Christmas reminds me of the hope and promise I have found in Christ. During this season of celebration, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with peace and blessings.

I am honored to share that House Speaker Cameron Sexton has appointed me to serve on the Tennessee Technological University Board of Trustees. My term begins immediately and will run through June 30, 2031.

Tennessee Tech has played a meaningful role in my life and in the lives of my family. I am a two-time graduate of TTU, earning degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Leadership. My late wife, Rebecca, was a proud graduate of the Whitson Hester School of Nursing and dedicated years of service to Tennessee Tech through the Development Council and Nursing Advisory Board. In her memory, our family and friends established the Rebecca Foster Memorial Scholarship Endowment to support future nursing students. Our daughter, Brooke, is also a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and continues that legacy through her work as a nurse practitioner, educator, and member of the TTU Development Council. Our son, Shade, also attended Tennessee Tech and played football during his time at the university.

As a trustee, I will help guide Tennessee Tech’s strategic direction, academic priorities, and long-term growth. I am grateful for the confidence Speaker Sexton has placed in me and for the opportunity to serve an institution that continues to shape leaders, strengthen our workforce, and create opportunities for students across Tennessee.  I am excited to support TTU’s mission and ensure it remains a place where students can pursue their version of the American dream.

I am proud and thankful to serve the people of Cumberland County.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting – December 15
The monthly meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioner Patterson.

In the special recognition section of the meeting, I recognized Commissioner York as being my favorite commissioner as she continued her grand tradition of bringing me homemade peanut butter fudge for Christmas.  Thank you, Sue.  I really appreciate it!

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

RESOLUTION 12-2025-1 – TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION COMMITTEE (FOSTER). Tamara Eroh and Chance Bow were appointed to two-year terms expiring December 31, 2027 in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-2 – TO APPOINT A VETERAN’S SERVICE OFFICER (FOSTER).  After an extensive interview process, Jeffrey Connors was presented for confirmation by the County Commission to be our new Veterans Services Officer.  This is one of the most important positions in county government, and this hire will get us back to the proper staffing level in the office.  The resolution was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-3 – APPROVING THE USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR PLACEMENT OF A MILO LEMERT STATUE (YORK). The Milo Lemert Statue Committee is working on a plan to create a park between the Chamber of Commerce, and the Military Memorial Museum.  The focal point of the area will be a statue of Milo Lemert, Cumberland County’s lone Medal of Honor Recipient.  The park will be named the “Milo Lemert Medal of Honor Memorial Park”.  The committee will work with my office to complete the project.  The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-4 – TO RE-APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE (FOSTER).  Patrick Garrison and Matthew Kirkland were reappointed to four-year terms expiring November 30, 2029, in an 17-0 vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-5 – TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY BUILDING CODES BOARD OF APPEALS (FOSTER).  Mark Norrod was reappointed to a four-year term in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-6 – TO RE-APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU WATER AUTHORITY (FOSTER).  The CPWA is making real progress to improve the lives of those in Cumberland County.  Thom Hassler is an original member of the CPWA Board, and, upon my recommendation, was reappointed to a new, four-year term in an 17-0 vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-7 – ADDING LAURELWOOD DRIVE AND LAURELWOOD CIRCLE TO THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (SHERRILL).  The process to add these roads started in August, and has been approved by the Road Superintendent, the Planning Commission, and the Environmental Committee.  Tonight, the roads were added to the road list in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-8 – ADDING PERRY CREEK DRIVE TO THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (GIBSON).  The process to add this road started in July, and has been approved by the Road Superintendent, the Planning Commission, and the Environmental Committee.  Tonight, the road was added to the road list in an 17-0 vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-9 – REMOVING THE END SECTION OF CAMP NAKANAWA ROAD FROM THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (HOLBROOK).  The process to remove this section of road started in August as well, and has been approved by the Road Superintendent, the Planning Commission, and the Environmental Committee.  Tonight, the end section was removed in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-10 – REMOVING THE END SECTION OF LAVENDER LANE FROM THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (HOLBROOK).  The process to remove this section of road began in August, and has been approved by the Road Superintendent, the Planning Commission, and the Environmental Committee.  Tonight, the end section was removed in a 17-0 vote.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-11 – CORRECTING A CLERICAL ERROR REGARDING CALUSA CIRCLE AND WARPATH CIRCLE ON THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (GIBSON).  This process started in July with a request from a constituent to change the name of Calusa Circle to Warpath Circle.  Research indicated that Warpath Circle appeared on prior road lists, and Calusa Circle did not.  This clerical error was fixed in a unanimous vote.

Note that the complete, official road list will be voted on in the January 2026 County Commission meeting.

RESOLUTION 12-2025-15 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OTHER ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, SAFE BABY COURT (HOLBROOK).  This resolution to create a Safe Baby Court with grant funding from the State of Tennessee, was amended to remove a salary supplement of $5,000, and add the funds to the supply line item for the kids.  The amendment passed in a 12-4-1 vote, with Commissioners Sherrill, Baldwin, Holbrook, and Mall voting against moving the $5,000, and Commissioner York passing.  Next, the vote was taken to create the Safe Baby Court, as amended.  This passed unanimously.

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

• RESOLUTION 12-2025-12 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT (ISHAM).
• RESOLUTION 12-2025-13 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF/JAIL (ISHAM).
• RESOLUTION 12-2025-14 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT OTHER HEALTH & WELFARE (HOLBROOK).
• RESOLUTION 12-2025-16 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FEDERAL THROUGH STATE GOVERNMENT (WILSON).

Financial Update
In November 2025, the Cumberland County Codes Department issued 21 residential and 0 commercial building permits, 25 general mechanical permits, and 36 general plumbing permits.  A total of $28,797 in fees were collected.

The EMS service collected $257,621 which is below the estimated monthly income of $433,333.  Year to date we are down $381,567, which is due, in part, to an error with the third-party billing company that has been corrected.  Sales tax collections for November, which reflect sales from two months prior, came in at $1,463,004 which was $71,127 above estimated revenue.  Year to date we are ahead of revenue projections by $204,269.  Property tax collections are at 31.08 percent, compared to 29.46 percent at this point last year.  Hotel/Motel tax collections stand at $488,008 year to date, versus $513,708 last year.  This represents 40.67 percent of the annual budgeted amount of $1,200,000. Prisoner boarding payments for having state inmates at the county jail are $237,185 year to date versus $87,494 last year.  The total budgeted amount is $397,823 annually.

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