Council, mayor make quick work of November meeting

The new mayor and council members will be sworn in on Mon., Dec. 2, 2024, at noon, at City Hall

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The City of La Follette Mayor and Council addressed a handful of items on the November agenda and moved through those items in an efficient manner. A small crowd was on hand with three council members present as the fourth council member of four, Phillip Farmer, resigned earlier in the year in order to run for mayor in last week’s election. The three present were Wayne Kitts, Chuck Queener and Stephanie Solomon along with Mayor Cliff Jennings, attending his last meeting after not seeking reelection.

Each of the agenda’s five items voted upon passed three-oh.

Approved was Resolution 2024-19 authorizing the City to participate in Public Entity Partners (PEP) Risk Management Pool (drivers safety) Loss Control (James L. Richardson) Matching Grant Program. With automobile accidents being one of the leading causes of injuries among local government employees, and with many leading to liability and vehicle damage claims, the  Richardson Driver Grant provides financial assistance to PEP members to address training needs and safety concerns for employees that operate city or agency vehicles. 

Resolution 2024-20 to amend the 2024-2025 budget will add grant dollars to the budget. Those grant dollars will benefit police, library and cyber security.

The employee health insurance through Hill Insurance was renewed which includes a seven-percent increase. It was said at last week’s workshop the City will stay with Hill’s Blue Cross Blue Shield due to employee satisfaction. Before the vote, City Administrator Stan Foust stated that Hill’s representative Jon Finley, who was in attendance, gave them the best price, and that he recommended for council to approve the renewal.

The City is adding nine additional cameras around town at an estimated cost of $6,100. “The majority of this will be paid for through a grant,” said Foust.

An event permit for West La Follette Baptist Church was granted. Queener, who told that he is a member of the church and has a conflict, voted to approve.

The new mayor and council members will be sworn in on Mon., Dec. 2, 2024, at noon, at City Hall. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/13/2024-6AM)