The Cumberland County Commission met last night by conference call in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.

The following resolutions passed in last night’s meeting:

RESOLUTION 04-2020-1 – Appointing members to the Cumberland County Board of Equalization. Willie Freeman, Bill Hargis, Daniel Husk, Levon Hubbard and Rhonda Rector were appointed to the Cumberland County Board of Equalization. This board reviews property owner’s complaints regarding property tax assessments. Each member must complete a minimum of four hours of annual training as provided by the Comptroller of the Treasury.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-2 – Appointing a County Medical Examiner. James Wojick, M.D. was reappointed to be the county Medical Examiner for another five-year term.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-3 – To approve updating the current Cumberland County Personnel Policy.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain policies needed to be added for audit purposes. The following text was unanimously approved to be added to the county-wide personnel policy. The complete policy can be found online at www.cumberlandcountytn.gov. While the county offices following these policies do have some employees that are working from home, none are on administrative leave.

On page 6 regarding TELEWORKING/WORK FROM HOME

During the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and manmade, the County Mayor may determine that temporary changes need to be made in the operation of county government.  The determination must be made in writing and be provided to all county-wide elected officials and the County Commission. During that time, the Cumberland County Mayor or Elected Official may allow employees to work from home as needed. Employees will follow processes created by the Mayor or Elected Official in regards to timekeeping, requirements for work, and supervision of the employee in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

On page 10 regarding ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

During the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and manmade, the County Mayor may determine that temporary changes need to be made in the operation of county government.  The determination must be made in writing and be provided to all county-wide elected officials and the County Commission. During that time, the County Mayor or elected official may reduce or suspend normal operating hours for certain offices or departments or may grant additional paid leave to full and part time employees, within the confinements of the budget and in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-4 – Budget Amendment, General Fund, Fire Department $1,600.  The Cumberland County Fire Department received a donation from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas to provide fire education and carbon monoxide detectors to eligible households.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-5 – Budget Amendment, General Fund, County Clerk $7,400.  The County Clerk requested to move funds in the technology line item to data processing equipment in order to upgrade computer technology in the office.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-6 – Budget Amendment, General Fund, Emergency Medical Service $40,761. The Cumberland County Emergency Medical Service (ambulance service) is in a contract with the State of Tennessee to enhance Medicare/Medicaid payments. The cost is calculated based on the number of runs made by ambulances. Because of several factors, the number of runs has increased this year. That means the estimated payment has increased, but it also means the county will receive income from these funds that will more than offset the additional cost.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-7 –Encouraging All Elected Officials to Prepare a No Growth Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

RESOLUTION 04-2020-8 – Establishing Fiscal Guidance during State of Emergency – Coronavirus Pandemic.  This resolution issued an affirmation to follow the current budget, with the department heads working with the county mayor to defer or postpone nonessential, or discretionary expenditures such as certain capital outlays, equipment, and travel, and to take action to manage and monitor overtime for hourly employees.

COUNTY FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT – Cumberland County Finance Director Nathan Brock told the commission property tax collections for the Board of Education are at 98.2% compared to 99.6% at this time last year. Hotel/Motel tax collections are approximately 64.5% of the $817,283 budget as revised down due to last year’s collection. So far $526,780 has been received, but the COVID-19 pandemic will definitely negatively affect this line item. Prisoner boarding is at 49.6% of budget at $368,277 after seven months of revenue has been collected. Local option sales tax collections came in at $638,878 which is $68,282 below estimated revenue.  Overall, the county is approximately $69,386 above the budgeted amount year to date. This is another revenue line item that will likely be significantly affected beginning with the collections shown next month. Emergency medical services collections for the month were $436,369. This puts year to date collections at $3,775,496 which is $775,499 above budget. The annual budgeted amount is $4 million.