TENNESSEE

www.tncounties.org A publication of the Tennessee County Services Association

September - October 2012

Vol. 35, No. 5

COUNTY NEWS

CTAS, Associations Hold Orientation For New Highway Officials, Assessors

Shelby County Hosting Annual Fall Conference Oct. 10-12 Sen. Lamar Alexander will be the featured speaker during this year’s general session, one of the many events planned as part of the Tennessee County Services Association’s 59th Annual Fall Conference & Trade Show Oct. 10-12. Held at the Memphis Downtown Marriott and the adjoining Cook Convention Center, the annual conference is shaping up to be another premier meeting that includes more Alexander than 50 exhibits and more than a dozen educational sessions and concurrent workshops. Senator A l e x a n d e r ’s appearance on Thursday, Oct. 11, will be part of the yearly general session that also headRoehrick-Patrick lines Lynnisse Roehrick-Patrick, the newly appointed executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, a state-county-city led agency that studies and researches public policy implications on such issues as plan-

An estimated 100 newly elected county highway officials and assessors, as well as a nummber of incumbents, participated in a two-day orientation program August 20-21 to help them prepare for taking office on September 1. University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service staff, county association directors and state department representatives were available throughout the meetings to offer guidance for their first days in their new roles. Additional photographs of newly elected highway officials are on Page 3.

More Conference Info INSIDE • Fall conference Registration Form • Association Nominating Committees • Spouse Tour Program • Training Descriptions • Tentative Conference Agenda ning, transportation and intergovernmental collaboration among government entities. County officials are signing up quickly for this fall’s conference, being held for the first time in more than 16 years at the Marriott Downtown-Cook Convention Center in Memphis. The meeting is set to begin Wednesday, Oct. 10, and run through Friday, Oct. 12. In addition to the general session, the meeting includes the yearly line-up of board and membership meetings beginning on October 10, along with a welcome reception that evening. The University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) will be holding a four-hour training session on “County Planning & Zoning” from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, for registered delegates to the conference. Credit for those enrolled in the County Officials CerPlease See Fall, Page 5

State Ends FY2012 With Surplus

Photo courtesy of NACo & David Hathcox

State revenue collections exceeded budgeted estimates by more than $563 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to the latest figures available from the state Department of Finance & Administration. Year-to-date collections for 12 months were $563.8 million more than the originally budgeted estimate, said F&A Commissioner Mark Emkes. The general fund was over collected by $543.0 million and the four other funds were over collected by $20.8 million. “We’ll close fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30, with a revenue surplus which will help maintain a balanced budget in fiscal 2012-2013.” The FY 2012 revised budget assumed an over collection of $209.6 million in General Fund Taxes, Emkes said. Therefore, the amount over collected above and beyond what’s already in the budget is $333.4 million ($543.0 million minus $209.6 million). “We continue to believe the growth in sales and corporate tax collections indicates a very slow economic recovery in Tennessee, but we also continue to see mixed results at the national level,” Emkes said. “The latest published leading economic indicators show that the U.S. economy decelerated in the second quarter, which

causes concern at the state level. State revenue collections continued their upward trend in July, but at a much slower pace compared to recent months. Emkes said a net positive growth of 4.46 percent over July collections of one year ago. Overall July revenues were $880.9 million, which is $9.9 million more than the state budgeted. July 2012 marks the 12th consecutive month this year in which total collections have exceeded the budgeted estimates. July sales tax collections represent consumer spending that took place in the month of June. The general fund was over collected by $2.7 million, and the four other funds were over collected by $7.2 million. Sales tax collections were $14.7 million more than the estimate for July. The July growth rate was 3.30 percent. For 12 months revenues are over collected by $241.8 million. The year-to-date growth rate for twelve months was positive 6.57 percent. Franchise and excise taxes combined were $0.8 million under the budgeted estimate of $55.5 million. The growth rate for July was positive 8.64 percent. For 12 months revenues are over collected by $308.2 million and the year-to-date growth Please See Budget, Page 3

Luttrell Among New Alumni Mayors, Executive Elected Aug. 2 Of County Leadership Institute MEMBER PROFILE: NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY MAYORS

Twenty-one local elected officials and two state association executive directors completed the ninth annual County Leadership Institute (CLI), a program offered by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and held June 3-7 in Washington, D.C. Among the group of new alumni is Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, who also serves on the NACo board of directors. Previously, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson graduated from this program. To be considered as a nominee, your county must be a member of TCSA and NACo. They represented 23 states and counties as diverse in size and geography as Monroe County, N.Y. (pop. 744,344) and Valley County, Idaho (pop. 9,862). Selected through a nomination and application process, participants join the program to develop strategies and networks for becoming more effective in achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves and their communities. Jeffrey Lawrence, principal at Cambridge Leadership Associates, led the class through three-and-a-half days of in-depth exercises, discussion and analysis of effective interactions designed to develop new approaches to leadership and foster supportive relationships among the class. “NACo continues to benefit from the leadership of the 209 CLI graduates from the past nine years of the program,” said Ed Ferguson, NACo’s deputy director. “The diverse 2012 CLI class was hard-working and engaged for the entire four days. The emails they’ve exchanged since going home indicate that they’re already putting into practice what they learned in D.C.” The CLI, initiated by NACo in 2004, explores the application of adaptive leadership techniques to current, complex issues facing local elected officials. Nye County, Nev. Commissioner Lorinda Wichman, member of the 2012 CLI class, said, “CLI is an intense, often intimidating, exploration into your untapped individual potential to provide well grounded, considerate leadership to your communities.”

Additionally, Jefferson County, Ky. Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson described the experience this way: “The CLI is a comprehensive opportunity to do a self-reflection which at the end empowers one with a thought process of addressing and dealing with concerns, issues and people in whole new light. It makes you stop and define what a leader is, and why am I taking or performing these actions in the manner in which I have chosen.” The class of 2012 brings to 209 NACo’s CLI alumni leadership. CLI is funded by participant registrations and the support of IBM, ESRI, the NACo Financial Services Corporation and the National Council of County Association Executives, and is administered by NACo’s educational services division. In addition to Shelby County Mayor Luttrell, graduates of the most recent class included: Jon Bowerbank, supervisor, Russell County, Va.; Janet Wolf, supervisor, Santa Barbara County, Calif.; Don Rosier, commissioner, Jefferson County, Colo.; Joseph Kantz, commissioner, Snyder County, Pa.; Joe Vene, commissioner, Beltrami County, Minn.; Howard Hunter, commissioner, Hertford County, N.C.; Dee Robinson, county assessor, Lea County, N.M.; David Nicholson, circuit court clerk, Jefferson County, Ky.; Mandy Metzger, supervisor, Coconino County, Ariz.; Jon Campbell, commissioner, Allegan County, Mich.; Connie Hickman, justice of the peace, Navarro County, Texas; Mary Stern, commissioner, Yamhill County, Ore.; Lavada Williamson, commissioner, Ritchie County, W.Va.; Lorinda Wichman, commissioner, Nye County, Nev.; Gordon Cruickshank, commissioner, Valley County, Idaho; Willie Lightfoot, county legislator, Monroe County, N.Y.; David Sauter, commissioner, Klickitat County, Wash.; Grover Robinson, commissioner, Escambia County, Fla.; Helen Holton, council member, Baltimore City, Md.; Ben Rodgers, supervisor, Linn County, Iowa; Derrick Surrette, executive director, Mississippi Association of Supervisors; and Kathie Wasserman, executive director, Alaska Municipal League.

Jim Coppinger, who has already served as county mayor since being appointed in January 2011, has been elected to complete the remaining two years left in the unexpired term of Hamilton County mayor. The former county commission chair is joined by three other newly elected county mayors/executive who will officially take office on September 1. All three positions will be on the ballot again in August 2014. Hamilton County: Mayor Coppinger served on the Hamilton County board of commissioners from September 2006 until his appointment as interim county mayor. A graduate of Hixson High School, he is a former fire chief for the City of Chattanooga, having served with the department from 1977 to 2005. Coppinger is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County and serves on the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, the River City Company board of directors and the Transportation Planning Organization. He is on the board for the Hixson Civic Center and serves as vice president of the Hixson Kiwanis. Anderson County: Terry Frank of Clinton is an Anderson County native and 1985 graduate of Anderson County High School received her bachelor’s degree. She becomes the first ever woman elected to serve as county mayor in Anderson County. Co-owner and operator of the local eatery Nature’s Marketplace in business in Oak Ridge for nearly 20 years, Frank assumes a position cur-

Brooks

Cartwright

rently held by interim Myron Iwanski since January 2011 when the previous county mayor resigned. Frank is not new to politics. Her family has been active for years, including her father Ernie Phillips who served as a county commissioner and former mayor of Oliver Springs, according to press reports. As a special note, Iwanski is returning to the county legislative body after winning his old seat back on August 2. McNairy County: Ronnie Brooks, a 1973 McNairy County Central High graduate who attended the University of Tennessee-Martin, has been elected to a two-year term as McNairy County mayor. Currently serving as the county’s Circuit Court clerk, Brooks takes over from interim Mayor Wilburn Gene Ashe, who as chair of the legislative body was appointed interim in 2011. As clerk his office also handles general sessions and juvenile courts. Brooks’ clerk post will be on the November ballot, according to the

Coppinger

Frank

Election Commission office. That should become official once a vacancy is declared when Brooks is sworn in as county mayor. By the way, Ashe is returning to the county commission, having won his relection to his former position. Sequatchie County: D. Keith Cartwright has been elected to fill out the remaining two years as Sequatchie County executive, a position currently held by former commissioner Claude C. Lewis, appointed as interim executive by the legislative body. Cartwright is a native of the county and is a 1979 graduate of Sequatchie County High School, according to press reports. In 1983 Cartwright received his bachelors of science the University of TennesseeChattanooga. He has since completed training at the Vanderbilt School of Lending & Finance and, since 1997, has owned and operated Little Ponderosa Development. Formerly, he was vice president of operation for Cartwright Transfer.

