Coffee County committee moves $3.5M to capital projects, approves budget amendments for county facilities and services

The Coffee County Budget & Finance Committee on Jan. 8 approved a series of funding moves and budget amendments intended to address county building repairs and operating needs.

Commissioners voted to transfer $3,500,000 from the general debt service fund into the capital projects fund to pay for a justice center roof, repairs at the Tullahoma Library, architect and engineering fees, and contingency for other items. The transfer was introduced by staff and moved by a commissioner; a voice vote was recorded in favor.

Lauren Lowe of PFM, the county’s financial advisor, explained that the transfer is permissible under guidance from the director of local government finance and that it avoids issuing new bond debt. Lowe said the county’s general debt service fund currently holds an available fund balance (presented in the meeting as roughly $11,000,000), leaving a cushion after the proposed transfer.

Commission discussion emphasized that postponing repairs raises future costs. One commissioner noted the county had already spent money digitizing records and that deferred maintenance on several county facilities has increased costs. "If we keep kicking it down the road again, the worse it's gonna be on the next commission," a commissioner said.

The committee also approved multiple budget amendments and grant items to be forwarded to the full commission for final action, including:

• A state grant to Real Solid Waste to pour concrete pads at convenience centers: grant award $148,873; accepted bid $207,090, leaving an estimated $21,000 local shortfall that the presenter said would be covered from the department’s fund balance so the grant can be executed and construction can begin within the month.

• Reappropriation of $77,006.78 in previously budgeted funds to finish site development for an oil and antifreeze collection facility adjacent to the convenience center; construction start date noted as Jan. 19.

• School system budget amendments to use restricted funds for transportation (including the planned purchase of five school buses), rising medical and insurance costs, vocational equipment purchases and an ‘innovative grants’ pool for staff classroom projects.

• Approval of a sheriff’s department training grant (document language discussed regarding whether local matching funds apply) and approval of a five‑year maintenance agreement for ambulance Stryker lifts to be paid from the ambulance fund on a schedule already budgeted (approximately $15,000 per year as presented).

Staff explained the proposed capital transfer and these amendments would be presented to the full county legislative body for formal appropriation. The committee set follow‑up steps including presenting the amendments on the full commission agenda (some by unanimous consent) and scheduling further budget meetings in late January and February to continue the county’s budget process.

Voice votes for the motions were recorded in the meeting transcript; no roll‑call tallies were provided in the transcript for these items.