By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER
LYNCHBURG — They approved moving all eligible county employees to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) in August and now the Metro Council will need to move money around to pay for it. As such, they will consider a 2025-26 County General budget amendment as part of new business to be discussed at the October meeting, which takes place tonight (October 20) at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building located just off Highway 129 near the Lynchburg Pool.
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.
{Editor’s Note: To read our complete coverage of the August vote to approve the TCRS plan, click here.)
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, according to current Metro Council Budget Chair Gerald Burnett.
On Monday, the Council will be asked to vote on that $1 million transfer from Capital Projects into the County General Fund.
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Other new business
Other new business will include a budget amendment for Moore County Health Department employees, who will receive a state-mandated salary increase and one-time bonus backdated to September of this year. The Council will also discuss a September 23 letter from the State Comptroller’s office accepting Metro Moore County’s 2025-26 budget and a second letter approving the $400,000 TRANS and $85,500 capital outlay note for the local school system. The capital outlay note is earmarked for new textbooks.
The Council will also vote on two referrals from the Metro Planning Commission: 1) the rezoning to two parcels on Preston Ridge Road for Ryan and Leah Dickert from agricultural to (A-1) to residential – rural district (R-2), and 2) the rezoning of 1.1 acres along Bull Run Road from A-1 to R-2 for Tim Holt.
The Gateway Company, the developers looking to build apartment building on farmland behind the Moore County Co-op, asked to be added to the public comment section.
In elections and appointments, the Council will consider Eugene Cartright for notary public, and Paige P. Gunn, as notary public. They will also approve 2025-26 Metro Council committees’ appointments.
There will also be a discussion of Metro’s building permit fees for churches and nonprofits.
The Metro Council meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building located at 119 Booneville Highway in Lynchburg. To be added to the public comment section or have your issue added to the agenda, reach out to Mayor Sloan Stewart’s office at 931-759-7076. •
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