Church representative addresses South Fulton Commission regarding displacement during bridge work

South Fulton resident and member of the Jacksonville Freewill Baptist Church, Felicia Lightner, addressed members of the South Fulton City Commission Sept. 20, with a request for an update on the status of repairs to the bridge on College Street, adjacent to the church property.

“We have been displaced since April, “ Lightner began, citing church members and guests experiencing hardships as to parking.

“Most all of the parking has been taken up with the equipment that is being used on working on the bridge. Water is pooling around the area of the church entrance...it has been beyond a hardship,” she said.

City Manager Jeff Gabbert explained to Lightner, as well as to Mayor David Lamb, and Commissioners Billy Williams, Tommy Pruitt, Beatrice Wilcox and Terry Taylor that when the state began work on the bridge, the discovery was made that a manhole was located there.

When cost estimates determined to move the manhole would exceed the cost for the bridge repair/rebuild, a decision was made to work around the present location of the manhole, which meant the entire plan should be re-engineered. He reported however that work was back on track, with footers secured that week.

“Could we ask them to park their equipment somewhere else...other than where the church members should be able to park?” Commissioner Williams asked.

Gabbert said he would be in contact with the contractors and make that request.

On a vote of four to one, $46,000 was approved to be transferred from the city’s general fund, into an account for the benefit of the South Fulton Fire Department, consisting of money derived from the Rural Fire subscriptions collected. Gabbert said he had consulted with MTAS as well as the state comptroller’s office to gather opinions on the transfer, in an effort to designate the funds collected, and treat the designation much the same as the South Fulton Police Department’s Drug Fund. That fund is comprised of money generated through the sale of items seized in drug related cases.

Gabbert said through proposed ordinance, #2018-04, the fund could be created for the fire department using the rural fire subscription money. Commissioner Billy Williams voted against the proposal, citing the difference in dollar amounts between the drug fund total and the $46,000 from rural fire subscriptions, with Commissioners Wilcox, Pruitt and Taylor voting in favor of the realignment of the fund.

During the portion of the regular session’s agenda designated for the Mayor’s communication, Mayor Lamb commended South Fulton Police Captain Rusty Singleton, for his leadership in the SFPD, during the absence of Chief Andy Crocker, who has recently undergone surgery.

Mayor Lamb also praised the efforts of the SFPD and the Public Works Department, as well as Parks Director David McDaniel, for their help with crowd control, street closures and clean up before, during and after the recent Banana Festival. Lamb said McDaniel had overseen inmates from the Obion County jail, who assisted in the clean up on Sunday morning, following the conclusion of the festival on Saturday night.

Mayor Lamb introduced recently appointed Director of Schools for Obion County, Dr. Leah Watkins, present for the meeting who thanked the city, police and fire departments for partnering with the school system, and specifically with South Fulton schools.

Addy Rushing was introduced as the newest officer to now serve South Fulton in the police department.

As to the city’s finances, Gabbert reported $4.8 million “in the bank” with August 2018 financials close to those recorded in August 2017.

With the lack of industry within the city, and a reliance upon sales and property tax and utilities, Gabbert proposed discussion regarding the formation of an investment policy for the city, to options available to pursue for the city’s investments.

He stated Simmons Bank had agreed to increase the rate of interest for city funds held at the bank, from .70 to .90%, which would automatically add $9,600 in revenue to the city’s annual income.

Gabbert suggested the formation of an investment team, comprised of an individual with expertise in the investment field, as well as representation from the city commission. He said he would consult with the state comptroller to research options which may be utilized by the city for investment, with a low degree of risk involved, such as Treasury Bills.

The commission approved and authorized Gabbert to pursue investment policy options for the city.

Tim Joyce with TCRS, Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, addressed the officials, following his meetings with city employees to gage interest in the retirement system. He said at one time the city had participated in TCRS, however had opted out. He said the city could choose to once again utilize TCRS, however the option to opt out would no longer be available, for a second time. He said employees would be able to contribute 5% of their pay, with the city to contribute 1.1%, and employees would be vested following five years of contributions from their payroll.

Code Enforcement Officer Nicole Berner reported following action taken at the most recent regional planning commission meeting, letters are being sent to property owners in violation of city ordinances regarding buildings, vehicles and yards.

Gabbert updated the commissioners and mayor about the city’s 2017 audit, scheduled to be ready Sept. 26, which would account for two audits and two budgets completed by the city within one year.

He said he had received notification from the Comptrollers Wastewater Division regarding a request for completion of a detailed financial questionnaire, as the result, according to the division of wastewater, of previous water funds indicating a deficit, not balanced. Gabbert said he had researched as far back as 2015 and had yet to identify any instances of deficits in the fund, but he would be in contact with the division and ask for more specific information as to what they referenced.