LYNCHBURG —The Metro Council tackled a full slate Monday night, swearing in a new member, approving updated science textbooks, and greenlighting a county retirement plan—while a proposal to buy a new school bus stalled short of the votes needed to pass.

Council members filled the vacant First District seat left vacant by the sudden resignation of Darrell Richards by electing Sunny Rae Moorhead from a slate of three nominees, which included Wendy Hart and Dr. Klaus Schug. Moorhead was sworn in immediately after the vote and took her place at the council table.

Textbooks approved, bus rejected

A proposal to purchase both new science textbooks for $84,055 and a school bus for $145,000 out of the county’s debt service fund initially failed after receiving only eight votes – short of the two-thirds majority required.

The new grade 4-12 science standards mandated updated books, while the bus would have replaced aging vehicles and provided additional spares. Debate centered on how many spares were truly needed and whether transmission issues with the current fleet justified the expense.

According to Director of Schools Chad Moorehead, the state updates its science standards on an eight year cycle with the newest cycle beginning in 2025. He also explained that state law require the local school system to retire buses once they reach the 200,000 mile mark. He further stated that the sytem currently has four spares because two routes are not active due to no available driver. Once those drivers are hired, the system will have two spares to use in case one fails or to be used to transport student athletes.

“The optimum number of spares is three because during football season the team uses two buses and the band requires the third,” Director Moorehead explained. “During the spring we have baseball, softball, and tennis who all need a bus.”

Greg Guinn, Robert Bracewell, Peggy Sue Blackburn, Arvis Bobo, Jimmy Hammond, and Shane Taylor cast no votes with Douglas Carson, Marty Cashion, Amy Cashion, Dexter Golden, Gerald Burnett, Houston Lindsey, Bradley Dye, and Sunny Rae Moorehead voted in favor.

Sunny Rae Moorehead then made a motion to split the school system needs and approve the textbooks only stating, “I’d really hate for Moore County to get behind on the standards.”

Moorehead’s motion passed by a 11-3 margin with Moorehead, Taylor, Carson, Bobo, Marty Cashion, Amy Cashion, Golden, Hammond, Lindsey, Burnett, and Dye voting in favor and Bracewell, Blackburn, and Guinn voting against.

Retirement plan moves forward

In one of the night’s most consequential decisions, the council approved moving county employees into the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) beginning January 2026. The county will contribute $1 million upfront from capital projects, with annual payments built into next year’s budget. The upfront money will be paid with used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from the federal government and annual payments will be funded from local property tax dollars. The estimated property tax increase would be 10 cents.

Several members stressed that offering a pension-style plan could help the county attract and keep qualified employees. Proponents also said TCRS provides a guaranteed monthly benefit, giving employees peace of mind in retirement. The Tennessee system is considered one of the strongest funded in the nation, unlike troubled pension systems elsewhere.

“We’ve got to invest in the people who invest their lives in this county. This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about keeping good people here,” Moorehead stated.

The move offers state retirement to county employees that aren’t already approved to receive it such as Metro Moore County Sheriff’s Department, Metro Public Safety, and the Metro Utility Department. Courthouse officials and Moore County School System employees are already offered the plan.

Robert Bracewell argued that even modest market performance, a 401(k) could generate more monthly income than TCRS. He also warned that pensions across the country have a history of creating budget crises and called the move “short-sighted,” warning that future councils might face higher taxes to cover obligations.

At the roll call vote, Moorehead, Guinn, Burnett, Amy Cashion, Lindsey, Dye, Hammond, Golden and Amy Cashion voted in favor. Two council members employed by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Shane Taylor and Douglas Carson, cast votes after publicly declaring conflicts of interest. Both stated their votes reflected their “conscience and obligation” to constituents, and both voted yes. Bracewell questioned whether county ethics rules allowed them to do so, but County Attorney Bill Reider explained that they could.

The county will contribute $1 million upfront from capital projects in January 2026. Another $500,000 from capital projects will cover the first year of payments. Current 401(k) funds will remain in place, but no new county contributions will go into those accounts.

Growth and development issues

The council also:

• Approved multiple rezoning requests, all moving farmland from A1 to residential R2 classification.
• Discussed tightening up standards for mobile home parks and subdivisions, with the goal of merging two separate codes into one streamlined set of rules.
• Agreed not to consider Phase Two of The Retreat at Whiskey Creek tiny home community until at least 90 percent of Phase One is complete. Officials cited resident complaints, unpaid property taxes, and unfinished infrastructure as reasons for caution.
• Voted to require contractors working in the county to show proof of a Moore County business license before obtaining a building permit.
• Council signed off on several upcoming community events that will involve square closures, including: The Tunnel to Towers 5K, Jack Daniel’s Barbecue, Christmas in Lynchburg, Oak Barrel Half Marathon, and A new “Planters Day” event organized by the Lynchburg Hardware & General Store, featuring barrel-planter sales on the square.

The Metro Council will meet again on Monday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion. To be added to the agenda to be heard during the public comment period, reach out to Mayor Stewart’s office at 931-759-7076. •

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