BUILDING & PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
14 JANUARY 2025
Chair Commissioner Tracy Wilburn opened the meeting noting prayer and pledge had previously been provided in same day school/budget meeting. Minutes of 12 November 2024 were moved for approval by Commissioner Caleb Savage, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, and were approved unanimously.
County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe provided the following announcements: The county owned lots at the Milky Way Farm have been sold for approximately $37K plus legal fees and is now on the county’s property tax roll. He also noted that he had documented the steps taken to sell county property for future reference. The CE commented that the Giles County Animal Shelter Director Jaclyn Payne was doing an excellent job, and is developing a strategic plan. The CE noted that there will be a Public Service Committee meeting on 3 February 2025 to discuss reinstituting Shelter adoption fees. He also discussed the Campbellsville spring property and noted that the fencing and gates, which had been in poor condition, were now repaired. He mentioned the commission had set aside funding for IT services, and that he was hiring an IT to serve two days a week, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting in February . The first tasks for the IT individual will be to develop an online work order system and to address cyber security concerns. He informed the committee of the upcoming retirement of Benny Birdsong who has been a mainstay at the Ag-Park, being there every day for minimal pay. He noted that Benny’s replacement would first be addressed by the Ag-Park Board. The CE then noted an RFQ went out the first week in January 2025 for a countywide water supply and distribution study. Also, after receiving no bids to upgrade the courthouse entry doors, the CE discussed the project with Brindley Construction, who is preparing a proposal to upgrade hardware for emergency egress and increased security. There is a $25K grant to do some of the work, but the cost estimate is much higher and he’s going back to the state to request funding assistance. Commissioner David Adams asked if the old gate at the county farm could be moved by the Highway Department and taken away with the CE saying he’d take care of it. Commissioner David Wamble asked if the IT position came with benefits, with the CE answering in the negative. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked for clarification on the door estimate and also asked if that included a previously discussed stoop. The CE said no – the extended stoop was not included and that the door refurbishment is labor intensive, especially because it involves historical restoration.
The Chair then turned the meeting over to Jeff Earwood, architect with TMPartners and with considerable experience with clients in the public sector. Mr. Earwood provided a presentation on a schematic programming design for the Ambulance service which could later be developed into a more specific design, e.g., coverage over a back “porch” or a flat roof vs sloped vs material used. The CE noted that in the county’s strategic plan that the ambulance building was the #2 priority and several options had been considered over several years, i.e., make do, add on, new locations with the choice being to locate a new building (or in this design two buildings with a connecting crosswalk) at the Ag Park. He also noted this now is in the programming phase and, with this schematic design tailored to Giles County needs, this is at least a 50-year solution. This would accommodate projected growth as well as Cat 4 hardening (for code-required building standards, typically wind related). The design is for approximately 19K square feet on one acre, two buildings with one building for the ambulances (Cat 4) and berthing areas, with a separate building built to lesser standards for equipment, additional ambulances and other spaces for activities such as training areas. Several questions were asked of Mr. Earwood, i.e., cost of both Cat 4 hardening square footage and other less hardened space; expansion if needed; identification of boundaries; envision more changes (no, per Mr. Earwood, but cost estimate did include a 12% for contingencies); sewer pump – noting would probably be a grinder pump (was included in cost estimate shown); could probably reduce cost on cosmetic approaches; flat roof – bad, although shown as sloped and using concrete. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Erin Curry, to approve the concept was made and was approved unanimously.
The CE mentioned that the Budget Committee meeting, planned for 7 February 2025, will go into more detail on funding options, including consideration of a potential wheel tax. A comparison of tax rates with neighboring counties will be provided as well as other information. The CE stated that his interactions with citizens make it clear that a property tax the least desirable option to raise revenue. Several commissioners mentioned some potential exceptions to a wheel tax, and others mentioned priority issues that should be addressed when discussing needed taxes, e.g., water. The CE noted on water that the state and federal governments are interested in a regional look and are considering sourcing water from the Tennessee river and piping into southern-middle TN. This would be a long-term resolution for sourcing water regionally, whereas estimates of the Campbellsville Spring were that it would serve only 200 households. The CE also noted that he had heard mention of “older” water studies but had not yet found them.
Unfinished business – Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about status of the Archives building. Commissioner Erin Curry discussed a Pulaski city council meeting where a grant application for a new airport hangar was discussed. She mentioned who would benefit from the new hangar and the use of logging dollars (from county/city owned property near the airport) to be used to support the grant application. She questioned why the county had not been involved. The CE noted the county does not have an airport advisory board and Commissioner Joyce Woodard asked to have the airport manager Randy Jones provide the Commissioners with an update. The CE said he would request his presence at the Public Service Committee. Commissioner Terry Jones said there is a lot of county property and we should consider giving it to the IDB for their management and potential development.
With no new business Commissioner Erin Curry moved for adjournment and with Commissioner Judy Pruett providing the second, the motion was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Chair Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, Other Commissioners members Evan Baddour, Caleb Savage, Judy Pruett, Tim Risner, Erin Curry, and Brad Butler; Other Commissioners in attendance: Joyce Woodard, Terry Jones, James Lathrop, David Wamble, Annelle Guthrie, David Adams, Roger Reedy, Matthew Hopkins, Gayle Jones, Carman Brown, Shelly Goolsby Other – County Executive Graham Stowe, Solid Waste Director Julie Phillips, TMPartners Jeff Earwood, Director Bill Myers and staff, and member of the public
