Hickman County TN

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

County Commissioners · Meeting · Oct 28, 2024

Mon, Oct 28, 2024

The elected legislative body for Hickman County. Sets county policy, adopts the budget, and represents residents across the county’s districts.

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Outline

This outline was generated by an LLM from a transcript and may contain errors or inaccuracies. Prefer the original recording when available.

The commission quickly moved through routine business, but took formal action on several money and policy items: approval of a $72,400 East Hickman recycling-center project bid, authorization for the sheriff to begin hiring an animal control officer ahead of a later budget amendment, nine budget amendments including $60,700 in opioid-settlement disbursements, and passage of a HOME-grant policy resolution tied to roughly $540,000 in housing-rehab funding. Commissioners also approved creating a county Office of Economic and Community Development after prior discussion had apparently resolved earlier concerns.

Other notable threads included the stalled animal-shelter site process due to uncertainty over a sewer line, Pinewood EMS-building design and sprinkler requirements, land-use-plan public open houses and turnout, relocation of public records to temporary quarters, and a forthcoming proposal to regulate roadside fundraising permits. Hidden Valley Lakes property questions were deferred into November committee discussions.

Call to Order, Public Comment, and Agenda 0:55

  • 2:49 Public comment: Rachel Hart appeared on behalf of Hidden Valley Lakes but, after confirming there was no actionable item on that topic on the agenda, made no substantive remarks.
  • 3:29 The body approved the agenda as amended, moving Resolution 24-25 to immediately after agenda approval; no other agenda changes were raised.

Special Recognitions 4:36

4:36 Resolution 24-25 honoring Lori Gwyn

  • 4:36 Commissioners presented Resolution 24-25 recognizing Lori Gwyn for 32 years of county service, including service since 1992 and transfer to the sheriff’s office in 2007.
  • 5:22 The resolution highlighted her rise to office manager and her work on community programs including Adopt-a-Class, Angel Tree, and Shop with a Cop, said to positively affect over 150 children each year.
  • 6:38 The sheriff said her departure would be difficult for the department and praised her work and impact.

Approval of Minutes and Routine Confirmations 8:50

  • 8:50 Minutes from the September 23 meeting were approved without noted controversy.

Notaries 9:24

  • 9:24 Five notary applications were presented: Marissa Gay Askin, Patricia W. Holder, Glenda Miller, Christie L. Starr, and Nancy Annette Williams.
  • 10:09 The commission approved the notaries by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Quarterly reports 10:43

  • 10:43 The body received three quarterly reports included in the packet: Sheriff’s Department, Register of Deeds, and Trustee’s Office.
  • 11:11 The quarterly reports were approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Department / Official Reports 11:37

County Mayor 11:37

  • 11:46 The mayor reported the county had received its TCAT application related to fixing Mill Creek at the ballpark and was awaiting contractor quotes; he also expected possible savings by sourcing rock through the highway department.
  • 12:17 On the animal shelter, the mayor said the project had been slowed by uncertainty over where to place it and, more specifically, by difficulty locating the relevant sewer line. He said the engineer had overlaid the property, was contacting city utilities directly, and was expected to report back by the end of the week.
  • 12:57 In response to a question about the Pinewood EMS building, the mayor said progress was waiting on architectural drawings and on Matt’s return; the project had also learned it must be sprinklered, adding cost.
  • 13:44 Commissioners pressed for clarity on the animal-shelter delay, asking whether the sewer-line location issue had effectively held the project up for three or four months. The mayor said that was his understanding and identified the line as running from Skyview to Solid Waste.

Committee Reports 14:47

Planning Commission 14:47

  • 14:47 The Planning Commission reported a busy month, including a regular meeting and a special-called meeting tied to the land-use-plan open-house process.
  • 15:04 Two open houses had already been held, with another scheduled in Pinewood from 6:00 to 8:00 the next night and a later session in this room on November 12.
  • 15:31 Commissioners were told the format was intentionally informal and interactive, with maps, surveys, and Grisham Smith staff available for one-on-one discussion rather than podium speaking.
  • 16:02 The report said feedback had been good, though attendance could improve; an online survey was also available for those unable to attend in person.
  • 18:03 Attendance was estimated at around 25 for the East Hickman/Shady Grove event, though no firm count was given.
  • 18:42 Members emphasized the importance of getting younger residents involved because the land-use plan is intended to guide the county for roughly 20 years.

