Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

During the alloted time for public input at this month’s County Commission meeting, former Solid Waste Director Bradley Loveless spoke to the Commission regarding a resolution that would increase the allowance of scale and pit material from 250 lbs to 500 lbs.

The resolution stated that it would also allow trees, brush, concrete and other such non-pit material to be discarded at the dump for no cost, as well as would allow owners of multiple businesses and residents to combine their stickers and their daily/weekly allowances of pit or non-pit material “if they are the sole owners of such properties, and not leasing or renting those properties to others who pay that Solid Waste Fee.”

While speaking to the Commission, Loveless pointed out that allowing business owners and residents to combine their solid waste stickers would be nearly impossible to track, and would also take a large amount of the Solid Waste Fund’s revenue. He encouraged the Commission to think about it before voting and stated that he was not in favor of the resolution.

Once the resolution was brought up for discussion, Commissioner Doug Jobbitt said, “I’d like to know why the Solid Waste Committee had not seen this resolution before it was brought before the full commission. I don’t think it’s right.”

Commissioner Patrick Halfacre agreed with Jobbitt and motioned to table the resolution until it came before the Solid Waste Committee at next month’s County Committee meeting which is scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2022. Commissioner Ronnie Brewer also agreed and seconded the motion. All commissioners voted to table the resolution except for Commissioner Timmie Hinson.

Local Option Sales Tax

The Commissioners passed a resolution at this month’s meeting that would put an option for a sales tax increase on the 2022 election ballot.

To clarify, the commissioners did not endorse a sales tax increase. Their passing of the resolution does not put a sales tax increase into action, but simply puts the issue on the ballot. The Commissioners’ votes in favor of this resolution was an endorsement for the issue to be put on the election ballot, not an endorsement of the local option sales tax itself.

Quarterly Report of the Highway Department and Road Closure

Joyce Holt, Lewis County’s Highway Commissioner, gave her quarterly report to the Commission.

At the end of December last year, the Highway Department had $2.25 million in their fund balance. By March of this year, they had $2.38 million which she said was due to it being winter and further stated that their high-dollar jobs start at this time of year.

Commissioner Brewer motioned to accept Mrs. Holt’s report, Commissioner Aren Ragsdale seconded, and the report passed in a unanimous vote.

The Highway Commissioner also brought a resolution before the Commission which sought to formally close the last 500 feet of Thomas Schmittou Road at the land owner’s request. This would take the road off of the County maintained road list and allow the property owners to put up a gate.

Mrs. Holt said they were the sole property owner and the question from the Road Committee Board was whether there was enough space for a school bus to turn around at the end of the road if the need should occur. So the Highway Department went out and widened the turn-around before the Commission meeting because the turn-around is still in her jurisdiction.

Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick said there may be a conflict if law enforcement needs to get on the property but cannot pass through the gate. Highway Commissioner Holt responded she had that conversation with the property owners and has their number so they can be in contact.

County Commissioners Bill Dyer and Larry Hensley sponsored the resolution and the resolution was passed in a unanimous vote.

Quarterly Report of Lewis County Librarian

Lewis County Librarian Crystal Nash reported that the library has continued to be a vital resource to the community.

In the last quarter, there were 5,290 visitors, 60 new library cards issued, 10,087 items borrowed, 683 computer sessions, 189 wifi hotspots used, 291 people given reference help, 17 people helped create a resume and search for jobs, 154 people helped with technology, 8 tourists visited, 30 literary programs held, and 1,217 loose county records archived.

Commissioners Brewer and Timmie Hinson motioned to approve the report, and the Commission unanimously voted to accept the report.

Quarterly Report of the Sheriff

Sheriff Kilpatrick reported that there were a total of 100 inmates assigned to Lewis County Jail, 48 inmates housed in our jail, 36 inmates housed in other jails due to lack of space, 13 inmates housed in rehab centers, and 3 of our local “State Inmates” housed in TDOC Facilities. Of those inmates, 79 were males and 21 were females.

Due to overcrowding [lack of space], Lewis County has already paid out $143,215 in local tax dollars to other counties to house their inmates this fiscal year. The Sheriff reiterated that’s why it was important to build a new jail.

Just one inmate housed in another county costs local taxpayers $1,170 per month or $14,040 per year. These inmates are housed in Perry, Stewart, Wayne, Dickson, Maury, Lawrence, Williamson and Davidson counties.

If the thirteen inmates in rehab were not in rehab centers, the County would be paying $15,210 per month or $182,520 per year. Additionally, Lewis County currently has 14 inmates housed in other counties at no cost. If the County had to start paying for them, it would be at the cost of $16,380 per month or $196,560 per year.

Commissioners Timmie Hinson and Brewer motioned to accept the report, and the report was unanimously accepted.

Resolution to hire Lashlee-Rich as contractor for Courthouse renovations

It was decided at last month’s meeting that a portion of remaining grant money would go toward renovating the old Courthouse, including updating lighting, windows and communication systems as well as remodeling the courtroom. Hiring them as the Project Manager would come at a cost of 3.95 percent of the total project costs which have yet to be set.

A resolution sought to hire Lashlee-Rich to be the Project Manager for these projects. Commissioner Timmie Hinson asked why someone local was not hired such as Coy Norris. A commissioner responded that Norris would probably bid on the construction work but would likely be too busy to be the Project Manager.

After some debate, the resolution was put to a roll call vote where the resolution was passed in a 14 to 3 vote, with Commissioners Halfacre, T.J. Hinson and Timmie Hinson voting against the resolution.

Historical Plaque for Justice Center

A resolution came before the Commission to purchase a bronze, commemorative plaque for the new Justice Center. The cheapest price quote found for a 2x2 bronze plague was $2,410. The money to purchase the plaque would be taken from the Local Government Recovery and Rebuilding Direct Appropriation State Grant, and was already approved by the Historical Society.

Commissioners Ragsdale and T.J. Hinson sponsored the resolution and the resolution passed in a unanimous vote.

Purchasing three utility trailers for Cardboard Recycling

Using money from the LGRRDA State Grant, a resolution sought to purchase three utility trailers to improve the timing and efficiency of its cardboard recycling route which has 90 current participants.

Cotter Trailer Sales in Lawrenceburg had the lowest quote for a total of $6,900 for all three 77’x16’ trailers.

Commissioners Larry Hensley and Bill Dyer sponsored the resolution, and the resolution passed unanimously.