Hickman County TN

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

Health, Safety & Properties · Meeting · May 4, 2026

Mon, May 4, 2026

Advises on public health and safety initiatives, emergency preparedness, and the care and use of county-owned buildings and grounds.

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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 committee’s main substantive discussion was a renewed pitch to place management of the ACT Pavilion under Hickman County Attractions, combining pavilion operations with the National Banana Pudding Festival and Ag in the Classroom / Agon Arts efforts. The presenter argued the pavilion’s Centerville location captures tourism spending better than outlying venues, cited festival attendance and visitor-origin data, and renewed a request for the remaining 40% of hotel-motel tax revenue to help fund a facility manager / event coordinator position, likely on a base-plus-commission structure over an initial five-year term. No action was taken on that proposal at this meeting; members said they needed time to absorb the material.

Other notable business included EMS’s March report and financials, with collections continuing to improve under a new billing company; operational updates on the Pinewood station move-in, including unfinished fuel-pump wiring; a brief sheriff’s jail count update; and committee action to forward two sheriff-backed resolutions to the full commission, one on nuisance laws and one requiring permits for fundraising roadblocks.

Call to Order, Agenda, and Minutes 0:56

  • 1:33 Agenda approved on a motion by Ron Mayberry and a second by Steve Gianakos; approved by voice vote.
  • 2:05 Prior meeting minutes approved on a motion by Dusty Jordan and a second by Devin Pickard; approved by voice vote.
  • Public comment was effectively skipped after it was clarified that a sign-up was for a different meeting.

Department / Official Reports

Sheriff’s update 3:14

  • 3:14 Sheriff Jason Craft said he had no separate report ready but gave a jail update: 36 inmates currently housed.
  • 3:20 No further sheriff operational or financial details were discussed at that point.

Tourism / ACT Pavilion management proposal 3:42

  • 4:01 Presenter returned to a prior proposal for Hickman County Attractions to manage the ACT Pavilion, combining pavilion operations with the National Banana Pudding Festival and Agon Arts Foundation work under one umbrella.
  • 4:35 The presentation directly answered prior concerns about whether the pavilion is a suitable venue for tourism-driving events, especially given its rural location.

Festival scale and tourism reach

  • 5:26 Presenter described the 2025 National Banana Pudding Festival as evidence that Hickman County can draw regional and national traffic:
    • 105 vendors.
    • Nearly 350 volunteers over two days.
    • 8,000 pounds of pudding served.
    • 3,700 pudding containers served directly, plus 4,650 sold on the “pudding path.”
    • Record attendance of 9,343, short of a 10,000 goal.
  • 6:31 Random sampling of 650 visitor ZIP-code responses was used to show reach:
    • 45 Tennessee counties represented.
    • 36 states plus the District of Columbia.
    • 298 U.S. counties.
    • 6 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Vietnam, and the Dutch Antilles.
  • 7:50 Argument: the event is no longer just a local gathering; marketing is intentionally aimed outside Hickman County to bring in outside spending, not primarily to serve local attendees.

Visitor profile and tourism-eligibility argument

  • 8:33 Presenter used Placer.ai-style cell-phone data and prior festival analytics to argue the festival meets state tourism standards.
  • 9:39 Estimated 8,300 visitors in 2023 through that data source, with many coming from 20–30 miles, 50 miles, and 100 miles or greater.
  • 10:25 Presenter said attendees skew higher-income than national averages:
    • disposable-income index 118 with 100 as national average;
    • average income index 12 basis points above average;
    • households with children 10 basis points above average;
    • college degree or greater 24 basis points above average.
  • 11:14 Average/median age was said to be slightly below the national median of 38.38.
  • 11:52 Discussion of consumer-profile data was used to argue the event attracts visitors with discretionary spending and “refined” tastes, shaping marketing strategy.
  • 15:27 Presenter emphasized the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development standard that a tourism event should draw significant attendance from 50 miles or greater, arguing this matters when justifying tourism expenditures.
  • 15:43 He contrasted that with local sports spending, saying ordinary ballfield activity may not qualify as “pure tourism” unless events draw overnight stays, such as state tournaments.

