FULL COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES
10 SEPTEMBER 2026
County Court Clerk Whitney Kimbrough opened the meeting asking Commissioner Rickie Carpenter to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. Moderator County Executive (CE) Knox Vanderpool noted the meeting was being live-streamed on Giles County TN Citizens Coalition website. He also noted that he and Beth Moore-Sumners, Financial Manager (FM) for Giles County, had been in discussion about the upcoming 21 September 2026 meeting agenda, and asked if the commissioners would allow the FM later in this meeting to cover the agenda items discussed. Consensus showed approval.
First Agenda Item – Vision and Mission Statement. The CE discussed the statement, noting it had been provided previously electronically, and was generally to make all the commissioners aware of the statement and to consider if they would want to accept or amend. In the provided statement he said he had acknowledged some redundancies and at a future meeting requested commissioners to have some notes on what each commissioner might want to change or keep. His consideration of the statement is what we want to become as the 2026-2030 commission. CE Vanderpool offered a challenge to each district to take up a 3-Pillars approach to the work they are doing for their respective districts. He sees the 3-Pillars as a framework for each of the three commissioners by district to choose a focus on either PROMOTION, e.g., uplifting events; POLICY, e.g., grants; and PLANNING, e.g., Infrastructure. He suggested this would put more of “skin in the game” and help get results, calling this approach a dedicated, internal challenge for the commission and its district representatives. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn referenced “public comments” and the CE asked if there were any at this time (None). Commissioner James Gentry asked about the “sunshine law” where two or more commissioners gather to discuss such areas as selecting chairs for the various committees, without violating that law. Several commissioners brought up their own experiences, e.g., Commissioner Matthew Hopkins said it is illegal for him to contact his own state representative and discuss his position on an issue. Commissioner Gayle Jones said you go to CTAS seminars, discuss something, and you could be breaking the law, calling it potentially unconstitutional. A question was raised about viewing the agenda prior to a meeting and not being able to access that agenda with the CE saying bring that to me and help me fix what is being done wrong, although others said they did not have that problem. Commissioner Lynn Albury said we can get together later and talk about the committee assignments since this is a public meeting. Commissioner Steve Woods recommended a Resolution to allow us to conduct discussions in a legal way, that might not be such a narrow interpretation of that law. The CE said if you want to write such a resolution, you can do in your committee, with Commissioner Sarah Suddarth saying she would help. She also said state legislators can only sponsor two bills per legislative sessions, and our representative may already be sponsoring two bills. Commissioner Jan Beecham asked about town hall meetings with the CE saying that would be a public meeting and would not violate the sunshine law.
Next Agenda Item – Finance & Administration (Budget 101). The FM provided a handout which included a TN Comptroller letter acknowledging receipt of a certified copy of the fiscal year 2027 budget; a budget amendment, General Purpose School Fund, showing 4 grants requiring approval, one internal movement of funds, none of which require additional funding, and all have been approved by the Giles County School Board; a beginning as of 1 July 2026 Cash Balance (not to be confused with the County’s Fund Balance line item) and after receipts, disbursements, and Trustee’s Commission, the Ending Cash Balance as of 31 July 2026; and a Governmental Grant Contract for the Giles County Board of Education. Discussion on each of the above documents is as follow: Per the FM, the Comptroller letter indicates their determination is the available funds are sufficient to meet anticipated expenditures. Re the Budget amendment the FM noted the amount of work done by the school system in submitting, preparing, and executing the grants. The LEAPS grant, which is TN lottery funds, is amended here to align with the state funding. The CE noted some of the programs done under the Innovative School Models, which is shown by each county school. Re the Cash Balance chart, the FM pointed out several areas not immediately apparent, especially to new commissioners, i.e., some of the schools’ funding coming from state is handled internally to the schools and does not show in the county’s budget; funding received is not linear given property tax is considerably more in some months than other; some grants are managed by the county but funding goes to another entity; highway funding doesn’t always match seasonal need to do road repairs. RE Governmental Grant for schools – The FM spoke to grants sometimes requiring matching funds, sometimes requiring continued effort after grant funds have expired, and this one does not require a match. Commissioner Rickie Carpenter asked if this one was a state mandate, requiring continuation after grant expires, with no additional funding provided for that continuation. The FM said it could be in the fine print, but she also pointed out that her office would generally inform the commission if it is a state mandated effort. Some concern was raised by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins on a budget amendment not following the precedent of going through a school and then budget committee with Commissioner Gayle Jones asking if this would be in the packet provided prior to the full legislative body meeting 21 September (yes). The CE asked if appropriate to add to that agenda and received notional approval.
County Attorney – The CE noted he had received only two resumes, from Tim Underwood and Richard Dunnavant. If only two are nominated and a majority of 11 votes are for one of those persons, then that person will be elected as the County Attorney. Commissioner Evan Baddour said he has worked with Attorney Underwood in the past and would be happy to nominate him, as did the CE.
The Chair then listed the various committees, boards, commissions, that require commissioners as well as public appointments. He addressed the Veterans’ Service Officer which currently has a part-time individual filling in. Further he told the commissioners if they are interested in being part of those organizations to let him know.
