October was a busy month, with several opportunities to represent Cumberland County at the state level and here at home.

Governor’s Conference
I attended Governor Bill Lee’s final Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development. This year’s theme was “Legacy,” which was fitting.

Over the past eight years, Governor Lee and his administration have been good friends and strong partners to Cumberland County. The conference also gave us a chance to discuss infrastructure, housing, workforce development, emerging technology, and other issues affecting our future.

It was good to catch up with Governor Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter. Steven Curtis Chapman and Luke Bryan even helped close out the conference in honor of their friend, Governor Lee. It was a special way to say goodbye.

TACIR
I also continued my work with the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, better known as TACIR. Serving on TACIR gives Cumberland County a voice in statewide discussions about transportation, EMS funding, emergency communications, law enforcement compensation, and many other issues affecting county government.

One of the issues I discussed was protecting children online. Age verification and meaningful parental controls need to be part of that conversation, whether children are using artificial intelligence, social media, streaming services, gaming platforms, or other digital services. Technology continues to move quickly, and our responsibility to protect children needs to keep up.

Volunteer Energy Cooperative
I also spent time with Volunteer Energy Cooperative at the annual meeting that was held at Stone Memorial High School. VEC is an important partner in our community, and dependable electric service is essential to our residents, existing businesses, and future economic growth.

Covenant Health Women’s Care Cumberland
Closer to home, I participated in the ribbon cutting for the expanded and newly renamed Covenant Health Women’s Care Cumberland, located beside Cumberland Medical Center.

The expansion increased access to women’s healthcare, maternity services, pregnancy care, and support for families throughout Cumberland County and the Upper Cumberland.

Cumberland Medical Center has been serving local families for more than 75 years. It was good to celebrate another investment that allows more of our residents to receive quality care close to home.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioners Sisco, and Patterson.  Commissioner Patterson is undergoing rehab after his recent hip replacement surgery.

Resolutions
The following resolutions were considered by the Cumberland County Commission.  The sponsor of each resolution is in parentheses. Detailed information for each resolution can be found here.

RESOLUTION 10-2026-1 – TO REAPPOINT THE POSITION OF COUNTY ATTORNEY (FOSTER).  The County Commission confirmed, in a unanimous vote, the reappointment of Philip Burnett as Cumberland County Attorney for a two-year term ending October 31, 2028. 

RESOLUTION 10-2026-2 – ADDING BUNK LANE AND HEDGEWOOD CIRCLE TO THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (MALL).  Two roads were added to the County Road List. Bunk Lane is a 0.38-mile paved cul-de-sac, and Hedgewood Circle is a 0.028-mile gravel cul-de-sac. Both roads were reviewed and determined to meet the county’s requirements for acceptance.  The resolution was approved 16-0.

RESOLUTION 10-2026-3 – REMOVING JUNIOR CAMP LANE FROM THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (MALL). At the request of Camp Nakanawa, the 0.23-mile paved Junior Camp Lane was removed from the County Road List. Camp Nakanawa owns all the property surrounding the road, and the county attorney reviewed and accepted the title opinion. The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 10-2026-4 – EXTENDING BEACHWOOD DRIVE, GEORGE ANNA DRIVE, RIVER ROAD, TRAILS END, AND WYCLIFF LANE ON THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (MALL).

The listed lengths of five roads were corrected to match previous County Road Lists:

Beachwood Drive was extended by 0.09 miles, from 2.09 miles to 2.18 miles.
George Anna Drive was extended by 0.34 miles, from 0.48 miles to 0.82 miles.
River Road was extended by 0.40 miles, from 0.17 miles to 0.57 miles.
Trails End was extended by 0.26 miles, from 0.16 miles to 0.42 miles.
Wycliff Lane was extended by 0.22 miles, from 0.07 miles to 0.29 miles.

The resolution was approved 16-0.

RESOLUTION 10-2026-5 – REDUCING THE LENGTH OF GEORGE BRANCH COURT ON THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (MALL). The portion of George Branch Court maintained by the county was reduced by 0.12 miles. This changed its listed length from 0.34 miles to 0.22 miles. A title opinion for the property surrounding the removed portion was reviewed and found acceptable. The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 10-2026-6 – RECOGNIZING THE LOCATION OF ENGLAND ROAD (MALL). The Commission officially recognized England Road as the 0.70-mile paved cul-de-sac that runs north/northwest and ends inside Map 009, Parcel 026.00. This clarified the road’s location and direction on the County Road List. The resolution was approved 16-0.

The following routine budget amendments were approved by the Commission for various county departments.  Details of each resolution can be found here.

COUNTY RESOLUTIONS

• RESOLUTION 10-2026-7 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, 2024 HOME GRANT (POTTER)
• RESOLUTION 10-2026-8 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, LOCAL HEALTH CENTER (MAXWELL)
• RESOLUTION 10-2026-9 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, PARKS AND RECREATION (MALL)

BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTIONS

• RESOLUTION 10-2026-10 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT STATE SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANT (GIBSON)
• RESOLUTION 10-2026-11 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SPED (GIBSON)
• RESOLUTION 10-2026-12 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, TRANSPORTATION (GIBSON)

Financial Update
In September 2026, the Cumberland County Codes Department issued 28 residential and 0 commercial building permits, 29 general mechanical permits, and 27 general plumbing permits.  A total of $35,707 in fees were collected, compared to $42,800 during the same month a year ago.

The EMS service collected $536,367 which is above the estimated monthly income of $433,333.  Year to date, we are $56,947 below estimated income.  Local option sales tax collections for the General Purpose School Fund (BOE) in September were $1,506,503 which was $39,735 below projections.  These numbers reflect sales from two months prior.  Year to date we are $26,125 above projections.  Property tax collections are 5.94% compared to 12.27% the year prior.  Hotel/Motel tax collections are $256,850 compared to $236,948 last year.  That is 20.15% of budget.  Prisoner boarding (three months of revenue) is $129,437 compared to $180,851 this time last year.  Gas was budgeted at $3.50 per gallon and diesel was budgeted at $4.50 per gallon this year.  We are currently averaging $2.97 for gas and $4.54 for diesel.

Thank you for being part of the solution and for the opportunity to serve as your County Mayor.  If you are interested in hearing my thoughts and views on news, events, and activities in Cumberland County, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

Thank you.

Allen Foster
Cumberland County Mayor
http://allenfoster.com