Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Coffee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
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 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.
J.E. Sartain Road Review
The committee is set to discuss matters related to J.E. Sartain Road.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Animal Control Operations
The committee reviewed operational reports from the animal control department.
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.
Rural Water Infrastructure
Commissioner Tim Morris led a discussion regarding rural water services and infrastructure needs in Coffee County.
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.
County Commission Procedural Rules Update
The county adopted a new public comment policy that stops speakers from donating their speaking time to others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
C-1 Rural Center Zoning and Map Reconciliation
Planning officials addressed social media rumors, clarifying that the 5-acre minimum parcel size applies only to A-1 agricultural districts outside urban growth boundaries and that there is no countywide moratorium.
Post-election audit of August 6 election
The commission certified voting machines and write-in name spellings ahead of the August 6 election, and set the post-election audit process. These steps make sure ballots are counted accurately and results can be verified.
Manchester Station Parking Lot Repairs
The asphalt at the Manchester EMS station parking lot is severely degraded and breaking apart, posing a hazard for ambulances. Maintenance previously patched it with gravel, but a full replacement estimated around $90,000 may be needed.
Four-Way Stop Installation at City Industrial Park
To prevent wrecks near the new industrial park, the commission voted to turn the intersection of City Industrial Park Road and Old Airport Road into a four-way stop.
AEDC infrastructure funding and regional growth
Arnold Engineering Development Complex is receiving an additional billion dollars for infrastructure improvements, and UTSI is bringing in more research dollars — big regional economic drivers.
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.
Subdivision Process and Notification Concerns
Resident Sherry Etheridge raised concerns during public comment about past minor subdivision approvals and notification procedures. Commissioners and staff explained that public notifications are not required for minor subdivisions meeting existing zoning rules.
Open Records Lawsuit
Manchester is fighting public records requests, claiming they slow down city work. It's a big deal because it directly threatens your right to keep tabs on local government.
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.
Unaccepted County Road Maintenance and Access
The highway department is managing ongoing road maintenance, including a second round of roadside mowing and upcoming paving projects in Beechgrove, Tullahoma, and Hillsboro. Paving is temporarily delayed due to staff illness and equipment maintenance.
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.
Annexation request bordering Coffee County Joint Industrial Park
Property owner Allen Howard wants to annex land next to the Coffee County Joint Industrial Park into Tullahoma. It's already passed the Planning Commission and is zoned R1 residential. The board was told it's an early step in a long process, and that nearby housing already exists and is factored into industrial recruiting.
Commercial Rezoning at 39 Goose Pond Road
Neighbors pushed back against rezoning an agricultural parcel at 39 Goose Pond Road to commercial, worried about preserving their farming community's character and traffic. The applicant, a local family, explained they want to build an office for their roofing business and promised no heavy semi-truck traffic. The commission ultimately voted to approve the change.
Summer Reading Program Cancellation
The library's summer reading program has experienced unprecedented participation, straining facility capacity while serving hundreds of residents across all age groups.
Data Center Moratorium and Resource Protection
Residents and commissioners expressed deep concerns over water consumption, energy demands, and noise pollution from potential artificial intelligence data centers. The commission responded by passing a one-year moratorium to study zoning and environmental impacts.
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.
Ragsdale Road Traffic and Safety
A resident expressed strong concerns about speeding vehicles, heavy dump trucks, and safety hazards near his home on Ragsdale Road.
County Insurance Renewal
Commissioners discussed employee health insurance costs and potential adjustments to the county's contribution toward employee medical coverage.
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.
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.
Ragsdale Road Subdivision Setback Variance
Matthew Hogue requested a 25-foot side setback variance on Cole Ridge Road because county setback rules changed after he purchased the land. The board approved the request to allow him to build a single-story home.
Board Leadership Election
Coffee County just picked Miss Freda K. Jones to lead the board, but hit pause on choosing a vice-chair because of some missing paperwork. It's a minor hiccup in local leadership that means the team isn't quite at full strength yet.
FY 2025 Audit Findings and Internal Controls
The committee reviewed two recent audit findings involving a school board paving project missing a performance bond and a capital projects fund overage in the mayor's office. Officials discussed corrective measures put in place, including new checklists for projects over $100,000.
County Departmental Budgets and Fund Amendments
The committee reviewed and approved various budget amendments and upcoming fiscal year projections for county departments, including probation services, solid waste, ambulance, highway, and capital projects.