Solid Waste 21:06

  • 21:13 The committee brought forward a bid recommendation for the East Hickman recycling center after receiving two bids.
  • 21:31 The recommended bidder was Blalock Construction at $72,400. Discussion in committee focused on comparing bids on an apples-to-apples basis and choosing what best fit East Hickman’s needs.
  • 21:39 The report noted about $600,000 remained on the existing loan, and that by spring the county would likely need an additional $150,000 borrowing; current debt was described as about 2.4% interest, with new borrowing possibly around 5%.
  • 22:56 A motion authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Blalock Construction for $72,400.
  • 23:20 The committee chair said the Solid Waste Committee’s recommendation had been unanimous.
  • 23:30 The commission approved the contract authorization by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Health, Safety, and Properties 24:07

  • 24:22 The committee’s actionable item was the sheriff’s request to begin hiring an animal control officer now because certification and cross-training would take at least eight months.
  • 24:50 A motion authorized the sheriff to proceed with hiring.
  • 25:17 During discussion, commissioners asked whether the current budget could absorb the position. The answer was no: a later budget amendment will be needed, but the body was asked to let the sheriff begin advertising and the hiring process immediately because the position had been anticipated in the last budget cycle.
  • 26:02 The commission approved authorizing the hire by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Finance Committee 26:55

  • 27:04 The commission approved the September financial summary.
  • 27:21 Approval was by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Budget, Finance, and Human Resources 28:09

  • 28:18 The committee presented nine budget amendments.

Sheriff’s Department amendments 28:18

  • 28:18 Budget Amendment 2517: $1,966 for insurance recovery.
  • 28:35 Budget Amendment 2518: $2,645 grant funds.
  • 28:35 Budget Amendment 2520: $7,500 for vehicle maintenance.
  • 28:52 These three sheriff-related amendments were grouped together and approved.
  • 29:00 Roll-call approval was 14–0.

Veterans Services 29:25

  • 29:25 Budget Amendment 2519: $450 for Veterans Services.
  • 29:39 The amendment was approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Planner advisor 30:12

  • 30:12 Budget Amendment 2521 was presented for the planner advisor and described as previously discussed and approved by the Planning Commission.
  • 30:46 The amount was stated as $8,325 after clarification.
  • 31:18 The amendment was approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

County Clerk salary supplement 31:52

  • 31:52 Budget Amendment 2522: $14,700 from the County Clerk’s reserve for a salary supplement in Casey Dorton’s office.
  • 32:16 The amendment was approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Opioid settlement disbursement 32:41

  • 32:41 Budget Amendment 2523: $60,700 to distribute opioid-settlement funds in accordance with the opioid committee’s decisions.
  • 33:19 During roll call, multiple commissioners disclosed conflicts because of relationships with recipient organizations or related entities, but stated they would still vote yes on behalf of constituents.
  • 34:12 The amendment was approved, recorded as 14–0.

Solid Waste grant 34:22

  • 34:22 Budget Amendment 2524: $27,369 for an auto-fluid recycling grant for Solid Waste.
  • 34:47 The amendment was approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Board of Education 35:11

  • 35:26 Budget Amendment 2525: $18,200 for the Board of Education, described as having arisen during the board’s meeting.
  • 35:50 The amendment was approved by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Public Records Committee 36:25

  • 36:35 The committee reported that public records had successfully moved from the old building to a temporary location in the former EOC building.
  • 36:52 The records manager said the move went smoothly and took a few weeks to get organized; the only drawback noted was that the temporary space is somewhat dark.
  • 37:06 The committee also discussed the long-term possibility of moving public records into the library. The mayor said that option remains under research but no decision has been made.

