Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Coffee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Library Roof Replacement Project
The committee will discuss and choose a contractor to replace the Tullahoma Library's roof. It's a capital improvement that protects the library building and its collection.
Old Health Department Surplus Property Management
The county is looking at real property it no longer needs, including the Conference Center it owns jointly. Any future sale or disposal could change what facilities are available and what revenue the county takes in. This first review is just the starting point — decisions would come later.
Old Courthouse ADA Restroom Renovations and Grounds Maintenance
A report on the Christmas lighting display on the Courthouse Square is planned, a seasonal tradition for the community.
Animal Shelter and Health Department Construction Updates
An update on the animal shelter is on the agenda. The status of this county facility project matters for animal welfare and county operations.
Selection of new Ambulance Authority Director
The ambulance service needs a new Director, and this special meeting is set up to nominate one. The choice will shape leadership of emergency medical transport for the whole county.
Library Holiday Closures
Discussion on when the libraries are open. Any change would directly affect when residents can visit, check out materials, or use services.
Holiday garbage collection schedule
The board is set to consider the holiday schedule for solid waste collection. Any changes could shift pickup days around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, so residents will want to check for updates.
J.E. Sartain Road Review
The committee is set to discuss matters related to J.E. Sartain Road.
Updating Library Board Bylaws
The board will discuss revising its own bylaws, which govern how it operates and makes decisions.
Library Financial Transparency and Internal Controls
The board will discuss aligning the budgets of the county's libraries, which could change how funding is split between branches.
November 3, 2026 election preparation
Poll officials were appointed, voting hours set, the ballot approved, and ballot boxes locked and sealed — all the groundwork for the November election. Voters can plan around early voting hours at the election office and CD Stamps.
School Board and County Budget Amendments
The school system moved funds around for state grant compliance, allocated $500,000 for after-school and tutoring programs over the next few years, and covered textbook purchases. This ensures key educational programs and required materials remain fully funded.
County Paving and Shoulder Maintenance
Highway department crews are actively patching potholes, maintaining equipment, and planning paving projects for the upcoming season across Coffee County.
Justice Center Roof Repairs and Building Maintenance
The county reviewed bids from three contractors to replace the leaking Justice Center roof. Commissioners selected Tri-State Contractors as the lowest bidder and approved additional alternates to upgrade roof drains, ladders, and hatches.
J.E. Sartain Road water line
Residents along J.E. Sartain Road asked the county to help fund a six-inch water line and engineering study so they can get reliable city water instead of relying on failing springs and dry wells. Commissioners debated whether the county should pay for municipal-scale infrastructure and whether it sets a costly precedent for other rural areas.
Rural Fire Services
The committee discussed rural fire protection status, reports, and community safety needs.
Pickleball facility on Blanton Chapel Road
A landowner proposed building a 9,000-square-foot pickleball facility on agricultural land to provide recreational options while keeping the property in greenbelt. Neighbors spoke in support, highlighting community health and youth engagement.
House Moving Request on Normandy Road
A well-kept 24-by-64 brick house is being moved from Rutherford County to Normandy Road near the VA hospital to make way for a development there.
Rural Water Infrastructure
Commissioner Tim Morris led a discussion regarding rural water services and infrastructure needs in Coffee County.
Pickleball Facility Site Plan Review
The planning commission was scheduled to review a site plan for a new pickleball facility located on Blanton Chapel Road, which could expand recreational opportunities in the county.
Animal Control Operations
The committee reviewed operational reports from the animal control department.
Planning commissioner training and membership
The commission explained who serves on it and how members are trained, noting Commissioner Gonzales is eight weeks into a ten-week state Planning Commissioner Academy.
Industrial Board Operations and Economic Development
The county approved selling an 8.1-acre wetland parcel in the industrial park to R&R Holdings so they can build a roadway to their adjacent property. The land will not be used for construction.
Library Equipment Upgrade
The library is getting a brand new, attractive book display near the service desk to help showcase books to visitors.
Staff Holiday Pay Bonuses
The library board approved holiday bonuses for full-time and part-time staff to thank them for their hard work and dedication throughout a challenging year.
Sheriff's Department Fentanyl Detection Equipment
The committee addressed accountability for funds previously awarded to the Chase Away Fentanyl program after its director, Alan Vickers, passed away. Members discussed gathering records and noted that upcoming state audits will help verify past spending.
Public Defender Quarterly Program Review
The public defender's office reported on its opioid abatement-funded social worker program. During the quarter, social workers completed 147 client assessments and achieved an 88% treatment completion rate.
Employee Compensation and Termination Policies
The county is reviewing its sick leave policy to clarify what constitutes leave abuse and when doctor's notes are required. Staff and library representatives pointed out that referring to sick leave as a 'privilege' rather than a benefit is offensive to employees who rely on it.
