Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Coffee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GIS Online Mapping Program Implementation
The county is launching an interactive web-based GIS mapping portal in partnership with OHM advisors and ESRI. This tool will allow residents and staff to instantly look up parcel zoning history, flood zones, and growth boundaries online.
Genealogy Collection Preservation
The library received a final estate bequest of $5,291.14 from Patricia Carroll Lee, earmarked for genealogy. Since new genealogy books are scarce, the library will use the funds to buy repair supplies so staff can rebind damaged local history books.
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.
Tullahoma budget and sales tax trends
Tullahoma finished its budget, but retail sales tax — 40% of the budget — came in 3–4% below recent years. Softer sales tax can pressure city services or rates.
Cattle industry health and deadstock disposal
Ticks are killing cattle through bloodborne diseases, and the state ended its deadstock removal program funding; a $50/head fee now applies under the SCHRA program. That's a real cost for local cattle farmers.
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.
Beer permit for Gregory's Beech Grove County Store
A county store in the Beech Grove community sought a beer permit to sell beer at its location on Murfreesboro Highway. The Beer Board approved it unanimously, meaning beer sales can begin there under county regulations.
Annual Policy Reviews and Reconsideration Guidelines
The board discussed updating collection development and reconsideration policies to help manage potential book challenges and align with regional recommendations.
Election official pay increases
Poll workers, machine technicians, and delivery drivers are getting their first raises in years — some in over a decade. Better pay helps the county recruit and keep the people who staff your polling places.
Oil recycling facility progress
The county's oil facility is moving forward, and board members toured the site to see the progress firsthand. The facility will give residents a place to dispose of used oil.
Concrete pad construction and closure of six convenience centers
The county is building concrete pads at solid waste sites, work tied to closing six convenience centers. Residents who use those drop-off sites could see changes in where they take trash and recyclables.
A-1 Agricultural Zone Minor Land Divisions
The board reviewed two separate requests from property owners wanting to subdivide parcels smaller than the standard five-acre minimum in agricultural (A-1) zones to help family members establish homes on the land. Both requests were granted after verifying that setbacks, access, and infrastructure conditions were met.
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.
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.
Acreage Variance for Michael Johns
Michael Johns requested relief from the 5-acre minimum in an A-1 zone at 486 Walter Bartlett Road to subdivide his 3.5-acre property and sell a portion to avoid foreclosure. The board approved the variance.
Setback Variances for Kenny Sadler
Kenny Sadler requested side and rear setback variances for a lot in the Normandy Banks subdivision because county setback rules changed since he originally received development approvals. The board approved the request.
Friends of the Library Restructuring
The Friends of the Library group is working to revitalize its operations after a hiatus. Representatives attended eBay online bookstore training and are collaborating with library directors to draft a new memorandum of understanding and membership structure.
Downtown Hillsborough Traffic Signal Upgrades
The county approved an agreement with the state transportation department to upgrade traffic signalization and crosswalks in downtown Hillsborough. Detailed project prints are available for public review in the mayor's office.
Miller's Crossroads Traffic Congestion
Commissioners discussed traffic backups at Miller's Crossroads, a major cut-through to AEDC. Because the intersection is on base property, the highway superintendent will follow up with base contacts to explore adding a turning lane.
Residential Rezoning on McMinnville Highway
A property owner wants to rezone part of a parcel from C-1 to C-2 to open a car lot, but must first split the residential house from the commercial building to avoid zoning conflicts.
Clarification of Urban Growth Boundaries and Five-Acre Minimum Zoning
Chairman Cunningham addressed public misunderstandings regarding county urban growth boundaries and the five-acre minimum zoning rule in A-1 districts. He presented acreage and population statistics to show that growth policies are functioning as intended without halting county development.
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.
Specific Road Repairs and Drainage Concerns
Commissioners brought forward specific road concerns, including road dips on Summitville Road and School Road, pavement breakup on Pocahontas Road, and the need for tar and chip work on Petty Road.
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.
Coffee County Soap Box Derby Funding & Presentation
Organizers of the newly formed Soap Box Derby 501(c)(3) presented their plans for the upcoming May 2nd race after Tullahoma dropped its funding. They discussed community engagement, car building, and potential future financial support from the county.
County Trustee Database Server Replacement
The county trustee's office needed a $3,700 budget adjustment to buy a new SQL database server immediately. Commissioners easily approved the purchase since it's critical hardware for office operations.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery Expansion
Mount Pleasant Cemetery needed more room as it was running out of space for burials. The board approved a special exception allowing the cemetery to expand onto 1.2 acres of donated land.
Quarterly Financial Performance
Budget and Finance Director Marianna Edinger reported that the ambulance service is in strong financial health, with $2.2 million in available cash and revenues exceeding budget projections by over $196,000.
Municipal Solid Waste Regional Plan
The county approved its 10-year solid waste plan required by TDEC, updating years for rural solid waste management.