Serving Lawrence County, wherever I go

When I became County Executive, one thing that surprised me was the number of board memberships that automatically come with the office. I represent Lawrence County in regional and state associations that are a veritable alphabet soup of acronyms.
Last week Commissioner Dave Ray and I attended the TCSA (Tennessee County Services Association) conference. It includes members of the ACM (Association of County Mayors), TCCA (Tennessee County Commissioners Association) and THDOA (Tennessee Highway Department Officials Association). I also attended the ATVG (Association of Tennessee Valley Governments) conference, which includes officials from cities and counties in the seven-state TVA region.
It’s a privilege to represent Lawrence County everywhere I go. I believe this is a unique and wonderful place to live, but in these groups I find that other communities struggle with the same situations we do. We learn from one another and about issues affecting all of us. As a group, we can ask questions and influence decisions that impact the people who live in our communities.
October is when TCSA members determine our Legislative Platform - the issues TCSA staff will speak to state lawmakers about on our behalf. The lobbying efforts of TCSA resulted in an additional allotment to county highway departments 2023-24; Lawrence County received approximately $2 million.
This year, we’re asking the state to return a portion of real estate transfer taxes to counties. Transfer taxes are charged for transferring the title of a property to another owner. The rate is based on the sale price of the real estate. All the work of those transfers takes place at the county level, so we believe some of the revenue should come back to us.
Other planks in our 2025-26 legislative platform include requests that a portion of excess lottery reserves go to K-12 building needs; a privilege tax on lottery tickets with proceeds going to the county where the ticket is purchased; and enhancing EMS funding by improving the TennCare reimbursement rate for ambulance services.
I stated in a recent column that Commissioner Dave Ray has a bright future ahead. Evidence of that was his election last week to the TCSA board, as its youngest-ever member. During his three-year term he hopes to help form a Technology Committee that will offer training and information so county governments can address technology needs in a proactive way.
Dave is in a good position to do that, as vice-chair of the NACo (National Association of Counties) Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee’s Tools & Innovation Subcommittee. He serves with the organization’s Rural Action Caucus and is a member of three other standing committees: Information Technology (along with my Assistant Christian Tyree), Membership, and Programs & Services. He also chairs our County Commission’s Technology Committee.
I am also a member of NACo, and am vice-chair of its Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
The ATVG conference provides a chance to hear updates on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s latest projects and issues, and discuss their effect on our region. Because TVA has such an impact on our day-to-day lives, it’s important for me to listen and learn along with city and county government leaders from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
ATVG advocates on behalf of the region’s 9 million residents, and I am proud to serve as a Middle Tennessee Director (and youngest member) of this association.
As you can see, I represent Lawrence County on regional, state, and national boards that frequently call for out-of-town travel. If you’ve stopped by my office and I’m not there, know that I am working for Lawrence County . . . but not from behind my desk. My staff will be happy to schedule a time for us to meet, or feel free to call or text me at 931-242-0954.