County Commissioners · Meeting · Feb 23, 2026

Mon, Feb 23, 2026

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

Outline

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

Highlights

The February 23, 2026, County Commission meeting was dominated by zoning and land use issues, including strong public opposition to a proposed campground rezoning (Resolution 2607), which, along with other zoning items, was deferred to next month after being unanimously rejected by the planning committee. The commission adopted a new 911 addressing enforcement policy (Resolution 2608), shifting responsibility from the commission to the 911 board. The mayor announced he will not seek re-election due to health and family reasons but pledged to serve out his term. The meeting also covered disaster recovery updates from the recent ice storm, grant application outcomes, economic development news, and several routine appointments and budget amendments.

Other notable threads included: FEMA disaster aid and storm recovery, EMS facility progress, grant denials and new retail study plans, new and expanding local businesses, opioid board funding cycles, and a preview of a nuisance property ordinance to be considered next month.

Call to Order, Roll Call, Opening Prayer and Pledge 18:22

  • 18:32 Roll call: 11 present, 3 absent.
  • Opening prayer led by Commissioner Murray, pledge by Commissioner Herren.
  • Acknowledgment of recent loss in Commissioner Thomasson's family.

Approval of Agenda 20:06

  • 20:30 Motion to amend agenda to remove Resolution 2609 at sponsor request; no objection, item removed.
  • 20:51 Motion and second to approve amended agenda; approved without opposition.

Public Comments 21:08

  • 21:46 Joy Hunt spoke against rezoning for a campground at Taylor's Creek (Resolution 2607):
    • Cited community opposition, residential character, floodplain issues, inadequate roads, infrastructure concerns, and risk of spot zoning.
    • Raised concerns about potential for broader commercial use if rezoned and questioned the applicant's experience and capital.
  • 26:24 Jennifer Morgan echoed opposition to campground rezoning:
    • Shared personal story, cited flooding, narrow roads, and existing nearby campgrounds.
    • Urged commission to vote no; provided photos of flooding.
  • 29:06 Terry Christie requested that planning/zoning not be taken up under unfinished business; was informed there was nothing under that item tonight.
  • 29:25 Chair clarified that Resolution 2607 would not be voted on tonight; deferred to next month.

Approval of Minutes 29:44

  • 29:49 Motion and second to approve January 26 minutes; approved without opposition.

Special Recognitions

  • 30:06 No special recognitions, memorials, or commendations reported.

Elections, Appointments, and Confirmations 30:18

Board of Equalization 30:24

  • 30:32 Nominees: Jerry Kelly, F.A. McEwen, Norma Manor, Gary Jacobs, Max Smith.
  • 30:46 No objection; motion and second to approve.
  • 30:59 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.

Notaries 31:34

  • 31:44 Nominees: Charles L. Brown, Tia D. Cannon, Wasim Kenari, Savin Ma, Melanie Rianne Sanders.
  • 31:54 Motion and second to approve.
  • 32:10 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.

Department / Official Reports

County Mayor’s Report 32:53

  • 33:01 Mayor Jim Bates announced he will not seek re-election in 2026 due to health and family reasons, but will serve out his term and ensure an orderly transition.
  • 34:04 Ice storm disaster update:
    • Historic storm caused widespread power outages, hazardous travel, and infrastructure damage.
    • Countywide disaster declaration signed and extended; led to $60.6 million in federal aid for Tennessee.
    • FEMA and TEMA completed damage assessments and recovery planning.
    • One weather-related fatality in Hickman County.
    • Team Rubicon assisting with debris removal; residents needing help should contact EMA.
  • 36:15 Conwood EMS facility update:
    • Near completion; only doors, trim, cabinetry, and plumbing remain.

Planning Commission 36:45

  • 36:52 Met; minutes included in packet. No discussion.

Solid Waste Committee 37:06

  • Did not meet due to rescheduling from ice storm.

Health, Safety, and Properties Committee 37:15

  • Met; nothing substantive to report.

Finance Committee 37:34

  • 37:40 Motion to approve January financial summary.
  • 37:51 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.

Budget, Finance, and Human Resource Committee 38:28

  • 38:41 Two budget amendments presented:
    • 38:49 2648: Insurance recovery and maintenance repairs for vehicle.
      • 38:57 Motion and second to approve.
      • 39:09 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.
    • 39:32 2649: TCAT revenue budget, approved by Board of Education.
      • 39:43 Motion and second to approve.
      • 39:49 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.

