Chair Commissioner Matt Rubelsky opened the meeting noting the prayer and pledge had already been offered in same day meeting. The minutes of 8 August 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and were approved unanimously. County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe was asked if there were any announcements and he discussed a flashing LED light at the courthouse which he said is being repaired. The Chair then asked to rearrange the agenda to allow the proposed budget amendments to be discussed first. A motion, by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby to approve the General Fund Budget Line Items (BLI) 101 and 171, was made, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and was approved unanimously. The 101 amendments addressed grants for ARPA Local Health Capital Investment Grant Additional Award and another ARPA Library Broadband Ready Grant for $65,720. (The CE noted this grant is divided between the Giles County library, the Chamber of Commerce (CoC), and the Senior Center. He also addressed the BLI 171 which provides TEMA/Public Assistance communication equipment for $60,216.49.) A motion to approve the schools’ budget amendment presented prior to this meeting was made by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, and was approved unanimously.
County Executive said he had provided a copy of the county’s Debt Management Policy and Procedures which was also published on the county website. There were no questions about the policy, and he noted this would be acknowledged in the minutes for Three-Star compliance.
County Executive provided a 2025 Giles County Non-Profit Decision Matrix showing the following applicants: Chamber of Commerce, Child Development Center, Senior Center, The Shelter, STAAR Theater, and Trail of Tears. While the total showed $81,700 the CE noted that included in that number was an additional $7K already approved during the budget process . Total of the applicants above was $74,700.
Non-Profit Requests: A motion by James Lathrop, seconded by Matthew Hopkins, was made to review and vote each request separately. Motion approved unanimously.
Chamber of Commerce request of $24,700. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby, was made to approve and after the following discussion was approved 4 – 3 with Commissioners Terry Jones, David Adams, and Matthew Hopkins voting no. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jessie Parker noted most of what she would be saying was already provided in the requested application. Commissioner Erin Curry in reference to all the applications said she was disappointed in that so many of the copies of the requests still had not been picked up by the commissioners for their review. CEO Parker referenced the newspaper article in the most recent Citizen paper which showed tourism in Giles generated $26.8M in 2024 and she noted that while being a timely article, the article was not strategically aligned with the request to the commissioners. She mentioned, as a border county to Alabama, her organization works to ensure tax dollars stay in the county, not collecte in another state. At this time Commissioner Terry Jones said since after much review and all the applicants doing a good service for the community, and an expected approval, he moved that all be forwarded to the full legislative meeting so that all 21 commissioners can vote. Commissioner David Adams provided a second. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby said that represents a change in our process in that if one failed in committee, it could still be brought up in full legislative meeting. The Chair stated whether it fails or not, it can be brought back up. Motion was withdrawn. Commissioner Goolsby asked the CEO how the broadband funding relates to this request, with the CEO saying entirely separate. The broadband is to provide an e-commerce capability to local businesses. Commissioner Baddour mentioned he supported the CoC and appreciated various efforts, e.g., Sundrop festival, and he said he considers the CoC to be the marketing arm for the county. Discussion then centered on the Return of Investment (RoI) that the CoC brings to the county, should the county use the fund balance currently considered a savings account in case of emergency needs, waiting until after the budget process to see how much each department returns unused funding into the fund balance, the quality of life the non-profits bring to the community, out-of-state tax coming in from tourism expenditures, and the actual RoI from dollars invested to dollars returning to the county.
Child Development Center request of $5,000. Ms. Teresa Winnette said their non-profit serves children from birth to transition into kindergarten with early intervention to those families with young children with developmental delay or disability. She said their RoI is $7 for every $1 invested and their value in reducing the need for special education in schools or reduced incarceration later in life is significant. A motion by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made to approve. After the following discussion the motion was approved 4 – 3 with Commissioners Terry Jones, David Adams, and Matthew Hopkins voting no. Discussion addressed some commissioners donating monthly to similar non-profits, e.g., to St Jude; these dollars only spent for Giles County; should be included in schools’ budget (Ms. Winnette said the state made the decision to move their services out of the education budget; School Board Chairman Knox Vanderpool said the Center’s cost is a nominal price compared to the schools’ costs for disability); know families helped by this so why shouldn’t families pay (Ms. Winnette said they cannot ask the families). At this time the CE said if any of the requests failed to get approval in committee, they can be brought backup as new business at the full legislative meeting.
Senior Center request of $20,000. Director Samantha Reynolds spoke to the benefits provided by the Center to seniors, 55+ and older, especially in terms of social isolation. She mentioned the Center recently celebrated their 50 years in existence and said they are funded locally through the city of Pulaski and Giles County as well as SCTDD. Matching funds are required to receive the funds from SCTDD. She mentioned grants both in hand and being pursued and she mentioned that low-cost meals ($1.50 donation if possible) is provided. From a personal standpoint she said she has no children but her taxes still go to support schools (comparable to taxes being used for the Center). And she said the seniors who benefit from this service are those that have paid taxes from which you now benefit. Board Chairman Janice Tucker gave some statistical data, e.g., 20% of Giles Population in 65 and older and the Center also services disabled individuals. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby was made to approve and after the following discussion was approved 6 – 1 with Commissioner Matthew Hopkins voting no. Discussion centered around relation of transportation to center with Chairman Tucker saying while available they are no longer affiliated with the Center (which resulted in loss of rental fees). Commissioner Carman Brown asked if matching is required on grants with the Director saying yes. She also mentioned the Center owns the Center’s building, and have to pay all associated expense. Other counties are typically located in county buildings. Board Chairman Tucker also said the amount requested is small compared to other counties’ contributions to their center.
