Obion Commission honors longtime member, addresses court costs airport project

The Obion County Commission recognized longtime Ward 1 Commissioner Ralph Puckett’s six decades of public service Mon., Aug. 17 as the commission met in the Obion County Mayor’s Office meeting room in Union City, Tenn.

Puckett, who has served on the commission for 60 years and as chairman for approximately 30 years, announced that he would be leaving the commission as one of three Ward 1 representatives following the current election cycle. Ward 1 includes the city of South Fulton and surrounding areas of ObionCounty. 

Before the regular business of the meeting began, Puckett reflected on his years of service.

“I’ve enjoyed my 60 years on this commission,” Puckett said. “I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s a good group of people to work with. Y’all have done a good job for the county, and the county’s in good shape.”

Puckett’s service was recognized throughout the meeting, with commissioners, county officials and others speaking about his contributions to Obion County.

First, Commissioner Kenneth Barnes was given the floor by County Mayor Steve Carr. Barnes talked on th impressive tenure of Puckett and proposed naming the commission room as “The Ralph Puckett Commission Room,” which passed with a unanimous,  18-0 vote in favor.

It was noted that Puckett had been recognized by statewide organizations as the longest-serving county commissioner in Tennessee. Puckett has received recognition from the Tennessee County Commissioners Association and other organizations for his tenure.

A plaque recognizing Puckett was presented and placed on the wall in the commission meeting room by County Mayor Steve Carr.

Commissioners also shared stories about Puckett, including anecdotes from his years in public service and his involvement with the county.

Commissioner Terry Roberts said Puckett had helped him when he first began serving and praised his commitment to the county.

“I try to do what’s best for Obion County,” Puckett said. “I try to do what’s best the whole time.”

Commissioner Kenny Mayo, also a representative of Ward 1, praised Puckett’s reputation among county officials across Tennessee.

“I appreciate all that he’s done for this county, this community,” Mayo said. “Y’all just have no idea, going to these conferences, the respect this man has.”

Mayo said Puckett’s name is widely recognized at statewide meetings and that his reputation has reflected positively on Obion County.

“It’s a blessing and it’s a privilege to go to these meetings and see the respect that this man has,” Mayo said.

Another speaker noted that several longtime officials are leaving the commission and said the county is losing a significant amount of institutional experience.

The commission also recognized the service of other longtime county officials, Allen Nohsey and Steve Goodrich and, with it being estimating that three departing individuals represented approximately 140 years of combined service.

Following the opening, prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the commission considered the minutes of the July 20 meeting.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The commission approved them.

District Attorney Colin Johnson presented the commission with a resolution authorizing a $12.50 charge on misdemeanor and felony cases.

Johnson explained that the proposed charge is connected to a change in state law and would replace an existing economic crime fund charge.

He said the previous economic crime assessment was established by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1984 and originally involved a $7.50 assessment on financial crimes.

That money was used to help fund costs associated with the criminal justice system, including expert witnesses, consultation fees, victim and witness expenses, office security measures, public education materials, court technology and training.

Johnson said the Legislature has now established a $12.50 assessment that applies more broadly to criminal cases.

The charge would be collected by the court clerk and distributed among the appropriate funds.

Johnson asked commissioners to approve the local resolution authorizing the charge in Obion County.

He said the law also provides for accountability concerning how the money is spent, including an annual accounting.

Johnson said the new system would provide funding for expenses that go beyond regular compensation and operating costs.

“I would appreciate it if y’all would approve that,” Johnson told commissioners.

The commission approved the resolution.

The commission next considered the recording of public officials’ surety bonds.

The bonds presented included those for: Sheriff Karl Jackson; Mayor Steve Carr; County Clerk Crystal Crain; Trustee Tracey Westbrooks; Register of Deeds Cheryl Reddin; Chancery Court Clerk Emily Hall; Circuit Court Clerk Denise Taylor; and Budget Chairman Sam Sinclair.

Commissioners were told the process is conducted on a 10-year cycle and that the list of offices and required surety bonds was included in the meeting packet.

No major concerns were raised, and the commission proceeded with approval.

Budget Chairman Sam Sinclair was absent from Monday’s meeting so Commissioner James Gray presented the annual cash flow statements in his place. 

