The Cumberland County Commission met last night electronically because of an executive order limiting gatherings to 10 or less in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are highlights from the session:

• A motion was made to be on the record for the electronic meetings necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare in light of the coronavirus. The motion passed unanimously and was included in the minutes of the meeting
• Resolution empowering county mayor to negotiate the acceptance of the Homestead Tower as Cumberland County property – The Homestead Tower is currently owned by the Board of Education (BOE) and is in need of significant repairs and ADA work. The resolution was approved 12-5 with Commissioners Cooper, Kyle Davis, Gibson, Seiber, and Jack Davis voting against.
• Adopting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan for Cumberland County – The transition plan for upgrading county facilities into compliance with ADA standards is required by the State of Tennessee. A study was conducted by a third party that points out the issues that need to be addressed.  The plan was approved unanimously.
• Appointing Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency director – Former Emergency Management Agency Director Rick Williams has moved on to another job. A recommendation was made to move up Assistant Director Travis Cole to become the new director. The resolution was approved 17-0.
• Resolution supporting Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster during COVID-19 Pandemic – The resolution called to recognize the county mayor and his leadership so far in the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution states as follows: WHEREAS, Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster has shown excellent leadership during the COVID-19 crisis in Cumberland County; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foster has used the authority granted to him by State law and the Governor of Tennessee to make difficult choices for Cumberland County through the COVID-19 crisis; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foster has carefully implemented all medical protocol and mandates established at State and Federal levels for preventing the spread of Coronavirus; and WHEREAS, he regularly encourages Cumberland County citizens to follow State and Federal guidelines to protect themselves, their families and the vulnerable in Cumberland County; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foster has endeavored to preserve and respect the freedoms granted to Cumberland County citizens by the Constitution of the Unites States; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foster has kept the citizens of Cumberland County informed on the situation in Cumberland County and Tennessee with frequent, detailed reports; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cumberland County Commission recognizes and affirms Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster’s excellent and steadfast leadership through this ongoing crisis. It was sponsored by Rebecca Stone, Colleen Mall, Nancy Hyder, Terry Lowe and Charles Seiber. It was approved unanimously.
• Several budget amendment resolutions passed in the meeting

CUMBERLAND COUNTY FINANCIAL REPORT

Emergency Medical Services collections for the month were $403,321 which is $69,988 over the monthly budgeted number of $333,333.  Year to date the county is $390,674 ahead of projections.

Sales tax collections for the General Purpose School Fund came in at $973,849 which is $91,898 above projections. Year to date the county collected $3,866,378 and are $335,034 above budget.

Property tax collections year to date are 22.1% of budget compared to 25.4% at this point last year.

Cumulative Hotel/Motel taxes are $289,617 which is 43.35% of the budget.  The budgeted amount was revised down for this year to $668,166 from $817,283.  Last year, with the larger budgeted amount, the county collected $329,770, or 40.3% of budget, at this point.

Cumulative prisoner boarding collections are $132,327, or 21.97%, of the $602,396 annual budget.  Last year the county was at $251,823, 33.9%, of an annual budget of $743,000.