Commission Passes County Budget and hears quarterly reports:Announces Receipt of Grant for Playground Equipment

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July 15.

Once the Commission heard from citizens, mostly regarding roads, during public input, they moved to accept the report of the committee of the whole.

REPORT of the Chamber of Commerce Director:

Chamber Director Debbie Landers began by handing out the mission of the Chamber, “We are businesses supporting businesses,” which included the purpose and job description as well. From January to July only, the Hohenwald/Lewis County Welcome Center has seen visits from, 22 counties, 16 states, and 1 foreign country. With tourism being the number two industry in Tennessee, the hot tourism spots in Lewis County remain to be: Meriwether Lewis, three nationally award winning wineries, the Elephant Sanctuary, and most recently, the Blueways have risen in the ranks very quickly. Landers excitedly reported the website that has cost approximately $2,600 a year is now live after undergoing a complete reconstruction. The newest additions include a community calender as well as websites for each business in the Chamber. “The greatest part of this addition,” said Landers, “is that we have gotten their websites about 90% complete for them, just by using information we found Online. They have full access which allows each business to go into their own page on the site and update logos, contact information, or anything else they’d like, all at their convenience.” During these changes, the Chamber went through a re-branding of its own as the 15-year-old elephant trunk logo was updated with “CHART YOUR JOURNEY” to include a nod to our Buffalo River resources as well as the journey of Lewis and Clark. The Board unanimously voted to accept the report of the Chamber of Commerce.

REPORT of the County Mayor

Commissioner Brian Peery then took over as acting chair, as Keltner gave his quarterly report of the Mayor. Keltner informed that the general fund balance is currently $2,810,944. A list of grant projects that have, or will, occur in 2024/25 was provided to the commission, including an Historic Development Grant to fix/replace the courthouse windows. The quarterly report of the County Mayor was approved.

REPORT of the EMA Director

Danny Atkinson gave the report that was approved by all. He requested more personnel as soon as possible. Atkinson also informed that he is working with the State of Tennessee, EPA and others to clean out all of the creeks within Lewis County. Also, he and the County Commission has approved upgrades of all three locations in Lewis County. “These will be 4UHF Channels for each tower Simulcast System which should give coverage for all of Lewis County. The tower is up, and the equipment installation will be complete by August 31, 2024. EMA, the school system, and the 911 Board have worked on a system for upgrading the dispatch center to add an altered center to monitor the school hall 24/7 as well as the Court House and Court Rooms if needed, on going. And finally, “The Public Safety Telecomunicator (dispatcher) is not recognized by the Federal Government as a protected classification. Instead, they are listed as clerical staff. However, with the 911 Saves Act that is installed in Congress to give our dispatchers the classification of First Responders that they have earned and deserve. Lewis County supports the National movement to re-classify telecommunicators as First Responders to truly recognize the work they so. The Lewis County board of Commissioners approves the resolution that we hereby request that all pubic safety telecommunicators in Lewis County be elevated to the status of First Responders, including Lewis County 911, Lewis County Sheriff’s Department Dispatchers, and the Lewis County Emergency Management Dispatchers.

REPORT of the Highway Commissioner

Highway Commissioner Kerry Cagle informed, “we finished the fiscal year at 100.1% of projected revenue, 90.3% of projected expenses.” He also clarified that “Metal Ford Road is actually asphalt now. It gives the appearance of chip, because 5 or 6 years ago, Joyce did a brush seal and added rock to the top, because the asphalt was busting up. What we will do is preventative maintenance right now, by pouring an inch and a half overlay on this and save it for around $150,000. If we don’t do that now, it’ll cost us two to three times that in the next year or so.” Mayor Keltner took the opportunity to remind those in attendance, “You all have to remember that Mr. Cagle only gets $78,000 in property taxes for the entire year, and it takes $50,000 to pave just one single mile of road.” And on that note, the Commissioners approved the Road Commissioner’s report. The Commission also voted to approve the Highway Department and Sheriff’s Department to work together to make a recommendation on lowering the speed limit.

