The Bradley County Quorum Court met for their monthly meeting on Monday, August 19 to discuss various issues. Bradley County Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams opened the meeting with updates about the hospital. She said that the hospital has seen a small uptick in COVID cases. The hospital has also been experiencing a few problems with air conditioning units due to the higher temperatures outside and the maintenance staff has been working overtime searching for parts for the hospital’s current units. She said that due to the building’s age, parts are sometimes more difficult to find.
The court then heard from Warren’s mayor, Gregg Reep who gave updates on current industrial projects starting with the closing of the Armstrong plant.
“It’s probably one of those things when I look back, I probably should’ve seen it coming due to scaling back,” Reep said.
He also reported that the owners of the company told him that they intend to hold onto the facility in hopes of reopening it, but they also said that they don’t see it happening in the near future. Reep said that he would like to look into other businesses that could occupy the facility. Reep and Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney are working together on two projects that will bring other jobs to Warren and Reep said that those projects are moving forward.
“There will also be a dislocated workers task force to help those that lost their jobs at Armstrong,” Reep added.
McKinney informed the court that he had received a text message from the president of one of the companies. The message stated that the company would send out a formal statement by the first of October, announcing their decision to come to Warren.
“Anything that is going to positively affect the economy here in Warren is good news,” said Bradley County Justice of the Peace, Pat Morman.
The court then made a motion to accept the minutes from July’s meeting and all were in favor.
Reports from the treasurer and sheriff were presented, and motions were made to accept. All members voted in favor.
Judge McKinney then presented a proposal to the court for the new county jail and gave updates on the project saying that four companies sent in information about working with the county to build the new jail.
“They were all well qualified,” McKinney said.
McKinney also reported that there were four fires on Monday, due to dry conditions.
“A burn ban is coming quick, and within the next seven to ten days, there doesn’t look to be a chance of rain,” McKinney said.
McKinney then moved on with updates on utility easements and ordinances. The court voted in favor of ordinance number 2024-4 which is the loan renewal on the county’s dump trucks and ordinance number 2024-5, pertaining to animals.
There was no old business, and the court adjourned. The next meeting will be September 16.