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TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

TENNESSEE

COUNTY NEWS Vol. 35, No. 5

September - October 2012

September - October 2012

Executive Director/Editor: David Seivers CTAS Communications Specialist: Brett Howell TCSA President: Van Boshers 1st Vice President: Bobby Collier 2nd Vice President: Rogers Anderson Tennessee County News (USPS 599-770) is published bi-monthly for $10 per year by the Tennessee County Services Association, 226 Capitol Boulevard, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219. Periodicals postage is paid at Nashville, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tennessee County News, 226 Capitol Blvd., Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219. Tennessee County News encourages the submittal of information and material for publication. TCSA does not assume responsibility for the loss of or damage to any material submitted. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Advertising rates and requirements are available upon request. www.tncounties.org

Matt Chase Named New NACo Executive Director Matthew D. Chase has been named NACo’s new executive director. Chase will assume the executive director role at NACo on Sept. 17. As executive director, he will serve as the spokesman for NACo and America’s counties; advocate before federal policymakers with aligned organizations and partners; and promote counties and county issues to the media on behalf of NACo’s more than 2,400 members. He will also direct the operations, initiatives and staff of the association. The announcement came as NACo members gathered in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Pa. for the association’s 77th Annual Conference and Exposition. “I am thrilled that Matt has accepted the offer to become our executive director. His talents will enhance our efforts to represent counties in Washington and continue to improve the connection between NACo and our local county elected officials,” said Lenny Eliason, NACo immediate president and Athens County, Ohio commissioner. “Matt’s experiences at National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) have prepared him to succeed at NACo and keep the shine on our 75-year legacy as the representative of county officials nationwide. Matt has big shoes to fill Chase replacing our retiring director, Larry Naake.” “It is a great honor to be joining the NACo team. The association and its membership of county officials are essential leaders in preparing America for a better future,” Chase said. “NACo has an incredibly talented group of leaders, members and staff who are dedicated to improving the quality of life, public services and economic conditions across the country. I look forward to furthering the association’s proud legacy of advancing the goals of our nation’s counties.” Chase joins NACo from NADO, which represents the nation’s local government-based regional planning and development organizations, where he has served in a number of capacities including executive director, legislative affairs director and deputy executive director. He began his career with the Professional Managers Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College, and a master’s degree in political management from The George Washington University. “I personally want to thank Larry Naake for his 21 years of service to NACo and the extraordinary leadership he has provided to our organization and local governments across the country,” Eliason said. “Larry guided NACo through some very difficult times and has built it into a very successful organization. We will miss his leadership and wish him well in the next chapter of his life. I know that Matt is looking forward to building upon the strong foundation that Larry has built and is eager to lead all of the talented and dedicated staff of NACo to fulfill our important mission.”

Giles County, CRA Work Together To Reduce Inmate Medical Liabilities The past 12 months have been far from ideal for a Middle Tennessee jail which has seen more than its share of costly and unexpected inmate medical incidences. Three inmates have severely impacted the budget by $203,663.21 in medical expenses to Giles County Sheriff’s Department. Last summer, an inmate booked into the Giles County jail on charges of intent to manufacture methamphetamines, got into a fight that would prove to be costly not only for himself but also for the county. During the fight, the inmate’s head was slammed against a wall. He was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center and his injuries required the need for surgeons to implant a temporary metal plate in his head. Some $125,603.24 later, he was back in his cell recovering from the incident. Meanwhile, the Giles County Sheriff’s Department, county commissioners and taxpayers were the ones left with the headache. In May 2012, another inmate required air evacuation to St. Thomas Hospital due to chest pains and shortness of breath. The cost of the air transportation and four day’s hospital stay had dumped an additional $58,890.97 worth of medical bills along with heart palpitations of their own on the Giles County Sheriff’s Department and taxpayers. Then, just last month, an inmate who is being held on charges of both the intent to manufacture methamphetamines and aggravated child abuse and neglect, required the removal of three abscessed teeth. The oral surgery was severe enough that it was followed by two day’s hospital stay and a bill that took a $19,169 bite out of their remaining budget. In June 2011, Giles County entered into an agreement with Correctional Risk Services Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., to help them better process bills from the medical providers that provide care to their inmates. This service is designed to assist Giles County to not only negotiate the same type of discounts acquired by national insurance companies, but to also make sure all billings and codings are correct and accurate as well as electronically archive all of their inmates’ medical claims and expenses for simplified access. Out of the total $203,663.21 that was billed to the Sheriff’s Department, CRS was able to save Giles County $108,080.22 after fees. One of the key advantages of the service they utilize is that CRS only keeps a percentage of the savings, meaning if money is not saved, no fee is earned. As county budgets continue to be slashed and taxpayers are increasingly strapped with higher tax burdens, it’s comforting to know that Giles County and the Giles County Sheriff’s Department continue to search for ways to extend their inmate medical expense budget. If you or anybody in your County’s government would be interested to find out how CRS can help, please visit www.crisks.com or email DJ Kreal at dkreal@ crisks.com.

Future Of State, Local Transportation Funding Needs Our Immediate Attention John Schroer, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, recently addressed new and incumbent county highway officials about some of the latest developments within his office. In particular, he spoke to us about the existing problem we are all having with funding for state and local highway and bridge projects. His commitment to helping local governments is obvious. During the recent session of the General Assembly, and passage of the state budget for the current fiscal year, Commissioner Schroer shifted nearly $3 million within his departmental budget into an important road and bridge fund program for counties. The State Aid Road and Bridge program benefitted from this shift, giving us a little extra financial support at a time when we sorely need it. While the money is not a silver bullet fix to the problem of waning gasoline tax revenues and other revenue sources, the commissioner’s recognition of the problem says a great deal about his understanding of local funding issues. That local funding issue is the same that the state and his department is facing. Until something is done, he said, at the federal and state levels to address strained revenues for transportation, transportation projects as a whole will continue to suffer. According to the commissioner, a review within his department shows that there are nine times more projects on its books that can be funded. “As a result, some beneficial projects currently run the risk of falling through the cracks, while the service intent of others might be equally fulfilled through a less expensive solution,” the report states.

Van Boshers TCSA President & Maury County Highway Superintendent

As a county highway official I appreciate the commissioner’s acknowledgement of our funding issues. We need to work together toward a long-term funding solution that will best serve our needs at the federal, state and local levels. Our transportation infrastructures across the state are suffering a great deal because of an unstable gasoline tax. It is leaving a lot of county department work crews idle because so little revenue is available, even for the most basic maintenance. It is a problem that needs a solution. I look forward to working on a viable solution. Meanwhile, I welcome the 12 new county highway superintendents who attended the recent orientation program offered by the County Technical Assistance Service and the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association. It is good to see that 100 percent of the new highway superintendents found it important enough to get involved, even before they take off on September 1. The best advice I can give you is

to get involved and stay involved. Not only will you find your highway association and CTAS important resources starting your first day in office, you will come to find out that the network of county highway officials across Tennessee is an asset you cannot successfully do business without. The next major opportunity we have to come together is during TCSA’s Annual Fall Conference in Shelby County (Memphis), Oct. 10-12. This conference has become the premiere education meeting for county mayors, commissioners and highway officials each year. At this conference a county official can find a great deal of information through association membership meetings, workshops and training sessions. Take advantage of this annual gathering because it, among other things, puts you side by side with other county officials who, many of them, are facing so many of the same issues we all do back in their home communities. As we get ready to meet in Shelby County for our annual fall conference, one of the orders of business will be the election of your new TCSA president who will serve through the next year. I appreciate your support during the past year and the honor of serving as president during this time. Please commit now to providing your next president and executive officers with that same level of support. It will be important to them, but also it will be important for the continued success of your TCSA. I look forward to seeing you in Shelby County. Come out to this year’s conference where you will certainly pick up something that will immediately help your constituents back home. See you in October.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Associations, CTAS Help New Assessors, Highway Officials Get Started With Training As a result of the recent county general elections, we now have several new property assessors and highway officials across the state. An orientation session was recently held in Rutherford County for these newly elected road superintendents and property assessors. It was well attended by almost all the newly elected officials as well as several incumbents. In total, there are 12 new road superintendents across the state and 34 newly elected property assessors. Congratulations go out to each of them! We also want to compliment Mike Garland and the County Technical Assistance, Rodney Carmical and the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association and Will Denami and the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers for conducting this training. They did a great job and everyone can learn a lot from attending these sessions. The county highway officials along with the county commissioners and county mayors are a part of the Tennessee County Services Association. The property assessors are nonvoting ex offico members, too. All of these groups are eligible and invited to attend the TCSA fall conference in Shelby County (Memphis) this October 10-12. Conference specifics and highlights are mentioned throughout this edition of TN County News. We encourage you to attend what is our main conference each year. In fact, this is the 59th annual TCSA fall conference. The fall conference is also a time to network and learn from other counties as well as provider groups. I will take this opportunity to highlight a few of the planned workshops. For example, what might seem like a ho hum workshop on recycling could be a spark for your community in economic development. In this workshop, presenter Will

David Seivers TCSA Executive Director

Sagar with the Southeast Recycling Development Council, will explore the economic impact recycling can have in your community. I find it interesting how he shows the job-creating potential benefits. He explains the value of knowing the industry needs in recycling. For example, where are the recycled products and where are the companies located that use these products? Are there opportunities in your own backyard to market recycled materials to companies that do not have efficient sources available to them? These are the type questions you can ask at the workshop. Another workshop is learning how other counties get involved with economic development. We are trying to make this workshop a little bit different by asking representatives from Hamilton, Williamson and Madison counties to tell us how their economic development efforts function. We thought this would also represent a small, medium and large county approach to economic development. Madison County has success in their own right, but their representatives will also tell how the smaller coun-

ties in West Tennessee successfully interact with them. Heidi Smith with TVA has agreed to help with this and she will be moderating this session. Our hope is you can learn some new ways counties interact within their own boarders, as well as their surrounding areas, to achieve job success. We even have a personal self-help workshop for those who want a refresher in investment terms especially relating to retirement investment portfolios. We have a repeat workshop on how does the Basic Education Formula or “BEP” work. This is always well attended and a popular workshop. These workshops along with some of our guest speakers like Senator Lamar Alexander will make this a great conference. Networking with your colleagues from across the state and learning best practices will make us all do a better job. In these association meetings, association leaders and leadership always emerge. We encourage you to be a part of it. Along those same lines, we plan to give out our annual “Robert M. Wormsley Outstanding County Official of the Year” award during our general session. This award recognizes an individual who has the traits exemplified by Mr. Wormsley, a former executive director of TCSA. Those traits include outstanding service, abilities, dedication and passion in serving the needs of local government. Our outreach committee met recently to select this person and it will be presented by our TCSA President Van Boshers at the fall conference. This is an important award and the only one we give out to our members in order to highlight its prestige. Please try and take time to attend the conference this fall. We want and need your involvement and leadership. We hope to see you there.

