Cumberland County Commission Meeting
I was unable to attend the January meeting, as US Congressman John Rose kindly provided me two tickets to the Inauguration of President Donald Trump. Even though the event was moved indoors due to weather, it was a true honor to go with my brother to the nation’s capital during the inauguration and watch the ceremony and speeches from an overflow room. The minutes from the January 2025 meeting can be found in the full packet here.
The February 2025 meeting of the Cumberland County Commission was held with all in attendance except Commissioner Mall.
Resolutions
The following resolutions were considered by the Cumberland County Commission. The sponsor of the resolution is in parenthesis. Detailed information for each resolution can be found here in the link “2025-02-18 —County Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda”.
RESOLUTION 02-2025-1 – AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION INTERFUND CAPITAL OUTLAY NOTES IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND ELEVEN DOLLARS (Holbrook). This was a housekeeping matter for audit purposes as it relates to the construction and remodel of the archive’s facility. The original documents that moved money from debt service to pay for the work (so we didn’t have to finance the project), was for a lower amount. The archives project had to be rebid for various reasons that you have read about in previous newsletters (purchasing the former Progressive Savings Bank building for the archives, then the courthouse issues that caused us to move the County Clerk to that location, then deciding to leave the clerk’s office there permanently and going back to the original plan for the archives). That rebid was higher than the original bid. This paperwork was never completed for the difference in cost (the financing was approved with all proper budget amendments) and needs to be done to make sure everything is processed properly according to audit standards. Long story short, the resolution was approved 17-0.
RESOLUTION 02-2025-21 – TO APPLY TO THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANDS FUNDS, (WILSON). This resolution, approved unanimously, allows us to apply for funds at the Parks & Recreation department to fix the paved walking trail that is partially eroding into the Obed River. There is a 17 percent match locally so this required approval before application.
RESOLUTION 02-2025-22 – ADOPTING REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS OF RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES (HYDER). The prior standards were revisited after some concerns were brought to the commissioners. The new standards were discussed thoroughly in the HSSB meeting, and common ground seemed to be found. The revised standards and procedures were approved 10-7 after a friendly amendment was made to remove a provision that gave the ability to the Codes Inspector to see a sight and start the complaint process without a citizen complaint. Commissioners Potter, York, Isham, Hyder, Shanks, Threet, Wilson, Maxwell, Holbrook, and Patterson voted for the resolution. Commissioners Gibson, Seiber, Davis, Lowe, Sherrill, Baldwin, and Cooper voted against the resolution.
RESOLUTION 02-2025-23 – TO APPOINT CUMBERLAND COUNTY BUILDING MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR (FOSTER). The Maintenance Director took a job in the Codes Department last month, leaving this position open. Mark Norrod was presented to be the next Maintenance Director and was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 02-2025-24 – TO ADOPT THE 2025 CUMBERLAND COUNTY NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (GIBSON). This is an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan from our Emergency Management Agency. This plan has been approved by the state and needs approval by the county and all the cities. It was approved 17-0.
The following routine budget amendments were approved by the Commission for various county departments. Details of each resolution can be found here.
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-2 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT (THREET).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-3 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, CLERK & MASTER (BALDWIN).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-4 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, AMBULANCE SERVICE (THREET).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-5 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (GIBSON).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-6 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, PROPERTY ASSESSOR (WILSON).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-7 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, OTHER HEALTH & WELFARE (WILSON).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-8 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, COUNTY COMMISSION (BALDWIN).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-9 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERIFF/JAIL (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-10 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, THE COOPER INSTITUTE FOR FITNESS GRAM PLATFORM (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-11 – RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION GRANT, BUDGET AMENDMENT (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-12 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, BATTELL RURAL COHORT GRANT (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-13 – LINE-ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENT, EQUIPMENT REPAIR (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-14 – CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, NUTRITION PROGRAM (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-15 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, TRANSPORTATION (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-16 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, TENNESSEE RISK MANAGEMENT TRUST (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-17 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, BATTELLE RURAL CO-HORT GRANT (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-18 – GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, ISM STATE GRANT (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-19 – GEAR UP STATE, FEDERALLY FUNDED, BUDGET AMENDMENT (MALL).
- RESOLUTION 02-2025-20 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, TISA FUNDS (MALL).
Financial Update
The Cumberland County Codes Department issued 20 building permits, 21 general mechanical permits, and 20 general plumbing permits in January 2024. A total of $26,672 in fees were collected.
The EMS department collected $334,402 this month for a year-to-date total of $2,431,901 which is $40,598 below monthly projections, and $193,095 below annual projections. To make the annual budget of $4.5 million, monthly collections need to average $375,000. When all the billing issues are worked out that have been previously mentioned, I believe we will be on target to our annual budget. That money will start showing up very soon.
January sales tax collections (for cash register receipts two months prior) for the BOE for this fiscal year came in at $1,362,837 which was $4,587 above projections. Year to date, collections are $190,529 above projections. Property tax collections were 67.01 percent compared to 67.22 percent in the prior year. Hotel/Motel tax collections are $665,514, which is 53.19 percent of the annual $1,251,275. With six months of revenue paid, prisoner boarding collections are $280,399 of a $386,952 annual budget.
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
allenfoster.com 