Lone Oak Community Civic League Meeting Minutes

Meeting held Thursday, March 5, 2026

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm. It was noted several folks were out sick and the fire department crew was currently responding to a house fire (prayers for safety).

Opening prayer by Andrew Johnson and Pledge of Allegiance led by Tommy Johnson.

February meeting minutes are posted online.

Treasurer update – Mona Geer

• Vendor checks/payments starting to come in for the Hwy 127 sale.
• February bingo net: $2,240.
• Health clinic received a donation check from the Lions Club.
• R&B resale sold over $2,000 in February.
• Year-to-date: We are ahead by $2,682 (taking in more than spending).
• Year-to-date totals mentioned: yard sale over $1,000; bingo $4,125; R&B resale just over $3,000.

Treasury report accepted (motion: Janice Kirkpatrick; second: David Adams).

Bingo – Tommy gave update

• February bingo recap: strong turnout, 100+ door prizes; next bingo 3/21.
• Signal Mountain Community Guild is disbanding due to lack of volunteers; they donated $1,000 to Lone Oak for pavilion finishing items (specifically plastic curtains).

Reminder: volunteers needed since bingo (3/21) and Easter egg hunt (3/29) are back-to-back.

Department Reports

• Fire department – Report limited (crew tied up at house fire); chief received positive feedback after presenting at the county commission workshop. Fire department social media presence praised (junior firefighter post and other updates; credited to Kevin). Fire department events announced (dates listed below in Upcoming Events.
• Clinic – Sonya is still working one day per week through end of March; future coverage for clinic uncertain at this time.
• Quilters – Group is active and “doing good.”
• Library – No report.
• Building maintenance – Water heater in the fire department still needs troubleshooting (runs briefly then stops). Planning to begin work on the addition of new rear fire bay. Need to start bids/board review soon (building goal aligned with possibility of a “new to us” fire truck around June/July).
• School board update by Debbie Adams – The middle school restarted “Club Day” to boost engagement/attendance; 24 clubs available (examples included quilting, 3D modeling, engineering, gardening, golf, line dancing, theater, trivia, games). School board approved ~$100,000 fencing replacement around the bus barn property due to trespassing. School board also approved Stone Creek Consulting as architect for an FFA barn. Test score timing discussed; expectation that scores arrive in April; particular attention to be focused on third-grade scores. Signal Mountain Social Services partnership continues: tutoring Monday/Tuesday nights. Tech Goes Home program running on Tuesday nights; 11 participants; participants receive a Chromebook upon completion.
• County commission update by Tommy Johnson and Wayne Clemmons – County Commission retreat underway. Lewis Chapel issues dominated discussion. Bids opened for county ambulance services; early read suggests Puckett will win bid; new 5-year contract anticipated. Puckett grant secured LUCAS CPR devices; Lone Oak expected to receive one refurbished unit (new cost noted as $20,000+). Roads/paving plans discussed: 0.9 miles on Miller’s Cove Road (entrance to circle back to highway), 0.7 miles at end of Horseshoe (finishes Horseshoe), and work on Wade Road East (spiderwebbed section; possibly state aid). Hinson Gap Road planned for ~2.9 miles to the county line using state aid. Road funding context: road budget about $200k/year plus state aid; doing work in-house is far cheaper than contracting. County growth/demographics: recent growth ranking eased from top few to ~7th; growth largely from retired/mature population; implications include less school burden but higher need for senior services. Property assessor backlog: ~400 properties need appraisal; state sending a team to help catch up; accurate values could increase total base and potentially reduce the tax rate. Proposal at retreat: give each district $2,000 discretionary funds (requires both commissioners’ agreement) to address outlying district needs. Community ideas raised: senior engagement space/programs; playgrounds; humane society/kennel solution for stray dogs; rec center concept; grants for community projects.
• Constable update by Tim Lewis – For February: call types included noise complaints (3), domestic disorder (3), suspicious activity (2), extra patrol (2), speak with deputy (6), welfare checks (2), animal complaints (2), brush fires (2), EMS transports (4), plus single incidents (shots fired, explosion/boom, recovered stolen RV, scam/door-to-door issue, etc.). Boom cause unknown (possibly jets/sonic boom).
• Sheriff update – Bill Phillips: Jail recertified for another year; accredited as of December.Concern: state will now count state inmates toward capacity; could force expansion or stopping state inmates (estimated revenue loss $500k–$750k/year). Drug/overdose trend improving: overdoses down significantly; last quarter had one (alcohol overdose death); recent fatal overdose on the mountain under investigation; drugs not purchased in Sequatchie County.Schools: working on bringing an anti-vaping/drug speaker in before year-end; school overdoses reduced to zero for the last three school years. Staffing/training: one officer finishing Toledo academy late this month; another starting academy; one in Chattanooga State academy near completion. Hiring need: 3 openings in the jail; starting pay now nearly $17/hour (up from $12/hour three years ago). Animal shelter option being explored: partnership with a no-kill regional shelter in Grundy County for $12k/year in exchange for two kennels (details pending meeting). Scam warning: significant losses via Bitcoin ATMs; sheriff plans to advocate in Nashville to outlaw/limit these ATMs; local examples included $4k and $19k losses; noted a Fredonia Mountain loss of $680k.

Upcoming Events

• Bingo: March 21.
• Easter egg hunt: Sunday, March 29; eggs being filled; volunteers needed for food/drinks; craft/face painting supplies likely still available.
• Fire department fundraiser cookout: Saturday, April 11 (4–7pm) with burgers/hot dogs/BBQ plates; pricing TBD.
• Fire department country breakfast: April 25 (8:30–11:00); noted as free.
• Primary election day: May 5 (Republican and Democrat primaries); emphasized need to remind voters that August voting still matters.
• Fire department board meeting: next Tuesday at 5:30pm; public welcome.
• 127 sale is 154 days away.
• Movie night at the pavilion mentioned as an idea; needs a movie selection.
• Next community meeting: May 7.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.