| Commission appoints court clerk
Standridge received three votes, while Glasgow got
one. The only name not nominated was Judy Hines. Lisa Bridges, who
considered the position during the Nov. 19 workshop, withdrew.
Harrelson said he would be sworn in Tuesday morning
before taking office.
“I was happy to see the commission in the first round
show the confidence in myself as a person that could come in and
lead this department,” Harrelson said. “As I mentioned in the
meeting a few minutes ago, we’ve got a great team already organized.
The girls do a phenomenal job and the years of experience combined
that we have there is great. That’s something I’ll rely on too, the
girls’ experience that they do have. It’s going to be a good working
relationship.”
Niles resigned last month to take over for Fred
Chaney as clerk and master, who retired effective Nov. 30.
“Steve has a lot of experience, managerial, and I
think that that was a big part of the job,” Matthew Tinker,
commissioner, said. “Not just taking care of the paperwork but
managing the people there.”
Tinker nominated Harrelson.
Julia Hurley, commissioner, nominated Bright, but
ultimately chose Harrelson for the same reason as Tinker.
“I favored all the candidates,” Hurley said. “I
think they all have really great qualifications. I think there’s
quite a few that served for a very long time. During the process
of everybody being asked what did they feel like this job is,
every description that was written down as a managerial
description.
“… That’s a managerial job and Steve stood up and
said, ‘I’ve managed an entire plethora of city employees for the
last 30 years’,” she added. “He has managerial experience, he
has leadership experience, he has county-wide election
experience.”
Gary Whitfield, commissioner, voted in favor of
Standridge, but still feels Harrelson will do well.
“I would have liked to have seen someone with
27 or 20 years experience to take over that job, but I do
believe the ladies there will work very well with Steve and
I think Steve will work very well with those ladies and that
office will continue to improve,” Whitfield said.
Glasgow and Standridge have 27 years and 20
years of experience, respectively.
Harrelson has worked in the Lenoir City Parks
and Recreation Department for 31 years. He also served on
county commission from 2010-2018. Harrelson planned to speak
with Tony Aikens, Lenoir City mayor, and other city
officials Tuesday about leaving the city and the future of
parks and recreation.
“It’ll be a change getting in the car and
going to a different place of employment after 31 years,”
Harrelson said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I think
it’s going to be a rewarding change. My background, of
course, the last 31 years and just my overall personality is
public service. I like to deal with the public and helping
the public and trying to make our community a better place
to live. I think I can carry that on into this job and
hopefully serve the people of Loudon County in a different
capacity.”
Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw, county mayor, in
a previous interview said the appointee would run in
2020 and then again in 2022 to get back in regular
cycle.
“Mr. Harrelson’s going to hit the ground
running and he’s got a stout task ahead of him,”
Bradshaw said.
Commissioners also officially accepted
Niles’ resignation, with commissioners Van Shaver and
Hurley motioning and seconding, respectively.
“I would like to thank her for her
service in Loudon County and wish her the best of luck
on her next endeavor,” Hurley said during the meeting.
In a follow-up interview, Aikens said he will evaluate what comes next following Harrelson’s departure.
“I’m going to have Amber (Scott, city
administrator) to talk to city council people one on
one where it doesn’t violate the Sunshine law and,
obviously, may discuss it in purchasing and/or
personnel,” Aikens said Tuesday morning.
In other news, Loudon County
Commission:
• Approved government holidays and
meeting dates for 2019, along with board and
committee term updates for the Loudon County Chamber
of Commerce, Loudon County Visitors Bureau and
Loudon County Library.
• Rezoned 9.9 acres at 4860 Beals
Chapel Road in Lenoir City from R-1 (Suburban
Residential District) to R-1 (Suburban Residential
District) with planned unit development overlay.
• Passed a resolution adopting a
procedure that could eventually lead to the closure
of Notch-In-Hill Road.
• Accepted donations of $100 to
Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps and
$4,000 to Loudon County Dive Rescue Team.
• Passed application and
acceptance for a $39,500 Emergency Management
Performance Grant with no matching funds, along
with a $13,000 Homeland Security Grant with no
matching funds.
• Approved a wage adjustment for
a Loudon County Senior Center employee. The
adjustment brings a 14-year employee to the
amount of what a four-year employee is making
who have similar responsibilities. The
difference between the two wages is $1.34 per
hour.
• Agreed to hire a replacement
for a retiring employee at Loudon County Senior
Center.
• Authorized appropriation of
restricted funds (reserves) and a line
adjustment to renovate office space at sessions
court. The amendment does not impact the fund
balance. Funds are $11,000 already budgeted and
an additional $15,000 from reserves.
Commissioners agreed it was contingent upon a
recommendation by newly appointed clerk
Harrelson.
• Passed amendments in County
General Fund 101, Public Library Fund 115,
Recycling Centers Fund 116, General Purpose
School Fund 141, School Federal Projects
Fund 142, General Debt Service Fund 151,
General Capital Projects Fund 171 and
Education Capital Projects Fund 177.
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12/10/18