Allen Foster’s notes from Monday, June 20, 2022

Health Department Update
There will be a slight change at the Health Department for COVID-19 testing beginning June 20^th.  When arriving for COVID 19 testing, please park in one of the designated parking spots and call the number listed on the sign.  A nurse will be out to assist you as quickly as they can.  Please do not enter the Health Department if you have symptoms of COVID-19.  Testing is Monday-Friday from 9 am – 11 am.

Buc-ee’s Grand Opening
Buc-ee’s Crossville will open to the public on June 27 at 6 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to follow at 11 a.m.  The store, located at 2045 Genesis Road, will occupy more than 53,400 square feet and offer 120 fueling positions.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting
The June 2022 meeting of the Cumberland County Commission was held tonight with all Commissioners in attendance. During our special recognition time, I recognized Parker Wilson. Parker is a boy scout working on his Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. Great job Parker! Then I introduced the Crab Orchard Archery teams coached by Cindy Miniard and Nathan Thompson. The teams have had success on the State and National levels and are preparing to go to the World tournament this Thursday!

The Cumberland County Register of Deeds Personnel Policies have been updated and were placed into the minutes of the meeting. The following resolutions were considered, with the sponsor being in parenthesis.

RESOLUTION 06-2022-1 – TO ACCEPT OFFER(S) TO PURCHASE DELINQUENT TAX PROPERTY OWNED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY (HYDER)
The following delinquent tax properties were approved for purchase and will now go back on the tax rolls.  The commission approved the resolution unanimously.

Offerers                                  Property                                                         Price                Ad
Bernard & Peggy Gleason      77L J 41.00/28 Briarhill Terrace                       $405.00             $45

RESOLUTION 06-2022-2 – TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY RAIL AUTHORITY (WILSON) The Cumberland County Rail Authority is used to pass funding from state grants to railways for improvements and maintenance.  This authority was limited to two members by state law, which could potentially pose challenges.  To fix this issue, I made a request to Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and State Senator Paul Bailey to update the law.  The amended Rail Authority will consist of three members, composed of the County Mayor (or Mayor’s designee), and two members nominated by the County Commission Chair and confirmed by the County legislative body.  I recommended adding Commissioner Joe Sherrill to fill the third seat.  The other two are filled by Commissioner Wendell Wilson and me.  The resolution was approved 18-0.

RESOLUTION 06-2022-3 – TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD (FOSTER) Kathy Ivey was appointed to a second term, and J.D. Atkinson, James H. Peebles, and Melanie Sherrill were appointed to first terms on the Library Board in a unanimous vote.

The following end-of-fiscal-year budget resolutions were approved unanimously:

• RESOLUTION 06-2022-4 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUND (RAILROAD AUTHORITY) $419.00 (SHERRILL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-5 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, HIGHWAY FUND, HIGHWAY & BRIDGE MAINTENANCE, OPERATION & MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT $535.00 (GIBSON)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-6 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, DEBT SERVICE FUND $10,775.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-7 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, GENERAL FUND $425,108.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-14 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, SANITATION $49,687.00 (LOWE)

The following school resolutions were approved 17-0-1 with Commissioner Cooper abstaining (he is an employee of the school system).

• RESOLUTION 06-2022-8 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND $10,000.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-9- BUDGET AMENDMENT, CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, LINE-ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENTS $249,145.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-10 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, OCCUPATIONAL TEACHER MENTORING CONSORTIUM STIPEND $2,500.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-11 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUS FUEL LINE $90,000.00 (KYLE DAVIS)
• RESOLUTION 06-2022-12 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, FISCAL YEAR 21-22 CLEAN UP (KYLE DAVIS)

RESOLUTION 06-2022-13 – TO DISCONTINUE A PERIOD OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (GIBSON) Currently, Cumberland County has a non-recoverable period of temporary employment of six months for new employees before they are eligible for membership in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System.  This resolution, passed 18-0, removed the six-month waiting period.

Financial Update
EMS collections for the month were $348,006 which is $14,673 above the monthly budgeted amount of $333,333.  Year to date we have collected $4,087,685 which is $421,022 above projections.

In our last regular budget meeting, reports for sales tax collections for the General Purpose School Fund came in at $1,264,205 which is approximately $41,026 above projections.  Year to date we have collected $11,291,021 and are approximately $899,622 above budget.  Tonight we got an early look at the June numbers and the year to date went up to approximately $12,477,000 which is approximately $947,000 about projected collections at this point.

Property tax collections year to date is approximately 100.5%.  Last year we collected 99.99% of revenue.

Cumulative Hotel/Motel taxes are $993,684 which is 122.8% of the budgeted amount of $808,712.  Last year, with a smaller budgeted amount of $668,166, we had collected $655,193, or 98.0% of the budget, at this point.

Cumulative Prisoner Boarding collections are at $353,925, or 58.7% of the $602,396 annual budget.  Last year we were at $372,684, or 61.87% of the $602,396 annual budget.  Payments for prisoner boarding are somewhat sporadic from the state.