Commissioners to Request the Completion of Nearly 40 Year Old SR-166 Project

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday night, January 22. Commissioner Kyle Bobo led the Pledge of Allegiance, while Mayor Jonah Keltner led the invocation. All commissioners present with the exception of Bill Dyer who joined his wife, School Board Member Paula Dyer, who is currently in the hospital with heart issues. In attendance was Rick Williams, field representative for Andy Ogles' campaign. Minutes from last month's meeting were approved, and the meeting moved to public input. Michael Dunavant of Maury Regional EMS approached the commission to present a power point to accompany his financial report. In December, EMS was called to Buffalo Valley 20 times with 18 transports, which made up a little under 10% of the 273 EMS calls for Lewis County. For 2023, the total number of calls was 2500 responses with 1460 transports. For the fiscal year, quarter one: total calls were 740, transports were 407. 328 of those went to Maury Regional, the majority of the rest went to Saint Thomas, with some going to Wayne and Lawrence, and only a handful going straight to Nashville. The average response time was 10:48, which is improved from 14 minutes plus. The goal is to respond within 8 minutes. "However," he said, "Lewis County is rural and spread out, and it remains difficult to get to that number. That remains the goal, though." During the last quarter, Lewis County has not been without an ambulance at any point, and they have remained fully staffed at all times. They have also worked with Director of Schools Dr. Tracy McAbee to ensure there will be an extra ambulance for the remainder of the football schedule. In regards to the financials, Dunavant informed that, "to date, we are showing operating at a $100,000 loss, and that's including with the subsidy."

The EMS report was accepted, and the commission was directed to Mr. Peery who presented the report of the committee of the whole. Mayor Keltner then proceeded with his quarterly report. A seven year summary showed the General Fund balance at $2,748,595, which is up from $1,672,423 in 2018. All commissioners accepted the report.

Dr. Tracy McAbee gave the report of the Director of Schools which was accepted by all commissioners. The budget amendments of Lewis County Schools was approved by all with the exception of Commissioner Feichtinger.

During the Report of the Highway Commissioner, Mr. Cagle announced $1,938,839.70 which is currently, 58% of budget. All approved the report. Also approved was adoption of State regulations applying to the use of county rights-of-way by utilities in Lewis County. It is necessary to establish clear procedures and rules, to be administered and enforced by the chief administrative officer of the highway department, for the use of the county right-of-way by utilities, so as to minimize interference with vehicular traffic, minimize damage to the county right-of-way, minimize risks to the public safety and convenience, and minimize damage to utilities. "We won't be able to deny any requests," says Cagle, "but it will allow us to give input on where we prefer it to be, along with the depth. It's gotten to the point to where we can't perform routine maintenance, because the lines are completely random and crossed."

Crystal Nash began the report of the Lewis County Public Librarian by thanking the commission for heat in the facility. She then announced the partnership between the Library and School system that will issue all faculty and students a digital library card that will allow them to download books online through their app or website. "We are excited about this partnership," says Nash, "as it takes away the barriers of some students having access to materials." Nash went on to explain that each card is catered to the student. "So, a second grader that applies for the card will not be able to access materials that high schoolers will. Another barrier this will break," she goes on, "is allow continued access even if they have late fees on physical checkouts." Nash encourages all students to turn in the applications that will sent home from school next week.

Don Barber proceeded with the Report of the Park and Conservation Board. He commended the community for bringing food and water to the warming shelter in the community building while it was open during the bitter cold. He also commended Mr. Hinson at the Park for getting the park well winterized, "We have had no issues at all this winter."

During his report, Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick informed they have hired two new deputies, with two more going through the academy now. He also announced the passing of Brent Staggs, Justice Center Personnel, whose funeral will be Friday. Kilpatrick also informed we are now housing our own inmates, 75, with only one being housed outside of Lewis County due to conflict avoidance.

After the quarterly reports, the agenda moved to resolutions.

The first, requesting state funding to complete TDOT's SR-166 Project Connecting a Four-Lane Highway from SR-99 in Lewis County to SR-6 in Maury County. Nearly 40 years ago, in 1986, State Representative Bob Gafford of Hohenwald led the effort in the General Assembly to successfully approve the construction of a four-lane highway form Lewis County to Maury County. Nearly 30 years ago, in 1995, the General Assembly approved legislation that stated it was their intent that all county seats should be connected by a four-lane highway to the nearest interstate highway by the best route available. Then in 2017, the General Assembly approved the Improve Act, which increased the state's gas and diesel fuel tax to fund a backlog of TDOT road and bridge projects. TDOT has developed a four-lane highway plan known as the "SR-166 Project" which will connect SR-99 in Lewis County to SR-6 in Maury County. Although this project as been on the books and in the works at the state level for almost 40 years, it is incomplete, as there are 6.56 miles left between the Lewis and Maury County lines to Mt. Pleasant that needs to be developed into a four-lane highway. The project is very important to both Lewis and Maury County in regards to economic development, faster access to emergency health care, traveling safety and tourism.

The Lewis County Commission requests the General Assembly keep the commitment made by the State of Tennessee over the last 38 years, and provide funding to TDOT in order to finally complete the SR-166 four lane project. The resolution allows and directs the County Mayor's office to mail a copy of this resolution and attachments to Governor Bill Lee, Deputy Governor/Commissioner of Transportation Butch Eley, State Representative Jody Barrett, and State Senator Dr. Joey Hensley. The Commissioners approved the resolution.

The resolution following re-appointed Chad Clayton to the Park Board, and appointed Patrick Baxter to replace Brandon Grady on the Park Board.

There was no new business, and Shannon Collins with the District Attorney's office was the only notary request and approved.