County Commission hears reports

The Lewis County Commission meeting, held Monday, October 17th, opened as it always does; in prayer. The leader prayed for knowledge and unity within the walls of the court room, and as a member of this great community, this writer is thankful for that. Unity: the state of being united or joined as a whole. This way of thinking and working leads to the betterment of our community as a whole. People are happier, because they feel safer and more secure, way-of-life is more fruitful, benefits are greater for not only those alive, but for those in years to come as well. There’s a reason the word unity is found in community.

After prayer, the motion to approve minutes from the last meeting were approved by Kyle Bobo, then Aren Ragsdale, then all. The floor then opened to the public for their three minutes each. First up was former Commissioner, Allison Tanner, who brought a need before the board that has been “long overdue.” “We have no ADA accessible bleachers anywhere in the park,” Ms. Tanner stated. “With most of the larger events happening at Memorial Park, I’d like to make a plea to have some placed in the grandstands area. The Rodeos, Circuses, and Fair events are just some of the examples of what our community members in wheelchairs are missing out on, because there is nowhere for them sit, and no way to get up into the bleachers.” Ms. Tanner went on to present her personally researched quote for two sets of aluminum bleachers with ramps that also included five rows of non-ADA seating. The quote was for $67,108.60 including taxes. Commissioners asked for a picture and agreed to discuss the matter at committee meetings next month with Austin Carroll adding, “It’s something we need to take seriously. Our community needs this.” Ragsdale added, “even if we can only get one at this time, it is important.”

Laurie Risner stood before the board next with her most recent grant research, “Blue Cross Healthy Places” grant. The proposal is for over $1 million with no match required from the county. “They would come in with their team, their equipment, and their labor to remove the oldest iron equipment at the park, much of which we found was to be painted with lead paint initially. The current foundation is pea gravel with asphalt poured on top. They would remove that and pour in a rubber surface. There would be the splash pad as well as four adult fitness spaces, with one side including wheelchair access. And speaking of ADA, the playground would be compliant as well.” She went on to speak about how the exercise space near the front of the park, put in four years ago, has a majority of the parts broken, and how Randall Hinson, park director, agreed to reuse what could be, along the walking trail. “This grant is a great one. With the issue of overweight children, it’s great. The elderly who don’t feel like they have a place, now would. Families could now have a place to play and workout together, safely.” Mrs. Risner noted we will know by December 1st if our community qualifies for the unmatched funding.

No other public input was made at the meeting. Timmie Hinson and Bill Dyer motioned to accept the written committee reports.

During the Mayor’s report, it was announced that the general fund was up over $1 milllion over last year at this time and is the most we have ever had in funds at this time of the year. The federal American Rescue Plan fund currently still has $1.8 million to use for community projects.

Debbie Landers gave the Director of the Chamber of Commerce Report. She spoke about the monies from the hotel/motel tax that gets reinvested into tourism. “$18,000 gets reinvested into our community each year. Because of that reinvestment, we have seen a return of over $22.9 million over the last five years through direct spending within the community. Lewis County ranked 88 of 95 counties in spending, with 2021 surpassing all tourism spending in previous years. Through the visitor’s center, we saw visitors from 35 states and 28 counties in Tennessee.” She informed the board of the Chamber’s renewed Tennessee Placemakers grant, which has allowed them to renew their sublease of the old Regions Bank building on Main Street for another four years. “With this project, we are working on an entrepreneural eco system which includes businesses like [Commissioner Austin Carroll’s] The Main Office.” She went on to report the Oktober Heritage Festival’s success with over 80 registered vendors.

Director of Schools, Dr. Tracy McAbee began his report by praising Mrs. Deb Willis at the school for working so hard to get every kid free breakfast every morning. He then declared, “We have got to move forward with the school,” speaking about the building plans of the new high school. McAbee also announced an exciting working relationship with UT Southern that will pay for Teacher’s Aides to go back to school and get a teaching degree. “Life happens, and plans get changed, but dreams don’t die. This opportunity will allow them to finish their degrees while continuing to work in the classroom.” Another exciting opportunity he announced was a working relationship with TCAT to bring Welding as well as Teaching as a Profession to the high school programs. The welding program alone would add $250,000 of welding equipment for students to learn the trade with.

During the EMA Director’s report, Danny Atkinson reported plans of a meeting to discuss an upgrade to a system that would allow video monitoring of the court house as well as the schools.

Joyce Holt gave the report of the Highway Commissioner saying, “this is the first time in 10 years that the fund has fallen below $2 million.” She reported budget allowances and expenditures with approximately $400,000 in expenditures over budget being due to unforeseen economic price increases.

Reporting for the Director of the Park Board was Don Barber. He began the report by giving credit to the board for “working with a 12 year old budget. We’re doing good with what we’ve got.” Some of the changes and improvements reported were more trees being cut down due to rot, and the purchase of a used utility cart, as the most recent one was bought by Coach Grinder when he ran the park. Some exciting additions to the tennis courts are coming after Christmas in Hohenwald with new nets for tennis as well as nets for pickleball.

Crystal Nash’s Library and Archives report included several positive statistics. She began by thanking the commission for the additional lighting and says the elderly visitors have expressed gratitude as well as the workers. The Library saw a 46% increase in visitors and a 670% increase in people attending educational programs on premises such as the summer reading programs. A report of the building project was also given. “The plan has been broken up into phases, and phase I is $750,000. $338,000 of that has been raised, but we’re not quite ready to break ground with 33.4% of the total project funded,” said Nash. She gave several examples of how funds are being raised, which included the yearly hot chocolate stand at Christmas in Hohenwald.

Another building project in the works, is that of the new jail on Swan Avenue. During the Sheriff’s report, Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick, gave an update of the build. “We are on target to be in at the first of the year. We have 45 beds and currently have 97 inmates. The finished building can’t come soon enough.”

The meeting wrapped up with several resolutions discussed, including rules for the new grant-funded Dog Park, bids to make repairs at the court house, the allowance of certain atv/four wheeled vehicles to be allowed on state highways, and the surplusing of county vehicles in different departments to make allowances for updated needs.