Fentress County commissioners voted Tuesday night to table two resolutions involving additional funding commitments for the county’s proposed ambulance station expansion project.
During discussion, commissioners noted the county’s building committee had been weighing two possible options for the expansion but was still waiting on firm cost estimates before making a recommendation. Some commissioners said they did not recall a final option ever being selected.
County Executive Jimmy Johnson said a decision had been discussed informally.
“It was the last thing going out as people were going out the door,” Johnson said. “I was talking as they were going out the door.”
The Commission had been set to consider two resolutions authorizing additional funding for the project and approving a loan and grant agreement.
Commissioners then worked through scheduling conflicts in an effort to hold a special-called meeting, but questions arose about how and when a final vote could legally take place. Finance Director Tyler Arms clarified that the resolutions must ultimately be approved during a full commission meeting.
“Your resolutions have to be approved at a commission meeting, not at a building committee meeting,” Arms said. “That is what I am saying, if it’s a building committee meeting, things will get pushed to your next commission meeting.”
Ultimately, commissioners agreed to table the resolutions and revisit them after further review. A building committee meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m., with the commission set to reconvene at 5:30 p.m. to continue discussions.
In other business, commissioners unanimously adopted an information systems disaster recovery plan to help safeguard county operations in the event of an emergency.
The commission also approved changes to the county finance department’s policies and procedures manual, increasing the quote threshold from $5,000 to $10,000. Arms said the update had previously been approved by the county’s finance committee.
Commissioners approved participation in multiple purchasing cooperatives, including Savik, Sourcewell, Omnia, NPPGov and TIPS, which Arms said must be renewed annually.
A lease agreement with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services was also approved for office space at 240 Colonial Circle Drive in Jamestown. Johnson said renovations are ongoing and the agency will pay a reduced rate until it occupies the building.
Commissioners approved allowing the senior center to apply for a Volunteer Electric Cooperative Customer Share grant.
A request to renew funding for the preventive and intensive services expansion project at Manna House was tabled after County Attorney Leslie Ledbetter said the county’s opioid abatement committee had not yet reviewed the request.
An agreement with A2i LLC to provide electronic monitoring services was also approved. Ledbetter said the program will come at no cost to the county, with defendants responsible for fees associated with monitoring devices.
Commissioners approved a solid waste disposal bid from Waste Connections. Solid Waste Director Michael Rick said while the company was not the lowest initial bidder, it would save the county money over time and is already being used.
The commission also approved adding Hargis Road, Elzie’s Way and Edwards Court to the county road list.
Appointments to the county equalization board were approved, including the reappointments of Bart Neely, Cheryl Beaty, Buddy Edwards and Rogert Garrett, along with the addition of Paula Garrett.
Commissioners approved a purchasing agreement allowing the school system to acquire technology such as Chromebooks and intercom systems.
The county will also apply for a grant to fund new playground equipment at South Fentress Park. Johnson said the county has applied several times without success but plans to continue pursuing the opportunity, which could provide approximately $125,000 with a $38,000 local match.