County gives donation to reserve deputies, and discusses tax abatement for new apartments, and a bonus for Commissioners

Continuation of May 16 meeting

A resolution came before the Commission seeking to authorize a donation of $3,800 from the American Rescue Plan Act Grant to the Lewis County Reserve Deputies, who are not funded by any governing entity. The donation would be used to help cover their expenses during the 2022 and 2023 calendar year.

One reserve deputy, Lt. John Husaim, was present for the meeting and educated the Commissioners and audience members on what the reserve deputies do and how they are funded.

“Reserve deputies are commissioned law enforcement officers. We are recognized on the county, state and national levels.. We have the same training, the same constitutional oaths, equipment and uniforms as full-time deputies. We’re peace officers. We’re here to support our constitutional freedoms and God-given rights as provided by the nation and the state,” said Lt. Husaim. “We have monthly and yearly requirements. We have to do 400 hours of duty prior to being able to operate a patrol car and the emergency equipment. We receive no financial compensation, no insurance coverage, we personally absorb all associated risks.”

He stepped out from behind the podium to show the audience and Commissioners the standard equipment which included pistols, magazines, holsters, duty training ammunition, and insurance, uniform items and more, and informed the Commission that they were looking at $1,200 worth of equipment.

“We are allowed to take donations but they are not tax deductible.. After my first few years as a senior reserve officer, where we literally paid for every expense out of our personal bank accounts, we’ve been able to offset most but not all of our personal expenditures with fundraising efforts. Covid killed [because we had to start paying for everything out of our own pocket without our fundraising events],” said Husaim.

Commissioner Ronnie Brewer thanked Lt. Husaim for the work he and his fellow reserve deputies perform and motioned to increase the donation amount to $5,000. Commissioner Robert Brewer seconded the motion.

The Commission unanimously voted to amend the resolution and the resolution was put to a roll call vote where it passed unanimously.

After they passed the resolution, Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick thanked the Commission saying that they are a great help to the Sheriff’s Department.

Premium pay for Lewis County Board of Commissioners

A resolution to authorize a one-time payment, using the ARPA grant, of $500 of premium pay for the 18 Commissioners which would total $9,000.

Mayor Keltner announced he had been asked to put the issue on the agenda, and the resolution was sponsored by Commissioners Patrick Halfacre and Jim Grinder.

Before the resolution was put to a vote, County Attorney Jack Heath said, “I have to advise you that I don’t think you can do this. The TCA 55107 doesn’t allow any increase in compensation during the current commission term. Any compensation increase has to be for the next year.”

Commissioner Halfacre said he didn’t believe the resolution was a violation of that due to it being a one-time payment and not an increase of pay overall.

Attorney Heath said in response, “When I get a bonus, my payment has increased.”

Commissioner Wendell Kelley suggested tabling the motion for next month in order to look into it further, and made a motion.

“My opinion is going to be the same next month. I don’t think y’all can do this. If you want to research it further then you can, but I’m going to advise you not to,” said Heath. He then gave the Commission the full section of the law which was TCA 55107, Section E.

Commissioner Brian Peery seconded the motion to table the resolution, and all commissioners voted unanimously to table.

Releasing the Trustee from 2020 Uncollected Taxes

A resolution came before the Commission that sought to release the County Trustee from 2020 uncollected taxes.

The resolution read that the Trustee delivered all uncollected 2020 County Property Taxes to the Delinquent Tax Attorney which totaled $39,356.07.

The resolution was put to a roll call vote where it passed unanimously.

Surplusing two old Animal Control CO2-Powered Dart Gun Pistols

A resolution unanimously passed before the commission seeking to surplus two Animal Control dart guns. The gun pistols were very old and did not work any longer. In their place, a new, pump-powered rifle has already been ordered to replace these two pistols for the Lewis County Animal Control Officer.

Accepting the Low Bid from Summertown Metals Regarding the Construction of a Metal Building for the Sheriff’s Department

A resolution came before the Commission to accept a bid from Summertown Metals to build a 50x40x9 metal building with a 4” concrete slab with footers for a Lewis County Sheriff’s Department office space, using the Local Recovery and Rebuilding Direct Appropriation State Grant (LGRRDA Grant). The bid was $46,890. Mayor Keltner announced that would leave $71,000 for the courthouse windows that need to be replaced.

Commissioner Timmie Hinson opened up the discussion by asking if the building was priced for a finished inside as well as plumbing and electrical, and suggested getting a price for a turn-key building. Mayor Keltner agreed and suggested that they check into the cost of a fully finished building but go ahead and approve the resolution Monday night so that Summertown Metals could get started as they were extremely busy.

Commissioner Hinson agreed and the resolution was put to a roll call vote where it passed unanimously.

New Apartment Complex Tax Abatement

Troy Woodis with Gateway Development came before the Commission, requesting them to consider a tax abatement for a new apartment complex potentially located behind Hardee’s.

The request was a 15 year abatement at 30 percent, and Woodis said it was estimated to bring in $142,800 in new property tax revenue. With the 30 percent of that off, it would still be abating approximately $43,000 annually, according to Woodis which would make the total amount over the 15 year period $642,000 with the County getting $100,000 per year if the project went through. The official breakdown according to Woodis was $99,960 for the County and $2,840 would be the payment.

Rob Inman, Secretary for the Industrial Development Board, said the IDB passed the abatement in their last meeting and so had the City Council.

Commissioner Doug Jobbitt asked whether the apartments would be regular apartments to rent or low income apartments.

Woodis first responded by informing the Commission that Gateway Development was a company based in Florence, AL, where they own about 8,000 units and manage 15,000. He also informed the Commission that the apartments would be through the Tennessee Housing Authority, so they would be low income apartments.

“The difference between what you probably think and what we do is more of an affordable housing. There is no monthly subsidy,” said Woodis. “They are income based.. The low side of the income is roughly $19,750 and the other side is approximately $33,840. So you’d have to fall in between that and you have to show proof of income on the anniversary date that you moved in. You also have to pass a background check.. no felons are allowed on the property.”

This means that the apartments would be a flat-rate apartment. Woodis further informed the Commission that there would be 56 units planned initially and would possibly come back a couple years later to add on more units. There would be on-site maintenance and managers. The main entryway would be off of Highway 412. The planned rent would be $514 per month for a one bedroom, and $616 per month for a two bedroom apartment.

Commissioner Jobbitt then asked about whether they would be able to hook up to City sewer. Woodis responded that they had discussed that issue and planned to hook up to Piney Basin.

Before the resolution was put to a vote, Inman explained that the standard pilot for businesses coming in was for a 5-7 year abatement, but they had increased the number of years to go along with the loan program. He noted that there would be no abatement on personal property taxes.

The resolution was then put to a vote where it passed in a 13 to 4 vote. The Commissioners who voted against the resolution were Timmie Hinson, Halfacre, Caleb Feichtinger and Bill Dyer.