County approves purchase of scales for transfer station

A huge boom for local governments came when members of the Tennessee Legislature recently approved removing restrictions for Local Government Support Grant funds. Lewis County's portion was increased to $744,538, anticipated to be released in mid-July.

Lewis County Commissioners rescinded a resolution of approved projects Monday evening 13 to one in order to reallocate the funds. Voting no was Commissioner Patrick Halfacre.

Commissioners Bill Dyer and Ronnie Brewer were absent and two of the 18 seats are vacant.

Commissioner Michael King submitted a letter of resignation last week, June 22, 2020, citing ongoing health issues as his reason for resigning his post as commissioner for District 1. "It has been an honor to have been elected to serve my District for 3 terms over the years," he wrote in his letter.

Members of the Board unanimously voted to place the position on the November ballot, along with a vacancy in the 8th District for constable as Richard Mayberry submitted a resignation June 24, 2020. Mayberry's letter indicated he had to move following a fire which destroyed his home.

An advertisement elsewhere in this issue outlines the process for eligible candidates. A vacancy in District 4 at the resignation of Earl Taylor from the Board of Commissioners is expected to appear on the August 6, 2020 ballot.

Monday's was a recommencement of the June 15, 2020 meeting which was recessed to allow end of fiscal year budget amendments.

New projects approved unanimously under the Local Government Support Grant funds include $108,000 for a new roof on the courthouse; $72,450 for scales at the landfill; $5,000 for remodeling at the courthouse for ADA compliance; and $20,000 for the purchase of 5 acres on the Buffalo River for public access in the Buffalo River Blueways Project.

Budget amendments

Amendments to the County General fund, no new money, were unanimously approved. In the Solid Waste Fund, an amendment moved money from the Fund Balance to cover overages in tire recycling, waste hauling and equipment repairs. Estimated balance June 30, 2020 would be $43,623.

Other budget amendments to Debt Service and Lewis County Schools involved no new money. An amendment to the Highway Department included FEMA money. All amendments were unanimously approved.

Other New Business

Earl Taylor was replaced on the Audit Committee with Commissioner Connie Sharp with Sharp abstaining from the vote. Commissioner Halfacre, a member of the Budget Committee, will replace Michael King on the Audit Committee.

A bid from Norris Construction was accepted for the roofing project at Lewis County Courthouse in the amount of $108,000.

An ADA Compliant remodeling projects bid was unanimously accepted from B&R Contracting at $24,829.

A bid for the purchase and installation of new scales at the Lewis County Transfer Station was approved 11-4, with Commissioners Robert Brewer, Brian Peery, Larry Hensley and Halfacre voting no.

Approved were rules and regulations regarding highway and bridge dedications effective July 1, 2020 by a 13 to one vote. Commissioner Robert Brewer voted no.

Jail

A report was presented by Bill Allen of TLM Associates regarding new jail construction. The drawings are 99 percent complete, anticipating presenting a stamped copy for review by the State Fire Marshall and TCI by July 24, 2020. It is hoped bids may be let by mid-September.

Mayor Jonah Keltner was authorized by the Board to purchase 4.5 acres of land at the mouth of Grinders on the Buffalo River, 13 to one, with Halfacre voting no.