February’s meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with a resolution concerning the emergency medical service rates. Governmental reimbursement rates have recently increased. The resolution, which passed unanimously, authorizes the EMS Director to implement emergency medical service rates in accordance with governmental maximums. A budget amendment moving $10,000 from contracts with private agencies to the part-time personnel line was approved for the Sanitation Department. This will allow the hiring of part-time personnel to help with the recycling program. The recycling program has proven to be a good revenue source for CumberlandCounty and the workers are needed to keep up with current volumes. A budget amendment for $2,113 was also approved for promotion of the next Gun and Knife Show and the Community Complex.
Resolutions were approved to accept offers from Jack Cunningham, Jr. and Amelia Cunningham, and Tom Vaught, to purchase property owned by CumberlandCounty. These properties have been on the delinquent tax rolls for 8-10 years.
A resolution was passed requesting the State of Tennessee to provide appropriate funding to house state inmates in the county jail. State law dictates that the county holds these inmates at a rate of $35 per day. This is less that the estimated $74.62 per day estimated cost as provided by the Cumberland County Finance Department. The significant underfunding is a considerable strain on the county budget. The resolution requests that the state assume immediate custody of the state sentenced inmates if funding can’t be increased.
Update to the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Cumberland County Community Complex were also approved. According to the changes, alcohol sale is prohibited without the prior consent by the Building and Grounds committee. Pipe and drape must be rented from the Complex and not from outside vendors. The cost is $1.50 per linear foot. Effective immediately, no rental fees will be waived for a weekend event. The cost to use the public address system in the ExhibitBuilding is $10 per day. No animals are permitted except for service dogs. All alcohol is prohibited in the Obed River Park.
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Allen
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