Why the pavilion’s location matters

  • 13:05 Foot-traffic data before and after the festival was used to show where visitors spent money, including gas stations, restaurants, and liquor stores.
  • 14:23 Main argument: keeping events in Centerville helps capture spending across the county instead of letting it flow to neighboring counties.
  • 14:48 The Grinder’s Switch rodeo relocation to Cowboy Church was cited as a cautionary example: although successful as an event, much of the fuel, food, and lodging spending flowed toward Dickson County instead of Hickman County.
  • 20:18 Presenter framed this as “revenue leakage,” arguing that event placement determines whether outside dollars are captured locally.
  • 20:58 He also described lodging as a “chicken and egg” problem: the county lacks enough hotel product to keep overnight stays local, but more and steadier events could justify hotel recruitment and additional Airbnbs.

Requested funding structure and intended use

  • 22:08 Presenter said the original proposal still stands:
    • unify the ACT board, National Banana Pudding Festival, and Agon Arts Foundation under HCA management;
    • allocate the remaining 40% of hotel-motel tax revenue;
    • use that share to recruit or contract for a facility manager / event coordinator.
  • 22:40 He said the position could also pursue grants and other tourism-related opportunities, potentially including sports-marketing tourism where appropriate.
  • 23:59 Presenter cited $87,000 given back by the Banana Pudding Festival last year, arguing that the same nonprofit fundraising model could be applied to pavilion concessions, parking, and event operations to return money to the community.
  • 24:37 He argued that if one event can bring in over 9,000 high-spend visitors, similar event-management methods could be replicated with other events.

Committee questions and concerns

  • 25:04 A commissioner said earlier skepticism about both the Banana Pudding Festival and its move from River Park to the pavilion had been proven wrong; the Lynchburg / Jack Daniel’s analogy helped explain why a rural two-lane-road venue can still work if the event itself is strong.
  • 26:23 Members asked what kinds of events HCA is already considering if the proposal moves forward.
  • 26:39 Presenter said possibilities are broad and already include:
    • concerts through a board member with Live Nation connections;
    • country artists with local ties;
    • multi-stage music concepts around the county;
    • Agon Arts / agritourism events;
    • rodeos and possible related spinoff events;
    • other festival formats using the same vendor and logistics network.
  • 28:33 He said vendor space for the upcoming festival was already sold out by mid-April after only 45 days of being open, presented as proof of demand and organizational capacity.

Facility limitations and parking issues

  • 29:04 Presenter acknowledged the pavilion needs upkeep after years of neglect.
  • 29:13 A removable floor was identified as one practical improvement that could expand event types, such as car shows; he said flooring that normally costs $100,000–$150,000 had recently sold at auction for $8,000, suggesting used equipment opportunities.
  • 29:51 Dust inside the arena was cited as a drawback for food events, though not one that had produced attendee complaints.
  • 30:24 A commissioner asked about the parking issue that forced the rodeo move.
  • 30:39 Presenter said the obstacle was not the pavilion itself but insurance/liability tied to use of adjacent private land for parking.
  • 31:04 He said the landowner was working to straighten out insurance and had been approached about event-time leasing, though she was not yet committed.
  • 31:39 He said the prior problem came from the owner not having insurance in place and not fully understanding how event coverage could work.

Position funding, term, and incentives

  • 32:33 A commissioner pressed on whether the requested 40% would fully fund the proposed position.
  • 32:42 Presenter said no; the position would not be fully funded by that amount alone.
  • 32:51 He proposed a compensation structure with a base monthly salary plus a commission or profit-share tied to event success, arguing this would create incentives to generate more bookings and revenue.
  • 34:09 When asked about duration, he said the original request was for five years.
  • 34:15 Justification:
    • roughly three years to establish and refine the position;
    • avoiding a four-year election-cycle problem;
    • five years seen as enough runway to build trust and momentum.
  • 34:46 He indicated openness to a shorter term, such as three years, if commissioners preferred.

