Hawkins County EMS has struggled to keep employees, but a proposal to would eliminate the county ambulance three-franchise renewal process might have the intended effect of helping HCEMS retain staff.
“There is a sizable reserve, and as long as nobody comes back and says that it is not permissible, that is money we have set aside that we could use.” — finance director Eric Buchanan
“I will go on record and say I’m not responsible for this because history will show I was Budget chair for a foolish decision.” — John Metz
Retired teacher Judy Woods-Trent was elected by the Hawkins County Commission Monday evening to complete the term of school board member Holly Helton who resigned last month to accept a teaching position at Cherokee High School.
Hawkins County commissioners found themselves in the position Monday of being asked to either paying $1,500 per month to help keep some defendants out of jail, or face paying 10 times that amount to keep those same inmates in jail.
“A 2 percent COLA (cost of living adjustment) over three years is going to be essentially equivalent to what this implementation of the pay scale is over that same period of time, and its in much more calculated fashion.” — Budget Committee chairman John Metz
Commissioner Danny Alvis said he spent time at the Carters Valley convenience center Wednesday morning and spoke to 15 people who were dumping their trash. Only one of those 15 said they didn’t have a problem with the new hoppers, Alvis said.
Hawkins County is under a federal mandate to make all county facilities Americans with Disabilities Act complaint by 2023. It’s an expensive process, and projects are being completed individually as funding becomes available.
“I don’t see where we’ve got a choice. We’ve got to do this to put it out for bid. I hate to spend this much money, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.” — Commissioner Keith Gibson
Former constable Ryan Christian was chosen by the Hawkins County Commission last week to return to that position, despite the attempts of a second nominee to quash rumors of criminal record.
On Tuesday Lee made his case before the county commission's Personnel Committee, asking for the creation of a new position to be cross-trained to be able to perform a wide range of duties in his office.
It's been six years since the Hawkins County Commission approved a 12-cent property tax increase for the county school system, but in recent years those funds have gradually been shifted away from the schools toward the county general fund.
Over the next couple of months, the Hawkins County Commission will be asked to make some serious decisions affecting county finances for many years.
In December HCSO Chief Deputy Tony Allen told Hawkins County commissioners a proposed Bradley Creek Road speed limit increase would be unsafe, and that Sheriff Ronnie Lawson had recommended against it.
“There are around 700 jobs at any given point, so it's very concerning. I don't think there's anything imminent about Barrette shutting down, and we don't want it to get to that point." — Rep. Gary Hicks
