Appalachian Leadership Institute
I recently had the opportunity to complete the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership development program of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Over the course of the fellowship, I joined leaders from communities across Appalachia to learn about economic development, workforce challenges, infrastructure, tourism, and other issues that impact our region. The program included leadership training, visits to successful community projects, and discussions with people who are making a difference in their hometowns.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was getting to know fellow leaders from across the Appalachian region. It was encouraging to hear how other communities are tackling challenges, finding creative solutions, and working to create new opportunities for their citizens.

It was a privilege to represent Cumberland County throughout the program. I have always believed communities are strongest when people work together, focus on practical solutions, and invest in the future. This experience reinforced that. I am proud to join the ranks of Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside so many dedicated leaders from across our region.

Courthouse Repairs and Renovation Complete
We recently celebrated the Cumberland County Courthouse repairs and renovation project with an open house and ribbon cutting. It was great to welcome so many citizens to tour the courthouse and see the improvements firsthand.

This project began in 2022 after a water leak led to the discovery of significant structural damage in the original 1905 section of the courthouse. Since then, the building has undergone major repairs, renovations, and upgrades to preserve this important piece of Cumberland County’s history.

A project like this takes a lot of people working together. Thank you to Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senator Paul Bailey for helping secure state funding, the Cumberland County Commission for its support, courthouse staff for their patience throughout construction, and the many county employees, engineers, architects, and contractors who made this project possible.

One question I’ve heard quite a bit is about the courthouse clock. The custom replacement parts have arrived, and work to restore the clock will begin soon.

The courthouse has served Cumberland County for more than 120 years. These improvements will help ensure it continues serving our citizens for generations to come while preserving an important part of our county’s history.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioner Sherrill.

Congratulations to the 2026 Cumberland County High School Jets baseball team on making history! For the first time in the 64-year history of Cumberland County High School, the Jets are District 7-AAA Champions. This team defeated several tough opponents, including top-seeded Upperman and Livingston Academy in a strong postseason run to capture the district title.

This championship is a testament to the hard work, determination, and resilience of these young men and their coaches. Cumberland County is proud of you and this historic accomplishment. Congratulations, Jets!

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 06-2025-1– APPOINTING ONE (1) JUDICIAL COMMISSIONER FOR CUMBERLAND COUNTY (GIBSON).  Joseph Moody was appointed to a one-year term as a Judicial Commissioner, upon the recommendation of Judge Amanda Worley, and Judicial Commissioner Director Jennifer Phillips-Cross.  The appointment was approved 16-0.

RESOLUTION 06-2025-2 – APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD (FOSTER).  Bryce McDonald was appointed, and Cathy Cathey and Greg Maxwell were reappointed to second terms on the Library Board.  The terms are for three years and were approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 06-2025-3 – EXTENDING CATOOSA BLVD, FOREST HILLS DRIVE AND LEYDEN DRIVE ON THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (PATTERSON).  The County Commission approved a resolution to extend three roads currently on the county road list as outlined below. The proposed extensions were previously reviewed and approved by the Cumberland County Regional Planning Commission, the Environmental Committee, and the Road Superintendent. The resolution passed on a 16-0 vote.

Road Name             Current Length:       New Length:            Length Added:
Catoosa Blvd           1.89 mi.                   4.00 mi.                   2.11 mi.
Forest Hills Drive     1.24 mi.                   1.72 mi.                   0.48 mi.
Leyden Drive           0.07 mi.                   0.57 mi.                   0.50 mi.

RESOLUTION 06-2025-4 – ADDING CARNOUSTIE DRIVE, LEYDEN CIRCLE, LYTHAM WAY, PRESTWICK CIRCLE, ST. ANDREWS CIRCLE AND SPRING LAKE DRIVE TO THE COUNTY ROAD LIST (PATTERSON). The County Commission approved the addition of these roads to the county road list. Before reaching the full commission, the proposed additions were reviewed and approved by the Cumberland County Regional Planning Commission, the Environmental Committee, and the Road Superintendent. The resolution was approved in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 06-2026-30 – ADOPTING THE COUNTY POWERS ACT PURSUANT TO TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED 5-1-118 (HOLBROOK). The Cumberland County Commission recently approved a resolution adopting the County Powers Act, a state law that provides counties with additional authority to address local issues when authorized by Tennessee law.

