By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–With two commissioners voting no, the Henry County Commission Monday evening approved an agreement with TLM Associates to design the new county office facility planned for Hwy. 79S in Paris.
The plan was discussed at length at the building and grounds committee, which voted earlier this month to recommend TLM for the project. At the April 9 building and grounds meeting, Jerry Hartsfield of TLM said they met with county officials to learn the space needs for each office that would be moving into the new building. He said his firm will be completing the preliminary design, schematic design, construction documents and put the project out to bid. Cost will be some $396,000.
Commissioner David Flowers said the feedback from residents he has received is ‘overwhelmingly in favor’ of refurbishing the TRC building and health department building for county office space. “And that’s the way I will vote”, he said.
Commissioner Ralph Wiles agreed, saying, “So, we’re giving them a truck load of money to design something? We ain’t decided nothing yet.”
The plan has been discussed at length at the Building and Grounds Committee meetings, Chair Marty Visser said, with which Commissioner David Hayes agreed. “They’ve looked at this thing every way possible to see what is best and this is what we think is the best way to do it.”
Commissioner Gatlin Primrose said, “We’re going to spend the same amount of money and get a brand new building out of it.”
Voting no on the resolution were Flowers and Wiles.
In other business:
–After a presentation from Sheriff Josh Frey, the commission approved a memorandum of understanding between the Heritage health Solutions Inc. and Henry County to assist with medical claims administrative management for inmates housed in the county jail.
Frey explained that the county received a discount from the former Henry County Medical Center, which isn’t the case with West Tennessee Health Care. He said medical costs are driving up with the West Tennessee Henry County Hospital and he has been reaching out to other counties to see what they are doing.
He said partnering with Heritage Health Solutions would be the best plan, noting county medical costs for inmates would decrease from $200,000 a year to $80,000 a year. And the inmates are getting the same medical care.
–With three commissioners voting no, the commission approved a resolution to enact a mineral severance tax to benefit the county road fund.
County Highway Supervisor Richie Chilcutt continued a report he presented at the March meeting, noting Henry County is eligible to receive a severance tax on minerals drawn from the ground from local companies. The commission had tabled a decision on it at the March meeting.
Chilcutt said the tax is administered by the state which authorizes counties to levy a tax on the severance from the earth of sand, gravel, sandstone, chert and limestone. “This is a tax strictly for companies that mine it,” he said.
Clay would be separate and State Rep. Tandy Darby said he would work on that for the county.
“This doesn’t affect agriculture,” Chilcutt said, noting there are only 3 companies that would be affected in Henry County. “We would generate $100,000 to $150,000 a year for the highway department and that would increase later. It’s a good way to generate income for Henry County.”
Voting no were David Hayes, Marty Visser and David Webb.
–The commission approved first reading of the list of appropriations to non-profit or civic organizations, which total $94,450. Second reading will be at the May meeting.
Photo: Highway Superintendent Richie Chilcutt presents information on a severance tax on minerals. Shannon McFarlin photo.