The City of La Follette holds its regular monthly meeting Tue. at 5:30pm, at City Hall

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – On Wednesday afternoon the LaFollette City Council met with an agenda filled with promotions. City Administrator Stand Foust began the workshop by reading a letter of appreciation from the Rocky Top Fire Department thanking the LaFollette Fire Department for its help during the city’s fatal fire in January.

The fire department will have two promotions on the agenda at the monthly meeting for approval. Promoting Samuel Finley to a full-time entry level fire fighter at a salary of $32,009.64 and promoting Joshua Miracle to full-time entry level fire fighter at a salary of $32,009.64, will be effective March 9, if approved.

The police department will have four promotions for approval on next week’s agenda beginning with Shane Tielman to full time lieutenant at a salary of $42,966.98. Next will be Isiah Lloyd to a full time sergeant at a salary of $39,964.08, Adam Southern to a full time sergeant at a salary of $39,964.08 and promoting Jesse Ferguson to a temporary sergeant position pending Sergeant Mike Satakowski returning to duty at a salary of $39,964.08. All changes would be effective March 9, if approved. In other police department business, new patrol car cameras are needed. The new cameras have improved technology and would cost approximately $307,000. The cost could be spread over five years. The LaFollette Medical Foundation agreed to help the department with the purchase of the equipment.

The LaFollette Police Department has two openings for a dispatcher. Administrator Foust reported that interviews have been completed and job offers have been made. In final police business, a road drive will be held on Friday, March 1, from 9 am – 2 pm, in town. Proceeds will go to Sergeant Mike Satokowski who is currently out of work on medical leave.

In administration matters, the year end audit 6/30/2023 was presented by Pugh CPAs who reported that the city had a positive year and was in a healthy financial position. The audit had one finding where the capital outlay projects fund had a negative balance at the time of the audit. The issue has since been corrected.

The position of Codes Officer was recently vacated when Jeff Duncan resigned. Foust reported that Stuart Hurtwitz had been interviewed and accepted the job offer. The council will vote on the position at next week’s monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The Council discussed the payroll and finance assistants. Two individuals have been selected for the position, and the council will vote on the hires at next week’s meeting.

Jay Willoughby was present to discuss the Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels Program. Willoughby reported that the program had a $39,000 shortfall each year. He has been talking with industries and churches to see if they are willing to help with the shortfall. Willoughby came to the council asking if they could allocate money in the upcoming budget to help with the shortfall.

City Administrator Stan Foust announced the City Easter Egg Hunt will be Thu., March 28 at 5pm, at Liberty Park.

The council discussed Friday Night Lights at Freeman Corner. Foust shared that the Friday Night Lights would be a presentation of historical stories from LaFollette. Each story would be read by a different individual each week. No start date has been set.

Foust reported that the downtown cameras should be installed and working this week.

The city administrator updated the council on several ongoing projects in the city beginning with the sidewalk at the old Bowman Jewelers. The crosswalk has been removed and sidewalk repair should begin next week. The drainage project on the Beech Street Project has been extended 60 days but will not interfere with paving. The paving of Beech Street is waiting on approval for the state to put the project out for bid, and that should be completed this year. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/28/2024-6AM)

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