This action is an important first step in the county’s ongoing review of data center development and its potential impacts on infrastructure, utilities, and future growth.

The County Powers Act must be adopted before the county can consider certain regulatory measures, including the temporary data center moratorium that was also discussed by the Commission. By adopting the act, Cumberland County now has an additional legal framework available as it evaluates future policies.

Communities across Tennessee are currently examining how to address data center development. Many local governments are utilizing zoning regulations, while others have implemented temporary moratoriums to allow time for study and planning. A temporary moratorium is generally considered easier to defend constitutionally while local governments evaluate long-term solutions.

The adoption of the County Powers Act does not create any new regulations by itself. Instead, it provides the county with additional authority that may be needed as officials continue studying the issue.

The resolution was approved by the County Commission in a unanimous vote and became effective immediately.

RESOLUTION 06-2026-31 – IMPOSING A TEMPORARY TWO (2) YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, OR OPERATION OF DATA CENTERS WITHIN CUMBERLAND COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY WHILE THE COUNTY STUDIES THE IMPACTS OF SUCH FACILITIES AND CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE REGULATORY MEASURES (FOSTER). Following the adoption of the County Powers Act, the Cumberland County Commission approved a two-year moratorium on new data center development within Cumberland County.

The moratorium is intended to give county leaders, planners, utility providers, and other stakeholders time to study the potential impacts of large-scale data centers before any long-term regulations are considered.  Across Tennessee, communities are actively evaluating how data centers may affect electrical infrastructure, water resources, transportation systems, land use, emergency services, and quality of life.

The moratorium is temporary and is designed to preserve the status quo while the county gathers information and develops a thoughtful, legally sound approach to addressing future data center development.  The resolution was approved in a unanimous vote.

The following routine budget amendments were approved by the Commission for various county departments.  Details of each resolution can be found here.  There are more this month due to end of year cleanup for audit purposes.

• RESOLUTION 06-2026-5 – DEBT SERVICE FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT (GIBSON)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-6 – SOLID WATE FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT (THREET)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-7 – HIGHWAY FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT (WILSON)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-8 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, EMS, TENNESSEE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM (ISHAM)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-9 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, VARIOUS DEPARTMENT OVERRUNS (HOLBROOK)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-10 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OTHER OPERATIONS (HOLBROOK)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-11 – OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, RAILROAD AUTHORITY (WILSON)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-12 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OTHER STATE EDUCATION FUNDS (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-13 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-14 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, COLLEGE, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-15 – GEAR UP FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SUMMER FIELD TRIPS (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-16 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, STATE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PRESCHOOL GRANT (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-17 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, YEAR END ACCOUNT CLEAN-UP (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-18 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, LEARNING ENVIRONMENT GRANT FUNDS (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-19 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, LEGAL SERVICES (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-20 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-21 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, HEALTH SERVICES (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-22 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-23 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SPECIAL EDUCATION (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-24 – CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, ADDITIONAL USDA EQUIPMENT GRANT (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-25 – CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, LINE-ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENT (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-26 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR K-8 (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-27 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, ADJUST APPROPRIATIONS (MALL)
• RESOLUTION 06-2026-28 – ADOPTING HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FUNDING MODIFICATION (ISHAM)
• RESOLUTIONS 06-2026-29 – CLARIFYING PURCHASING POLICY REGARDING SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS (PATTERSON)

Financial Update
In May 2026, the Cumberland County Codes Department issued 35 residential and 2 commercial building permits, 46 general mechanical permits, and 43 general plumbing permits.  A total of $46,455 in fees were collected compared to $31,663 the same month a year prior.

The EMS service collected $433,168 which is just below the estimated monthly income of $433,333.  Year to date we are down $465,826.  Sales tax collections for May, which reflect sales from two months prior, came in at $1,531,858 which was $80,246 above estimated revenue.  Year to date we are ahead of revenue projections by $603,142.  Property tax collections are at 100.24 percent, compared to 98.68 percent at this point last year.  Hotel/Motel tax collections stand at $959,006 year to date, versus $977,595 last year.  This represents 79.92 percent of the annual budgeted amount of $1,200,000. Prisoner boarding payments for housing state inmates at the county jail are $567,645 year to date versus $361,825 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