OBITUARIES

3 Counties Lose Current, Former Servants Greene and Henry counties have lost two popular county commissioners during the past few weeks, including Brenda Rader Grogan and William Earl Anderson. Meanwhile, a former Robertson County executive, Emerson Alford Meggs, has also passed away. Greene County: Grogan, 57, was first elected to the Greene County commission in August 2002 and was serving her third four-year term when she died on August 6, 2012, after a brief illness. The retired teacher and school guidance counselor for both the Greene County and Unicoi School systems, was born April 17, 1955. On the county commission, Grogan served on Animal Control, Cable Franchise, Delinquent Tax, Education, Debris Ordinance, Industrial Park, Long-Range Planning, Purchasing and Solid Waste committees. He also served as a board member and secretary for the Kinser Park Commission. A member of Greeneville First Baptist Church, she was also a director for Gifts for Kids, and a volunteer for the Greene County Partnership. Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie Jean Grogan of Greeneville, and her father and mother, John and Betty Rader of Greene County. She was preceded in death by a sister, Debra Ann Rader. Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was at Pine Grove Cemetery. Greene County commissioners served as honorary pallbearers. Henry County: Meanwhile, Commissioner Anderson of Henry County was in the middle of his fourth term on the legislative body when he died August 20, 2012, having first been elected in 1998. Anderson, 81, was a member of the commission’s Airport Committee, Beer Board, Courthouse Committee, Industrial

Relations Committee, Policies and Procedures Committee, Railroad Authority, Regional Solid Waste Board, Solid Waste Committee, Veterans Service Committee and Nominating Committee. He was also a member of the Bruceton Masonic Lodge since 1953. A longtime railroad man who served on the Carroll-Henry Railroad Authority, Anderson had resigned his seat on the commission in July because of declin- Anderson ing health, according to Henry County officials. Anderson worked for L&N railroad for some 35 years and started KWT Railroad in Paris in 1987, according to The Post-Intelligencer newspaper. He is survived by his wife, Delores Horton Anderson, whom he married Nov. 1, 1964, and children Karla Gurton and William E. “Bill” Anderson. Ridgeway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was August 23, 2012, in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Robertson County: Executive Meggs, 91, of Adams died August 21, 2012. County executive from 1982 to 1994, Meggs was born March 19, 1921, in Escambia County, Fla., and moved to Adams in Robertson County, Tenn., when he was 15 years old. A member of Adams United Methodist Church, where he served as a member and past chair of the Administrative Board, and Sunday school teacher, and chair of the Church Building Committee during new construction in 1970, Meggs’ professional career spanned more than 30 years as owner and operator of Meggs Funeral Home. He served for 25 years as director of the Adams Annual Fourth of July Picnic and

Grogan

Meggs

also served as city recorder for the City of Adams from 1963 to 1973, on the Adams City Commissioner from 1967 to 1971. Meggs was also a member of the Robertson County Court and Budget Committee. More recently Meggs was a member of the Springfield Rotary Club and was named Springfield Rotarian of the Year in 2001, according to news reports. He was a past president of the Adams Cemetery Association, served on the Adams Cemetery Association Advisory Board, was trustee of Bellwood Cemetery and Trustee of Bell-Willett Charitable Foundation, was executive secretary of the Tennessee-Kentucky Threshermen’s Association, served on the United Way Board, served on the board of the City of Adams Museum, Archives & Library, and in 2004 was selected as a Person of Character by the Robertson County Times. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Margaret Fort Meggs, and children Emerson Fort Meggs, John Alford Meggs, and Margaret Lee Meggs. Austin & Bell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was August 23, 2012, in Bellwood Cemetery.

September - October 2012

TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

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TCSA OFFICERS President Van G. Boshers Maury County Highway Supt. First Vice President Bobby Collier Roane County Commissioner Second Vice President Rogers Anderson Williamson County Mayor DIRECTORS TACM President Benny McGuire Obion County Mayor Jim Bailey Maury County Mayor Kevin Davis Hardin County Mayor Hoyt Firestone Polk County Executive TCHOA President Eddie Hood Williamson County Highway Supt. Gary Long Anderson County Highway Supt. John Woodall Franklin County Highway Supt. Barry “Buck” Carter Benton County Highway Supt. TCCA President Ronnie Raper Rhea County Commissioner Wallace Austin White County Commissioner Sharon Yarbrough Loudon County Commissioner James Lamont Sneed Tipton County Commissioner Karl Dean Metro Nashville-Davidson Mayor Jim Coppinger Hamilton County Mayor Mark Luttrell Shelby County Mayor Tim Burchett Knox County Mayor

ACM President Benny McGuire, Obion County First Vice President Greg Lynch, Unicoi County Second Vice President Jimmy Harris, Madison County Secretary Howard Bradley, Robertson County Regional Vice Presidents Brent Greer, Henry County Dwain Seaton, Chester County Jim Bailey, Maury County Gary Davis, Bradley County Michael Nesbitt, Smith County Tim Burchett, Knox County Alan Broyles, Greene County Carolyn Bowers, Montgomery County Skip Taylor, Fayette County Past Presidents Peggy Bevels, Lincoln County Kenny McBride, Carroll County Franklin Smith, Haywood County Larry Waters, Sevier County Steve Gregory, Hickman County Jeff Huffman, Tipton County Brent Greer, Henry County

TCHOA President Eddie Hood, Williamson County First Vice President Jonas Smelcer, Sevier County Second Vice President Carl Stoppenhagen, Gibson County Third Vice President Vacant Secretary Tommy Snyder, Rhea County Region I President David Weems, Greene County Region II President Tommy Sims, Sequatchie County Region III President Barry Hyatt, Giles County Region IV President David Keeton, Decatur County Past President Greg McCarley, Haywood County TCHOA Officials on TCSA Board Van G. Boshers, Maury County Gary Long, Anderson County John Woodall, Franklin County Barry “Buck” Carter, Benton County

TCCA President Ronnie Raper, Rhea County President-Elect Danny Jowers, Obion County Secretary Carolyn Granger, Roane County Treasurer Tommy Vallejos, Montgomery County East Tennessee Directors Michael Surgenor, Sullivan County Bill Kilgore, Sullivan County Chuck Fritts, Anderson County Middle Tennessee Directors Anthony Taylor, Lincoln County Landis Turner, Lewis County John Fuson, Montgomery County West Tennessee Directors Paul Mathenia, Henry County Dale Overton, Weakley County Emery White, Hardin County Directors Warren Mackey, Hamilton County Mike Hammond, Knox County Vacant, Davidson County Chris Thomas, Shelby County Past Presidents Ralph Puckett, Obion County John Salmon, Weakley County Phil King, Greene County Wallace Austin, White County James H. Westbrook, Weakley County Bob Barnwell, Williamson County TCSA Directors James Lamont Sneed, Tipton County Sharon Yarbrough, Loudon County Bobby Collier, Roane County

Twelve new county highway superintendents gathered for two days of orientation and training as most of them prepare to be sworn in to take office on September 1. Most were elected during the August 2 election cycle to serve four-year terms. From left, are Cheatham County Hwy. Supt. Carl Cothern, Meigs County Hwy. Supt. Jerry Shoemaker (appointed to fill a vacancy and will stand for election in November 2012), Roane County Hwy. Supt. Dennis Ferguson, Henderson County Hwy. Supt. Steve Vineyard, Rutherford County Hwy. Supt. Gregory Brooks, Union County Hwy. Supt. David Cox, Overton County Hwy. Supt. James Norrod, Lewis County Hwy. Supt. Randall Stewart, Humphreys County Hwy. Supt. Randy Woods, Trousdale County Hwy. Supt. Billy Scruggs, Polk County Hwy. Supt. Roy Thomason and Claiborne County Hwy. Supt. Billy Fultz.

Counties Elect, Appoint Highway Officials Eleven counties have elected new highway officials as a total of 24 new county highway superintendents were elected or reelected during the August 2 ballot. Additionally, one county official has also been appointed as an interim superintendent. Following is a list of county highway officials impacted by recent elections and resignations. Incumbents reelected to officer are designated with (I). • Bedford County - Stanley Smotherman (I) • Campbell County - Dennis Potter (I) • Cheatham County - Carl Cothern • Claiborne County - Billy Fultz • Giles County - Barry Hyatt (I) • Hamblin County - Barry Poole (I) • Henderson County - Steve Vineyard • Henry County - Ray Norwood (I) • Humphreys County - Randy Woods • Jefferson County - Charles Tipton (I) • Lewis County - Randall Stewart

Budget

Continued From Page 1 rate was positive 22.26 percent. Inheritance and estate tax collections were $10.1 million below the July estimate. For twelve months collections are $37.9 million above the budgeted estimate. Privilege tax collections were $1.1 million above the July budgeted estimate. For 12 months collections are $9.0 million more than the budgeted estimate, and the year-to date growth rate was

• Macon County - Audie Cook (I) • Marion County - Neil Webb (I) • Maury County - Van Boshers (I) • Meigs County – Jerry Shoemaker, who was appointed as interim superintendent to fill out the term of Tim Jennings, who resigned to take a position in the private sector this summer. Shoemaker will stand for election for the remaining portion of the term in November 2012. • Montgomery County - Mike Frost (I) • Moore County - Milton Ferrell (I) • Overton County - James Norrod • Polk County - Roy Thomason • Rhea County - Tommy Snyder (I) • Roane County - Dennis Ferguson • Rutherford County - Gregory Brooks • Smith County - Steve Coble (I) • Trousdale County - Billy Scruggs • Union County - David Cox positive 11.71 percent. Business tax collections were $1.0 million less than the July estimate. Year-to-date collections for eleven months are $15.9 million below the budgeted estimate. Tobacco tax collections were $2.6 million below the budgeted estimate of $25.9 million. For 12 months revenues are under collected by $18.5 million. Gasoline and motor fuel tax collections for July were over collected by $3.4 million. For 12 months revenues are under collected by $5.1 million. All other taxes for July were over collected by a net of $5.2 million.

