Surgoinsville board adopts ordinance to set three‑member beer board, approves small spending items and schedules budget meeting

The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on May 12 adopted Ordinance 183‑2025 to reconstitute the town's beer board to three members and approved a slate of routine financial and personnel items, ending a roughly 25‑minute meeting that adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

The ordinance was approved on its second and final reading after a motion by Alderman Bishop and a second from Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; the vote was unanimous. The change updates the municipal code section that defines the composition of the beer board.

In other business the board approved a $350 charitable donation to Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church for its Camp in the Community program (budget amendment to account 110‑41990‑723), with $100 designated for morning worship sponsorship and $250 for lunch sponsorship. The board also authorized Recorder Megan Gentry to pay a $500 REM processing fee to the Department of General Services related to a lease extension at Riverfront Park with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA); Alderman Collier explained the fee requirement changed after the town executed the prior lease.

The board approved the town's April department reports (police, fire and maintenance) and received an April financial summary from City Recorder Megan Gentry. Members approved the list of expenditures and the reporting of obligations for American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 funds so staff may complete required reporting in the U.S. Treasury portal.

Equipment and routine purchasing actions included declaring Husqvarna chainsaw #141 surplus as inoperable and authorizing Maintenance Manager Donnie Morrison to purchase two front tires for the brush truck from Colony Tire for $688 (account 110‑43190‑332). The board also approved updated town job descriptions and an employee performance review template.

During council requests Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin asked for an update on the sewer extension project; Police Chief Hammonds said plans have been submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the town is awaiting state approval before soliciting bids. Attorney Joe May told the board he will prepare documents for future discussion on statutes related to electronic meeting authority and the use of all‑terrain vehicles on state highways. Maintenance staff described plans to fill potholes around town.

The board scheduled a special BMA meeting for May 19 at 5:30 p.m. to consider FY2025 Budget Amendment #2 and the FY2026 budget. The meeting was dismissed at 6:25 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 183‑2025 (second & final reading) — motion by Alderman Bishop, second Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; unanimous approval. Donation to Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church, $350 — motion by Alderman Bishop, second Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin; unanimous. REM fee authorization, $500 — motion by Alderman Hoss, second Alderman Bishop; unanimous. ARP expenditures reporting — motion by Alderman Collier, second Alderman Bishop; unanimous. Declare chainsaw #141 surplus — motion by Alderman Bishop, second Alderman Hoss; unanimous. Purchase tires $688 — motion by Alderman Sandidge, second Alderman Hoss; unanimous. Approve job descriptions — motion by Alderman Hoss, second Alderman Bishop; unanimous. Approve employee performance review template — motion by Vice‑Mayor Jarnagin, second Alderman Collier; unanimous.

The board record notes that several routine items were approved by roll call vote; the minutes do not record individual vote tallies beyond noting the votes were unanimous and that all listed members were present.