JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Campbell County has a new director of sanitation services. At Monday night’s county commission meeting, First District Commissioner David Adkins was unanimously voted into the position.

Adkins, who abstained from voting, was selected as a finalist in a blind review process, according to Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch. Adkins had been serving as the interim director for the last six months. Once it was revealed he has been one of the final three applicants it was an easy decision, Lynch said. Even though Adkins is a county commissioner, he can legally be employed in this position, County Attorney Joe Coker said. Coker had spoken with the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) for guidance on this. That body, which provides technical consulting and training to assist officials in all areas of county government operations – from transportation and solid waste issues to capital building project budgets and legal issues, saw no conflict. Adkins received 10 votes as Commissioners Dewayne Gibson, Tyler King, Dewayne Kitts and Sue Nance were absent.

Fee Increase

The commission approved an increase in the county’s litigation tax. The litigation tax will be raised from $6 to $60 to generate sufficient revenue to fund the increase in compensation of the general sessions judge as mandated by the Tennessee Code Annotated. These taxes are collected upon the filing of a civil case in general sessions court and/or upon a conviction in a criminal case in general sessions court. “This is a tax put on us by the state,” Commission Chair Johnny Bruce said. Although this is a mandated increase, Third District Commissioners Rusty Orick and Scott Stanfield voted no.

Purchases/ Bids

Orick asked for a suspension of the rules to discuss the purchase of a patrol car for the sheriff’s department. In the form of a resolution, Orick said Sheriff Wayne Barton was asking to spend $39,545 to purchase a new car to replace an older one. Because money from the drug fund will be used, Orick said the commission’s approval was essentially “just a rubber stamp from us.” The commission approved the purchase.

It also approved asking for bids to install a tube system at the Jellico location of the county clerk’s office. The original plan had been to install a drive through but the logistics of that had become costly, according to Orick. A tube system will “be a cheaper price,” he said.

Construction

Commissioners further approved two small construction projects.

It voted to allow angle iron to be welded onto the cell doors at the jail. This is being done to prevent inmates from “popping locks,” it was said at last week’s workshop. A septic grinder at the jail will also receive privacy slats following a vote last night.

The request for a partition wall be installed in the county mayor’s office separating the bathroom off was also approved. The funds will come from the county mayor’s budget. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 5/16/2023- 6AM)

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