REPORT of the Library and Archives Director

Mrs. Crystal Nash began her quarterly report by announcing, “the Library had received a $5,461 grant to cover 90% of the subscription plan for hotspots that we lend out to the community, and it will allow us to upgrade our internal connections in the building that are currently 20 years old, not allowing us to offer the speed that the State Library is requesting all libraries in the state to have. Also, all this new equipment will be able to be used in the new expansion.” She reported visitor count for the quarter to be 7,660, borrowing 12,060 items, and 70 residents registered for their first library card.” When asked about when construction would begin on the expansion, Mrs. Nash replied, “we’re only waiting on the contract from the State of Tennessee.” The Commission vote to accept her report, and the meeting moved on to the

School News

In November of 2023, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners pre-authorized Lewis County Government to apply for an additional USDA loan in the amount of $4,235,000 to complete the construction of the new Lewis County High School project. The Commission approved the borrowing of that money, bringing the annual loan payment to $1,088,161, which includes the original USDA loan for $23,765,000 at an interest rate of 2.125% over 40 years, as well as this loan of $4,235,000 at an interest rate of 3.5% over 40 years. Mayor Keltner commented, “It’s actually a blessing that we waited to do the construction now, as the interest rate dropped. We’re going to save about $400,000 over the 40 year term, about $10,000 a year.

REPORT of the Sheriff

Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick began by announcing, “Several weeks ago, I spoke with representatives from Marsha Blackburn’s office about the continuation of the four lane. Since the land has been purchased, I asked that she talk with Maury County to move that project forward. In the Governor’s packet, it says there won’t be funding for it for the next 10 years, but I don’t agree with that and will be having a meeting with the Governor myself. I also spoke with Blackburn about a hospital being badly needed in this county, so they do have knowledge of that.” He went on to report that the work release program generated almost $40,000 this quarter. His work was commended and report approved by all.

“For the tenth year in a row, Lewis County has passed a balanced budget with no property tax increase. Hats off to you, Commission.” In addition to other county revenue, the tax rate listed below for each fund is required to finance the county budget:

County General - Tax Rate of $1.3114 - $3,464,696.87

Highway Department - Tax Rate of $.0299 - $78,995.30

General Purpose School Fund - Tax Rate of $.5425 - $1,433,275.93

The Budget was accepted and approved by all, and the vote moved to funding appropriations for non-profit organizations for the 2024-25 Fiscal year. The following organizations were approved to receive funding:

L.C. Volunteer Fire Department - $19,000

Davis House Advocacy Center - $5,000

L.C. Senior Center - $6,000

L.C. Soil Conservation - $5,000

Chamber of Commerce - $18,000

SCHRA - $2,600

South Central Development District - $1,872

American Legion Post 127 - $2,000

Buffalo River Services - $4,800

L.C. Cancer Victim Fund - $1,000

High Forest Humane Society - $1,000

L.C. Historical Society - $3,500

TN Department of Forestry - $1,000

War Memorial Hall Committee - $1,000

Miscellaneous Non-Profits - $1,200

L.C. Senior Citizens - $500

for a total nonprofit appropriations amount of $78,472

The Commission also approved two requests from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department. Chief Deputy Matt Tiller and Captain Todd Laster informed Commissioners that their department is in need of more patrol vehicles. The Commission agreed to allow all revenue generated by the housing of State inmates over the projected budget amount of $374,125 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to go into a reserve account where those funds MUST be spent on Sheriff’s Department Vehicles. The agreement is for a trial period of one year, at which time the Department and Commission will review the results.

The Commission accepted the bid for Health Department renovations from Norris Construction. Norris’ bid of $78,000 was the only bid submitted, and the project is fully funded through the Tennessee Department of Health grant as part of the federal ARPA allocations. Some of the work to be performed include replacing doors and frames, adding chair rails, adding cabinets, painting and lighting.

Before the meeting adjourned, Mayor Keltner announced great news. “We’ve got great news to report. Lewis County Government has been awarded the $50,000 grant to be used on playground equipment, and, it grew to $80,000! This is a no-match grant, and even though the County no longer owns any part of the park, we are glad to and will always look for a pursue grants like this that help everyone in our community.”