At the November 24, 2025, meeting, the Union County Commission approved an option on a current building and 4.5 acres rather than build a new building with the CDBG Grant for an EMS building in Maynardville. The grant would pay $761,850 with a $153,00 local match.. Andrew Reed suggested the purchase of the medical building that is for sale behind Kay's Market on Oakland Lane at a sale price of $589,000 and use the remainder to construct the ambulance bays on the property. Mayor Bailey obtained permission to amend the grant but the final date for funding to arrive could be as late as August of 2026 or as early as June of 2026. Fearing that the property may be sold before then, the Commission approve the option. The seller agrees to a nine month option at $1,000 per month to cover utilities and insurance while waiting on release of the money for the grant. The sellers will pay no local tax during while the optio is in effect. Union County will conduct an environmental study during the option. The money paid during the option will not count toward the purchase. The option payment would stop when the grant money is released and the sell is complete. Lynn Beeler moved to take the option and there was a second by Larry Lay. Greg Dyer and Eddie Simpson were absent. The motion was approved with no opposition by all fourteen members present.

Mayor Bailey announced two grant opportunities and a third grant that was funded. A federal grant for counties where a portion is separated by water and funds a ferry or other means to access the isolated section has been announced. A second grant is available to fund a feasibility study for a motel. In addition commissioners voted to accept the resolution to receive $750K from the Federal Home Grant with no local match. The Home grant will be used to upgrade and improve substandard housing for county citizens who meet the income limits.

In addition, Commission approved the Connect Ed Program at no additional cost to the county. The money that KUB pays in lieu of taxes on the fiber build out for 2025 is $99,718 and serves 103 students. In 2026, the KUB payment would be $158,099 and provide free or reduced cost internet to165 students. All students meet low income levels. Commissioners also renewed the Tri County Investment Contract for the quarry in Sharps Chapel.

However the Live Free Program did not receive approval to be located at the Union County Health Department. Stephanie and Carrie, both graduates of Recovery Court, described their road to recovery. Recovery Court is a newly formed program under Judge Patterson that uses opioid money to reform inmates from a life of addiction to recovery to productive lives. Both related their journey from addiction to a life free from drugs. Both mentioned how having people who supported them and believed they could overcome addiction was important and how “they never gave up on me”. One described how important it is to have a job and visitation with her daughter. The other is a newer graduate and is still using the program to plan her next steps.

Joe Hoffman, Director of the Live Free Program, explained the mission and benefits of the Syringe Services Program. The program started in Claiborne County with a grant in 2021.
The program and the agency have been approved by the state to operate a comprehensive harm reduction services program including a free syringe exchange program, safe disposal of used needles, HIV and Hepatitis C testing and treatment options, referrals to substance treatment, education on overdose prevention, medical providers, and disease prevention, No county or health department funds are used for the program. According to state statistics, the program provides a gateway for addicts to get rehabilitation and reduces the number of infectious diseases as well as providing safe disposal of used needles. Mr. Hoffman also added that the program makes Narcan available too. The SSP in Claiborne County has served 1400 people and 50 are in treatment due to the education portion of the program. Another 20 have completed their rehabilitation and are in sobriety. The Union County SSP has only been in operation a few months. However, according to the state data on addiction, Union County's death rate from overdose is 20% higher than the state average. HIV cases in Union County doubled in 2023. The medical costs to treat overdose victims and those who have developed heart disease or hepatitis has increased by 82% to $3.6 Million annually. Much of these costs are borne by taxpayers through emergency services and incarceration. Union County's numbers are increasing. Claiborne County's numbers are level. Much of the change in Claiborne County is due to the SSP as part of the Live Free Program.

Commissioner Conner-Murphy from Plainview stated that she had seen more negatives than positives in the Knox County Program. Commissioner Cooke voiced that having the program in a county building was a county liability. Mr. Hoffman countered that the Live Free Program offers SSP, builds relationships, and works to support the journey through counseling, rehabilitation, and being drug free through one on one counseling and resources. He also noted that under state law, the Commission could stop the use of a county building, but could not stop the program being in Union County.
Larry Lay made a motion to allow the SSP to remain at the Union County Health Department and Bill Cox provided the second. The motion needed 9 votes to pass because Commission must have 51% of the entire 16 commissioners to vote yes. With Commissioners Greg Dyer and Eddie Simpson absent, and Commissioners Effler and Conner-Murphy abstaining, 9 of the remaining 12 would have needed to vote yes because only yes votes can pass a motion. Absences and Abstentions are no votes by default. The motion failed with 7 positives and 9 negatives. Commissioners Beeler, Cox, Flatford, Jones, Lay, Simmons, and Walker voted for the motion. Commissioners Boles, Cooke, Jessee, Mike, and Moore and the two absences and 2 abstentions made 9 against the motion. Mayor Bailey stated that the subject would be on the January agenda for further discussion.

Commission has been trying for two years to increase the cost of the county building permits. But the increase must be accomplished by having the Tennessee General Assembly pass a private act for Union County. Last year's bill failed in committee last spring. Commission voted to resubmit the same Building Permit Private Act proposal to the Tennessee Assembly for passage in January. The proposal is for 50 cents a square foot. Tennessee Representative Dennis Powers suggested a graduated fee. Commissioner Jessee remarked that this Commission sets the property tax and should be able to set the building permit fee. The motion was made by Commissioner Jessee and seconded by Commissioner Walker and approved with only one negative vote from Bill Cox.

Finance Director Missy Brown reported that all budgets were in line with nearly half way through the fiscal year. All budget amendments and transfers were approved. The surplus of several electronics and two contracts including the TSBA Online Contract for the school system and the gravel contract for the Highway department were approved.

Commissioner Mike asked about the status of the David Myers property next to the Union County Health Department. Access to the David Myers property which was changed during the Health Department upgrade is in the process of being remedied according to Mayor Jason Bailey.

There are no county meetings in December. There are several county events: Friday, December 5, UCBPA's Light the Night to light the Emily Link Gazebo in Wilson Park, 5:30 children's activities by members and caroling by Irwin's Chapel UMC, Miller's Chapel UMC, and Luttrell Elementary Chorus and the lighting at 7:00; Friday, December 12, TCAT ribbon cutting at noon; Saturday, December 13, Union County Opry Christmas sponsored by Union County Government and Trinity Funeral Home and featuring Once More at 6:00 at UCHS Auditorium; Sunday, December 14, Union County Christmas Parade by Union County Rescue Squad at 2:00; Friday, December 19, dedication and naming of the Senior Citizens Building in Maynardville for Melanie Dykes at noon.