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Giles County commissioners adopt revised public-comment rule, approve budget amendments; proposed wheel tax fails
Summary
At its May 18 meeting, the Giles County Legislative Body approved a revised Rule VII on public comment, combined several budget amendments and routine contracts, elected notaries and set local road actions; a proposed county-wide motor-vehicle privilege (wheel) tax failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.
Giles County commissioners met May 18 in Pulaski and approved several procedural and fiscal measures while rejecting a proposed county-wide motor-vehicle privilege tax.
Chairman David Wamble presided as the commission adopted Rule VII, the revised public comment rule, after a roll-call vote carried with a single No (Commissioner Matt Rubelsky). Commissioners also approved combined amendments to the county’s 2025–2026 budgets: Resolutions 2026-35 (Highway Fund 131) and 2026-36 (General Purpose School Fund 141 and Cafeteria Fund 143) were combined and passed; Amendment Resolution 2026-34 (County General Fund 101 and County Capital Projects Fund 171) was approved separately. Finance Director Beth Moore-Sumners told the body that the 2026-34 vote addressed accounting for bond proceeds and "is not on the bond, but on the accounting for the bond and showing receipt of the bond funds." The minutes record two No votes on 2026-34 (Tracy Wilburn and David Adams).
Commissioners approved routine contracts and grants—including the FY26 Giles County Litter Grant, a service agreement with RJ Young for the school system, and an EduPoint statement of work—elected several Notaries Public at Large, and accepted departmental reports filed with the body.
On the motor-vehicle privilege tax (Resolution 2026-37), Roger Reedy moved and Matt Rubelsky seconded the measure to levy a county-wide wheel tax. An amendment on antique-vehicle treatment was proposed and then withdrawn after the county clerk and others noted registration and permanent-plate complications. County Attorney Chris Williams advised the commission he was unsure whether the county could add a sunset clause to the ordinance. After debate and recorded roll-call voting, the resolution failed to reach the two-thirds majority required; the minutes show 10 Aye and 11 No votes and the chairman declared the motion failed.
The commission also approved Resolution 2026-38 accepting Scenic Cove into the county road system for maintenance after Highway Superintendent Gene Barnickle confirmed the road could meet county standards; the motion passed with one No vote (James Lathrop). Resolution 2026-39 set a 35 mph speed limit on Campbellsville Hill Road and passed unanimously.
The meeting packet and minutes record a county general-fund shortfall estimate of roughly $600,000 to $700,000 and note that budgets must be approved by Aug. 31. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.; commissioners scheduled full-day budget hearings May 27–29.
Votes at a glance: Rule VII (approved); 2026-34 (approved; bond accounting); 2026-35 & 2026-36 (approved, combined); 2026-37 (wheel tax — failed); 2026-38 (Scenic Cove accepted — approved); 2026-39 (Campbellsville Hill Road speed limit 35 mph — approved).