Boshers

Brooks

Coble

Cook

Cothern

Cox

Ferguson

Ferrell

Frost

Fultz

Hyatt

Norrod

Norwood

Poole

Potter

Scruggs

Shoemaker

Smotherman

Snyder

Stewart

Thomason

Tipton

Vineyard

Webb

Woods

Time To Renew TN Intercity, Interstate Transportation Corridors: TACIR By BEN SMITH Senior Research Consultant Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations Over the next 15 years, Tennesseans are likely to see current, free-flow traffic on rural interstates slow dramatically, particularly along certain routes. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in its 2005 Long Range Transportation Plan, predicted that traffic congestion outside of large urban areas would worsen from 11 miles of rural four-lane interstates with poor traffic service in 2003 to 439 miles with poor traffic service in 2030. Put simply, traffic growth will finally overtake available roadway capacity over very long stretches of rural four-lane interstates. When this happens, traffic congestion will persist over most of the daylight hours. This reduced interstate traffic service will threaten Tennessee’s economic growth by increasing travel times and transportation costs and by hampering commerce. Preventing intercity traffic congestion will not be cheap. More detailed TDOT studies, completed in 2008 and 2010, recommend operational, safety, and major capacity improvements for I-40/I-81 and I-75, two of the state’s four major interstate corridors. The costs of these improvements, inflated to the years of anticipated construction, totaled $6.3 billion over the next 20 years. This program of projects was a prioritized list and did not represent all of the costs necessary to avoid all projected 2030 traffic congestion. A study to estimate the costs of needed improvements in the cross-state I-24 corridor is just getting underway. Much of the increased congestion is expected to result from a burgeoning increase in pass-through, heavy-truck traffic with minimal connection to Tennessee’s economy. An upcoming staff report for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) will discuss the policy implications of the significantly different “travel demand markets” for cross-state transportation corridors. These travel demand markets are 1. internal, with both trip ends within the state (trips directly connected to in-state mobility and the

Tennessee economy); 2. inbound/outbound (and vice versa), with one trip end outside the state (Tennessee trips related to interstate commerce, tourism, and mobility beyond the state’ borders); and 3. through, trips passing entirely through the state with little or no connection to the Tennessee economy. Analyzing these markets separately for cars and light trucks and for heavy trucks suggests that significantly different improvement strategies might be appropriate for different corridors, depending on their travel patterns. TACIR’s staff report will describe some promising corridor development options that emphasize the particular market roles of Tennessee’s interstate corridors based on the premise that funding resources under the state’s control should be spent where they provide the highest return on the state’s investment. Federal and private transportation investments should be pursued for improvements in corridors that are heavily oriented to pass-through, external trips that are not directly tied to Tennessee’s economy. Corridor studies present only a partial picture of costs About $150 million of the $6.3 billion for the interstate capacity improvements recommended in TDOT’s I-40/I-81 and I-75 corridor studies are included in TDOT’s three-year program for 2013-2015. Not all of these projects will reach the construction stage during the next three years. But even the entire $6.3 billion represents only a select set of prioritized projects and may fall well short of providing desirable traffic service throughout these two corridors through 2030. The corridor plans propose no significant capacity improvements for 156 miles of interstate outside metropolitan areas forecast to be congested by 2030. Consequently, the plans are but a partial picture of the staggering costs that may be required to maintain reasonable travel times between Tennessee’s major cities. Recession has bought some time The recent recession has dampened traffic growth trends, possibly pushing the forecast congestion fur-

ther out and allowing more time to develop more cost-effective solutions. The following table shows that total vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) on Tennessee’s rural interstates continued gradual growth from 2003 through 2006, but significantly declined in 2008 with the onset of the Great Recession. It is unlikely that rural interstate VMT has returned to pre-recession levels even today. Tennessee may have a few more years than originally projected before the 439 miles of seriously congested four-lane interstate highways between its major cities predicted by the 2005 Long Range Transportation Plan materializes. Pass-through truck freight is the fastest-growing major contributor to congestion A closer look at traffic data and projections suggests that a serious strategic challenge for Tennessee’s interstate highways is the volume of pass-through, heavy-truck trips that have no origin or destination within Tennessee and, consequently, very little connection to the state’s economy. A 1998 Oak Ridge National Laboratory study, Estimating State-Level Truck Activities in America, based on the 1993 national Commodity Flow Survey ranked Tennessee 5th among the 50 states in through-truck freight. Tennessee ranked 7th in the nation for total tonmiles of truck shipments, with 30.50 billion ton-miles. An estimate that was part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Freight Analysis Framework, based on the 2002 national Commodity Flow Survey, again placed Tennessee 7th among states in total ton-miles of freight movements with 85.73 billion tonmiles. Over the 9 years between these two commodity-flow data sets, Tennessee moved into first place among the 50 states for through heavy truck freight amounting to 42.17 billion ton-miles. Indiana ranked 2nd in through-truck freight, with 40.18 billion ton-miles. In formulating a strategic approach to the looming capacity issues of our intercity transportation corridors, we need to determine whether these large pass-through heavy-truck volumes are concentrated in certain interstate corri-

dors. This is especially important because external heavy-truck freight is expected to be the fastest growing component of future travel demand in Tennessee. The 2005 Long Range Transportation Plan forecast that, daily passenger car trips on all roads would increase by half from 2003 to 2030 while daily heavy-truck trips on all roads would more than double. The fastest growing component of those truck-trip gains is through trips, with a 137% growth rate, which will occur predominantly on the interstate highway system. TDOT’s Statewide Travel Demand Model traffic volumes estimated for 2003 and 2030 can be separated into the three travel-demand markets described above. In 2030, heavy-truck trips directly connected to the Tennessee economy (internal and inbound/outbound), will range from 18,000 to 20,000 per day on I-40 between Memphis and Knoxville. Through-truck traffic between Memphis and Knoxville will be much lighter, ranging from 4,700 to

5,100 heavy trucks per day. Heavy-truck traffic in the I-75 corridor is weighted much more heavily toward trips that are relatively disconnected from the Tennessee economy. Through heavy-truck trips in the I-75 corridor will range from 20,000 to 24,000 per day in 2030, with trips directly connected to the Tennessee economy (internal and internal/external markets) ranging from 3,000 to 5,500 per day. Disaggregating the separate travel demand markets in our interstate corridors can help planners develop a more strategic approach. Simply listing needed projects will not be adequate. Surrounding states are actively engaged in trying to stay ahead of the same problem. Some are advancing proposals to levy tolls on the interstates. With historically low interest rates, some states are selling bonds to advance construction. Tennessee must find its own solutions, and understanding the specific travel demand markets in our interstate corridors can help.

4

TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

Memphis Bus Tour Targets Registered Spouses, Guests A special program has been prepared for spouses attending this year’s TCSA Fall Conference & Trade Show in Shelby County (Memphis). The guided bus tour of the city of Memphis, is designed to give participants a taste of the sights, sounds and history of Tennessee’s largest city, situated along the Mississippi River. The three-hour tour begins immediately following lunch on Thursday, Oct. 11, with participants loading a chartered bus for a ride through Downtown Memphis. An experienced tour guide will provide details of what is being seen, including such things as The “Mighty” Mississippi, Cotton Row, Victorian Village and more. Stops are scheduled on world famous Beale Street, as well as at historic Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Also on the tour are

the famed St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Graceland, Sun Studio and the Peabody Hotel. The tour takes about three hours to complete. Participants will load the bus by 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Memphis Marriott Downtown, the official TCSA hotel. The bus is scheduled to return to the hotel between 3:30-3:45 p.m. Registered spouses/guests MUST reserve a spot on the tour by calling the TCSA office at 615/532-3767 before October 1. Or, you can email [email protected]. Spouses/guests wanting to participate in the bus tour must be paid delegates of the conference to take advantage of this special free offer. Additional information, as it becomes available, will be provided to spouses/guests once they RSVP with the TCSA office.

FALL CONFERENCE AGENDA (Tentative, Subject to Change) Wednesday, October 10, 2012 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Conference Registration Desk Open 11 a.m.-12 noon TCSA Board Meeting This business meeting is for TCSA officers and board members. 1-5 p.m.

County Planning & Zoning CTAS Training (COCTP credit provided, 4 hrs)

2-7 p.m.

View Exhibits

3-3:30 p.m.

TCSA Affiliate Nominating Committees These nominating committee meetings are for committee members to discuss and decide on a recommended slate of officers for each association. Nominations should be directed to the chairs of these committees prior to this meeting. The election of officers to the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association board of directors does not correspond to Annual Conference, with those appointments occurring throughout the year based on elections conducted by highway regions. • Tennessee County Services Association • Association of Mayors of Tennessee • Tennessee County Commissioners Association

3:30-5 p.m.

TCSA Affiliate Board Meetings These business meetings are for association officers and board members of the respective affiliate associations. • Association of Mayors of Tennessee • Tennessee County Highway Officials Association • Tennessee County Commissioners Association

6-7:30 p.m. Evening

• Corrections Facility Issues & Federal Jail Standards • What’s Your Investment IQ? Designed for Individuals Wanting a Refresher in Investment • Learn How Other Communities Approach Their Economic Development Efforts • Recycling: A Different Approach to Economic Development 10:35-11:45 a.m. TCSA General Session (Recertification credit, 1 hr) Presiding: TCSA President Van Boshers, Maury County Highway Superintendent Host County Welcome: Mark Luttrell, Shelby County Mayor Speakers: Lamar Alexander, U.S. senator Lynnisse Roehrich-Patrick, executive director, TACIR Presentation:

1:30-3 p.m.

