The Cumberland County Commission met last night (January 21, 2020):

COLLEEN MALL SELECTED AS NEW 9^TH DISTRICT COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Last month, the resignation of now former Ninth District County Commissioner Carl MacLeod was announced. MacLeod stepped down before he moved out of state. The county declared the seat vacant and asked individuals living in the 9^th district wanting to fill the seat to submit a letter of intent to County Mayor Allen Foster. Five did so in Larry Brilliant, Carmin Lynch, Colleen Mall, Nico CearGeo and Mark Rosser. Prior to last night’s meeting CearGeo withdrew his name for consideration.

Each candidate was given a chance to address the commission on why they wanted to serve.

Larry Brilliant spoke first. He told the commission he has a professional career spanning over 40 years, mostly in executive management. “I strongly feel I can preserve, protect and act in the best interest as county commissioner if selected,” said Brilliant.

Carmin Lynch addressed the commission next. Lynch, a former Cumberland County Commissioner of 10 years, told members he believes he has the support of the 9th district and can immediately help out the commission with their goals. Lynch indicated in the meeting he would not seek to run in the August 2020 election if chosen tonight by the commission.

Colleen Mall was third to speak to the county commission. “I know I do not have government experience. I have no hidden agenda and I have managed several hospitals in the Kansas City area. I will work very hard to represent the citizens of the 9th district and Cumberland County,” said Mall.

Mark Rosser spoke last. A former interim police chief for the Crossville Police Department and current captain for the Fairfield Glade Police Department, Rosser said he has many years in public service and his heart is in Cumberland County. “I can represent the citizens of the 9th district to the best of my ability,” said Rosser.

After the candidates spoke, commissioners nominated individuals from the list of candidates. Nominations did not require a second.  Only candidates nominated moved forward in voting. Commissioner Stone nominated Colleen Mall, Commissioner Patterson nominated Larry Brilliant, and Commissioner Cooper nominated Mark Rosser.  After nominations ceased, the vote was held and Colleen Mall was appointed to the vacant 9th district seat. The vote was 14-1-1 with Commissioner Cooper voting for Rosser and Commissioner Patterson voting for Brilliant. Immediately after the vote, County Mayor Allen Foster administered the oath of office to Mall who then took her seat on the commission for the remainder of the meeting. Mall will serve until the seat comes up for election in August 2020. Commissioner Mall was assigned to the committees held by MacLeod including Budget, Building and Grounds, Emergency Services, Environmental, Audit, and Investment.

Mall has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri and a Master’s of Science degree in nursing from the University of Kansas. She has 13 years of nursing management and 5 years as a program analyst and emergency services specialist for the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. She retired in 2011 as a Colonel in the United States Army after 29 years of service. She moved to Fairfield Glade in 2013.

FOURTH DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION SEAT DECLARED VACANT

A formal notice of vacancy was given at last night’s county commission meeting regarding the 4th District Board Of Education seat after Josh Stone moved out of the district. The county commission approved a motion that the commission fill the vacant at their February 18 meeting. Anyone interested in filling the seat should notify the county mayor’s office in writing by February 4, 2020 at noon. A cover letter is suggested, but not required to be submitted. Those unable to notify the county mayor’s office may also be considered at the February 18 meeting of the county commission. Verification of residency in the ninth district is required.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION

The following resolutions were presented to the county commission for consideration:

RESOLUTION 01-2020-1 – Accept offers(s) to purchase property owned by Cumberland County. The Delinquent Tax Committee recommended approval of the offers for the seven different properties. This will return the property to the tax rolls after it had been removed because of property taxes not being paid for several years. The resolution was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-2 – Budget Amendment, General Purpose School Fund, High Cost reimbursement $19,950.75.  This budget amendment was for funds from the State of Tennessee Department of Education for reimbursement for expenditures which provide high cost services to special education students. The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-3 – Budget Amendment, General Purpose School Fund, Nursing Reimbursement Program $4,163.51.  These funds were generated in a partnership with a third-party service that processes insurance claims on nurse services. The money collected will be used in the school nursing clinics for updating equipment and was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-4 – Budget Amendment, Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund, Recycling $4,000.  The Solid Waste Director applied for and received a grant from Walmart to be used for promoting recycling in Cumberland County.  The money was unanimously accepted.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-5 – Budget Amendment, General Purpose School Fund, Food Pantry Donation $2,556.92.  The Young Professionals Alliance donated money to assist with the food pantry program in the Cumberland County Schools. The budget was unanimously amended to accept the funds.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-6 – Budget Amendment, General Fund, Sheriff, $1,367.  Funds were donated to the sheriff’s department earmarked for the sheriff’s annual “Christmas for Kids” program. The budget amendment was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-7 – Budget Amendment, General Fund, County Buildings, $250. The Elks Lodge donated money to assist in the expenses of the Military Memorial Museum. This money will be spent where most needed in the museum. The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-8 – Accept the 2020 version of the Cumberland County Road List. The resolution to approve the 2020 County Road List with no changes from last year was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 01-2020-9 – Appoint members to the Ethics Committee. Ethics Committee member Jill Davis resigned her seat because of a possible conflict of interest with her job as Administrator of Elections. County Mayor Allen Foster recommended George Harrison to fill that spot through September. The BOE representative was Josh Stone but he has to be replaced because of his resignation. County Mayor Allen Foster recommended Tom Netherton to replace him through September. The resolution was approved unanimously.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY FINANCE REPORT

Cumberland County Finance Director Nathan Brock told the commission last night local option sales tax collections came in at $871,317 which is $28,351 above estimated revenue. November receipts were approximately $827,000 which is $12,456 above projections. Overall, the county is approximately $65,000 above the budgeted amount year to date. Hotel/Motel tax collections are approximately 47.9% of the $817,283 budget as revised down because of last year’s collection. So far $391,209 has been collected. Property taxes are coming in and stand at 51% of budget.  Prisoner boarding is at 39.3% of budget at $292,071 collected. EMS collections for the month were approximately $494,680. This puts year to date collections at $2,329,364 which is $329,366 above budget.