COVID-19 Update
According to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), there are 40 active cases of COVID-19 in Cumberland County, and there have been 141 deaths as of the date of this newsletter. The number of active cases has increased recently.
Cumberland County Population Vaccinated
- Number of vaccines (shots) administered (including first and second doses): 44,507
- County Population with at least one dose of any manufacturer: 23,671
- County Population Fully Vaccinated: 22,336
State Vaccination Dashboard:
Cumberland County Commission Update
The July meeting of the Cumberland County Commission was held tonight with all Commissioners in attendance except Deborah Holbrook. The night began with the task of appointing a new Property Assessor. Chad Norris, Kelli G. Tipton, Stephen Andrew Powell, Duard Mark Madden, Tory King, Sandy Gilbert, Aaron Pedigo, Chad Garrett, Stacie Reed, Gail Vinson, Donald F. Johnson Jr., Tom Howard, and Sheila Drake all applied for the position. According to state law, anyone could also come forward the night of the meeting.
Each candidate was allowed up to 10 minutes to speak. After everyone spoke, Commissioners nominated from the candidates. Those nominated included Tom Howard, Gail Vincent, Sandy Gilbert, Andrew Powell, Sheila Drake, Kelli Tipton, and Tory King. Only those nominated were eligible to receive votes. When the voting was complete, Sandy Gilbert was named the new Property Assessor with 12 of the 17 votes and I administered the Oath of Office. This seat will be up for election next year to fill the remaining two years of the term.
The following resolutions were on the agenda (resolution sponsor in parenthesis):
RESOLUTION 07-2021-1 – TO APPOINT MEMBER TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (FOSTER). The resolution to appoint Katie Hardt to the Regional Planning Commission following the resignation of Martha Kemmer Hale was approved unanimously. The term will expire August 31, 2025.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-2 – TO APPOINT ONE (1) JUDICIAL COMMISSIONER FOR CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TENNESSEE (GIBSON). Upon the recommendation of Judge Larry Warner and Jennifer Phillips-Cross, Darren Brock was approved 17-0 for a one-year term as a Judicial Commissioner.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-3 – TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF WAR MEMORABILIA TO THE DISPLAY OUTSIDE THE MILITARY MEMORIAL MUSEUM (BLALOCK). In 2018, the Military Museum here on Main Street was authorized to get a cannon for display outside. Getting a cannon has proven difficult, so tonight, the commission approved the display of a 16-inch projectile from a Navy cannon used on Missouri-class battleships. The vote was unanimous.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-4 – TO ADOPT A SPEED LIMIT ON CUMBERLAND LAKES DRIVE (HYDER). Citizens residing on Cumberland Lakes Drive requested the speed limit be reduced from 55 MPH to 30 MPH. The request was approved 17-0.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-5 – TO REMOVE A ROAD FROM THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY ROAD LIST (BLALOCK). The owners of property around Tanner Trail have requested it be removed from the County Road List. The request was approved by the Planning Commission, the Environmental Committee, and finally by the full Commission in a 14-3 vote with Commissioners Hyder, Jack Davis, and Wilson voting against.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-6 – TO GRANT BEN LOMAND COMMUNICATIONS, LLC AN EASEMENT – WEST CRESTON ROAD (JACK DAVIS). This resolution granted Ben Lomand an easement on West Creston Road on convenience center property. It will be used for equipment needed to expand broadband services in the area. The resolution was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-7 – TO UPDATE THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING CODES FOR CUMBERLAND COUNTY (JACK DAVIS). State law requires building codes to be within seven years of the latest edition. This resolution updated the residential and commercial codes to the minimum that is used by the State of Tennessee. The resolution was approved 17-0.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-8 – TO AMEND THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TENNESSEE (FOSTER). The prior contract for payment for mental health evaluation and treatment services for criminal defendants charged with misdemeanors had expired. This contract set the same rate and terms as the previous year and was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-9 – AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (KYLE DAVIS). This resolution, approved 17-0, authorized the refunding of bonds to reduce debt service requirements and to save the county approximately $100,000 over the life of the bond.
RESOLUTION 07-2021-10 – APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS (LOWE). This was a very technical resolution, similar to last month’s resolution, needed to change the index rate on certain bonds from LIBOR to SOFR as LIBOR is going away. The resolution was approved unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORT
A limited financial report was given this month due to year end activities. Sales tax will finish $1.5 million or more above projections. Property tax will be about 101% of projections as well. Hotel/Motel tax came on strong and will be ahead of budget as will EMS collections. Prisoner boarding will be approximately $150,000 below budget.
Thank you for being part of the solution and thank you 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 Twitter.
Thank you,
Allen Foster
Cumberland County Mayor
http://allenfoster.net
allenfoster.com 
If you are going to report number of active covid cases , report how many were hospitalized please, ( in other words how sick are they?)
The state does not report hospitalizations on the county level.