Welcome Reception Delegates free to visit Shelby County (Memphis) sites

Thursday, October 11, 2012 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Exhibit Hours 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

7 a.m.-12 noon

Conference Registration Desk Open

8:30-10:30 a.m. County Highway Issues for TCHOA Officials 8:30-9:25 a.m.

Education Sessions (Recertification credit, 1 hr) • Is Your County Collecting All Its Revenues? • How Recent Law Changes Impact Your Ability to Use Tax Increment Financing for Economic Development • Corrections Facility Issues & Federal Jail Standards • What’s Your Investment IQ? Designed for Individuals Wanting a Refresher in Investment • Learn How Other Communities Approach Their Economic Development Efforts • Recycling: A Different Approach to Economic Development • NACo Prescription Drug & Other Cost-Savings Programs

Education Sessions (Recertification credit, 1 hr) • Prescription, Synthetic Drugs & Meth: Developing a County Plan of Attack • BEP 101: A K-12 Funding Primer

Spouse program RSVP to the TCSA office prior to the start of the conference is required. Call 615/532-3767 to select the one program in which you want to participate. Program To Be Announced Affiliate Membership Meetings These membership meetings are held by the respective affiliate association, with a program developed with their specific memberships in mind. • Association of Mayors of Tennessee • Tennessee County Commissioners Association • Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers

1:30-4:30 p.m.

TCHOA Program & Membership Meeting This program is planned and being offered with a focus on county highway officials.

3:15-4:10 p.m.

Education Sessions (Recertification credit, 1 hr) • Is Your County Collecting All Its Revenues? • How Recent Law Changes Impact Your Ability to Use Tax Increment Financing for Economic Development • Corrections Facility Issues & Federal Jail Standards • What’s Your Investment IQ? Designed for Individuals Wanting a Refresher in Investment • Learn How Other Communities Approach Their Economic Development Efforts • NACo Prescription Drug & Other Cost-Savings Programs

3:15-4:45 p.m.

Education Sessions (Recertification credit, 1 hr) • Prescription, Synthetic Drugs & Meth: Developing a County Plan of Attack • BEP 101: A K-12 Funding Primer

5:30-7:30 p.m. Evening

Delegate Dinner Hosted by Shelby County

Delegates free to visit Shelby County (Memphis) sites

8:30-9:50 a.m.

9:30-10:25 a.m. Education Sessions (Recertification credit, 1 hr) • Is Your County Collecting All Its Revenues? • How Recent Law Changes Impact Your Ability to Use Tax Increment Financing for Economic Development

FALL CONFERENCE TRAINING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 County Planning & Zoning This course discusses the decisions regarding land development and conversion, infrastructure planning and standards, along with the impacts of density and other growth issues. These issues directly affect the county budget and can have significant impact on property values, community character and quality of life. CTAS Training (COCTP credit provided, 4 hrs) Speaker: David Pechin THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 County Highway Issues for TCHOA Officials Details for this class, designed for county highway officials, have not been finalized at this time. Is Your County Making the Most of its Revenue Stream? In-house situs-based tax audits on sales and Hall income tax revenues owed to the county are helping some counties find as much as $100,000 in new funds. This was money that had been lost in years past because local businesses had tax accountants that were using the wrong situs codes on their tax returns; thus, they were sending the taxes due to the wrong local governments and not to the counties. This session will concentrate on what counties can do internally to maximize their revenues by focusing on these lost revenues. Speaker: Doug Bodary, county government consultant, UT County Technical Assistance Service

Bodary

How Recent Law Changes Impact Your Ability to Use Tax Increment Financing for Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing tool that can be used to fund public improvements to help attract new development or redevelopment and generate new revenues that can be captured to pay for those improvements. During the 2012 legislation session, the State Comptroller’s Office initiated several changes to how TIFs can be used by local governments. Speaker: Kelsie Jones, executive director, State Board of Equalization Jones

“Robert M. Wormsley Outstanding County Official of the Year” Award

11:45-1:15 p.m. Delegate Lunch 12:30 p.m.

September - October 2012

Friday, October 12, 2012 TCSA Breakfast/Business Session (Recertification credit, 1 hr) Presiding: TCSA President Van Boshers, Maury County Highway Superintendent

7:30-9 a.m.

Legislative Platform & Election of TCSA Executive Officers Grand Prize Drawing & Adjournment

Corrections Facility Issues & Federal Jail Standards This session is designed to provide county leaders with information about the “pending” state minimum standard changes as well as recently implemented federal standards changes that will impact Tennessee’s local jail facilities. How jails can work toward meeting those new standards and strategies to address these changes will be discussed. Speakers: Beth Ashe, director, Tennessee Corrections Institute Lance Howell, deputy director, Tennessee Corrections Institute Bob Bass, detention facility specialist, Tennessee Corrections Institute

Ashe

Howell

Bass

What’s Your Investment IQ? Designed for Individuals Wanting a Refresher in Investment Do you suspect you don’t know as much as you should about investment terminology? Do you frequently hear terms that you think you understand, but you’re not quite sure? Would you like to feel more confident when listening and talking to others about your personal investing or retirement planning? In this workshop, the presenters will define investment terms and how they interrelate. They will discuss common investment vehicles, how they work and how they might be beneficial in an investment portfolio. During the presentation and open discussion you will be presented with a foundation on which to increase your investment IQ. Speaker: Ted Meyers, Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Meyers

Learn How Other Communities Approach Their Economic Development Efforts Learn how different counties throughout Tennessee are conducting their economic development efforts during this community panel. Learn what support or structure really helps counties in economic development regardless of size. For example, how do chambers of commerce and/or other groups interact Smith Hiatt Spurgeon Largen with their local governments to carry out an effective and coordinated economic development plan. Gather ideas from what works in other counties and communities and about how to be supportive of economic development efforts locally. Moderator: Heidi Smith, economic development, Tennessee Valley Authority Speakers: J. Steve Hiatt, director of existing business development, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Kyle Spurgeon, president, Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Matt Largen, director, Office of Economic Development for Williamson County Recycling: A Different Approach to Economic Development What was once an environmental movement is now an economic driver. The sector is expanding and building a manufacturing base in Tennessee. The session will present research illustrating that recycling is creating jobs, while at the same time reducing costs and increasing revenue for local government. But for this to happen, the collection program has to be efficient. Speakers will cover existing and developing programs in Tennessee that are reducing the taxpayers’ financial burden while supporting manufacturing expansion. Speakers: Will Sagar, executive director, Southeast Recycling Development Council Sagar Joyce Dunlap, program manager, TN Division of Solid Waste Management NACo Prescription Drug & Other Cost-Savings Programs Through a partnership with TCSA, the National Association of Counties (NACo) provides an array of cost-saving programs for NACo member counties, including the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program and the NACo Dental Discount Program, a new program unveiled this year. These FREE programs are not insurance, but discount programs where everyone is accepted regardless of pre-existing conditions, age or income and everyone has unlimited use of the program. Since the prescription discount card program’s inception, counties nationwide have saved their residents more than $450 million. Speaker: Ilene Manster, membership coordinator, NACo Brad Stone, CVS Caremark

Dunlap

Goldberg

Prescription, Synthetic Drugs & Meth: Developing a County Plan of Attack New Tennessee laws are strengthening state and local law enforcement’s efforts to combat dangerous new synthetic drugs marketed under harmless sounding names such as “bath salts” and “plant food.” Over the past several years, a growing number of local governments have become increasingly alarmed about the use and sale of these drugs. In this session you will hear from state law enforcement officials about the drug epidemic and what these new laws do to help local governments assist in mitigating the prescription and synthetic drug problem in this state. Speaker: Linda H. Russell, Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security BEP 101: A K-12 Funding Primer Funding for local PreK-12 education has traditionally been the single largest expenditure each year for most counties. As those costs increase, so do community expectations and the local portion of those shared state-county costs. This workshop is intended to address the county legislative body’s role in maintaining local revenue and its legally required match for schools as county officials work to better understand county education funding requirements. Speakers: Wesley Robertson, county government consultant, UT CTAS Lynne Holliday, senior financial specialist, UT CTAS

Robertson

Holliday

September - October 2012

TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

5

Association Nominating Committees Statewide Commissioners Association Begins Regional Meetings Sept. 4 To Recommend Future Leaders Nominating committees for the Tennessee County Services Association and its affiliates – the Tennessee County Commissioners Association (TCCA) and the Tennessee Association of County Mayors (ACM) – are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to discuss nominations for officers for the coming year. Note that because the election of officers for the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association does not coincide with TCSA’s Annual Fall Conference, no nominating committee exists for TCHOA. TCSA Those interested in serving on the TCSA board of directors would contact committee Chair Carl Stoppenhagen, Gibson County road superintendent, at 1244 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN 38382. Other members include Lincoln County Mayor Peggy Bevels at P.O. Box 32, Fayetteville, TN 37334, and Rhea County Commissioner Ronnie Raper at 2987 Old Washington Highway, Dayton, TN 37321. Positions being considered include the slot for a highway superintendent for second vice president; a three-year term for a East Tennessee highway officials, a three-year term for Middle Tennessee county

Fall

Continued From Page 1 tificate Training Program (COCTP) will be awarded for this session, as well as most all workshops and general sessions, throughout the conference. Once you are onsite, refer to the official conference program for the full list of COCTP credit opportunities. On Thursday, the day is filled with a number of educational opportunities beginning immediately after breakfast. The TCSA general session is planned for late morning, just prior to the delegate lunch, and will include the presentation of this year’s winner of the “Robert M. Wormsley Outstanding County Official of the Year.” The afternoon continues with additional workshops and membership meetings, as well as a dinner. Then on Friday, the conference wraps up with TCSA’s annual breakfast where delegates will have their business session, which will include voting for and installing the 2012-

commissioner and a three-year term for a Middle Tennessee county mayor or executive. ACM For those interested in serving on the ACM board, contact members Henry County Mayor Brent Greer at P.O. Box 7, Paris, TN 38242; Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters at 125 Court Avenue, Sevierville, TN 37862; Maury County Mayor Jim Bailey at 41 Public Square, Room 101, Columbia, TN 38401; Obion County Mayor Benny McGuire at 1 Bill Burnett Circle, Union City, TN 38232; and Greene County Mayor Alan Broyles at 204 N. Cutler Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. TCCA County commissioners interested in serving on the TCCA board of directors should be in contact with Chair Jim Westbrook of Weakley County at P.O. Box 295, Dresden, TN 38225; White County Commissioner Wallace Austin at 16 W. Brockman Way, Sparta, TN 38583; and Rhea County Commissioner Ronnie Raper at 2987 Old Washington Highway, Dayton, TN 37321.

