BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
11 JUNE 2026
The Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. Approval of previous Budget Committee Meeting Minutes of 27, 28, and 29 May 2026 was postponed by a motion from Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Chair Baddour, until next budget meeting due to several people needing more time to review.
Handout provided showed three options for failing Circuit Court HVAC – short-term cooling options: 1) Rent a dedicated AC unit; 2) Proactive contracted maintenance (Pylant or MacLellan); 3) Do nothing; repair on failure. The Chair noted the meeting was to address one special item, that being the HVAC for the Circuit Court which is one of 10 AC units (only 4 of which are operating at all), the Circuit courtroom is needed 4-5 days per month, and must be guaranteed on scheduled court days. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins in noting the cost savings of up to $35K moved that Circuit Court utilize the Chancery Court room for 2 -3 months in anticipation of a HVAC design full replacement under a GMP contract currently underway. Commissioner Terry Jones provided the second. Included in the following discussion was rescheduling so no conflict between courtrooms. The Chair mentioned subpoenas issued for certain days and for certain times and Giles County Circuit Court Clerk Natalie Oakley said if cases are pending, she has no authority to change the scheduled court dates, it is a judge’s decision. Further she said at times there are 200 – 300 people present for jury selection for the next six months (Circuit Courtroom larger than Chancery Courtroom). County Executive Graham Stowe discussed the current situation noting the impression that the Circuit Court AC is out of commission is not true, but the unit for cooling is leaking refrigerant. Cost for Pylant to come in and check is $150 an hour, he said, and parts have been cannibalized from other units where feasible, but the replaced refrigerant only lasts about 48 hours. Commissioner David Wamble noted the judge’s ire aimed at the county for delaying more than a year a decision on the recapitalization. Commissioner Wamble mentioned he had discussed with two suppliers, United and Sunbelt, for a potential solution and also noted the $35K for Jun – Sep would be reduced to $28K now for Jul – Sep. The CE said the last service call was $825 in cost. Commissioner Hopkins said he would amend his motion to use Option 1 only on day not available to swap or then incorporate Option 2. Financial Manager Beth Moore-Sumners said you need to do a dollar amount, and that this body does not have the authority to tell judges to reschedule. Additionally, there are no dollars currently set aside for this effort and the motion could only be in the form of a suggestion. The Chair said we are here to approve the needed funding with the CE saying if do a rental, need the funding identified. Public Member Leah Bailey asked based on some earlier meeting discussions that the county would move out during construction on the courthouse, so could that happen earlier. Commissioner Roger Reedy asked how are courts scheduled with the Chair saying they occur on a stated regular day of the month. Commissioner Reedy noted while we can’t change right now, he did note bad will with the court system with no timely solution was this body’s fault. Questions were directed to Commissioner Wamble about possible cost of buying a new unit immediately rather than waiting to include in the overall courthouse modifications, as well as the public asking for additional bids being solicited. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby mentioned that judges’ schedules are planned for in weeks to months advance and affect other counties’ schedules then as well. Commissioner Terry Jones asked if any virtual courts are now allowed with both the Chair and Clerk Oakley saying no. The Chair asked if we bought now, could we move that unit somewhere else when needed. Commissioner Wamble said he did not think that would be an option, mentioning the power requirements make it improbable that the unit could be used otherwise. Commissioner Terry Jones said we do not have to approve option 2, that the CE has the authority to execute that option on his own. Commissioner Hopkins said it is still an asset, and could be sold at end of season for approximately $10K, which would still be a help. Commissioner Hopkins withdrew his original motion and moved that go with the rental option with funding coming from the County’s general fund 101, with the Chair providing the second. Commissioner Matt Rubelsky asked to call for the question but that failed with Commissioners Terry Jones, Shelly Goolsby and the Chair voting no. The FM said vote on the funding and let the CE do what needs to be done and when new fiscal year starts, take another look. Public member Steve Woods said, with just one actual quote for rental, should require more bids, with the FM saying that is already required because the current quote is to Commissioner Wamble only. Her office would be responsible for going out for bids, and that today only the required funding approval is needed. Member of the public asked about timing if decide to do rental with Commissioner Wamble saying installing the power supply is simple and the contractor would then make the final electrical connection. The Chair asked if action would require the full court before doing anything with the FM saying in an emergency could go ahead. Further she said in full court this could then be considered with all the other amendments. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the term on rental with the CE noting it is week to week. Public Comment requested by Chair and there were none. The Chair restated the motion to authorize $35K from line item 101 if and when needed at the CE’s discretion as to when implemented. Vote was taken and was approved unanimously.
Other Business – FM mentioned at full court there with be other amendments and several grants for approval and to please reach out if any questions. She also mentioned everybody bring their own budget copy to than meeting. Commissioner Hopkins asked if the grant descriptions could be sent out with the FM saying the County Clerk now has. The Chair mentioned the dates of the 25th of June for full court and the public hearing on the 22nd of June. Requests to speak have to be submitted in writing 5 days ahead and per the FM make sure the requestor gets a response from her office. Further there are no requests at this point. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby mentioned two high school students competing at the national level. Public member Leah Bailey asked if during construction, look at whoever would be in charge of the move. Commissioner Pike Gentry asked for clarification of the schools’ recent transfer of the penny to help balance the county’s budget and will that have to be paid back. The CE answered that the sales tax goes to the schools but the penny apportionment is the responsibility of the county commissioners so no. Commissioner Terry Jones said the school’s budget is better off with the MoE increase. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the Sheriff’s budget and if the Kid’s Place was in the budget (yes) and the Animal Shelter was not (true). The Chair mentioned the recent approval of additional funding for the Kid’s Place (from opioid settlement) being $35K. The CE made two announcements. One, the courthouse shingle replacement has been delayed due to non-availability of a lift, and two, the committee meetings are now being recorded every time.
Motion to adjourn by the Chair and seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the committee – Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Commissioners James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins, Matt Rubelsky, Shelly Goolsby Other Commissioners in attendance Rickie Carpenter, Gayle Jones, Roger Reedy, Annelle Guthrie, Joyce Woodard, Judy Pruett, David Wamble, Pike Gentry Others in attendance County Executive Graham Stowe, Financial Manager Beth Moore-Sumners, Shana Woodard, Trustee Tony Risner, Circuit Court Clerk Natalie Oakley, and members of the public.