Lone Oak Community Civic League Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm. Opening prayer by Garth Beeny and Pledge of Allegiance led by Tommy Johnson.

May meeting minutes are posted online.

Financial and Fundraising Updates

• May revenue was $3153.43. Expenditures for May were $941.58 leaving us with a positive balance of $2211.85 for the month.
• R&B Resale revenue for May: $1,130
• 127 Sale vendor checks are continuing to arrive.
• Year-to-date financial status is approximately $16,305 in the black.
• May financial report presented and approved.
  • Motion: Garth Beeny
  • Second: Rose Turner
  • Approved by voice vote

Fire Department

Calvin Garrison reported that LOVFD has had 82 calls this year. May – 9 calls.

Department is currently preparing for upcoming ISO Audit.

Pork Butt Fundraiser – Marissa Spangler

• Sales run through June 15^th.
• Pickup date: June 27
• Pricing:
  • $15/lb
  • Whole pork butt available upon request for $55

Fire Truck Fundraiser

• Current total is $130,000.
• Approximately $20,000 remains to meet the goal.

No additional events scheduled in July. Next event will be Hwy. 127 Yard sale.  

Clinic, School, and Community Services

Clinic Report

• Sonia reported 11 patient visits during May.
• Dental clinic had 6 patients in May.
• Sonia Bible has resigned effective May 31, 2026. She was unable to attend June meeting due to work conflict. We were hoping to personally recognize her for her 24 years of service to this community. President Johnson and others in attendance commended her for the impeccable job she had done with the clinic. Many residents have been able to receive services that, without the clinic, they would not have been able to do so. She will be missed and we will continue to search for a replacement.

Quilters

• Group reported to be “doing good.”

School Board and School System Updates – Debbie Adams

• Budget season – hoping to give employees a 3% raise plus some type of longevity pay for those who have at least 10 years with system.
• Will solicit bids for a propane and gas engine bus. We will purchase one depending on bid received.
• The school system served 135,000 breakfast meals and 236,000 lunch meals this year. These are free breakfasts and lunches to students.
• Working on policy change to only allow 5 excused absence days instead of current 10 days. Hoping this will improve absentee rate.
• Two students are currently in Atlanta competing in the National Skills USA program. Both won first in TN and were afforded the opportunity to compete nationally.

School Barn Project

• The Board has asked the consultant to come back with a new drawing at an significant cost savings.

Back2School Backpack Event

• Backpacks to be stuffed on July 21 and distribution on July 23

A question from audience was raised about how schools were funded. President Johnson state that 50% of county property tax revenue goes to the schools with additional funds from state.

Another question arose with discussion about what CTE programs are offered at the High School.

County Commission Updates – Tommy Johnson

• It is budget time. Budget hearings have begun.
• Budget timeline has shifted because of the state reassessment of the county and the new certified tax rate will not be received second week of July. A budget cannot be passed until we know the tax rate.
• Tommy explained the new tax assessment. State law requires the county to do a reappraisal every 6 years and a readjustment every 3 years. State law was just passed amending this to every 4 years and 2 years, respectively. The State also does their own reappraisal to confirm the counties have done theirs correctly. This most recent reappraisal was a State appraisal not a County. This does not mean your property taxes will go up. The tax rate will most likely be adjusted down because the County cannot take in more tax revenue on the same properties than they did last year (revenue-neutral).
• County is seeing high values of growth. The 8^th district is bringing in a substantial amount from property taxes. Traditionally a portion of the growth dollars is given to the school system.
• Non-funded mandates from State are hitting county. For example, a few years ago the State funded SRO’s in each school. Now the funding is going away and the county must find a way to fund these officers in the schools.

District 8 Roads

• Eric Higgins has been out this week patching potholes in preparation of paving Millers Cove and Millers Cove Circle.
• Eric has also put new speed limit signs and Slow Children at Play signs on Miller Rd. Sheriff Phillips will also increase patrol to hopefully reduce speeders on Miller Rd.

Heritage Farms

• The Sequatchie County Library now has a display of all the Sequatchie County Heritage farms. These farms have been family-owned for at least 100 years. The display includes all of the history and paperwork submitted to certify the farms.

Parks and Recreation

• Resolution passed at last County Commission to spend some money on our Parks and Recreation plan. Commissioners are advocating for some to the dollars to come to the outlying districts, not just the Valley.

Additional items brought forth for discussion:

• Data Centers – desire to put something in place to not allow data centers in county. We are not ready in this county to support Data Center. County is moving toward creating a Planning Commission.
• Citizen voiced need for Pickle Ball Courts.
• Equalization Board is in existence to appeal property reassessments through James Condra’s office in the courthouse.
• Question regarding water supply. Tommy is not aware of any issues with water supply in the district.
• EPB is upgrading the power grid in our district.

Sherrif’s Report

• Currently working on budget, too.
• Setup at ValleyFest entrance and distributed approximately 200 stuffed animals to children.
• Fraud cases continue to rise. Calls made to elderly requesting money for various reasons saying going to be arrested in they do not comply.
• Held annual car seat event today at Harris Park. Check car seats to make sure they are installed properly and give away seats to those in need.
• Continuing to have officers resign and go to Hamilton and surrounding counties due to better pay. Even though we have raised pay, every county around us has raised their pay. One officer received an additional $16,000 plus insurance in Hamilton County. We must address this issue.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

• Community-wide homecoming bash:
  • June 27
  • Free hamburgers, hot dogs, and fellowship
  • Includes America 250 celebration support funding
• Meet-the-candidate event:
  • July 11 – 5:00-7:00pm
  • Invitations have been sent
  • Online form is available to submit questions
• Yard sale:
  • 60 plus days
• 127 Sale update:
  • 15 spaces left

New Business

• Tommy Johnson asked residents paying bills by check to be cautious. Some checks have been stolen from mail. Pay bills online if possible.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47pm.