2013 board members and officers. Registration is now open and county officials are urged to register with both the association and separately with the hotel. First, TCSA registrations, using the form found on Page 4 of this issue of TN County News, are required along with advanced payment for all attendees, including spouses and guests. To help the TCSA staff prepare for the conference, delegates are being asked to register now with TCSA and forward the necessary registration fee to TCSA, 226 Capitol Blvd., Ste. 700, Nashville, TN 37219. The association accepts VISA, Mastercard and American Express for registration payments. To use a credit card, contact Adam Robertson at TCSA by calling (615) 532-3767. County officials can take advantage of early registration at a lesser amount, $165, if they register before September 27. After that time, the fee goes up to $200 per person. Secondly, county officials are responsible for their own hotel accommodations and should contact the Marriott Downtown Memphis directly for room reservations. A block of rooms are been set aside at the hotel for TCSA Fall Confer-

Deferred Comp Program Undergoes Regular Review Recent headlines about pension funding around the country and the current economic climate highlight the importance of making sure personal and retirement investments are with a financially strong company. As part of its oversight of its Deferred Compensation Program, NACo hires an independent consultant to evaluate several different program aspects. These include the creditworthiness of Nationwide Financial, the parent company to the program administrator, Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS), and the competitiveness of the fixed annuity investment option return to program participants. According to the study, the 2011 return on this investment option placed highest among its competitors. The report was released at a recent meeting of NACo’s Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee. This study has been conducted every year since 1989, and the NACo program has always come out on top. “Our 32-year partnership with NRS continues to deliver a quality program that helps county employees save for a more comfortable retirement — this is more important than ever in today’s economy,” said Larry Naake, NACo executive director. In their analysis of the creditworthiness of Nationwide, the consultant’s noted that Nationwide Financial’s long-term financial performance and commitment to the general account annuity market is excellent. The consultants’ analysis notes that Nationwide’s financial strength compares favorably with its peers. As of Dec. 31, 2011, the report noted, Nationwide’s ratio of “surplus plus asset valuation reserve” to “general account liabilities” was 10.7 percent which is the median of the carriers in the test universe. Further, Nationwide’s action level risk based capital (RBC) ratio, a measure of the financial flexibility of an insurance company, at 585 percent, was the highest among carriers in the test universe and has been the highest in each of the past five years. The consultants continue that Nationwide’s general account assets are invested in a diversified portfolio of bonds, mortgages and other investments in order to support the term and risk characteristics of its general accountliabilities which include a substantial annuity business. The NACo deferred compensation program, also known as a 457 program, is a voluntary investment program that gives county employees the opportunity to save regularly for their retirement on a pre-tax basis. One of the investment options available to participants is the fixed annuity that offers county employees the opportunity to earn an investment return at a fixed rate that is established quarterly by Na-

ence attendees, so make sure to state that you are with TCSA in order to receive the special $139/night rate for our group. Contact the Marriott Downtown directly by calling (901) 527-7300. Again, make sure to ask for the “Tennessee County Services” rate. TCSA is not responsible for securing hotel accommodations. Also, when reserving your hotel room, please keep in mind that other county officials will want to make a similar reservation. Please be considerate when making multiple hotel reservations. Once the TCSA room block is filled, officials are forced to either pay a regular, non-conference rate (which is higher) or find an offsite hotel for overnight stays. Cancellations only create holes that cannot always be filled by officials wanting to attend our conference. Please be aware that if multiple reservations are made and not kept, TCSA as an association often gets stuck with the tab. Officials holding multiple reservations will be contacted by the hotel to explain its policies for securing and /or cancelling rooms. Further information about the conference, as it becomes available, will be posted at TCSA’s website, www.tncounties.org.

As has been the tradition for many years, the Tennessee County Commissioners Association (TCCA) is once again hosting a series of regional meetings across the state this coming September, beginning in East Tennessee on September 4.

With eight meetings scheduled again this year, it is hoped at least one will be convenient for you to attend. Each meeting includes a meal, compliments of TCCA, to be served at 6:30 p.m. local time. Following dinner will be a discussion of legislative issues and a few brief presentations on upcoming programs and topics of interest to county officials. “Your attendance at one of the

gatherings helps our association stay strong and connected to the grassroots issues affecting our communities,” said TCCA Executive Director David Connor.

“I encourage you to promote these meetings with your fellow county commissioners and also with local legislators and candidates for the General Assembly,” he added. “This will help to build and maintain a relationship between your state Senators and Representatives and our association.” TCCA is one voice on the hill speaking on behalf of counties. “If legislators know the association represents the views of county commissioners from their district back

home, that voice will resonate with them,” Connor said. The regional meeting schedule includes: • September 4 - Jonesborough Visitor’s Center • September 5 - Knoxville City/ County Building • September 6 – Leslie Towne Centre, Cookeville • September 11 - Mountain View Inn, Cleveland • September 18 - Paris Landing State Park • September 20 - UT Agriculture Center, Jackson • September 25 Catfish House, Springfield • September 27 Henry Horton State Park

ATVG Progress, Prospects for 2013 By MIKE ARMS ATVG Executive Director The past two years of ATVG activities have taken us throughout the Tennessee River Valley and provided many unique experiences. A few of our learning experiences included insider tours of the TBI Fusion Center in Nashville, the TVA Power Operations Center in Chattanooga, and the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in Scottsboro, Alabama. We have had meetings in Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia as well as Tennessee and along the way had some great hospitality from local government officials. In our efforts to address current issues we have had the opportunity to hear from some outstanding subject-matter experts. We have looked at nuclear preparedness as well as homeland security. We have heard from experts in nuclear energy from TVA, Southern Company and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. Our “green energy” programs have included presentations by the American Natural Gas Alliance, the Tennessee Solar Institute, ENERGN and numerous privatesector leaders in the areas of renewables and energy efficiency. Of course, we have also learned about TVA’s vision for “greater energy efficiency” and its renewable program. We have also frequently focused on the important topic of

economic development and job growth. We have heard from regional economic development leaders from four states. TVA has educated us on mega-sites and data center designation. Our October meeting in Clarksville promises to offer another excellent program. Presentations include an overview of TVPPA, a review by the Corp of Engineers on lock reconstruction and flood control and our quarterly TVA update. We will also hear from the ClarksvilleMontgomery County economic development directors. Day two offers a bus tour of the Hemlock Semiconductors Facility. This opportunity showcases green jobs for Tennessee on a TVA megasite. Please look for the registration form in the ATVG September newsletter or visit www. ATVG.org. We are currently planning meet-

ings for 2013 which will include a winter meeting in Nashville, a trip to Kentucky in the spring and a visit to Gatlinburg in the summer. This next year may be one of the most pivotal years in TVA’s recent history. With Tom Kilgore’s announced retirement TVA will have a new CEO and President in 2013. Also, the TVA Board currently has three vacancies with two more coming in May 2013. Since no appointment or confirmation action is foreseen this fall prior to the November elections, we may see either President Obama or Governor Romney, if elected, making five board appointments on a nine-member Board in 2013. ATVG will continue to represent local government during this period of TVA transition and policy change. Please make plans to join us.

TCSA Opens It’s Annual Conference Registration Additional details are being announced as they become available through the association website (www.tncounties. org), this September-October 2012 issue of Tennessee County News, and additional mailings. See Page 1, 4 and 5.

TDOT Aims For Improved Service, Savings

tionwide. In addition, on an annual basis, Nationwide sets an investment rate minimum (or floor) for the year. The consultants’ analyses are only one feature of NACo’s deferred compensation program that distinguishes it from others. As a result the NACo program is the only one in the country that receives oversight and is advised by county participants. For further information, contact Lisa Cole at (202) 942.4270 or [email protected] or NRS at (877) 677.3678 or www.nrsforu.com.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has partnered with Smart Growth America to increase its efficiency and ensure the greatest possible return on Tennessee’s transportation investments. As a result, TDOT has compiled a series of recommendations designed to pin down areas for improvement, prioritize projects and streamline processes. “Transportation investments are invaluable to driving economic recovery and prosperity across Tennessee,” says TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “But as this report shows, we cannot be limited to old ways of doing business. We must enable and encourage more flexible, innovative and lower-cost solutions to the state’s transportation needs. Prioritizing and designing projects to add the most value for their cost is smart, common sense policy in a time of fiscal constraint, and all Tennesseans stand to benefit from an even more effective Department of

Transportation.” The analysis, Removing Barriers to Smarter Transportation Investments, revealed TDOT currently has nine times more projects in its work plan than it has funding. As a result, some beneficial projects currently run the risk of falling through the cracks, while the service intent of others might be equally fulfilled through a less expensive solution. To counter this, TDOT is already in the process of developing more rigorous metrics for the measurement of broad project benefits and better prioritization of projects. The analysis also suggests that TDOT should audit its existing work program to eliminate projects that are no longer needed and right-size projects that can be improved. For a full copy of Removing Barriers to Smarter Transportation Investments, visit www.tdot.state.tn.us/projects/studies.htm. To learn more about Smart Growth America’s Technical Assistance, visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org/technical-assistance.