Rules of Order, Part 2. While this addresses the full Legislative Body meetings, discussions also addressed committee or work session meetings as well. The CE referenced the split meeting times, i.e., April – September 5:30 pm and October – March 9:00 am. Commissioner Mike Cesarini spoke on adopting written procedural rules within 90 days of the first meeting of a newly elected county legislative body by a majority vote of commissioners present. He said any change to those rules then requires a two-thirds majority vote of the commissioners present. From his perspective he addressed both the advantages of a 5:30pm (or sometimes mentioned as 5 pm) meeting time and addressed the concerns voiced in the previous work session meeting as well. He emphasized his desire to have younger representation on the commission and that later time would attract a younger contingency while allowing them to continue in full employment. Others reiterated that the 5:30 time period is usually family timed events. Commissioner Cathy Roberts asked about length of the meetings with several saying 4 – 6 hours (which are generally committee meetings, with several different departments holding their meeting times in conjunction with each). The CE mentioned the 3 options generally discussed and will be presented at the next full Legislative Body meeting, i.e., the split 5:30 pm for Apr – Sep and 9 am for Oct – Mar; all at 9 am; all at 5:30 pm. The CE did note the next full Legislative Body meeting will be at 5:00pm. Commissioner Suddarth asked that in prayer she would prefer a moment of silence for her personal prayer with the CE saying after a Chaplain is elected, that request should be given to that person. Others commented on don’t have to listen while others asked about duties of the Chaplain. Majority spoke to making sure there is a prayer.
Rule 6, 6.1 allowing public to speak. The CE mentioned due to a school board meeting time change the F&A time will change to 9 am the first Thursday starting in November. The CE then asked on thoughts of mirroring in committee, the same process in the full Legislative Body meeting. After some discussion such as paying overtime for county employees, or change with other working hours so as not to incur overtime; 21 commissioners and all with opinions, consider reducing number of commissioners (can only be done during election cycle); if unstack meetings held in same day just means many separate meetings on different days; more important to make good decisions, rather than considering county employee hours. The CE said continue tradition time, i.e. 9 am. Look at Infrastructure, second Tuesday of the month, and could do earlier in the month. Commissioner Mike Cesarini said he didn’t agree doing at 9am for tradition. The CE then moved to substituting for an absent commissioner, and noted his office does not do mail but will call for commissioner to pick up all needed documentation.
The CE asked if there was any unfinished business (none); new business – the CE addressed the insurance enrollment open on 1 October and closing 31 October 2026. The FM discussed the complexities of county insurance noting when rates approved you need a resolution to change those rates and must be approved by the full Legislative Body; there are several tiers of insurance; the school system has a different and more advantageous rate for school employees due to being in a larger pool of people covered. The CE had asked for consideration of a work session on insurance and Commissioner Evan Baddour asked could that be done after the 21 September full Legislative Body meeting. The FM noted an absence of her office’s POC for insurance and the approaching deadline in answering. The CE said he would confirm a meeting time for the work session and provide to all.
Re meeting after hours in the Courthouse Annex and doors being locked, the CE suggested all park in the bank’s North parking lot which has an open door and stairs leading to the Annex meeting room. Some commented that meant the elevator would not be available when needed. Meeting adjourned by the CE
ATTENDEES: Commissioners Cathy Roberts, Jan Beecham, Lynn Albury, Sarah Suddarth, Tracy Wilburn, Brandon Beard, Rickie Carpenter, Chris Adcock, Thomas Price, Chris Winborn, Matthew Hopins, Tommy Pollard, Gayle Jones, Steve Woods, James Gentry, Evan Baddour, Richard Kemp, Carman Brown, Judy Pruett, Michael Cesarini Others in Attendance County Executive Knox Vanderpool, County Clerk Whitney Kimbrough, Financial Manager Beth Moore-Sumners, Shana Woodard
Public Comment
III. Vision & Mission Statement
a. Current Vision & Mission Statement
b. Working Vision & Mission Statement
c. 3 Pillars – Introduction
IV. Finance & Administration
a. Budget 101 – Financial Management Office – 15 min.
b. Legislative: Appointments/ Elections
i. County Attorney (Nominated by CLB)
ii. FMC (Nominated by CLB)
iii. EDC (Auto = CE, Budget Chair + another commissioner)
iv. RPC (4 public appointments + 2, possibly 3 Commissioner appointments)
v. Agri-Park (5 commissioner appointments)
vi. Ag-Extension (Need to fill ONE vacancy – typically a Jan Election)
vii. Opioid Board (Auto = Budget Chair, et al)
viii. Non-Profits Board (Library, Senior Center, Chamber, GCFR)
ix. Giles County Water Alliance (Includes UD x 4, 2 commissioners, 2 Public Members)
x. Public Records Commission (1 commissioner vacancy + at large commissioner?)
xi. Beer Board (Districts 2,4,6 are up, all odd districts vacant)
xii. Adult Oriented Establishment Board (4 commissioners + public member)
xiii. VSO (PT position searching for appointment – Temp VSO in place)
xiv. Ethics & Title VI (Recent Legislative updates?)
V. Rules of Order – Part 2
a. Document Overview – With Working Edits
c. Committees
VI. Unfinished Business
VII. New Business
VIII. Public Comment
IX. Announcements
X. Adjournment