Tuesday’s Commission meeting agenda includes diverse topics

County Commissioners’ September 23 agenda is a good example of the wide range of issues they’re asked to make decisions about. Resolutions to consider include help for students traveling to state-level career skills contests, additional support for a spay/neuter program, and a court fee to support operation of the District Attorney’s office.
The resolution that’s captured the most attention is a request for $800,000 to match funds from the school system for a practice gymnasium (actually, a multi-purpose building with a gym floor) at Lawrence County High School. We are delaying this decision to consider similar needs county-wide and address them at one time.
The Commission and I recently learned that we have an additional $1.5 million in our general fund, following our Budget Director’s year-end closeout process. This is thanks to the fact that almost every department traditionally spends about 91% of their budgets, we have saved in other areas, and realized unbudgeted investment income.
Our ability to address more than the multi-purpose building at LCHS right now, however, is tied to the potential sale of Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center and surrounding acreage to Columbia State. The City of Lawrenceburg partnered with us, and invested a little over half of the $9 million construction costs. Columbia State is offering $9 million for it, so we would both get our investment back.
A number of details remain to be worked out, but with that sale behind us, we would have funds to help construct the multi-purpose building at LCHS and a new gym at Summertown High School. The school system has already put money aside to help with both projects.
The largest expenditure Commissioners will now consider is a $161,000 transfer to the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence County. These funds will be combined with a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic Development to purchase the corner property on Hagan Road and Highway 43. This property is needed to provide room for utility expansion. Lawrenceburg Utility Systems received a $4.5 million grant to provide utility expansion to our new 151-acre industrial property on the south and west borders of that lot.
Lawrence County made an agreement in 2018 to give an annual contribution of $100,000 to the Economic Development Corporation so it can have funds ready for occasions like this, without waiting for the Commission’s bimonthly meetings for approval. We have not made that contribution, but our $161,000 is being accepted as payment for those eight years. From now on we’ll make the agreed-upon annual contribution.
The Commission’s Nonprofit Committee considers donations to local nonprofits as part of the annual budget process. This year it approved $35,000 to FOLCA’s (Friends of Lawrence County Animals) spay/neuter program, which assists low-income families with surgery costs. This was an increase of $10,000 over previous annual donations to that program, but the additional funds were not approved by the Budget Committee.
On Tuesday, Commissioners will be asked to add those funds back to SNIPS! (Spay Neuter is a Positive Solution). FOLCA member Beth Keaton explains that residents in need of help for their dogs and cats are screened to determine a co-pay amount, which goes back into the program to provide more surgeries. The additional $10,000 will provide spay/neuter services for approximately 135 animals. That’s a lot, considering the fact that one unspayed female dog and her unspayed descendants can produce 67,000 dogs in six years. One unspayed cat and her unspayed descendants can produce 370,000 kittens in seven years.
Pet overpopulation is a big problem in Lawrence County. Some unwanted dogs end up in our Shelter, but many others, and unwanted cats, can be found everywhere. Spay/neuter assistance helps solve this problem, and assists pet owners who try to take care of their multiplying broods. In addition to helping families with spay/neuter costs, we are helping them avoid the financial burden of too many pets.
The Commission will honor Cavan Love, a Summertown High School student who won a state-level competition in welding, advanced to national competition, and placed near the top there. Commissioners will also consider a request for $7,100 to help send high school students to state SkillsUSA competition this spring. I am so glad we can support students who are working hard to prepare for their futures.
Another resolution asks Commissioners to authorize the placement of two gates, and closing, during school hours, the portion of West College Street in front of Summertown High School, for safety considerations.
Everyone knows the population in this judicial district – Lawrence, Giles, Wayne, and Maury Counties – has grown. This affects all infrastructure, including the court system, which has added a fifth Circuit Judge to handle the caseload. Tuesday night, Commissioners will consider adding a $12.50 fee to all criminal court costs to help fund the District Attorney’s office. We should consider new court fees anytime the state allows it so that those doing the crime help pay the cost of the court system. Why make 33% of the population that pay property taxes cover the cost? If you do the crime you should pay the fine. The same measure will be considered in Giles, Wayne, and Maury counties, and is being proposed in other counties by District Attorneys across the state.
Because September marks the beginning of a new Commission year, the agenda includes annual appointments and elections. Commissioners will elect a Commission Chairman, Chairman Pro Tempore, and County Attorney, and appoint a Director of Accounts & Budgets and Purchasing Agent.
While the last two positions are actually jobs in county government, an official reappointment is required by the County Fiscal Procedure Law of 1957, which we operate under. Brandi Williams has served as Director of Accounts & Budgets for 2-1/2 years, and does a great job for us. Charlie Holt brings many years of experience and unmatched knowledge to the position of county attorney.
I have again chosen not to pursue the role of Commission Chairman. I’ve learned that only about half of Tennessee County Executives chair Commission meetings, most often in counties smaller than ours. Other County Executives/Mayors know serving as chair takes away their ability to 1) veto a Commission vote; and 2) address the Commission during meetings. I have not needed to veto anything, but am often asked to give background information about matters Commissioners are voting on.
I appreciate the work Shane Eaton has done as Commission Chairman the last two years, and look forward to working with whoever Commissioners choose to serve in that role for 2025-26. Dave Ray, our youngest Commissioner, was elected Chair Pro Tempore (vice-chair) last September. I have a lot of respect for Dave, his work ethic, and dedication to serving others. Dave Ray has a bright future before him.