Does your county need money for its local projects? Cheatham County recently used the TCSA Loan Program for just that, securing a loan to purchase industrial riverfront property. The purchase will help secure the future of A.O. Smith, the world-renowned manufacturer of water heaters that has called Ashland City home for decades, and its workforce. The loan is one way Cheatham County officials are helping insure the economic success of their community. The Tennessee County Services Loan Program offers: • low rates, • lowest costs, and • best service. We’re making great counties even better. One loan at a time. (615) 255-1561

Cheatham County Mayor David McCullough, seated, signs loan documents as Director of Accounts & Budgets Tara Patterson and TCSA Loan Program Representative Steve Walker look on.

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Purkey

Continued From Page 8 the people that you see in state government were local officials. The Commissioner of Transportation was the Mayor of Franklin. I was a local mayor. You see various deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners within other departments who were local mayors or local government officials. So it’s my experience working for this administration that there is a high sensitivity to

TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

what affects local government, and when you attend a discussion, whatever topic is on the table, there will be a question asked how is this going to affect city and county governments. I think that’s a very positive thing. TCN: What are the top safety concerns you hear from local governments, and how do you respond to them? DWP: I think any local official whether that be a county mayor, a county elected official or a sheriff will tell you that the greatest percentage of people that they have in jail are there on drug-related offens-

es. Now they might have been a shop lifter or they may have committed a burglary, but it was to get items that they could sell for drug money. So that’s a huge problem we continue to struggle with today. I also think local governments are concerned about highway safety. You know when you have a fatality in a highway accident in a local county or city, that’s something that gets everybody’s attention and I think local governments expect that partnership with state government to make sure that their local roads and highways are safe. They can only do so much, so they appreciate moni-

toring assistance from the state and also the assistance from the Highway Patrol to make sure that the roads are safer. So really those areas with the primary area being drug abuse, whether prescription or controlled substances, continue to drive crime in the local communities, and local government needs help with that. TCN: Tennessee’s violent crime rate is above the national average and among the highest in the Southeast. Crimes generally happen at the local level, what can the state do to support local law enforcement and governments?

September - October 2012

DWP: I think the state can take actions like the Governor did with the deployment of the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group. There are other task force situations that the state can participate in to assist local governments in these areas. It’s very important to always realize that one of the primary roles of state government is to support and assist local governments. Local governments know what their communities need. Sometimes they just need some help making it happen. I think the state, on a continuous basis, can be a facilitator in that area.

Obviously state government has limited resources. Even though taxes are collected locally, state government provides a lot of the education funding while working with local governments. I know in Hamblen County about 81 percent of the budget went to education. So obviously that’s a big challenge to local governments. Then you have 19 percent left to cover highways, garbage collection, law enforcement and everything else. So state government’s role in many ways, whether it’s by contributions of monetary resources or just support otherwise, can be a facilitator and make things happen on a local level. TCN: How does government ensure that this Public Safety Action Plan is not just another plan that ends up on the shelves somewhere? DWP: Commissioner Gibbons was very concerned about that. He wanted to make sure that there were definable dates for implementation of the recommendations. He wanted to make sure that everyone was focused on legislative initiatives. Also the legislature has been very good to the Governor and the working group in implementing the biggest majority of the changes that were recommended. So it’s been a good relationship between the Legislature and the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group. I guess the Commissioner is a person, and certainly the Governor is – it’s been my experience with both of them – they believe in holding people accountable. You do that by setting very defined goals and dates, knowing that sometimes you won’t meet that goal by that set time, but you’re always working toward that goal. I think that’s how the Governor and Commissioner Gibbons are making sure that this Public Safety Action Plan is not just a shelved plan. It’s something that’s real. Also I go back again to the fact that it’s not just a one-time thing. In fact, this working group has met multiple, multiple times and continues to meet. We have another meeting coming up to make sure that everybody is focused on it. It has really become a very tight-knit group. It is kind of a little family reunion every time we come together and you have the major players in state government there. I think the Governor’s been pleased with that working group.

September - October 2012

TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

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TENNESSEE COUNTY NEWS / www.tncounties.org

September - October 2012

DAVID PURKEY

David Purkey State Homeland Security Advisor By JUDITH TACKETT His resume is a rather interesting read following a career that started out in the office of a Judge, working in law enforcement and ended up as the Homeland Security Advisor to the top officials in Tennessee. David Wayne Purkey, whose official title reads “State Homeland Security Advisor and Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security,” is known for his high standards, quality of work and service for others, which has earned him several recognitions. When David was a college freshman he saved the life of a young man by performing CPR. Following the incident, he received a personally signed certificate of recognition from the President of the United States and the American Red Cross Award of Merit and the Lion’s Club Medal of Valor. In his current position, Purkey’s daily tasks take him all over the State of Tennessee. Since being issued a government vehicle nineteen months ago, he has logged over 70,000 miles in support of Governor Bill Haslam’s mission of ensuring our state’s safety. Purkey stated, “On a typical day, I will first review all media sources throughout the state, followed by many threat briefings on conditions affecting the state. Some of these briefings may be classified, but they are all analyzed through the Fusion Center, one of the 72 Fusion Centers across the nation.” The Tennessee Fusion Center, jointly managed by the Office of Homeland Security and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is located at the TBI Headquarters in Nashville and was named the number one Fusion Center in the nation in 2011. Each state and some of the larger cities have their own fusion centers, Purkey explained, where incoming information is analyzed. “Our Fusion Center is a little different from others because it’s an all-crimes fusion center,” he stated. “They’re not only looking for some type of nexus to terrorism but they’re assisting local governments, as well as other state and federal law enforcement agencies with connecting the dots, if you will, on a situation that can lead to a successful investigation.” Purkey added “A percentage of all the information entering the Fusion Center is determined to have a nexus to criminal activity or terrorism, which is then shared with the appropriate law enforcement agency.” “In terrorism, that’s the FBI in Tennessee.” One of his tasks and a responsibility he takes very seriously is to stay connected with local governments. “There is an expectation throughout the state that I am very much a person on the ground, attending events, making sure that local officials’ needs are taken care of and that they have the Homeland Security equipment and planning to make sure that our communities are protected,” stated Purkey. Purkey had been retired for only four months before taking on this new challenge. He stated, “I’m keenly aware that this is probably my last fulltime career having already served 30 years in state and local government. So it’s important to me that I finish strong. When I say that, it’s even more important to me that I am very respectful of my local government background and the preparation that it provided for me to be a very good Homeland Security Advisor.” Purkey explained that it was important to him to be available to local government officials because he knows when they call, they need answers. “My staff understands that no matter where I’m at in the nation that when a local official calls, that I am to be notified immediately so that I can talk to that person.” He also stated that it was very important to him not to forget where he came from. “So my goal here is to do a good job for the Commissioner and the Governor; to finish strong in what I perceive to be my last career.” TCN: You are the fourth State Homeland Security Advisor and the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You have an extensive background in law enforcement. Could you share your career path? DWP: Well, I have had a very interesting career. I started out of college as an assistant to General Sessions Judge James K. Miller in Hamblen County, who became my mentor. After working six years for Judge Miller, I was appointed by my predecessor to the position of Emergency Management Director for Morristown - Hamblen County. As a child, I had always wanted to be a state trooper. So, following my two years as EMA Director, I enrolled in the Tennessee Highway Patrol Academy. I had served three years as a state trooper before having the opportunity to go to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Academy. Upon graduation I served as a TBI Special Agent for two years assigned to the Chattanooga Region. While there I received a call from a good friend of mine, Morristown Chief of Police Joel Seal.

Chief Seal stated that he wanted his department to go through accreditation and asked me to serve as Accreditation Manager. While back home in Morristown, County Executive Paul Bruce had passed away. I was approached by several county commissioners about my interest in being appointed as the county executive. I was able to secure the required eight votes and in 1995 I was appointed as Hamblen County Executive, later changed to County Mayor. TCN: You were appointed to the vacancy of Hamblen County Executive in 1995 and then elected four times before your retirement from that position in 2010. What were the toughest and what were the most rewarding moments you would like to share with county officials? DWP: The toughest thing as a county mayor is having a good relationship with your county commission and the other elected officials. I think that’s the foundation for being a successful county mayor. Fortunately, I had a really good relationship with the county commission for most of the 16 years in office. So the relationship with your legislative body is extremely important to your goals and your success as county mayor. Oddly enough, I had the opportunity to serve with my brother for two terms who was elected Sheriff while I was county mayor. That was the first time in the state that this had happened and was an unusual dynamic. TCN: You were Mayor during the recent recession, but still left the county with historically low property tax rates and the highest bond rating on record. How did you do that? DWP: We had a very conservative county commission. Just about every year, particularly during the last four or five years, we would return unspent budget dollars to the fund balance. This was important in building our fund balance, which is a rainy day fund, to the highest level in the county history. Our current county mayor, who was county trustee at the time, did a study and approximately 70 percent of all taxes within the city limits of Morristown are paid by business and industry. Countywide it’s about 55 percent. So you can see how it would place less of a burden on the residential property owner. When you look at other counties around East Tennessee, it would be difficult to find those same percentages. Obviously business and industry were a very important part of our success in Hamblen County. TCN: What is the main industry there? DWP: The largest industry there now is probably MAHLE. It’s a German company that manufactures pistons for the auto industry. It’s a very successful company that has probably been there in excess of 30 years. They have gone through various expansions and have just become a good community partner. They’re a very strong employer and pay very good salaries. TCN: You played a major part in the Governor’s Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group, which was tasked to develop a Public Safety Action Plan. Could you talk about the main goals of the plan? DWP: The Commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Bill Gibbons, chairs the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group. He takes that role very seriously. The Commissioner has put a lot of time and effort into working with the other members of the Public Safety Subcabinet. I, along with various other agencies to include the TBI, the Highway Patrol, the Department of Health and the Department of Corrections serve as members for this group. I would attribute that success to a group of people who, with the Commissioner as the guide, took the vision of the Governor and translated that into a set of legislative and administrative changes that will have a long-lasting impact on public safety in the state. I would give the credit to the Commissioner and his guiding efforts. I think anyone on the Public Safety Cabinet Working Group would tell you that he’s been a true leader in shepherding the Governor’s vision there. TCN: Several pieces of legislation were brought before the General Assembly. In your opinion, what were the most significant laws that were brought to the Legislature for consideration, which ones passed? DWP: Probably revisions to prescription drug laws and databases in the state. As you know, it is currently a very big problem in our state. Earlier this year, in my home county, there was a front page article about the epidemic levels of prescription drug overdoses in the state. It was something that concerned me as County Mayor, particularly during my last term. I saw those numbers continue to go up. Today, the Medical Examiner for Hamblen County is in the local paper stating, “If this were a disease the CDC would come in and close this place off and try to determine how to stop it.” So there were some major