Economic and Community Development / Board of Zoning Appeals 37:55

  • 37:55 A meeting had been held and minutes were in the packet; no additional substantive report was given from the floor.

Opioid Settlement Committee 38:12

  • 38:20 The committee thanked commissioners for approving the final funding package and said nonprofit recipients were present in the audience.
  • 38:37 The chair said the board had gone from initial organization to full allocation of funds in about six months.
  • 39:09 Memoranda of understanding had been customized to each organization’s promised use of the money.
  • 39:18 Depending on how quickly organizations returned paperwork, some could receive funds sooner, but the goal was for all to receive funds by the end of the year so programs could begin.

Animal Shelter Advisory Committee 39:46

  • 39:54 No additional report was given beyond the mayor’s earlier update on sewer-line research and site progress.

Committee minutes and next month’s schedule 40:01

  • 40:01 The body voted to accept committee and board minutes as part of the packet.
  • 40:34 The Joint Animal Shelter Committee meeting was moved from November 13 to November 4 at 6:30, following the Public Safety Committee meeting.
  • 40:59 Because Veterans Day falls on November 11, meetings otherwise scheduled that day were moved to November 12.
  • 41:23 Commissioners also asked to reflect the land-use-plan open house on the schedule.

New Business / Agenda Items 42:12

42:12 Resolution 24-23 — HOME grant policies and procedures

  • 42:43 Resolution 24-23 adopted policies and procedures for the HOME grant awarded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
  • 42:58 Commissioners said the county had been selected for roughly $500,000, then clarified the amount was actually $540,000.
  • 43:12 The program was described as an opportunity for seniors, veterans, and disabled residents to obtain home rehabilitation and upgrades. It was also noted that the county had not received this grant the prior year.
  • 43:29 Residents were directed to get applications from the mayor’s office, with a stated deadline of November 22.
  • 43:52 The resolution passed by roll-call vote, 14–0.

44:18 Resolution 24-24 — Office of Economic and Community Development

  • 44:18 Resolution 24-24 established the Hickman County Office of Economic and Community Development.
  • 44:34 A commissioner said earlier concerns had been cleared up through fuller explanation and additional issues had been addressed, leading him to support the resolution.
  • 44:51 Another commissioner noted the item had been discussed over several months and that outside parties had been invited to assist, though that help had not materialized.
  • 45:16 The resolution passed by roll-call vote, 14–0.

Announcements 45:38

  • 45:46 A commissioner argued the county should reduce paper mailings and consider moving more fully to digital distribution of commission materials, saying commissioners already work with computers and should examine internal responsibility for the volume of mailed paperwork.
  • 46:17 A commissioner announced work with the sheriff on a forthcoming resolution to regulate roadside fundraising at four-way stops, red lights, and similar intersections.
  • 46:34 The stated concern was that the county currently lacks a clear permitting mechanism and has effectively curtailed such activity except for trusted public-safety groups like the rescue squad and fire department.
  • 46:50 The proposal would require organizations seeking permits to come before the commission for approval; a draft was expected, if possible, by the following Monday night.

Hidden Valley Lakes timeline 47:16

  • 47:16 A commissioner asked for a timeline on when the county would vote on what to do with the Hidden Valley Lakes properties.
  • 47:39 The response was that the matter includes both property and financial components and therefore should go to committee before returning to the full body.
  • 47:52 It was said the issue would be placed on the Budget Committee agenda for November 12, while another commissioner argued the Properties Committee also needed continued discussion first because no action had yet come out of that committee.
  • 48:57 The chair summarized that the Properties Committee would continue discussion on November 4, with potential additional discussion on November 12.

