April 4, 2025 Budget Meeting was held in the Annex Basement Boardroom @ 9am. Chair Matt Rubelsky called the meeting to order with Roger Reedy leading the prayer and pledge. The March minutes was approve unanimously with the motion from Matthew Hopkins and a second by Dr Jim Lathrop.
We moved into County Executive Announcements. Graham said he would reschedule another meeting for Courthouse renovations discussions. He then told us of another place that had just came available to consider as another option for the Ambulance Station. This would be the Speedvette building located at 808 N 1st St Pulaski. It was decided to schedule a walk thru with the owner for Monday April 7 @ 11am.
Beth discussed some Budget amendments. Mathew Hopkins motion to vote on each page separate with exception of Opioid Recommendations. First page motion was Hopkins, second by Lathrop. Unanimously passed. Second page motion by Shelly Goolsby, second by Hopkins. Passed unanimously. Third page motion by Hopkins, second by Goolsby. Passed unanimously.
Graham talked on the opioid disbursements between New Cannan Ranch, The Shelter, The Drug Treatment program at the Giles County Jail. Sheriff Purvis and Suzie Pruitte talked about the new position that this money would help to fill. She also talked about the Better Way House. Judy Pruitte also discussed the Better Way House. The opioid disbursement recommendations passed unanimously with a motion from Lathrop and second by Hopkins.
Graham passed that PES was applying for the TN Bead Grant and their request for the county to contribute 1% of the grant, which would make the grant request more competitive with county involvement. The 1% match would be $9000; given the timeframe this would not go to resolution but would be documented by the CE in a Letter of Commitment. This was passed unanimously. Motion by Lathrop. Second by Goolsby. All commissioners were given an opportunity to document opposition – there was none.
Graham talked about the Archives Director position opening to be filled by Katie Mays-Smith at 32 hours per week.
We moved to discussion of the POP board with Terry Jones motion to dissolve. Finance director Beth Moore stated that the Commission had no authority to dissolve that and only the Financial Management Committee could do that. T Jones motioned to send the dissolvement to the FMC for approval. Second by David Adams. This failed 4-3. Voting in the loss was T Jones, Adams and Rose Brown. Voting no was Lathrop, Hopkins, Goolsby and Rubelsky.
Old business- David Wamble asked about the Animal Shelter update.
New business, Gayle Jones stated that the Rescue Squad was late filing their income tax return.
Gayle Jones requested information on EMS training for 2 Giles County EMS employees in London. The CE stated that our 2 employees has been selected by state EMS educators who put together a statewide team to attend the 1-week training.
Motion to adjourn Lathrop, second by Hopkins.
Lois Amyett was absent. Minutes by Terry Jones.