I recently had the chance to spend some time with the FCE Club of Lake Tansi at the Lake Tansi Thunderbird Recreation Center for their “Happy Birthday America” celebration. It was a great afternoon with good conversation, and a real sense of pride in our country and in Cumberland County. That kind of spirit is what makes our community special.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, events are kicking off all across the county. I hope you will make plans to attend some of them. These celebrations are a great way to honor our nation’s history and enjoy time with family, friends, and neighbors. To help keep everyone moving in the same direction, I pulled together a coalition of the various 250 groups so we can coordinate our efforts and make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to participate. It has been good to see so many organizations working together for the benefit of the whole county.

I also had a great conversation with the Leadership Cumberland class at the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. We talked about how county government works and how it serves our citizens every day. I appreciate the opportunity to visit with folks who care about Cumberland County and are willing to step up and lead.

Spending time with groups like these reminds me that the strength of our county has always been its people. When we stay involved and work together, we can accomplish great things for our community.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting – February 17
The monthly meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioners Hyder, Seiber, Mall, and Patterson.  Commissioner Patterson continues recovery at Good Samaritans.

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 02-2026-1 – GOVERNING PERMITS FOR THE SALE OF BEER CLOSE TO A PLACE OF PUBLIC GATHERING (SHERRILL).  Over the years, the Cumberland County Beer Board has granted permits at distances less than 2,000 feet from schools, churches, or other places of public gathering.  The County Commission used this resolution to retain its right to object to the sale, distribution, manufacture, or storage of beer in an area outside the minimum distance of 100 feet set in the resolution.  The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 02-2026-2 – CLARIFYING PURCHASING POLICY REGARDING SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS (SEIBER).  This policy update clarified that a purchase order is not needed for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual subscription or maintenance agreements.  This has been the practice because these expenditures are authorized, budgeted, and approved annually, negating the need for the purchase order.  The resolution was approved 14-0.

RESOLUTION 02-2026-4 – APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD (MALL).   The Cumberland County Industrial Development Board (IDB) helps to promote industrial growth and economic development in Cumberland County.  It is comprised of members appointed by the county, the City of Crossville, and the Chamber.  Increases in development activity has resulted on more expenses for the IDB, so they requested a loan of $25,000 for the costs.  The loan will be repaid when the property at Interchange Drive is sold.  The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 02-2026-8 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OTHER ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, SAFE BABY COURT (MALL).  You may recall this issue being on the December 2025 meeting of the County Commission.  During that meeting, the 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 Budget Committee heard a request from Judge Worley, requesting $2,910 be moved from Other Supplies and Materials back to the salary supplement line.  The resolution was approved in an 10-4 vote, with Commissioners Isham, Davis, Lowe, and Cooper voting against.

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

• RESOLUTION 02-2026-3 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (THREET).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-5 – ACKNOWLEDGING THE CORRECTION OF FUND BALANCE FOR 121 (GIBSON).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-6 – AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER AND CLOSURE OF FUND 127 RELATED TO ARPA INTEREST AND THE CORRECTION OF BROADBAND EXPENDITURES (THREET).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-7 – DECLARING THE COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY ARCHIVES BUILDING AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REMAINING FUNDS (ISHAM).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-9 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, SAFE SCHOOL COUNSELORS (MALL).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-10 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT STEM CLASSROOM AWARD (MALL).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-11 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, LINE-ITEM GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, TECHNOLOGY FUNDS (MALL).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-12 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, ISM STATE GRANT (MALL).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-13 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, TVA ENERGY RIGHT FUNDS (MALL).
• RESOLUTION 02-2026-14 – CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM (MALL).

Financial Update
In January 2026, the Cumberland County Codes Department issued 26 residential and 2 commercial building permits, 23 general mechanical permits, and 29 general plumbing permits.  A total of $34,016 in fees were collected compared to $26,672 the same month a year prior.

The EMS service collected $288,235 which is below the estimated monthly income of $433,333.  Year to date we are down $433,228.  Sales tax collections for January, which reflect sales from two months prior, came in at $1,447,019 which was $56,925 above estimated revenue.  Year to date we are ahead of revenue projections by $305,788.  Property tax collections are at 66 percent, compared to 67.01 percent at this point last year.  Hotel/Motel tax collections stand at $648,821 year to date, versus $665,514 last year.  This represents 54.07 percent of the annual budgeted amount of $1,200,000. Prisoner boarding payments for having state inmates at the county jail are $338,660 year to date versus $280,399 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