The Shelter request of $5000. Karen Niedergeses gave some background mentioning purchasing a home in Giles County to provided transitional housing and assistance to those experiencing domestic violence. She said there are now 30 in Tennessee and noted the advantage to having one located in Giles County. Currently she said the home is completely full, with many coming from needs recognized by law enforcement. The request represents only 1.2% of their overall budget and they cannot use grants in that grants require you to have reached out for assistance in 3 days which due to their circumstances usually does not happen. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Shelly Goolsby was made to approve. After the following discussion the motion was approved 4-3 with Commissioners Terry Jones, David Adams, and Matthew Hopkins voting no. Ms. Niedergeses asked if the packages submitted could be returned after completion of voting and said for a small organization the preparation was costly. Commissioner Evan Baddour, chair of the legislative committee said he had received calls about the cost and preparation time and that situation would be discussed in the next meeting, with solution possibly being a PDF emailed.
STAAR Theater request of $15,000. Executive Director, Tammy Pierchoski, also said it was upsetting to see so many of the applications still waiting for commissioners to pick up. She too mentioned her RoI especially with parents or participants spending on eating or staying in Pulaski. She said some commissioners have visited the theater but she knew some had not and questioned voting on something without fully aware of what happens at those organizations. For her request she said the theater needs a rehearsal space for upcoming events when an ongoing show takes up most of their space now. She said the Theater has an 18-year existence and they have currently paid off the two buildings which compose the theater. She also mentioned the façade being updated and beneficial to visitor’s experience. She said she had pursued 10 grants in the last two months and she would welcome any support, which also is helpful on showing that support on grant submissions. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour to amend the request amount to $5K, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby. Commissioner Roger Reedy noted his support and discussed the question of should county funds be used for non-profits or not. He said these people are delivering to our community and without some funding those organizations will dry up. Commissioner David Wamble asked if ticket sales contributed to sales tax, and Ms. Pierchoski said no, but the concession sales do. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby discussed activities for the young citizens with nothing to do and the trouble that sometimes results. She mentioned the home-schooled students, who per Ms. Pierchoski get credits for participating, and who are some major participants in the theater activities. Knox Vanderpool re RoI, said this request turns into $141K being spent in the county. Commissioner David Adams called for the question, i.e., vote on the request. Call approved with Commissioner Evan Baddour voting no. Vote then was taken on dropping the original request from $15K to $5K and was approved 6 – 1 with Commissioner Terry Jones voting no. Motion to fund $5K for STAAR Theater was made by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby, seconded by Evan Baddour, and was approved 4 – 3 with Commissioner David Adams, Terry Jones, and Matthew Hopkins voting no. At this time Commissioner Caleb Savage replaced Commissioner Matthew Hopkins due to his having to leave.
Trail of Tears request of $5000. Ms. Peggy Tatum said the organization has been a non-profit for a year, and previously was under the CoC. She said they do not own the property that the city of Pulaski takes care of grounds and facility. She mentioned a state resolution shows the organization as a welcome center and that they have 3 major events, a motorcycle ride, a walk, and a pow wow (not a fund raiser but a market tool). She said the building is open two days a week due to lack of volunteers, all of which are unpaid volunteers. She is asking for $5K for development of a brochure. She also said that 80% of their visitors are from outside Giles County, mentioning as far away as Ukraine, Washington, Oklahoma, and many who come to learn about their heritage. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, and seconded by Commissioner David Adams was made to approve the request. After the following discussion the motion failed 2 – 5 with the following commissioners voting no Terry Jones, James Lathrop, Caleb Savage, David Adams, and Chair Matt Rubelsky. CE noted this could be discussed at the next full legislative meeting under new business. Discussion: Commissioner James Lathrop asked if the organization gets any funding assistance from CoC, with CEO Jessie Parker saying we promote the Trail of Tears as an attraction. Ms. Tatum said the organization pays others to help promote, i.e., other social media outlets for attractions. She also said for the Pow Wow they pay for hotel costs for the dancers.
The Chair said he appreciated all being there, and asked if there was any unfinished business (none). Any New Business, with Commissioner Terry Jones asking on an update on the recent Ardmore water issue. Josh Young, EMA Director said he had been discussing with the Ardmore EMA director and they now have water, with a boil caution. Commissioner Erin Curry who chairs the Water Alliance Advisory Group invited all on the 22nd to attend, and noted state representative Clay Doggett plans on attending. Mr. Young said he had contacted Ardmore again to ask if there was anything else that needed to be done with them answering nothing right now. They said they were going to meet with the mayor and Mr. Young said he understood that TVA has provided about 60 pallets of bottled water.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by Commissioner Caleb Savage, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Commissioners Matt Rubelsky, Erin Curry, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins(later replaced by Caleb Savage), Carman Brown Other Commissioners in attendance Gayle Jones, David Wamble, Roger Reedy, Joseph Sutton, Shelly Goolsby, Tracy Wilburn, Rose Brown, Annelle Guthrie, Judy Pruett, Evan Baddour, Rickie Carpenter, Joyce Woodard, Others in attendance County Executive Graham Stowe, FM Office Shana Woodard, Shelly Thomas, School Superintendent Vickie Beard, School Board President Knox Vanderpool, EMS Director Josh Young, members of public including speakers noted above