Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting by asking for a motion on the minutes of 7 November 2025 (prayer and pledge offered in same day meeting.) A motion by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, was made to approve the minutes, and were approved unanimously.
Short-Term Rental (STR) resolution – (Agenda revised due to late arrival of proponent) Motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner Carman Brown, seconded by the Chair Commissioner Baddour, and opened the following discussion. The Resolution is for the Giles County Commission to fund tourism through state and short-term rental tax revenues. Background information provided on homes that do short term rental – while landlords classify their properties, not everyone provides the necessary information to classify their homes as STR since residential home rates are charged less than commercial enterprises; and the state is committed to helping identify those homes so the additional revenues can be captured. Phil Reese, Economic Director, commented that Lawrenceburg is considerably outspending Giles County on tourism, and as a result the revenue from tourism increased from 2021 to 2024 by $25.8M to $32.4M. He noted they had spent $38K to do a video, using grant funding for one-half the cost, – all to generate more tax dollars with considerable funding coming from out of county residents so less on Lawrence County citizens. He recommended this increase from STR be given to the Chamber of Commerce for tourism use and only if agree to promote tourism. As noted above the rate for property tax is 25% of assessed value for residential vs 40% for commercial. A previous code predates this recommendation and those dollars currently go into hotel/motel tax revenue. As a newer concept STR would not fall under that code. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn asked what constitutes an STR, with Mr. Reese saying STR is residential property rented out for less than 30 days at a time such as cabins and vacation rentals. Mr. Reese says this excludes hotels, B&Bs. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about present income and what if time is mixed, and Commissioner Matthew Hopkins asked why give to the Chamber when the county has other needs such as the courthouse. The Chair suggested that whatever increased revenue goes to the Chamber would be considered when funding the non-profits. Mr. Reese said he could see this getting more income into the county, and the actual spending could be reviewed. He noted that is part of the reason Lawrenceburg is spending is the increased income. Also Mr. Reese said consider the second order of investment, i.e., tourists spending on items which would include sales tax revenue; and consider the fact that the state will help identify the landlords. Mr. Reese said the Chamber would be required to submit an annual report detailing spending (accountable to come back to the commission). Jessie Parker, Chamber of Commerce, said first look at possibilities show about 10 new STRs but by looking at the trend, she expects that to be more. Vote was taken and the motion was approved 4 – 3 with Commissioners Tracy Wilburn, David Adams, and Matthew Hopkins voting no.
Rule 12.50, additional funds for District Attorney’s Office – Handout provided. Mr. Brent Cooper, District Attorney for the 22nd judicial district including Giles, noted that the passing of worthless checks and fine revenue is down (due to more use of digital funds) so, the Resolution is to authorize a twelve Dollar and Fifty Cent Charge cost to be applied for every state felony. Commissioner Hopkins asked why $12.50, with Mr. Cooper saying not sure, but would be adequate in comparison to the income from the worthless checks. Commissioner Hopkins also asked why not also keep the income from worthless check costs, with Mr. Cooper saying a law would be needed to do that and in addition they thought that would be double dipping. A motion by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, was made to send to the full commission. Ms. Beth Moore-Sumners, Financial Manager, said this will not be reflected in the county’s budget. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked approximately how much would be raised, with Mr. Cooper saying Maury County raised $46K. Vote was taken and was passed unanimously. Resolution will be on the January 2026 full commission agenda.
Discuss Bond Issue – Mr. Ashley McAnulty, of Stephens Inc, a company which specializes in investment banking, capital management, and public finance and equity, noted the Scope of Work for the courthouse had been approved, and the time period for a bond was stated as a 15-year bond. Commissioner James Lathrop asked are we locked into something now and can we do an 8-year call. Mr. McNaulty said you can do an 8-year call, and while the rate is low now, that could change. Mr. Naulty also said bonds follow treasury rates more than the market, and generally that rate stays more stable than market rates. Commissioner David Adams said wouldn’t we be better off going for a longer-term bond, with Mr. McNaulty saying you could go that way, but you would pay more interest than payment on the debt. The Financial Manager said she would not recommend going past 20 years, that she thought the 15 or 20-year bond would be the best decision, especially considering the county’s cash flow. Knox Vanderpool, Chairman School Board, said you can get an 8-year call at no additional cost (based on his experience with the school bonds). Questions were raised on borrowing more, investing some of those funds not needed earlier, with Mr. McNaulty noting you can keep the excess earnings but only for a short cycle, (perhaps 3-year period). The Chair asked about coupling some of the needed repairs with Mr. McNaulty saying you can’t predict future interest rates, but you can do all at the same time, but also could wait and do separately. Commissioner Matt Rubelsky asked about upfront costs with Mr. McNaulty saying there is no ongoing fee for himself until a bond is actually issued. If you don’t do a resolution there will be no cost. However, if there are, for example 8 bids, you can’t shop around later. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins mentioned the potential of a bill for incorporated cities to partially pay for ambulance service which would then change how the county implements any outlying service. Commissioner James Lathrop said we are not passing anything on this today, strictly for information only. The Chair said mid-January is the earliest we could do a bond. The Chair also addressed how specific the bond must be, for example, “for county infrastructure”, with Mr. McNaulty saying the bond can be that non-specific. Mr. Vanderpool said you need a GMP to know what to take out, and do we have a full GMP, with later discussions indicating there is not a GMP at this time. The chair asked Mr. McNaulty what is needed with him replying he would need more details for a draft resolution. Commissioner Rubelsky said per what has been voted and approved, i.e., $8.5M for 15 years. Commissioner Terry Jones said it is premature to vote now because of the OHM potential cost, which Commissioner Matthew Hopkins said is almost 10% on total contract. Commissioner Joyce Woodard said perhaps borrow $10M because of the courthouse age and other potential costs. A vote on the motion was approved 5 – 2 with Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, and David Adams, voting no.
Streamline/improve Nonprofit application process -The Chair said the proposed change would require just one paper copy and others required be a PDF digital copy, in order to help the nonprofits save money in application process. Discussion centered on several copies for previous submission never being picked up, most have bank information on them and that information shouldn’t be publicly available if left in an unattended room, and how having digital copies affect archive retainment. Commissioner David Wamble said he likes the way the policy is currently written with the Chair saying he can see both pros and cons citing accountability. A motion by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins to submit 1 printed for the County Clerk, and balance digital, with the Chair providing a second the motion was passed unanimously. As a rule change, the vote in full commission will have to be a 2/3 vote.
Unfinished business – Question on available payroll check stubs with the Financial Manager saying there haven’t been check stubs for several years. The data is available in her office but is in a spreadsheet format. Another subject, wheel tax and the necessary timing for the public to consider was raised by the Chair. The Chair asked for constructive feedback to potentially have a resolution in February. Financial Manager mentioned the Sheriff’s office is having cost growth on inmate medicines and will have a budget amendment in near future.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDANCE: Members of the Committee – Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins, Matt Rubelsky, Shelly Goolsby Other commissioners attending – Annelle Guthrie, Gayle Jones, Carman Brown, Joyce Woodard, Tracy Wilburn, Joseph Sutton, Judy Pruett, Rose Brown Others in attendance Joseph Purvis, Sheriff, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, Josh Young – EMA Chief, Phil Reese – Economic Development Director, Knox Vanderpool – School Board Chair, Brent Cooper, District Attorney General, and members of the public including Mr. Ashley McAnulty, of Stephens Inc