FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
26 MAY 2026
Chair County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe opened the meeting asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The Chair noted there was a quorum of members present with two absent. A motion to approve the 10 April 2026 minutes was made by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, and the minutes were approved unanimously. The Chair commented that the meeting was being recorded and future meetings could eventually be live streamed, thanking Reggie Watkins (county IT support) for making that happen.
A motion to approve “swapping vehicles” within the Sheriff’s department between Animal Control and usage by others within the Police force was made by Road Superintendent Gene Barnickle and Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, handout provided. After the Chair requesting if there were any public comments (none), the motion was approved unanimously.
Disposition of Assets – handout provided. Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners discussed items listed on the handout, noting that on first time advertising a Reserve Amount may be listed. If that amount is not reached in the bidding, the item may either be relisted with no reserve or another option may be pursued. She identified some of the reasons why an item might be listed, e.g., transmission problem on vehicle. Superintendent Barnickle mentioned he had pulled the “long arm” from one of the tractors shown for disposition and will use that “long arm” as a spare. He also mentioned that two had already been advertised before and had not reached the reserve. Commissioner Evan Baddour commented then this would go to the highest bidder if readvertised with the FM saying yes. The FM then recapped the school assets for disposition. A motion by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by School Director Dr. Vickie Beard, was made to approve the items shown in the handout. Commissioner David Wamble in referring to one of the highway items, asked if that would bring less than scrap metal might bring with Superintendent saying he didn’t expect that to happen. Commissioner Wilburn asked if when first advertised, even if didn’t meet the reserve, was it close. Superintendent Barnickle said one had a $3K bid when reserve was $5K, and another had a $10K reserve and the bid was between $5K – to $6K. After the Chair asked if there were any public comments (none), the motion was approved unanimously.
The Chair discussed the Public Records Policy. He said before the county had a Human Resource Director, the policy was included with Financial Management manual. Currently, though, the policy is maintained and administered by HR. The Chair noted the revised policy is in effect and posted on the county website, so the action required is to revise the policy in the Financial Management, highlighting that the policy is now maintained under HR. He noted the policy complies with TN code. A motion to revise the policy was made by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Superintendent Gene Barnickle, and was approved unanimously. (At this time member of the committee Commissioner Matthew Hopkins was now in attendance.)
Old Business – none. New Business – FM discussed annual write-offs for the ambulance department and for the Trustee office. Re the ambulance for June – May the write-offs for out of date or client pullback from 07/31/2024 was $424,902.74, compared to last year’s $421K. Handout also showed automatic write-offs per Fox Collection for deceased with no estate or bankruptcy being $235,922.35. The Fox report reflects those write-offs which have reached the statue of limitations timeline. The FM noted by audit, the write- offs require full legislative approve, and separately, she doesn’t provide individual information because of privacy for individuals. For the Trustee, the FM noted the amount of $3,512 is a cleanup measure from FY 2013 back, covering those within a 10 year period. Motion made by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, to combine the ambulance and the Trustee write-offs and to approve was approved unanimously. No public comment.
Other New Business – The FM said her office has looked at various ways to save funding, and one way being pursued is to use electronic payment vs paper checks, saving funds on both postage and printed checks currently used. She said she has been working with the bank, and is ready to launch this approach.
Commissioner Evan Baddour mentioned the upcoming budget reviews and how important it is for all to attend at the 8:00 a.m. next day meeting. The CE noted there had not been many committee meetings where the budgets have been vetted. He commented that you can’t change the budget once its publicized for the full legislative meeting, so the upcoming Budget Committee will have to assess majority support of the Commission to ensure its final passage in the late-June meeting. He asked if there were any closing comments from the public on any issues under county jurisdiction, and there were none.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Chair CE Graham Stows, Commissioners Matthew Hopkins, Evan Baddour, Tracy Wilburn, (absent Erin Curry) Road Superintendent Gene Barnickle, Director of Schools Dr. Vickie Beard Others in attendance Commissioners David Wamble, Carman Brown, David Adams, Joyce Wilburn, roger Reedy, Judy Pruett, Annelle Guthrie, Pike Gentry Others FM Beth Moore-Sumner and Shana Woodard, School board chair Knox Vanderpool and members of the public