BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
10 JANUARY 2022
Attendees See attached. Chairman Erin Curry asked for a motion on the 1
November 2021 minutes. Roger Reedy moved they be approved with Larry
Worsham seconding. Motion approved.
First agenda item: School BLI 141 Amendment just discussed in previous meeting
– Judy Pruett moved for approval and with Larry Worsham seconding, the motion
was approved.
Second agenda item: County 101 Amendment which addressed Archives
donation, COVID grant, Planning Commission funding for assistance in Land Use
Management, New vehicle for Animal Control (funds from sale of two older
vehicles) no funding required/and placing $995 in donations into veterinarian
services, Increase in General Sessions judge’s salary based on state direction,
another grant for audio and sound system, and $550K for the OEM renovation
from hotel/motel tax. In addition Beth Moore-Sumners discussed moving
$1.398M from debt service LI to Probation LI because as soon as the judge signs,
she will need to immediately write the check for the judgement. The Planning
Commission’s request of $5K was questioned as to why now and was told
required for some preliminary discussions with a known expert. David Wamble
declared tying the hands of committee if don’t. Stoney mentioned on the judge
salary increase that he had been in contact with CTAS about raising litigation cost
to cover this additional salary requirement. Roger Reedy moved to approve the
amendment with Judy Pruett seconding. Motion approved.
Third Agenda item: Internet – Melissa Greene had mentioned in the ARP planning
session that the grant being pursued by county and PES appeared to be in conflict
with an ongoing loan effort by the Ardmore Telephone Company. Both had
representatives at the meeting with Scott Newton from PES and Trevor
Bonnsetter and Stacy Riley from the Ardmore Telephone company to explain their
respective approach. Scott discussed searching the website for any “competition”
in the area chosen for the grant and finding none pursued the grant with the
county as the responsible government entity submitting the grant. He indicated
90% of the funding would come from the grant and PES adding another 10% for
the total effort (with no funding from county although the responsibility for the
overall build of the service lies with the county). Even with the overlap of the
Ardmore Telephone company he stated that a small breakeven point for PES and
an estimated 44% uptake would still make the effort profitable. For the county’s
overall liability, the grant would be on a cost reimbursable basis and on the build
of the capability only, and not on in the future how many customers would avail
themselves of the opportunity. Trevor Bonnsetter for the Ardmore Telephone
company said they had filed a protest which may make the PES request null and
void. From their viewpoint they had already invested in fiber optic across a
significant piece of the proposed grant for PES and funding came from a USDA
loan. Ardmore’s breakeven point is somewhat higher than PES due to PES’ in
place poles. A question on whether we could cancel by not accepting the grant
was raised as well as what happens if the RDOF is included (PES would not be
included). After much discussion and a failed motion to pull the grant (5-2 vote
with Erin Curry and David Wamble voting against), the decision was to let events
continue to full Legislative body. In addition Melissa will meet with both PES and
Ardmore Telephone to discuss how to get all of Giles County covered. Both PES
and Ardmore expressed a desire to work together and to provide needed services
to Giles County residents.
Old business – None
New Business – Melissa asked for approval to increase a previously approved $1M
to $4.5M to go toward internet and other grant efforts, and expects to have more
details in February. David Wamble made the motion to set aside the $4.5M to do
preliminary efforts toward the grants, with Tim Risner seconding. Motion
approved.
Roger Reedy and Tim Risner moved for adjournment. Motion approved.
Members Present: Chairman Erin Curry, David Wamble, Larry Worsham, Tim Risner, Roger Reedy, Tommy Pollard (sitting in for Gayle Jones), Judy Pruett
Other Commissioners Present: Joseph Sutton, Tracy Wilburn, Duane Jones, Harold Brooks, Terry Harwell, David Adams, Rose Brown, Bill Cary, Mike Cesarini, Joyce Woodard