The statements cover the end of the fiscal year and include financial information for the county’s major funds, including the general fund, debt-related funds, solid waste, highway and general-purpose school fund.

Gray explained that the statements are prepared annually.

However, commissioners had not received the information in sufficient time before the meeting to review it.

The commission voted to table the item until a future meeting.

Gray  also was scheduled to discuss the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport hangar project.

Commissioners said they had not received the necessary information on the project before the meeting.

The item was therefore tabled for consideration at a later meeting.

The commission considered appointments of judicial commissioners for four-year terms.

The nominees were presented as recommendations from Judge Jimmy Smith.

Those discussed included Jack Forrest, Tack Simmons, Harry Johnson, Denise Taylor and Melvin Dowell.

The commission proceeded with the judicial commissioner election, with the nominations presented for consideration

The agenda also included approval of notaries, which included Ben Ferguson, Sadie Fennell, Jana Fluty, Terry Martin, Amy Petty,, Linda Rouse and John L. Warner, Jr.

With Highway Superintendent Kevin Dunn absent, commissioners discussed road work and a petition from residents of the Mooreview subdivision.

Gray said the petition was submitted by several residents of the subdivision, located along Cardinal Drive and Robin Drive.

The residents were seeking paving involving those roads, which they said have not been paved over the past two years, as promised.

The petition was placed into the record for consideration by the highway department.

Gray said the matter had been discussed at the previous meeting and that residents were seeking assistance with the issue.

Commissioner Danny Jowers also discussed the need for the highway department to have sufficient personnel and equipment to complete road work efficiently.

“If we’re going to expect them to pave, we’re going to have to help,” Jowers said in discussing the department’s resources.

The commission praised the highway department’s paving work.

Paving was underway in District 3 and District 5, with additional work planned in District 3. District 1 also was discussed, with commissioners noting that work had been included on the spring schedule.

The commissioner said the highway department had responded to concerns discussed during the previous meeting.

“I just wanted to bring that up,” Jowers said. “We discussed it last time. They did get on it, and I appreciate the highway information.”

County Attorney Steve Conley reported that no new lawsuits had been filed against the county but said county officials had been notified of a potentially serious claim involving property formerly used by the county highway department.

Conley said the property is now associated with Town and County Country Cleaners.

The county owned the property for decades and operated its highway department there before eventually selling it.

According to Conley, a title company involved in a later transaction required a soil test. The testing identified possible contamination.

The current owner is alleging that the contamination could be related to the county’s use of the property during the 1980s.

Conley said the property was sold in 1980 and has since changed ownership three times, with the transfers made by warranty deed.

He emphasized that the potential claim remains an allegation and that the county’s investigation is still in its early stages.

“We’ve also turned the matter over for investigation to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation,” Conley said.

He said the state agency has its own experts and plans to conduct additional soil testing.

Conley said the county and Mayor Carr have notified the county’s insurance company, which will assign defense counsel to handle the matter.

He also said there may be state funds available for cleanup or remediation if contamination is confirmed.

Carr provided additional context, saying the county had owned the property for at least 40 years before selling it and had used it for the highway department.

Carr said the county’s use of the property was for a legitimate governmental purpose and that the situation represents an unfortunate complication arising after the property was sold.

Carr also updated commissioners on transportation projects in the county.

He discussed ongoing improvements involving state routes and intersections, including State Route 184 and other state highway projects.

Carr said the Tennessee Department of Transportation is continuing work on the projects and will eventually assume maintenance responsibilities for portions of the roadway involved.

He said one project involves the intersection and work near Church Street.

Carr also referenced other smaller projects that may not be completed during the current year.

He said county officials continue to monitor the projects and communicate with state transportation officials.

Carr addressed the schedule and location of upcoming commission meetings.

The commission had previously discussed holding its September meeting at the library. However, Carr said the September meeting will instead be held in the county meeting room because it will be the first meeting of the new election cycle and will include a new commissioner.

He said holding the meeting at the regular location will allow officials to handle the organizational matters associated with the new commission.

The commission plans to meet at the library in October.

The meeting concluded with no additional business brought before the commission.

The commission adjourned after completing the scheduled agenda.