Through the use of video conferencing, Carroll County commissioners passed the 13 resolutions on the agenda and selected a commissioner for the vacant District 5 position. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need for social distancing, the Carroll County Legislative Body held its first ever video conference meeting on Monday night.
Barry Mac Murphy of Huntingdon will join the other 20 commissioners as a member of the County Legislative Body after being elected in a 17 to 3 vote over Michael Tate of Huntingdon.
Commissioner Vince Taylor nominated Murphy with commissioner Darrell Ridgely seconding the nomination. Commissioner Bobby Argo nominated Tate with commissioner John Mann seconding the nomination. Commissioner Willie Huffman joined Argo and Mann in voting for Tate. The remainder of the commissioners voted for Murphy.
In nominating Murphy, Taylor said Murphy was a good friend and a 1969 graduate of Huntingdon High School. In addition, Murphy worked for the state of Tennessee for 40 years.
All of the resolutions passed unanimously except Resolution 13 which concerned amending the Carroll County Highway budget by $74,170. The vote was 14-6. That amount will have to be transferred from the 2019-2020 budget into various expenditure accounts with the largest expense being $47,770 for pipe metal. Other expenditures included: $217 for accounting/bookkeeping, $308 for advertising, $1,500 for communication, $394 for data processing services, $680 for tuition, $200 for custodial supplies, $500 for electricity, $2,730 for data processing equipment, $9,150 for engineering services, $47,770 for pipe metal, $3,000 for uniforms, $1,000 for mechanics, $2,500 for garage supplies, $2,000 for small tools, $1,000 for other charges, and $1,221 for interest on notes.
Commissioners John Austin and Paula Watkins complained about the large expenditure.
“I can’t see it coming from the fund balance,” said Watkins.
County Mayor Joseph Butler informed commissioners that the county had received an $826,677 matching grant through TEC to expand Broadband for 27 miles in the Buena Vista and McLemoresville areas of the county.
Monthly reports were approved with Don L. Cook, Gina King, and Elizabeth Yohman elected as notaries.
Before adjournment, Commissioner Mann noted last year’s budget showed a deficit.
“We need a balanced budget this year,” said Mann.
“I agreed,” said the county mayor. “We will work to make sure that happens.
Commissioner Watkins suggested a budget workshop with all the commissioners before the budget is adopted.
•
Commissioners passed the remaining 12 resolutions during the meeting including:
•A resolution to amend a Carroll County Health Department salary line item by $1,163.70 in the current fiscal year budget to account for a one-time bonus.
•A resolution to amend the current fiscal year budget by $25,394 to account for a USDA West TN Adult Education Grant received by the county.
•A resolution to amend the Prevent Coalition Budget for the current fiscal year by $2,000 to account for a state grant.
•A resolution to amend salary line items in the County Airports Budget for the current fiscal year by $15,500 due to the fact that the new director has not yet been hired.
•A resolution to transfer $5,972 from one line item to another in the County Library Budget to account for various expenditures.
•A resolution to amend the County Mayor’s Budget by $1,303.50 for the current fiscal year to account for a salary supplement received by the State Comptrollers Office for completion of the CCFO program.
•A resolution to transfer $560 from the Insurance Recovery Account to the Liability Claims Account due to insurance reimbursement for damage to a Sheriff’s Department vehicle.
•A resolution to amend line items in the District Attorney Office Account by $3,148.20 in the current fiscal year budget to account for state reimburse for travel expenses.
•A resolution to amend the Civic Center/Parks and Fair Board Budget for the current fiscal year to account for $2,630.74 in miscellaneous refunds, $429.51 for water/sewer, $685.96 for custodial supplies, $1,455.27 for electricity, and $2,630.74 for natural gas.
•A resolution to amend the current fiscal year budget by $4,376 to cover an increase in worker’s compensation insurance.
•A resolution to amend the General Purpose School Fund Budget for the current fiscal year to account for $139,200 in transportation equipment expenses, $5,000 for other salaries and wages, and $97,800 for state education funds received.
•A resolution to amend the current fiscal year budget to transfer $25,700 for the purchase of additional equipment for the Highway Department.
