FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT MEETING MINUTES
18 JUNE 2025
Financial Management Chair County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe opened the meeting asking Commissioner Matt Rubelsky to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 28 March 2025 were then moved for approval by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner David Wamble, and were approved by acclamation. The CE noted that the office of Giles County Veterans’ Service Officer Barry Alsup is closed indefinitely and in the short-term calls may be referred to the Service Office in Maury County. Before addressing the first agenda item, the CE asked if there were any public comments and there were not.
First Agenda Item Asset disposal – Handout provided. Ms. Shana Woodard and Ms. Mary Taylor Hewitt, Finance Office, addressed questions on police cars, taken out of service, and to be sold on gov.deals; and on the balance of assets, which Ms. Hewitt described as being on the “books” but location unknown. She further described the process done several years before where the disposal of assets could be written off, or traded off, but no records were required on that process. After considerable discussion due to the significant amount and to assure no law was broken, a motion by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins was made to approve and with Commissioner Tracy Wilburn providing the second, the motion was approved unanimously.
Second Agenda Item – Ambulance Write offs – A Resolution of the Giles County Commission Approving the Uncollectable Patient Accounts for the Giles County Ambulance Service was provided as a handout. Handout noted the write offs per Fox Collection Center were because of deceased with no estate or bankruptcy; and for write offs for out of date or client pullback from 07/31/2024 reports. Total write offs were $513,549.98. Ms. Woodard noted these can only go back within the past seven years, and Commissioner Tracy Wilburn added we will always have indigent citizens. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, to approve the resolution and forward to the full commission was made and was approved unanimously. The CE noted the resolution would be put on the agenda for the next month.
Third Agenda Item Timekeeper policy –Giles County, Tennessee, Financial Management Policies and Procedures Manual, Chapter 10, Payroll Administration 10.1.b was changed to reflect more detailed information, on County Ambulance, Sheriff/Jail, Highway, and Board of Education, on time sheet deadline, time keeping software, and corrections. A motion by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky and seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins to approve the changes was made and was approved unanimously.
Old Business. Commissioner Wamble asked if all county policies are on line, with the CE stating they were but he would follow up to ensure all latest versions were posted. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if the 26 June 2025 public hearing to discuss the 2025-2026 budget is on track. The CE said it is, with Ms. Woodard saying she currently has 4-5 emails asking to speak at that meeting. The CE said he had asked the county attorney to be there, and also noted the rules for public hearings are governed by TCA. Commissioner David Adams asked about county rental properties and is the rent up to date. The CE said some are behind, and he will be putting that on the next property meeting agenda.
A lengthy discussion centered on the PoP board with Commissioner Terry Jones asking if the board should exist. His concern as noted in previous minutes was the possibility of individual capital projects being funded (based on PoP board approval), but with commission not voting on those individual projects. The CE said that scenario was not possible – that any PoP recommended purchase required Commission approval. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, was made to ensure Department-proposed capital projects first come through committees prior to the PoP Board. The motion was roll call voted and the result was 5-1-1 with Commissioner Tracy Wilburn voting no and Dr. Vickie Beard abstaining.
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, and was approved unanimously.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Chairman County Executive Graham Stowe, Director of Schools Vickie Beard, Road Superintendent Gene Barnickle Commissioner Members –Matt Rubelsky, Tracy Wilburn, David Wamble Matthew Hopkins Other Commissioners Attending: David Adams, Erin Curry, Joyce Woodard, Gayle Jones, Judy Pruett, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, Annelle Guthrie, Evan Baddour Others – Financial Management Office Shana Woodard, Mary Taylor Hewitt, School Superintendent Vickie Beard, Trustee Tony Risner, Highway Department staff Erin Harmon, and members of the public