Rodeo expansion discussion

  • 35:02 Members asked whether the rodeo concept could expand into multiple events.

  • 35:10 Presenter said he has explored spinoff ideas such as competitive bullfighting and more barrel-racing-oriented or jackpot-style events.

  • 35:17 He said limiting the main event to 20 barrel racers left many disappointed and suggested there were at least 60 more who had called.

  • 36:24 Members connected the idea to Nashville overflow tourism, suggesting regular niche events could attract visitors looking for alternatives to downtown entertainment.

  • 37:30 A commissioner asked whether the ACT Pavilion would have allowed a larger rodeo setup than Cowboy Church.

  • 37:58 Presenter said yes; with prior planning, the pavilion could have seated just under 2,000, but the relocated venue had bleacher seating for only about 1,200, leaving many standing.

  • 38:54 The smaller arena footprint at the substitute site was also a problem: he described being constrained to about 120 by 120 feet, too short for some roping events.

  • 39:17 He said no competitors completed qualifying runs in one roping event, leaving two ropes and belt buckles unawarded.

  • 39:42 Members summarized the practical point: drawing roughly 2,000 attendees to an outlying venue benefits neighboring counties if visitors immediately leave to eat, fuel, or stay elsewhere.

  • 40:51 No motion was made on the HCA / pavilion proposal; the chair said members likely were not ready to vote and needed time to absorb the information.

EMS report and financial statement 42:41

  • 42:46 EMS Director Allen Livengood gave the March report:
    • 222 total calls.
  • 42:54 He said call volume has been trending down over recent months from the usual 300–350 range.
  • 43:06 Financial update:
    • collections of $84,681.65;
    • charges of $115,983.
  • 43:13 He said collections had leveled out under the new billing company; under the old company, collections had dipped into the $40,000s, while the new pattern is around $84,000 monthly.
  • 43:31 He also noted that the gap between charges and collections is shrinking, which he said reflects improved billing performance.
  • 43:44 Motion by Steve Gianakos, second by Ron Mayberry, to approve the EMS financial statement.
  • 43:55 Roll-call vote to approve the EMS financial statement passed unanimously among those voting:
    • Dusty Jordan — yes
    • Steve Gianakos — yes
    • Keith Nash — yes
    • Devin Pickard — yes
    • Matthew Barnhill — yes (after joining the meeting)
    • Ron Mayberry — yes
    • Ricky Murray — yes
    • Jim Herron — yes
    • Chair — yes

Pinewood station operational update 44:26

  • 44:26 Livengood said Pinewood station is now operating “full throttle,” with normal startup issues but no extraordinary problems.
  • 44:42 He said multiple departments are involved, so getting everyone aligned has been somewhat rough but is improving.
  • 45:22 Most equipment has been moved in.
  • 45:26 Some remaining vendor contracts still need to be signed before outside companies move in additional equipment.
  • 45:41 A commissioner asked whether the gas pump is operational.
  • 45:47 Livengood said no; there is a wiring issue being worked on.
  • 46:00 Interim fueling can be handled by using existing county fueling points in Centerville or East Hickman.
  • 46:31 Members noted the Pinewood generator’s usefulness during the ice storm and said on-site fuel access would have been especially valuable in those conditions.
  • 46:40 Livengood confirmed staff are now able to stay overnight at the Pinewood station.

Unfinished Business 46:57

Sheriff-backed resolutions for full commission 47:03

  • 47:03 Committee revisited two previously discussed resolutions associated with the sheriff:
    • a resolution regarding nuisance laws;
    • a resolution requiring permits for roadblocks when groups are collecting money.
  • 47:30 It was clarified that both are intended for the next county commission meeting.
  • 47:48 No new substantive debate occurred; members said these had already been discussed in committee.
  • 48:00 Motion by Dusty Jordan, second by Ron Mayberry, to send both resolutions to the full county commission.
  • 48:08 Motion approved by voice vote.

