Surgoinsville aldermen discuss audit, sewer, 911 dispatch fees

SURGOINSVILLE — The Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Monday night for a workshop. Mayor Merrell Graham was absent, so Vice Mayor Randy Collier led the board through its agenda. They discussed items for their regular meeting on April 13, and other topics. At next Monday's meeting, the board will vote on the first reading of a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment, and the FY 2027 budget. Town Recorder Megan Gentry said the '26 amendment adjusts for increased revenue from grants, increased sewer expenses from engineering services for the Highway 11W extension, and other changes. The board will finalize a zoning amendment to define and regulate cryptocurrency mining centers and artificial intelligence training facilities. The amendment prohibits these facilities under certain cases, like within 1,000 feet of a residential area. There will also be a public hearing on the ordinance, where community members can voice their thoughts. The board will consider authorizing Police Chief James Hammonds, Graham and Town Attorney Joe May to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Third Judicial District Drug Task Force. Hammonds said the task force assists the Surgoinsville Police Department in investigations, sometimes. There is no revenue sharing. Other updates Hammonds updated the board on the town's 11W sewer extension. He said it is hooked up and running at almost all locations, with a lot of clean-up left to do. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury reported no findings, or issues, with the town's audit for fiscal year 2025, Gentry said. Certified Public Accountant Mickey Ellis will attend the board's May 4 workshop to further discuss the audit. Surgoinsville City Hall received a letter Monday saying the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation was closing its administrative review of the town's sewer fund. Gentry said there had been some confusion in the audit numbers, but the town provided its rate studies and resolved the issue. Seven people applied to fill a vacancy on the Surgoinsville BMA, Collier said. The board will wait to discuss appointing a new alderman until Graham can attend a meeting. Following the Hawkins County Emergency Communications District's vote to establish 911 dispatch fees from municipalities, including Surgoinsville, Collier said the board should take a stance against the fees. He said the Hawkins County commission should shoulder the fees, since it can raise the same amount of money with less impact on taxpayers than a town can. Public Works Manger Brandon DePew discussed setting a schedule for brush pick up. He said his department removes brush, which includes sticks and branches, on Wednesday mornings. The board suggested collecting addresses from residents who need brush pick up to establish an efficient route. Depew also said Public Works tries to pick up large items like refrigerators on Fridays; he suggested setting a day, like the third Friday of every month, so residents knew when to put their waste out. Gentry told the board Surgoinsville did not receive a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant to pave a sidewalk through town.