Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Coffee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
41 issues in public safety
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.
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.
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.
Animal Control Operations
The committee reviewed operational reports from the animal control department.
Rural Fire Services
The committee discussed rural fire protection status, reports, and community safety needs.
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.
County Commission Procedural Rules Update
The county adopted a new public comment policy that stops speakers from donating their speaking time to others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New Motorcycle Patrol Units Deployment
The Sheriff's Office has deployed new motorcycle patrol units to target speeding on county roads and assist with school zones and funeral processions.
Removal of Flock Automated License Plate Reader Cameras
Sheriff Partin removed the county's Flock automated license plate reader cameras due to a lack of transparency from the corporation regarding data privacy and potential monetization of captured information. Although acknowledging the technology's effectiveness in solving crimes, the sheriff suspended the account and removed the devices to protect citizen privacy.
Opioid Abatement Fund Disbursal and Grant Oversight
The committee discussed how to distribute opioid settlement funds to local recovery organizations while ensuring proper tracking and accountability. They set up a monthly reimbursement system and mandatory quarterly reporting to make sure funds are used effectively.
Funding for 180 Degrees Ministries Recovery Program
The committee evaluated and approved scholarship funding for local residents to participate in a 12-week faith-based addiction recovery program run by 180 Degrees Ministries.
Jail Population and Operations Update
Sheriff Partin provided an update on the Coffee County Jail, confirming a manageable population of 320 inmates and noting that the facility's air conditioning system is currently operating properly after maintenance during the recent heat wave.
Meeting Schedule Adjustment
The board voted to permanently move its meeting times to the second Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. to avoid room conflicts.
County Facility Openings and Ribbon Cuttings
Three new buildings are now part of Coffee County: the Health Department, the TCAT facility, and the Animal Control building. These expand public services available to residents.
Fire department ISO inspections and grant funding
Rural fire departments are preparing for ISO inspections that grade training, equipment, and facilities. The Rescue Squad got a $90,000 state grant, with more funding for Hickerson Station and Summitville.
State Rural Ambulance Grant and Procurement Challenges
Director Michael Bonner updated the authority on bidding for a new ambulance box and truck, while noting that staffing levels have improved and all five trucks are regularly staffed.
Director Succession Planning
Chief Michael Bonner is retiring after 13 years leading Coffee County EMS, prompting the authority to appoint Paul Tibbs as interim director and update job prerequisites for his replacement.
Manchester Fire Department MOU
Manchester Fire wants to be dispatched simultaneously with the ambulance authority on medical calls. The authority is reviewing the required state paperwork and plans to sign an MOU next month.
Sheriff's Office Budget and Staffing
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.
Rural Fire Department Operations and Smoke Detector Program
Summitville Volunteer Fire Department reported 54 total runs year-to-date and highlighted the ongoing free smoke detector installation program funded by the state.
Animal Shelter Relocation and Vehicle Branding
Coffee County's animal control department is about 75% moved into its new shelter facility and is working on finalizing a new vehicle logo design for an upcoming truck.
Yearly Reappointment of Judicial Commissioners
The committee discussed legal constraints on judicial commissioner supervision and advanced a resolution to require annual appointments. Because historical records lacked written term limits, adopting an annual schedule from September 1 to August 31 aims to establish formal oversight while complying with state law.
New Justice Center Location and Planning
County officials discussed potential sites and design options for a new justice center, including evaluating unused county-owned land in front of the existing jail.
Probation Department Caseload and Rehabilitation Services
Probation Director Linda Baker reviewed quarterly data showing an average client base of 748 individuals, active DUI caseloads, and numerous completed rehabilitation and employment programs. The department recently achieved full staffing and hosted a successful job and education fair for clients.
Sheriff's Department Surplus Property Declaration
The county declared 18 vehicles and 81 firearms from the Sheriff's Department as surplus so they can be disposed of or sold. These items include old military assets, vehicle seizures, and confiscated or abandoned weapons.
County Facility and Infrastructure Updates
County leaders shared progress on several major capital projects, including near-completion work on the TCAT facility, animal control center, and a new health department building that will feature full-time primary care doctors for underinsured residents.
Speed Limits and Traffic Safety on Blanton's Chapel Road
Commissioners discussed residents' requests for speed limit signs and monitoring on Blanton's Chapel Road, noting the legal distinction between statutory state speed limits and recommended yellow advisory signs.
First Responder Protection Legislation (Halo Law)
Commissioner Todd Malone proposed that the county endorse state legislation similar to Florida's Halo Law, establishing a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders during active calls. The committee referred the proposal to the county attorney for review.
Ambulance Service Budget Adjustments
Director Michael Bonner requested budget increases for fuel, vehicle maintenance due to an aging fleet, and medical overtime as staffing levels improve. The board also recommended increasing the communications equipment line item to $9,000 before approving the budget submission.
Lakewood Park Response Times and Road Conditions
Ambulance crews experience delayed response times in Lakewood Park due to rough, unmaintained private roads and gated access. Navigating the potholes requires driving very slowly to avoid damaging emergency vehicles.
Winter Storm Response and Salt Supply
The highway department managed recent snow and ice with 75 tons of salt and 113 hours of overtime, but county salt supplies are currently depleted due to regional supplier shortages.