Union County Commission made progress on the jail property at the regular May meeting. Jim Langford, CEO of Spirit Architecture and a certified advisor on jail construction, evaluated the Hubbs property regarding construction. In his opinion, the price is very good compared to property cost for jails in surrounding counties and there is ample acreage for long term expansion. Langford commented that a high knoll would cause a lot of excavation, but overall the property is a good site. He noted that core drilling and a survey were needed to determine further information. He also recommended a work session in June to work out a timeline for the core drilling, survey and the development of the jail.

Commission approved to exercise the option to purchase 10 acres for $300K, accept two donated acres, and exercise the option to purchase the additional 10 acres for $250K on a motion by Commissioner Sidney Jessee and a second by Greg Dyer. The vote was 14-2 with Larry Lay and Gerald Simmons voting no. The contract for the Hubbs property off of Prospect Road had already been approved by lawyers for both parties and had been recommended by the jail committee. The contract for Spirit Architecture will be discussed at the June meeting.

Concerns regarding extending fiber internet to Big Ridge surfaced at several prior meetings. Matthew Hill of Scott County Telephone, the company providing internet service to Clinton Utility Board customers in Union County, addressed commission through electronic communication. Hill related that poles were in place and construction was complete from Harrogate down to SR63, and from SR63 to the Campbell County line was in progress due to meeting requirements for the pole attachments. He said that the work in Braden would begin within a month, now that the pole placement analysis has been completed. For Big Ridge, the most cost-effective plan is to negotiate an agreement with KUB to connect to the end of the KUB fiber and extend the service to 230 households. The timeline for Big Ridge is most likely June of 2026 for completion. Matthew Hill is sending Mayor Bailey a map to show the areas covered.

Greg Clay, Director of Union County Public Schools, gave the update on school construction. He distributed a picture that illustrates the progress. Section A is the Administration and Section B is the 6th grade. Section B is receiving the second floor for the 7th grade. Section E, the gym, and Section F, 8th grade, have concrete pads and will soon have the walls started. The board of education is discussing the softball and baseball construction. Currently the rock removal is projected to be $3.2M and the total cost is under $40M. The CTE addition has been redesigned to a diesel shop. At the TCAT, steel is being erected for the classroom area.

Commissioners received the FY26 budget to be discussed and may be approved at the June 9 special called meeting. The budget has no tax increase and is balanced. Finance Director Missy Brown recommended the fund balance not be transferred to capital projects due to a large amount of restricted funds being in the fund balance. Commission also approved a balanced school budget with no tax increase. Finally, all of the current budget transfers and amendments were approved.

Commission approved the sheriff to pay $400 for an actuarial study to determine the cost of a special TCRS benefit recently state approved for law enforcement, correction and fire departments to participate in a retirement benefit. The study will determine the amount of money that officers and the county will pay to participate.

The commission approved a resolution opposing the requirement that any donation to the District Attorney’s department must be matched by a donation to the Public Defender’s department equal to 75 percent of the donation to the DA. According to Mayor Bailey, this was a cost issue for small counties. The commission also approved the LBC Surety Bond for Commissioner Woody Roach.

The next meeting is a special called meeting on June 9 to discuss the approval of the FY26 budget.