SHELBYVILLE. Three Bedford County Commission standing committees met back to back Tuesday evening, Oct. 20, starting at 5 p.m. The county streamed all three on its YouTube channel.

Rules and Legislative

The committee placed the Sept. 15 special-called and Oct. 13 regular commission minutes, plus the notary applicants, on the Nov. 10 commission agenda.

On the senior property tax freeze, several commissioners said much of the research was already done in earlier study sessions and that new commissioners have been sent the past paperwork and meeting videos. Members said the program would need commission approval by December for applicants to file in the coming year. The committee voted to hold a study session at 5 p.m. Nov. 10, before the full commission meeting, so the item can go to the December commission agenda.

Commissioners also called a special session on the commission's rules and bylaws for 5 p.m. Oct. 27, following the finance committee. Members said some state law changes mean the bylaws need updating by November. Suggested changes are due to the mayor's office by Oct. 23.

A proposed resolution setting a policy on nondisclosure agreements was withdrawn after the committee was told the county lacks statutory authority over that area. A proposal to let the Agricultural Center board seat at-large members when a district seat can't be filled will be taken up in the bylaws session.

The veterans service office gave its monthly report. The office also said the dedication renaming Holland Street as Vietnam Veterans Way has moved from Nov. 7 on the square to Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at the VFW building.

The community clinic and Meharry Medical College's School of Dentistry also thanked the county for supporting the clinic's dental program. Staff said the program has served close to 400 patients with nearly 4,000 treatments, and sees children free of charge.

Public Safety

The sheriff's office presented a new, more detailed monthly report. The jail held about 350 inmates at the end of September, with the average daily population now closer to 300. The report also highlighted a new jail library of about 1,500 donated books and a program, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, that records inmates reading a book that is then sent to their child along with the book. The sheriff said the office is part of a new 13-county Southern Middle reentry coalition focused on job training. Fuel and food costs are running over budget about a quarter of the way into the year, he said.

The sheriff's office will hold its trunk-or-treat Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The committee watched drone video of school drop-off traffic backing up at the Cascade schools on Fairfield Pike. Members described the backups as a public safety concern for buses and emergency vehicles, and voted to form a subcommittee to study a possible new access road, costs and state safety grants.

Courthouse and Property

The committee elected officers and received department reports. The county mayor said fiber for the new 911 center is scheduled to be installed around Nov. 9 and 10, with the building furnished and nearly ready.

The county mayor asked the committee to name the emergency management building at 1618 Railroad Ave. the Lt. Col. Scott Johnson Emergency Operations Center, honoring the former EMA director. The committee voted to recommend it to the full commission.

The chair of the decentralized wastewater committee presented that group's year of work, which has been turned into a technical manual. He said the manual will go to commissioners and then to the planning commission.

Leadership Bedford's Class of 2027 presented a plan to turn the old sheriff's office lot near the square into a green space called Leadership Park, with a tribute to the late Mayor Eugene Ray. Class leaders said they plan to raise money through donations, sponsorships and the auction of a house built with donated labor and materials, and hope to hold a nonprofit event there by April 1. The mayor noted the county already set aside $55,000 last year to tear down the old building. Members asked for more parking in the final design. The committee sent the project to the full commission for consideration.

The full commission meets Nov. 10.

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