County Commission Procedural Rules Update
The county adopted a new public comment policy that stops speakers from donating their speaking time to others.
Family Cemetery Special Exceptions
Applicants requested special exceptions to establish small family cemeteries on private properties. Discussions covered legal access easements, road frontage, and deed requirements.
Emergency Medical Services Staffing Levels
Interim EMA Director Wade Evans presented his first budget, requesting part-time pay adjustments to help recruit and retain staff and funding for a new emergency operations center radio.
St. Thomas STEMS Base of Operations Application
St. Thomas STEMS applied to open a local base in Coffee County to handle hospital transfers, helping relieve local transport burdens. The board approved their operations application and $500 fee.
Fraudulent Fee Scam Alert
County officials and applicants discussed a fraudulent email scam impersonating county staff and demanding high fees for cemetery permits. Officials advised reporting such incidents to the sheriff's office.
Ambulance Fleet Maintenance and Equipment Transfer
The authority approved donating a retired ambulance that was converted for command use to the Tullahoma Police Department for their SWAT team.
Family Land Divisions and Variance Requests
Family members requested relief from the 5-acre minimum requirement in an A-1 agricultural zone to split off a 3-acre homestead parcel. The board supported keeping the land in agricultural family hands without enforcing strict acreage minimums for the home site.
Tullahoma Tourism and Sports Complex Partnership
The committee approved $50,000 donations to both Tullahoma and Manchester to support youth sports complex expansions and field maintenance using restricted tourism funds.
Probation Supervision Fee Increase
The commission approved raising the monthly probation supervision fee to $50 despite concerns from some commissioners that probationers cannot afford it.
TDOT Highway 127 Bridge Replacement and Detours
TDOT projects will build two new bridges on Highway 127, closing a road segment entirely for about a year and increasing traffic on county roads.
Federal SS4A Grants and Local Match
Highway Superintendent Benton Bartlett reported securing over $500,000 in federal Safe Streets for All grant funding to conduct road, sign, and striping condition assessments across the county.
Animal Shelter Construction Deficiencies and Retainage
Construction on the new animal shelter is moving quickly, with road paving, canopy installation, and interior finishes nearing completion. Animal Control Director Craig Boyd reviewed appliance and shelving quotes totaling under $3,800, with plans to check for Home Depot community partnership grants first.
Political Campaign Sign Boundaries at Administration Plaza
The committee approved new rules limiting political campaign signs at the CCAP building to 30 days before an election and requiring removal within seven days after. The policy aims to address groundskeeping complaints and mowing difficulties caused by early placement and prolonged display.
Hickerson Elementary replacement and East Coffee additions
The school board is asking the county to fund a new Hickerson Elementary and additions at East Coffee, totaling about $68.845 million. Enrollment growth has already forced Hickerson to convert its staff workroom into a classroom, but committee members questioned the cost and raised concerns about future Tullahoma annexation.
Federal road safety grant match
The highway department won two federal grants totaling $530,000 to scan all 630-plus miles of county roads for safety data — pavement condition, signs, guardrails, culverts. The county needs a $106,000 local match, and the committee put off the decision until the full nine-member committee can vote.
Sheriff's vehicle capital outlay note
Sheriff Partin reported on jail population trends, noting a manageable count of 321 inmates, and announced that the county is ending its vehicle leasing program due to high interest rates in favor of direct purchases. The department is also preparing a senior outreach program and addressing community traffic concerns.
Probation Service Opioid Grant Allocation
Local organizations presented their funding requests to the Opioid Abatement Fund Committee to support addiction treatment, recovery housing, and legal social work. The committee is reviewing these proposals to decide how to allocate county opioid settlement funds effectively.
Library Back Garden Renovation
The library is undertaking urgent landscaping cleanup, including removing dead pine trees, clearing weeds, and taking out crepe myrtles and pavers in preparation for upcoming roof repairs.
Data Center Zoning Regulations & Safeguards
Coffee County is working to establish strict zoning rules for future data centers, addressing height limits, property setbacks, noise decibel levels, closed-loop water cooling, and emergency equipment funding. Officials want to ensure these facilities do not overburden local infrastructure or negatively impact neighbors.
Lannom Library Property Deed Verification
Renovations for the Tullahoma library faced a snag when local code officials claimed the property belonged to the city, but historical records from 1962 proved it was deeded to Coffee County. The city has acknowledged county ownership, allowing the bidding process to move forward.
Heavy Truck Traffic on Residential Roads
Commissioners discussed concerns about heavy commercial trucks and GPS routing causing damage to narrow rural roads like Asbury and Old Airport roads near new industrial facilities.
Coffee County Rescue Squad Facility and Operations
The rescue squad updated the committee on their newly rebuilt building after a fire, expanded drone and rehab operations, and new grant-funded extrication equipment. Officials praised their rapid response times and mutual aid assistance across the county.