Commissioners Rusty Orick, left and Zach Marlow, center, were one of several commissioners to give verbal support for virtual meetings for those under a doctor’s care and in support of providing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will be voted on at next week’s meeting. Commissioner Scott Stanfield is also pictured.

By Charlotte Underwood

Posted: Apr 15, 2025/06:00 AM ET

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- At Monday’s County Commission Workshop, County Mayor Jack Lynch announced that Rob Woodson had resigned his position off the county regional planning commission.

Lynch said he wanted to nominate Mike Caldwell, which will be voted on next week.

County Commissioner Rusty Orick, who chairs that committee, said he planned on putting in a budget amendment for the pay to be higher to be on that board. Currently it sits at $50 per meeting and, according to Orick, it has not changed in 27 years.

Mayor Lynch also said that there was an opening on the Industrial Development Board and that he wanted to nominate John Snodderly to be on that board to replace Jessica Stout. Snodderly’s appointment will be voted on next Monday.

Lynch also asked commissioners to vote on an agreement between the county and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

According to Lynch, it is a “general maintenance agreement” with TDOT that includes several road improvements on different roads around the county.

“One is on Stinking Creek Road, one is on Long Hollow Road, LaFollette City Limits to Alder Springs Road, Pine Crest Road to Towe String Road, Green Lane,”

“It’s pretty much a common type of agreement, but it needs to be approved through the commission,” Mayor Lynch said.

In other business, commissioners will vote on providing a one-time paperwork waiver to the Ridgewood Fire Department, as it has been under new management. This is the paperwork required that the fire department submit to the county to receive funding. The county mayor and commission chair had met with fire department officials who had requested the waiver.

Commissioner Rusty Orick said the new management started last fall and asked if they could provide what they had.

Commission Chair Johnny Bruce also announced that the Ridgewood Fire Department will host an open house event on April 26th from noon to 4 pm.

“There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, stuff like that. It gives those guys an opportunity to showcase their facility,” Bruce said.

During Monday’s workshop, Mayor Lynch also announced that the county was going to participate in two upcoming Career Fairs, one at Campbell County High School on April 24th and one at Jellico High School on May 9th.

Lynch also announced that Tim Short Ford is sponsoring the upcoming Veteran’s Breakfast.

During Monday’s workshop, commissioners set the schedule for budget hearings with meetings to take place on April 28th and 29th, May 1st, May 8th and May 13th.

“I can’t emphasize the point enough, we need you here on those dates to approve our budget. We need at least nine people here to start our budget hearings,” County Commission Chairman Johnny Bruce said. 

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