Economic and Community Development 40:36

  • 40:42 Winter storm recovery:
    • Residential damage report form available; Hickman County has low report numbers compared to neighbors.
  • 41:37 Grant updates:
    • Second $50,000 ThreeStar grant request for land use fund denied; state may consider alternate support (e.g., housing study).
    • $10,000 ThreeStar grant for East End Farmers Market denied; other funding sources to be explored.
    • State interested in supporting a retail analysis for the entire county, especially west end unused land.
  • 42:29 Broadband task force:
    • Free Wi-Fi project on square and pavilion delayed to April due to storm recovery.
    • $100,000 must be spent by September 2026; provider confident in meeting deadline.
  • 44:05 Industry news:
    • Coalition Foods acquired by Toi (California); plans to add 30 new plant jobs in 18 months.
    • Duncan and Grove (UK) purchased warehouse on Industrial Road; custom playground equipment, 30 jobs anticipated in 2 years, hiring welders/carpenters now.
    • Toasty (formerly Coalition Foods) hiring 20 production line workers at $16/hour plus benefits.

Other Boards and Committees

  • Board of Zoning Appeals: No meeting.
  • Industrial Board: Did not meet.
  • Opioid Settlement Board: Met; reviewing applications for next funding round, some board member replacements upcoming.
  • Animal Shelter Advisory Board: Did not meet.
  • Library Board: No report.
  • Beer Board: Met; one application, but three residents within 300 feet triggered no action per state law.

Committee Reports Approval 47:52

  • Motion and second to approve board reports for the minutes; approved.

Meeting Schedule 48:06

  • Commissioners asked to submit changes to meeting calendar; updated version to be distributed.

Unfinished Business 48:17

Resolution 2603 (Rezoning, Highway 7, Prim Springs) 48:24

  • 48:30 Request to rezone property from A1 (agriculture) to C1 (commercial) for a market.
    • Market could operate under grandfather clause, but owners requested formal rezoning.
    • Planning committee unanimously approved.
  • 49:30 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; approved.

Resolutions 2605, 2606, 2607 (Zoning) 50:00

  • 50:00 Resolution 2605: On agenda, no vote this month.
  • 50:07 Resolution 2606: On agenda, no vote this month.
    • 50:24 Planning committee unanimously rejected; commission must formally reject per state advice and county policy.
    • Clarified that planning commission only recommends; commission makes final zoning decisions.
  • 51:43 Resolution 2607 (Taylor's Creek campground): Also unanimously rejected by planning committee; will be voted on next month.
    • Public comments and planning committee concerns aligned.
    • Chair praised thoroughness of public input.

Resolution 2608 (911 Addressing Enforcement) 53:06

  • 53:17 Repeals previous policy (92-21) and adopts new regulations for enhanced 911 system.
    • Transfers enforcement responsibility from commission to 911 board.
    • Needed due to growth and addressing errors; 911 board will handle corrections and penalties.
  • 55:40 Roll call vote: 12 yes, 2 absent; adopted.

New Business / Announcements

  • 56:11 Clarification on Resolution 2609: Pulled due to confusion; two separate resolutions (money collection at four-way stop and a nuisance property law).
    • Nuisance law would empower sheriff to address rental properties used for drug activity and hold landlords accountable.
    • Commissioners asked to review and discuss with sheriff and county attorney before next month.

Adjournment 57:58

  • Motion and second to adjourn; meeting concluded.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
11 Headcount Commissioners present at roll call 18:48
3 Headcount Commissioners absent at roll call 18:48
12 Vote count Yes votes for Board of Equalization appointments 31:21
2 Vote count Absent for Board of Equalization appointments 31:21
12 Vote count Yes votes for notary appointments 32:28
2 Vote count Absent for notary appointments 32:28
$60.6 million Grant/aid Federal disaster aid for Tennessee (ice storm) 34:35
1 Fatalities Weather-related death in Hickman County (ice storm) 35:20
$50,000 Grant ThreeStar grant request for land use fund (denied) 41:43
$10,000 Grant ThreeStar grant request for East End Farmers Market (denied) 42:16
$100,000 Grant Broadband/free Wi-Fi project funding deadline Sept 2026 43:46
30 Jobs New jobs at Toi/Coalition Foods in 18 months 44:34
30 Jobs Anticipated jobs at Duncan and Grove (2 years) 45:19
20 Jobs Immediate hires at Toasty (production line) 45:47
$16/hour Wage Starting wage for Toasty production jobs 45:53
12 Vote count Yes votes for January financial summary 38:14
2 Vote count Absent for January financial summary 38:14
12 Vote count Yes votes for budget amendment 2648 39:20
2 Vote count Absent for budget amendment 2648 39:20
12 Vote count Yes votes for budget amendment 2649 40:01
2 Vote count Absent for budget amendment 2649 40:01
12 Vote count Yes votes for rezoning (Resolution 2603) 49:46
2 Vote count Absent for rezoning (Resolution 2603) 49:46
12 Vote count Yes votes for 911 enforcement policy (Resolution 2608) 55:52
2 Vote count Absent for 911 enforcement policy (Resolution 2608) 55:52