New Business / Agenda Items 48:19

  • 48:19 Chair asked for any new business not on the agenda; none was developed in the transcript.

Adjournment 48:30

  • 48:30 Motion to adjourn by Ron Mayberry; approved by voice vote.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
36 Headcount Jail population 3:14
2025 Year Banana Pudding Festival performance year discussed 5:18
105 Count Festival vendors 5:38
350 Count Approximate festival volunteers over two days 5:47
8,000 Weight Pounds of pudding served 5:54
3,700 Count Pudding containers served 6:05
4,650 Count “Pudding path” containers sold 6:05
9,343 Attendance Festival attendance, record year 6:22
10,000 Goal Festival attendance target referenced 6:22
650 Sample size ZIP-code responses collected 6:31
45 Count Tennessee counties represented in sample 6:48
36 Count States represented, plus D.C. 6:58
298 Count U.S. counties represented in sample 6:58
6 Count Countries represented 7:29
2023 Year Placer-style visitor estimate year 9:39
8,300 Attendance estimate Festival visitors estimated by mobility data 9:39
20–30 Distance Lower band of travel distance discussed 9:48
50 Distance Tourism-draw threshold / travel distance discussed 9:48
100 miles or greater Distance Long-distance travel band discussed 9:48
118 Index Disposable income relative to national average 10:40
100 Index baseline National average benchmark 10:40
12 Basis points / index points Average income above benchmark 10:49
38.38 Age National median age benchmark referenced 11:20
10 Basis points / index points Households with children above average 11:26
24 Basis points / index points College degree or greater above average 11:26
1.1% Percentage Visitors going to Dunkin Donuts before/after event example 13:30
1.5% Percentage Visitors going to Fish Camp example 13:30
300,000 Attendance Annual Jack Daniel’s visitors cited for comparison 18:38
700 Population Lynchburg population cited 18:30
750 Employment Workers at Jack Daniel’s cited 18:30
1,774 Participation Runners in Jack Daniel’s half marathon example 18:54
2,000 Cap / crowd size Rough race-cap and crowd reference in Lynchburg example 20:06
40% Revenue share Remaining hotel-motel tax requested 22:25
$87,000 Fundraising total Banana Pudding Festival amount given back last year 23:59
9,000+ Attendance High-spend visitors cited as repeatable model 24:37
45 days Time period Vendor registration window before sellout 28:48
$100,000–$150,000 Cost estimate Typical removable-flooring cost 29:38
$8,000 Auction price Used flooring example 29:38
40% Funding sufficiency Share acknowledged as not enough to fully fund position 32:33
10% Compensation example Possible profit-share example for manager 33:23
5% Compensation example Lower profit-share example 33:23
$100,000 Revenue example Event income example used to illustrate incentive pay 33:31
$10,000 Compensation example Incentive payout example tied to success 33:31
5 years Term Original requested funding duration 34:09
3 years Term Time said to be needed to establish the position 34:15
4 years Term Election cycle concern cited 34:32
20 Count Barrel racers included in main event 35:17
60 Count Additional barrel racers said to have called 35:25
2,000 Attendance estimate Spectators at Alabama round-robin example 42:01
222 Calls EMS March total calls 42:46
300–350 Calls Usual monthly EMS call range 42:54
$84,681.65 Collections EMS March collections 43:06
$115,983 Charges EMS March charges 43:22
$40,000s Collections range Low collections under old billing company 43:13
1,200 Seating Bleacher seating available at relocated rodeo site 38:14
2,000 Seating capacity Near-capacity seating possible at ACT Pavilion 38:07
120 by 120 Dimensions Arena size limitation at substitute rodeo venue 38:54
2 Count Unawarded ropes / belt buckles after no qualifying runs 39:17