BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
7 November 2025
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting by asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 3 October 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, and were approved unanimously. The Chair asked if the Chair of the Legislative Body Commissioner David Wamble had any comments with Commissioner Wamble discussing the county’s budget being almost halfway through the year. With that in mind, he wanted all the committee chairs to look at where the county is in terms of resources and expenditures. Further he asked the chairs be proactive in analyzing the budget, asking the Finance Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners to provide an up-to-date handout reflecting the latest data,and that he would put the topic on the next budget agenda. Chair Baddour asked about the scanners for the court house and requested they also be included on the agenda.
FM Moore-Sumners discussed the Highway Fund 131 budget amendment provided as a handout. She noted the Chair of the Highway Committee Commissioner Tracy Wilburn had asked that this amendment be considered rather than going through the Highway Department since no new funding was required. The FM discussed the movement of funds from Administration to the need for truck drivers for Highway and Bridge Maintenance. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, was moved for approval. The Chair asked if there were any public comments and being none, the motion was approved unanimously.
FM Moore-Sumners then discussed the County General Fund 101 which addressed several grants (Sheriff, Jail, Archive Development, and IDB Site Development Grant [approved in September 2024 and still active in 2025]);Ambulance Special Events (overtime pay recouped from contracted services); and Solid Waste with no new funds required. A motion to combine all the amendments into one and approve was made by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and was approved unanimously after no public comments were made.
Potential Department Cuts – Commissioner Evan Baddour initiated the discussion by saying rather than waiting until May to do the first overall budget review, he wanted to look at how to make “our dollars” work more for us. As an example, he mentioneda highway initiative of seal coating which extends the life of the pavement; and he mentioned that EMS had trimmed $68K from their budget. Commissioner Terry Jones said he thought the timing of doing a review now is premature especially with not enough specifics in guidance with Commissioner Wamble responding he was not suggesting macro-managing. Commissioner Lathrop said the department heads are more familiar with their needs than us but said look in January. Commissioner Matt Rubelskysuggested combining the meeting with both Committee Chairs and department heads in January. Sheriff Joe Purvis spoke to some of his increased costs such as food and insurance, and that some can’t be cut due to TN law. County Executive reminded the Commission that it’s only been five months since they attempted budget cuts in the annual budget, and the Commission was debating $100 expenditures when the budget was underfunded by $2M. He statedonly one commissioner (Matthew Hopkins) had recommended substantive cuts. CommissionerWamble stated that he supported cuts, but County Executive Stowecountered that there’s a big difference between a legitimate budget cut versus using capital projects to fund annual recurring expenses. Neither deferred spending nor obligating dollars from capital fundsare actual budget cuts. Highway Superintendent Gene Barnickle discussed potential cuts, noting cuts during the previous budget process and how under today’s budget, if need new equipment, no funding (within his budget) would be available. The FM provided information on current expenditures since 30 September (43.7% of budget) with her biggest concern in doing a mid-year review at this time is the timing, especially in determining revenue. She mentioned the Tax Assessor only starts determining that revenue in May and the school revenue information also would be missing. Sheriff Purvis spoke again discussing how his department does a monthly review, e.g., bought bullets today because cheaper right now. Commissioner Rubelsky mentioned in the last budget review from five months ago, the biggest expense was labor. Commissioner Terry Jones mentioned some commissioners never vote no. Re the highway he said seasonal needs, such as winter, result in the highway department budget showing that seasonal variability. EMS Chief Willow Chavez discussed the$649K that she agreed to defer from last year’s budget, and right now they need two vehicle remounts, plusovertime is up. She said for her department, budget cuts would come the consequence of service cuts, for instance she said ask your constituents if they don’t want a north or south station. Commissioner Baddour said we should be looking for every option, with some citizens mentioning to him for employees to go to parttime. Commissioner Baddour said we as commissioners need to be more educated, knowing the department heads are most qualified where savings/cuts could happen and what would have to be sacrificed. CommissionerRoger Reedy said you can’t let social media manage our decisions, and he said he would want to talk about revenue potential. Commissioner Reedy mentioned 750 potential new residents with Property Assessor Tommy Hyatt saying every year we show new dollars coming in from new residents, but that revenue typically gets used to address inflationary pressures in every budget cycle. Assessor Hyatt then explained how sales price vs market value comes into play; as well as what happens when owners split their property into different parcels. Commissioner Gayle Jones mentioned the insurance increase and how that affects the county’s obligation, with the FM stating that the county’s obligation is a flat rate, so any insurance increases are being absorbed by employees. Commissioner Terry Jones said put this off until January. With department heads aware that the commission wants them to look for cost savings or cuts in the coming months, the committee did not have any action item to vote on at this time.