State Homeland Security Advisor & Assistant Commissioner of Safety David Purkey, at podium, addresses attendees of last year’s annual First Responder Recognition Ceremony in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the State Capitol. With Purkey are, from left, Adjutant General Max Haston, Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey.

changes from the Public Safety Subcabinet dealing with prescription drugs. There was also major antimeth legislation that I think is very effective and you’ll probably see the Subcabinet continue to work on other issues such as adjusting sentencing laws. T h e r e were a few changes in state agencies such as the Board of Probation and Parole – Field Parole Officers Purkey were transferred to the Department of Corrections. The Board of Parole still exists in a very strong form under Chairman Charles Traughber, and their role is now more defined with the field officers transferred to the Department of Corrections under Commissioner Schofield. TCN: What do local governments need to know about the Public Safety Action Plan? DWP: Local governments need to feel good that this Governor and the members of this Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group realize that local officials need help. We know that the resources are limited. We know that budgets are tight. We also realize, again based on the Governor’s vision, that there needs to be a concerted statewide effort to address crime across the state. One thing that I would mention about this Public Safety Subcabinet is that it’s not a one-time deal. I think you’ll continue to see it meet to address issues that come before the state as changes occur in crime trends. It’s one thing that local officials can depend on to help them deal with crime in their communities. Let’s be honest, one of the major challenges to local governments is jails. I’ve never heard a sheriff say, “We built it just big enough.” It’s a major challenge. The Department of Corrections itself is under pressure with a burgeoning inmate population. The Commissioner of Corrections, I can tell you from working with him on the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group, is very keen and understanding about the problems that counties are dealing with when it comes to their overcrowded jails. TCN: The Governor and the General Assembly agreed to help local jails offset their costs for the expected increase in inmates who are charged with domestic violence crimes. What will that assistance look like at the local level? DWP: It will be in the form of a greater contribution rate. The state pays a county a set amount for each state inmate that is housed in a local jail. There was a feeling that to offset the cost, there might be an increase in population of prisoners through the domestic violence revisions, and there should be an offset with a little bit higher rate. That’s what the Governor and the Legislature eventually signed off on and was included in the budget. TCN: Talking of domestic violence, during the past legislative year, domestic violence was a major concern. How does the Public Safety Action Plan address this issue? DWP: Well, last week in Hamblen County a police officer had to shoot and kill a suspect who was involved in a domestic violence situation. The suspect was holding a weapon on his girlfriend. Despite repeated warnings to put the weapon down, the suspect refused and was shot and killed by police. That’s an example of what a widespread problem domestic violence is in our state. We know that this is a very vicious cycle. A person, male or female, if they’re a subject of a domestic violence situation, it prohibits them from being a productive member of society in more ways than one. The

Public Safety Subcabinet recognized that the laws needed to be strengthened in that area to require some mandatory jail time. I think that’s what you’ve seen coming from the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group. It was a recognition that is one of the major problems in our state. Our citizens needed more relief to try to get out of that cycle that domestic violence puts them in. TCN: You mentioned meth earlier, fighting meth was a big part of the Public Safety Action Plan. Where does Tennessee stand on that front? DWP: Meth manufacturing in the state has gone from fixed sites of manufacturing meth in buildings to mobile meth labs. That’s a problem that we’re continuing to see in the state. It’s very expensive to clean up those labs and there was significant federal funding that was lost over the past year and a half which caused the state through the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group and the Tennessee Meth Taskforce to look at other solutions. Out of that came a system of containers that are located throughout the state for the disposition of meth material that were obtained through the raids of meth labs. Obviously in our rural areas, meth production was overwhelming local law enforcement. I do think that because of the efforts of the Tennessee Meth Task Force and the Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group, we’ve seen that leveling off, but we’re seeing an increase again on the seizure of meth labs. It’s a big problem in our state. It’s highly destructive and if you’ve ever seen before and after pictures of someone on meth, they’re striking pictures of a complete breakdown of a person and it’s a tragedy. This is a strong statement to make, but in many ways we’re killing ourselves with the meth problem and the prescription drug problem. I mean we’re just absolutely causing a societal downgrade with the prevalence with these two epidemics. I have a background in public health, my master’s is in public health, and I agree with the Medical Examiner in Hamblen County, “If you were treating these things as a disease, the CDC would come in and block everything off and try to put a stop to it.” So it’s something that we’re continuing to struggle with and it’s a new, very personal kind of crime because of its destructive capabilities. TCN: Can you explain briefly, the container program? DWP: There are locations throughout the state where secured collection containers are located. Law enforcement agencies are very familiar with these areas. To give you an example, one of them might be at a highway patrol post – some area that is secured 24 hours a day, monitored, where troopers are in and out. When a seizure is made, material is collected, brought to one of these sites and then an organized pick up is scheduled for those sites by a vendor to make sure that the materials are fully disposed of properly. It has taken a lot of the expense out of the clean-up and so far it’s working very well in our state.

TCN: Where does Tennessee stand when it comes to fighting meth? DWP: I think when the money for clean-ups disappeared, we saw a bit of hesitancy among law enforcement to spend as much time on the enforcement because local governments couldn’t afford the clean-ups. Now that there have been provisions made to the container program, I think you’ve seen a refocus of law enforcement again and you’ve seen the number of seizures go up again. TCN: Do you look at other states to compare where Tennessee stands when it comes to prescription drug abuse? DWP: The Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group did look at this, and unfortunately Tennessee is right near the top on the number of prescriptions that are written each year. That’s a sad ranking to find ourselves in, but consistently from year to year, we’re near the top of the 50 states in the number of prescriptions issued. Obviously that’s an area that needs to be addressed, too. TCN: What is, in your view, the role of local governments around the fight of meth and prescription drug abuse? DWP: They’re on the front lines. Local law enforcement agencies are the first ones who come in contact with these problems. The thing about local law enforcement that makes them different is that is also where your jails are located obviously. I had a sheriff tell me one time, ‘This job would be fun if it wasn’t for the jail.’ I mean constantly, a sheriff is struggling with not having enough jail space which effects the local police department and the sheriff’s deputies. They have to make sure that they have room for people that they’re arresting. That’s a real challenge among local governments. I struggled with it as a county mayor. My successor in Hamblen County continues to struggle with overcrowding jails. One good thing I would say, the Tennessee Corrections Institute, or commonly referred to as TCI, which inspects jails, is doing a really good job working with counties to try to help them remain certified and to try to help them with other jail problems. In the past, there was a situation where they were kind of the hammer with their inspectors. I mean they would come in and tell you everything that was wrong, decertify you. Now there is more of an attitude there of trying to help locals and fix the problems as well as help them get recertified. Their new director, Beth Ashe, is doing a really good job with that. So that’s a positive that local governments have now. I know Hamblen County is currently decertified and they are in partnership with TCI in getting their certification back and make the changes to do so. Local governments are on the frontline. There was a speaker of the

U.S. House of Representatives at one time that said, ‘All politics are local,” and I believe that. I believe that you’re closest to the people at the local level. It’s not difficult to take the temperature of the people you represent, know what’s on their mind, what they’re thinking, how much in taxes they will tolerate and then you have to adjust your goals accordingly. TCN: In your opinion, what does a successful state-county partnership look like? DWP: A good example of state and county partnerships are monetary partnerships. The state will provide a lot of dollars for a local match. Those are easy decisions to make in local government. Usually in the highest percentage of those cases, you see that partnership work, whether it be roads, parks, or any number of other areas where the state will provide a big share of the money if there is a local match. That’s the way it should work. So typically you see a state and local partnership work in that way. You also see other partnerships. You see instances where a local government might be overwhelmed in a disaster situation. That’s where the state government can bring in resources through TEMA or the State Highway Patrol and really take the burden off local governments in those situations. We deal with that just about monthly in this state. When you have a disaster in a county, very quickly a local government can become overwhelmed and worn out. State government, particularly the group I work with, whether it be the Director of TEMA, the Colonel of the Highway Patrol, whatever the local government needs they’ll send it without any question. That’s what makes it so much fun to work down here. As a former local elected official, it’s just a pleasure to work with people who do not ask questions when a local government calls and says, ‘I need help.’ They send whatever help it is that is needed. That’s been a real pleasure for me to see over the past 19 months. TCN: Curb violent crime and lower the rate of repeat offenders were other main goals of the Public Safety Action Plan. How do you believe those goals can be achieved? Again, what is the role of local governments? DWP: Let’s go back to the jail situation and let’s be honest about it. Local governments question the strengthening of laws when it comes to increasing jail overcrowding. Again, they’re on the frontline and they’re very sensitive about that. There is not a local official in the state that will tell you they do not believe in stronger laws. They want people to be held accountable for their actions when they harm others or they take other people’s property, but at the same time, they’ve got to balance that with what they’re capable of handling at the local level, especially when it comes to jail and incarceration. So, I think there has to be an understanding and a balance that local governments know that at the state level, whether it be the legislature or the executive branch, the state is sensitive to the fact that they may not have additional jail space. I think all they ask for is that a discussion occurs before laws are passed and before sentences are lengthened to make sure that everybody understands it’s not something that’s done in a vacuum. Everything that happens affects not only state government but also local government. I think you see those discussions now. The relationship now with local government is a pretty good relationship. The reason I say that is Governor Haslam, obviously, was a local official. He was Mayor of Knoxville for eight years. Many of Please See Purkey, Page 6