Lone Oak Community Civic League Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for May 7, 2026

Meeting called to order at 7:33pm. Opening prayer by Andrew Johnson and Pledge of Allegiance led by Tommy Johnson.

April meeting minutes are posted online.

Financial and Fundraising Updates

• April ended financially “in the black.”
• R&B Resale revenue: $2,870
• Bingo reported a negative month due to advance purchase of cards for the next 3–4 bingo events to avoid shortages.
• 127 Sale vendor checks are beginning to arrive.
• Banners for the 127 Sale were purchased and the event remains ahead financially overall.
• Clinic received an additional $100 recurring donor contribution.
• Year-to-date financial status is approximately $14,000 in the black, supported by bingo, R&B resale, and barn-related funds already received.
• Walmart grant funds arrived April 24
  • $1,500 designated for the backpack project.
  • Project is now ready to begin.
• April financial report presented and approved.
  • Motion: Rose Turner
  • Second: David Adams
  • Approved by voice vote

Fire Department

Pork Butt Fundraiser

• Sales run: May 1 – June 15
• Pickup date: June 27
• Pricing:
  • $15/lb
  • Whole pork butt available upon request for $55

Recent Fundraising Successes

• Prior cookout and breakfast events raised nearly $7,000.

Fire Truck Fundraiser

• Total raised has surpassed $130,000.
• Approximately $20,000 remains to meet the goal.

Fire Department Leadership Update

• David Adams introduced as new president.
• Elaine Burnell and husband Rob are relocating to Florida for health reasons.
• Appreciation was expressed for their service and contributions.

Fire Department Cash Raffle

• Approved by the State.
• Planned for fall.
• Details:
  • 400 tickets at $50 each
  • $20,000 gross revenue target
  • $10,000 in prizes
  • $10,000 benefiting the fire department
• Ticket sales begin the Saturday of the yard sale.
• Drawing planned during the Santa event in December (target date around December 5).

Additional Fundraiser

• Skip Maples raffling cornhole boards:
  • $5 per chance
  • $20 for five chances
• All proceeds donated to the fire department.

Clinic, School, and Community Services

Clinic Report

• Sonia reported 15 patient visits during April.
• Dental clinic scheduled for the 15th and continuing Thursdays through May.
• Sonia Bible will conclude service with the clinic in May.
• Continued need for a volunteer registered nurse to sustain clinic operations.
• Discussion held regarding recruitment through Signal Mountain community groups while remaining mindful of HIPAA considerations.
• Continuation of dental services after May depends on staffing availability.

Quilters

• Group reported to be “alive and well and doing good.”
• Humorous mention of a “thimble shortage.”

School Board and School System Updates – Debbie Adams

• Honors Night: May 14
• Graduation: May 15
  • 103 graduates
• Next school board meeting: Monday, May 11
• Budget hearings tentatively planned for May 19 but may change.

School Barn Project

• Consulting plans and drawings were presented.
• Estimated project cost returned at approximately $1.7 million:
  • $600,000 site work
  • $1.1 million building construction
• Board does not plan to proceed at current cost and will regroup to consider scaled alternatives.
• Clarified that reports suggesting the project was “killed” were inaccurate; concern centered solely on cost.

Tutoring Program

• Signal Mountain Social Services tutoring concluded for the year.
• Program organizers expressed interest in continuing next year.

Food Pantry Partnership

• Sherry Bishop of St. Timothy’s may be invited to speak briefly at a future meeting.
• Pantry operates the third Saturday of each month.
• Posters will be placed at the local food box.

GED Graduation

• Question raised regarding date and location.
• Debbie will follow up and report back.

County Commission Updates – Tommy Johnson

• Budget process delayed pending certified tax rate due to statewide reassessments.
• Expected timeline shifted to late June or July.

Ambulance Contract

• Emergency Services Committee approved renewal of the Puckett Ambulance contract:
  • 5-year term plus two optional 1-year extensions.

Road Paving Updates

• Asphalt plant delays attributed to cool weather.
• Planned paving order:
  1. Daus Mountain Road
  2. Lewis Chapel / Window Rock area
  3. Signal Mountain / Miller’s Cove Road

Road Funding Concerns

• Higher gas prices may reduce gas tax revenues.
• County hopes to supplement road funding through capital funds if necessary.

Growth and Planning

• County exploring assistance from CTAS and state agencies regarding planning structure options.
• Emphasis made that “planning” does not necessarily mean “zoning.”
• Sequatchie County identified as the 5th fastest-growing county in Tennessee.
• Assessor’s office reported approximately 200 homes behind on tax roll processing.

Utility Coordination

• County implemented procedures requiring utility districts to coordinate with the road department before work in county rights-of-way.
• Utilities must properly restore affected roads, including paving when necessary.

EPB Infrastructure Update

• EPB constructing transformer substation north on Highway 127 across from Dandy Road.
• Transformers expected to improve electrical reliability and service capacity on the north end of the mountain.

Developer Infrastructure Discussion

• Discussion noted that requiring infrastructure contributions from developers generally requires a formal planning structure.
• Current leverage is limited beyond subdivision road standards.

Property Tax Allocation

• Approximately:
  • 53% allocated to schools
  • Remaining funds distributed among county operations, sanitation, and debt service
• Schools noted as debt-free.
• County currently carries approximately $4 million in low-interest debt.

Building Department Discussion

• County currently does not maintain a building department.
• Discussion suggested permitting and building oversight would likely come through future planning structures.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

• Hall Cemetery cleanup/work day:
  • Saturday at 9:00 AM
• First pavilion movie night sponsored by Dialed In Chiropractic:
  • Feature film: Toy Story
• Community-wide homecoming bash:
  • June 27
  • Free hamburgers, hot dogs, and fellowship
  • Includes America 250 celebration support funding
• Meet-the-candidate event:
  • July 11
• Yard sale:
  • “91 days away”
• Encouragement shared to increase turnout for August 5 election.
• Early voting expected July 15–July 30 (pending confirmation).
• 127 Sale update:
  • 35 of 58 booth spaces reserved (~60%)
  • Vendor reminder email planned next week.

New Business – Neighborhood Speeding Concerns

• Concern raised regarding speeding on Miller Road.
• Reports included vehicles traveling approximately 60 mph and repeated mailbox damage.
• Clarification provided that there is no current limit on the number of businesses permitted on a residential road.
• Possible mitigation ideas discussed:
  • Additional speed limit and child safety signage
  • Rumble strips
  • Increased sheriff patrols
• Tommy Johnson agreed to:
  • Contact Eric Higgins regarding signage
  • Speak with the sheriff about additional patrols

Meeting adjorned at 8:27pm.