By TABITHA EVANS MOORE | Editor-in-Chief
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The Metro Council will meet on Monday, December 15 and one of the items under new business will be an update on the ongoing Silicon Ranch Solar Farm currently being built along Highway 55.
In particular, the Council will receive an update about minor design changes to the project that Silicon Ranch says are necessary due to the topography of the land. Tony Grow, the environmental engineer hired by the county to over see the project, has reviewed the changes to the sedimentation basin plan and design calculations and confirmed that the changes are sufficient to allow treatment of storm water before discharge at each of the basins, according to a December 6 email to Metro Planning Commission Chair Dexter Golden.
According to Golden, the members of the Silicon Ranch team will attend to answer any questions. There will; however, not be any items that requires a Council approval.
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Resolution to approve 401(k) agreement
Members will also consider approval of a 401(k) Participation Agreement that would formally enroll Metro Lynchburg–Moore County in the State of Tennessee’s Deferred Compensation Plan II. The resolution would authorize the county to offer voluntary retirement savings options to eligible county employees and outlines responsibilities for administration, enrollment, payroll deductions, vesting rules, and compliance with IRS requirements.
If approved, Metro Lynchburg–Moore County becomes a participating employer in the state-run plan, with the State Treasurer acting as plan administrator. The agreement specifies that all costs associated with employee participation – including contributions– are the responsibility of the employer and/or employees as defined by the plan documents, not the State of Tennessee.
In short, the action expands retirement benefit options for local government employees through a standardized state program, and requires a formal council resolution and signature by the county’s governing authority before enrollment becomes effective.
The move would expand retirement options for county workers and could help Metro government stay competitive in recruiting and retaining employees in a tight labor market. By enrolling in the state’s Deferred Compensation Plan, Moore County could offer a standardized and portable savings benefit without creating its own retirement system – a step that may strengthen long-term workforce stability and support employee financial planning.
The new 401(k) option would supplement – not replace – the recently approved pension plan, giving county employees a second retirement tool that they can manage individually.
Rezoning Request & Public Hearing
The Council will also consider the first reading of a rezoning request at 1478 Marble Hill Road. The ordinance states that 2.29 acres will be rezoned from agricultural to residential. That property belongs to Michael Barker Jr. and is part of a larger 57.48 acre parcel. If approved, the rezoning would also require a public hearing and second approval.
There will be a public hearing at 6:20 p.m. prior to the regular meeting to hear public comments for or against two rezoning requests: a minor division at 917 Chapel Road for Jeff Gattis and a minor division at 1101 Bagley Hollow Road for Hubert Groce. Both were recommended by the Metro Planning Commission and both passed their first reading at the November Metro Council meeting.
The Metro Council meets the third Monday of each month at the American Legion Building located off Highway 129. The public hearing begins at 6:20 p.m. and the regular meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. •
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