By ZOË HAGGARD - zhaggard@t-g.com
Bedford County Financial Management Committee met Tuesday to discuss new hirings and a resolution for the Trustee’s office to potentially hire a collection agency.
Human Resource Director Shanna Boyette reported that several positions had been filled—accounts payable clerk, payroll clerk, all three juvenile detention officers, Juvenile Court’s youth service officer, IT help analyst, three sheriff deputies, front desk receptionist for building and codes as well as several other positions around the county.
Emergency Medical Services also reported that two employees recently graduated paramedic school. They have also hired two more paramedics, which is the first applications they’ve had in 2 years, according to the report.
“So, we’re fully staffed, as of mid-September . . . a direct result of the pay [increase,]” said EMS Director Ted Cox.
“Again, we’re seeing some of the benefits of the tough decisions we’ve had to make,” said Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham. “There will still be rocky days ahead, so don’t let your guard down.”
‘Cleaning up’ courts
Trustee Tonya Davis brought a resolution to the committee for the trustee department to retain an agent to collect payment of delinquent tangible personal property in accordance with the recently passed Tennessee House Bill No. 358.
This would “provide adequate safeguards for the taxpayers and the county,” according to the resolution.
“Basically, this is an additional tool for the trustee’s office to try to clean up because this has filled the courts for years and the courts are overburdened at this point,” said Davis. For example, $1 going to the court will cost that taxpayer $194 plus 10% for the delinquent attorney, according to Davis.
With the agency, if they go to the collection’s office, a fee like $200 at 20%, would be $40 and $50 for 25%. For $300, it would be $60 and $75. With this, a partial payment could then be made instead of in-full, according to Davis.
“I’ve followed this for 10 years, and we keep hitting 6% more, 6% more, and what we’re doing is filling the court,” said Davis. “I feel like this is a proactive approach to this.”
Davis added that there will be no additional fee or liability to the county. This will also help the clerk and master’s office collect real property.
The committee voted to send this resolution over to the full Board of Commissioners.
New school
Bedford County Schools Superintendent Tammy Garrett said they will have a final estimate on the cost of the new Cartwright Elementary School in January. If the cost is within budget, the groundbreaking should be in February. The project should take around 18 months to complete, she advised the committee.
Garrett said the school system added about 250 students this school year. “So, we really have to think about what we’re doing going forward because we’re very concerned if this doesn’t come in budget, we’re going to be in serious trouble.”
The mayor said there could potentially be around 500 people coming into Bedford per year, which would be a strain on additional resources. “If they don’t slow down, then we absolutely have to have those resources in education and in all the other public safety and emergency areas. We’re up against it.”