Courthouse Bond –Scenarios on a potential bond were emailed to all, per the CE who listed 3 probable options. Those are 1) do nothing and costs increase in the future, 2) amortization on different number of years financed and possibly ruling out any future other needs 3) put fund balance toward scope and reduce bond amount. There are pros, cons, and tradeoffs to each option. The CE mentioned a grant also being pursued which would assist with courthouse renovations. The Chair asked for the FM to discuss areas such as sales tax, use of hotel/motel tax, with the FM saying by the end of 2026 budget year there would be $2.6M that couldbe used. School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool asked if the bond would include a call provision with the CE saying yes. He mentioned you would pay slightly more interest but you also have more flexibility built in and with a 7-year call option, a future commission could weigh earlier payoff if revenues supported. The Chair said he didn’t like the first option, but knowing revenue important for the decision. A motion by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, seconded by Commissioner Roger Reedy, was made to pursue a bond for the courthouse refurbishments of $8.5M for 15 years with a 7-year call option. Commissioner Reedy mentioned the TACN project which will be paid in near future providing approximately $600K which could be used to cover ambulance/water needs. Chair Baddour said there is potentially a water study to be conducted which would provide more clarity on that issue. The FM mentioned the past vision of staying completely out of debt but she now considered that a bad decision, with paying out more than was coming in (thereby deleting any reserves). The Chair asked why not borrow more now to cover not only the courthouse but to address other needs. The CE said the bond advisor counseled against bundling, particularly if there’s no specific project or approved scope of work. The Chair asked about the motel/hotel and litigation revenue, noting possibility of a down payment and reducing amount to be borrowed. Discussion then ensued on whether the $8.5M included everything, i.e., architectural fees, contingencies with Commissioner Matthew Hopkins commenting on unknown cost so would want to borrow possibly as much as $9.5M plus contingency. The FM said you can use the hotel/litigation for the architectural work. Commissioner David Adams asked about revenue from the weigh stations with the FM saying she didn’t know on that revenue. The Chair asked about the advantages of locking in this month with the CE saying you could have a special meeting in December with Mr. McNaulty to discuss how bond rates are put on the open market. Commissioner Hopkins said he thought it would be good to vote in January since he would like to have a town hall to help them understand why doing and wanting their input. Public comments were solicited with Mr. Bailey asking if there would be a cap. The CE stated that the contract being pursued would be a GMP – Guaranteed Maximum Price. He also said estimators had reviewed the scope using 2026 estimates, and good confidence in the $8.5M figure.In response to a public question, he also mentioned there would be a construction project manager. Commissioner Terry Jones reiterated his position, that being address the courthouse structural problems and add in the fire protection, starting with the cheapest part because some of the other county needs are just as important. To that point the CE said the scope of work is not like ordering off a menu – there’s a sequencing of multiple efforts that leads to the ultimate goal of fire-suppression. A roll call vote on the motion resulted in passing 4 -3 with Commissioners David Adams, Terry Jones, and Carman Brown voting no.
Grant Resolution –Motion to approve a $500K grant with a $215K county match, was moved for approval by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins. Per County Executive Stowe there were a number of counties submitting grant requests. He did say that working with SCTDD, Giles County has a strong case with the scope of work directed toward preservation efforts. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked if the grant is $500K or zero, with the CE saying could be any part, and the county match could be paid from the hotel/motel revenue. The motion was approved unanimously.
Unfinished business/new business – the law enforcement body scanner, x-ray, wand was discussed, by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins. Motion to approve purchasing the items before the end of the year was made by Commissioner Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour. Motion approved after discussion 5-2 with Commissioners David Adams and Terry Jones voting no. Discussion included out for bids now to get idea of cost; lifetime of equipment (10 years which includes a 5-year warranty); when shipped (according to winner); different entry door for courthouse employees; and limit scan to courtroom (per Sheriff Purvis must be for whole building). Additional discussion on SROs, per Sheriff Purvis. Since some rules have been relaxed, a grant has been for $75K for additional SRO, school specific.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Other Commissioners James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins, Matt Rubelsky, Carman Brown (for Shelly Goolsby absent)/ Other Commissioners in attendance Judy Pruett, David Wamble, Joyce Woodard, Joseph Sutton, Roger Reedy, Tracy Wilburn, Gayle Jones, Erin Curry, Annelle Guthrie, Rose Brown/ Others in attendance County Executive Graham Stowe, FM Beth Moore-Sumners, Shana Woodard, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, Road Superintendent Gene Barnickle, Director of Schools Dr. Vickie Beard, School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool, Trustee Tony Risner, Clerk and Master Crystal Greene, Tax Assessor Tommy Hyatt, Solid Waste Coordinator Julie Phillips, Register Tammy Helton,EMS Chief Willow Chavez, EMA Chief Josh Young, EDC Director Phil Reese.