Adjournment 49:23

  • 49:23 The commission adjourned on motion and second without noted objection.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
14 Headcount Commissioners present / quorum 1:23
24-25 Resolution number Recognition resolution for Lori Gwyn 4:36
1992 Year Lori Gwyn began county service 5:06
32 years Service length Lori Gwyn county career 5:06
2007 Year Lori Gwyn transferred to sheriff’s office 5:14
150+ Children served annually Impact cited for Adopt-a-Class / Angel Tree / Shop with a Cop 5:46
5 Count Notary applications approved 9:30
14–0 Vote Notaries approved 10:09
3 Count Quarterly reports approved 10:43
14–0 Vote Quarterly reports approved 11:11
end of this week Deadline / timeline Expected sewer-line update for animal shelter 12:40
3–4 months Time period Approximate length of animal-shelter limbo raised by commissioner 13:44
6:00–8:00 Time window Pinewood land-use open house 15:10
November 12 Date In-room land-use open house 15:25
25 Attendance estimate East Hickman/Shady Grove open house turnout 18:17
20 years Planning horizon Land-use plan timeframe 19:08
2 Count Bids received for East Hickman recycling-center project 21:13
$72,400 Contract / bid Blalock Construction recycling-center bid 21:31
$600,000 Debt balance Approximate remaining amount on current loan 21:39
$150,000 Future borrowing estimate Additional loan likely needed by spring 21:39
2.4% Interest rate Existing loan rate mentioned in Solid Waste discussion 21:47
5% Interest rate estimate Possible rate for new borrowing 21:47
14–0 Vote Recycling-center contract authorization approved 23:30
8 months Training period Time to certify and train animal control officer 24:29
14–0 Vote Sheriff authorized to begin hiring animal control officer 26:02
9 Count Budget amendments presented 28:18
2517 Budget amendment number Sheriff insurance recovery 28:18
$1,966 Revenue / recovery Sheriff insurance recovery 28:25
2518 Budget amendment number Sheriff grant funds 28:35
$2,645 Grant Sheriff grant-related amendment 28:35
2520 Budget amendment number Sheriff vehicle maintenance 28:35
$7,500 Expense Sheriff vehicle maintenance 28:43
14–0 Vote Amendments 2517, 2518, 2520 approved 29:00
2519 Budget amendment number Veterans Services 29:25
$450 Expense Veterans Services amendment 29:25
14–0 Vote Amendment 2519 approved 29:49
2521 Budget amendment number Planner advisor 30:12
$8,325 Expense Planner advisor amendment 30:46
14–0 Vote Amendment 2521 approved 31:18
2522 Budget amendment number County Clerk salary supplement 31:52
$14,700 Salary supplement Casey Dorton office amendment from reserve 31:52
14–0 Vote Amendment 2522 approved 32:16
2523 Budget amendment number Opioid settlement disbursement 32:41
$60,700 Settlement disbursement Opioid funds allocated per committee decision 32:41
14–0 Vote Amendment 2523 approved 33:19
2524 Budget amendment number Solid Waste auto-fluid recycling grant 34:22
$27,369 Grant Solid Waste auto-fluid recycling 34:22
14–0 Vote Amendment 2524 approved 34:47
2525 Budget amendment number Board of Education 35:11
$18,200 Education expense Board of Education amendment 35:26
14–0 Vote Amendment 2525 approved 35:50
a few weeks Time period Time to reorganize public records after move 36:52
6 months Time period Opioid committee timeline from organization to allocation 38:37
end of year Deadline / timeline Goal to distribute opioid funds 39:18
November 13 Original date Joint Animal Shelter Committee meeting date being struck 40:42
November 4 New date Joint Animal Shelter Committee rescheduled date 40:34
6:30 Meeting time New Joint Animal Shelter Committee time 40:42
November 11 Holiday date Veterans Day affecting meeting schedule 40:59
November 12 New date Meetings shifted from Veterans Day 41:16
24-23 Resolution number HOME grant policies and procedures 42:12
$500,000 Grant amount referenced Initial HOME grant amount stated 42:58
$540,000 Grant amount Corrected HOME grant amount 43:05
November 22 Application deadline HOME grant applications due at mayor’s office 43:29
14–0 Vote Resolution 24-23 approved 43:52
24-24 Resolution number Office of Economic and Community Development 44:18
14–0 Vote Resolution 24-24 approved 45:16
November 12 Committee date Hidden Valley Lakes to Budget Committee 47:52
November 4 Committee date Hidden Valley Lakes continued discussion in Properties Committee 48:57

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