County Mayor’s Notes – October 20th, 2025

Thank you for taking the time to read my County Mayor’s Notes. Before I share details from the County Commission meeting, I want to highlight a few things that have happened since my last update.

2025 TCSA County Success Award
I attended the TCSA Fall Conference, representing Cumberland County on the TCSA board, as well as on the Association of County Mayors Executive Board. It is important to connect with county leaders from across Tennessee. There was a lot of great conversation about the future of our state, especially around AI and nuclear energy. Both are vital to the future of Cumberland County. AI can help us work smarter and serve our people better, and nuclear energy plays an important role in creating reliable, clean power that supports local growth and good jobs.  It is exciting to see Tennessee counties leading the way in innovation and opportunity.

Cumberland County continues to lead!  Cumberland County has been recognized with a 2025 TCSA County Success Award for our Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program.  As County Mayor, I’m proud of this innovative partnership between Cumberland County EMS, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Fairfield Glade Police Department. Working together with Sheriff Casey Cox, EMS Director Chris Miller, Fairfield Glade Police Chief Self, and our County Commission, we created a program that trains and equips law enforcement officers to deliver lifesaving care in medical emergencies, especially in our rural areas where every second counts. This program is one of only two like it in Tennessee, a true example of collaboration, innovation, and fiscal responsibility, and it is already making a real difference in the lives of our citizens. I couldn’t be prouder of the men and women who made this possible and the teamwork that earned our county this well-deserved recognition.

CCHS STEAMposium
I was honored to be invited back to my alma mater, CCHS, to take part in the STEAMposium. The program was once called STEM and now the A has been added for the Arts. It is always special to return to where it all began, especially to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. I am proud of our students, teachers, and community for inspiring the next generation of thinkers and creators.

Cumberland County Commission Meeting – October 20
The monthly meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioner Jack Davis. 

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 10-2025-1 – TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (FOSTER).   Commissioner Terry Lowe resigned his position on the RPC and was replaced by Commissioner Joe Sherrill to fill the term that ends August 31, 2026.  Sheryl Webb was appointed for the first time with a term expiring August 31, 2029.  The appointments were confirmed in a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION 10-2025-2 – TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEDICAL DIRECTOR (FOSTER).  Dr. James Wojcik was reappointed as the Cumberland County Medical Director for the EMS system in a 17-0 vote.  Many thanks to Dr. Wojcik for serving in this capacity.

RESOLUTION 10-2025-3 – REQUESTING THE TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALLOCATE ONE-HALF OF THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX TO THE COUNTY WHERE THE TAX WAS COLLECTED, ON A RECURRING BASIS (LOWE). The Association of County Mayors, the Tennessee County Commissioners Association, and the Tennessee County Services Association have all voted to request that the State of Tennessee share the revenue generated from the real estate transfer tax with the originating county.  This tax of $0.37 per $100 of value has been collected for years by employees in the Cumberland County Register of Deeds Office.  All of the tax collected by county funded employees is then remitted to the state.  This resolution requests that half of this tax be returned to the county collecting it.  This resolution was originally approved in November of 2024, but was brought back up as it was not approved by the State of Tennessee.  The resolution was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION 10-2025-4 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH FLATROCK MOTORSPORTS FOR THE PROVISION OF EMS AND FIRE SERVICES (GIBSON).  This resolution allows the county to enter in to a contract with Flatrock to supply EMS and Fire services to the area.  It is an addition of services for the county.  If the contract is agreed to by both parties, Flatrock will pay for the EMS and fire protection at the track, but the services will be able to leave in the case of an emergency off site.  This is a win-win for both parties and adds services to the county as a whole without taxpayer investment.  The resolution was approved 17-0.

RESOLUTION 10-2025-10 – TO AUTHORIZE A TWELVE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENT CHARGE BY THE CLERK OF EVERY COURT IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY HAVING JURISDICTION OF STATE MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES FOR THE PURPOSES AUTHORIZED AND SET OUT IN TENN. CODE ANN 40-3-106 (MALL).  You may recall this resolution being passed last month.  When the fee was set to be implemented, an error was found in the language submitted by the District Attorney’s Office.  The language was corrected and needed to be reapproved.  As a refresher, this resolution authorizes a $12.50 charge in court proceedings for state misdemeanors and felonies.  The money would be collected for providing support services for the purpose of promoting public safety at the sole discretion of the district attorney general for the 13th Judicial District.  The resolution passed unanimously (this resolution required a 2/3 vote of the County Commission, 12 votes, for passage instead of the normal 10 votes).

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

  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-5 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SHERRIFF DEPARTMENT (POTTER).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-6 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, COUNTY BUILDINGS (WILSON).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-7 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, PARKS AND FAIR BOARD (ISHAM).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-8 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, LIBRARY (MALL).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-9 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT (WILSON).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-11 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT BATTELLE RURAL COHORT GRANT PINEVIEW (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-12 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT BATTELLE RURAL COHORT GRANT SMHS (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-13 – ISM BUDGET ADOPTION BUDGET AMENDMENT, CTE PROGRAM (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-14 – FEDERAL GRANT BUDGET AMENDMENT, PERKINS BASIC/PERKINS RESERVE CONSOLIDATED (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-15 – CENTRAL CAFETERIA FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-16 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, SECURITY GRANT (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-17 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION GRANT (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-18 – PERKINS FEDERAL GRANT FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 10-2025-19 – PERKINS RESERVE CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS (HOLBROOK).

Financial Update
In September 2025, the Cumberland County Codes Department issued 34 residential and 1 commercial building permits, 35 general mechanical permits, and 34 general plumbing permits.  A total of $47,389 in fees were collected.

The EMS service collected $235,027 which is below the estimated monthly income of $433,333.  The low collections were due to an error with the third-party billing company that has been corrected.  We are currently below our year to date estimated collections by $212,044.  Sales tax collections for October, which reflect sales from two months prior, came in at $1,480,348 which was $29,985 above estimated revenue.  Year to date we are ahead of revenue projections by $133,142.  Property tax collections are at 12.27 percent, compared to 7.65 percent at this point last year.  Hotel/Motel tax collections stand at $236,948 year to date, versus $276,850 last year.  This represents 19.75 percent of the annual budgeted amount of $1,200,000. Prisoner board payments for having state inmates at the county jail are $180,851 year to date versus $44,526 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