collier. During that discussion Alderman Collier questioned decreased revenue listed for Police Drug Task Force overtime; Police Chief Hammonds said "some of this revenue will be seen this Fiscal Year."
Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved to table the first reading of Ordinance 182‑2025, the municipal code revision, because one alderman had not yet reviewed the draft; Attorney Joe May was asked to contact that alderman prior to the March meeting. The board voted unanimously to table the item.
The board adopted Resolution 159‑2025, which revokes residential building exempt status and adopts the State Regulated Building Program, after a motion from Alderman Collier and a second from Alderman Bishop.
Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved to accept the 2025 Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant in the amount of $31,500; Alderman Collier seconded and the board unanimously authorized acceptance. Fire Chief Suthers told the board the department recently received donated helmets, goggles and a backpack blower from the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
On code enforcement, the board authorized Donnie Morrison to purchase Quote #2095 for $576.40 from Smokies Rental & Sales, LLC to clean up property at 293 Lauren Drive following an ordinance violation, and authorized Recorder Megan Gentry to place a lien on the property for work performed. Police Chief Hammonds noted the cleanup work should be completed twice per year.
The board voted to forego applying for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and appointed a committee to prepare for the 2026 CDBG process. Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin moved, and Alderman Hoss seconded, a motion to appoint a Hardship Committee consisting of Warren Bishop, Tim Hoss, Bobby Jarnagin, Merrell Graham, Kaley Mierek, John Sandidge and Randy Collier; Attorney Joe May clarified the committee’s role is to defer payment where appropriate, not to waive or forgive fees. The board also set the Hardship Committee meeting for Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. at Town Hall.
The board authorized Donnie to purchase four flood lights for the Riverfront Park bathroom facility for approximately $160 (line item 110‑44400‑266), noting the current fixtures do not accept replacement bulbs.
The meeting was dismissed at 6:51 p.m. by Mayor Merrell Graham.
