The Fiscal Review Committee’s agenda dealt with several previously disputed amendments to the County's General Budget requested by the Election Commission this summer, but removed by the Budget Committee prior to sending the final Budget to the full Commission for approval in August.

First on the agenda was that Election Commission’s budget request for $3,000 annually to keep an attorney on retainer with whom Election Commissioners may consult, in additional to the general county attorney.

The Election Commission felt currently ongoing litigation between Putnam County, the State of Tennessee, several Election Commissioners, & former Election Commissioner Nancy Boman might present a conflict of interest concerning their representation by County Attorney Jeffery Jones.

Election Administrator Debbie Steidl  spoke before the full County Commission in August, explaining that accord to the Tennessee Code Annotated, the County Commission was required to fund this line item, as it was necessary for the Election Commission to have in order to carry out their official legal obligations & duties.

Maynard asked County Attorney Jeffery Jones if he stood by his previous recommendation, given to the County Commission in August.

Jones said that if the resolution remained unchanged, his recommendation remained the same.

At issue was the wording of the resolution which Jones argued, when read, could be interpreted to grant county funds to pay the legal defense of individual Election Commissioners in lawsuits filed based on actions individual Commissioners might take apart from their legally recognized rights & responsibilities as Election Commissioners.

Election Administrator Debbie Steidl stated that the Election Commission’s intent was not to secure county funds for the legal defense of Election Commissioners in actions taken against them in their role as private citizens, but for actions taken as a Commission or individually in their capacity at Election Commissioners.

After discussion the Fiscal Review Commission voted to pass the requested resolution for amendment, with a request that the Election Commission revise the amendment in their October meeting & present it at the next full meeting of the County Commission.

Also related to previous budget requests made by the Election Commission, the committee voted to approve an amendment to the County General Fund budget to reflect the $64,993 salary prescribed by the State of Tennessee for certified Election Administrators.

They then discussed a resolution submitted by the Election Commission requesting delay in the implementation of the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act.

The act requires every voter to cast a written ballot, which is then read & counted by an automated ballot scanner in the 2010 elections.

Election Administrator Steidl explained voting machines must first go through a rather long certification process at the State level, generally taking 12 to 14 months, before they can be purchased & legally used at local voting precincts.

As of today, the State of Tennessee has not certified any voting machine which meets the requirements of the new law; therefore, the Election Commission cannot comply with the new requirements at this time.

Additionally, she pointed out that she and many of those involved in the administration of elections feel the rush to certify & purchase machines before 2010 elections is rash, and should be postponed until after the completion of the 2010 Census.

After the 2010 Census information is gathered, the federal government may potentially issue its own, new voting regulations to reflect relevant data collected such as population, percentage of native Spanish Speakers, etcetera.

Even if a machine is certified by the State of Tennessee in time for the 2010 election, any machines purchased under 2010 guidelines may be made legally obsolete once the new 2010 Census data is collected & evaluated.

The Fiscal Review Committee approved this resolution.

The Fiscal Review Committee agenda also called for the nomination & election of officers.

Committee members elected Commissioner Sue Neal to serve as Chairman of the Fiscal Review Commission.

Kevin Maynard was elected to the vice chairmanship, Ron Chaffin was elected to serve as the Committee’s Secretary.

The Committee nominated & subsequently unanimously elected Ron Chaffin to serve on this years Nominating Committee.

After some discussion, the Committee voted to approve a budget amendment to the General Purpose School Fund.

During the discussion it was explained that the reason for the change was due to an miscategorization made when writing the school budget.

The salary of several teachers formally paid out of funds designated for general education would now be paid out of funds designated for special education.

The line item covering their salaries totaling $1,068,000 needed to be moved from one section of the budget to another, not effecting the final balance of the entire schools budget.

Commissioner Robert Duncan, Jr. pointed out that in the revised budget submitted, additional funds had been added into one section, but not subtracted from the other section in question.

Committee members voted to pass the resolution, but asked the school board look into the matter & correct the error.

They also voted to approve a resolution establishing a new program to supplement the Property Tax Relief Program of the State of Tennessee, providing tax relief to low income senior citizens.

Finally Commissioner Jerry Ford  officially recognized David Lamb, a Putnam County youth in attendance, working towards his Eagle Scout.

David Lamb is the son of Steve Lamb &  grandson of Red Lamb.

The commissioner thanked David for his dedication to the ideals of good citizenship. 

He also thanked Mr. Steve Lamb for his service, and that of his older son, in the US Navy.

At 6PM the County Planning Committee convened with all members in attendance.

They elected the following officers: Chairman Jere M. Mason, Vice Chairman Eris Bryant, & Secretary Scott McCanless.

Commissioners Bryant & Mullins were both nominated to serve on the County Nominating Committee, with Gene Mullins winning in the vote by an 8 to 3 margin.

In a light hearted gesture, both Bryant & Mullins cast their ballot for the opposing nominee.

The Planning Committee voted to reappoint Commissioners Marson McCormick, Dale Moss , Jere Mason, & Michael Medley to serve on the Road Committee for an additional 1 year term.

A resolution to adopt provisions of the Adult-Oriented Establishment Act of 1998 TCA 7-51-1101 ET SEQ as amended was passed.

The committee then approved a list of surplus equipment to be sold at public auction for the Sheriff’s Department and the Solid Waste Department.

The newly appointed Nominating Committee met immediately after the Planning Committee.

They elected Gene Mullins to serve as Committee Chairman, Sue Neal as Vice Chairman, & Jerry Mason as Secretary.

They then moved on to  nominations for the County Commission Chairman, Pro tempore, & Parliamentarian.

The nominees were as follows: Jim Martin, Robert Duncan, & Kevin Maynard.

The committee approved Kim Blaylock’s appointments of Dale Moss, Leslie Sullins, & Phil Wilbourn to the Regional Planning Committee for 4 year terms to expire in September 2013.

The Nominating Committee then voted to approve the reappointment of Bill Walker to a 3 year term on the Cumberland Regional Airport Board, to end in 2012.

Rick Larson was appointed to a four year term as a nonvoting member of the Joint Economic & Community Development Board.

All current members of the Standing Solid Waste Committee were reappointed to additional terms.

When appointments to the statutory Solid Waste Committee came up, it was decided action could not be taken until committee members were able to contact & consult with city officials in Cookeville, Algood, & Baxster.

A decision was made to increase the number of County Commissioners who serve on the Finance Committee from 3 to 4, adding membership of any currently appointed  County Commission Chairman.

The County Executive, Supervisor of Roads, & Supervisor of Schools fill the other 3 positions on the Finance Committee.

Finally, McCanless, Chaffin, & Randolf were elected to serve on the Facilities Committee.

 

Related Coverage:
"Steidl In - Boman Out"  http://www.ucdailynews.com/home/video/43631532.html
"Election Commission Lawyers Ups" http://www.ucdailynews.com/news/local/51814797.html
"Steidl Challenges County Commission; Jones Counters" http://www.ucdailynews.com/news/local/53576142.html