The Bradley County Commission held a short voting session prior to its regular work session Monday afternoon to vote for a new executive administrative assistant. A selection committee met twice over the past few weeks to review applications and interview the applicants. This comes after former commission administrative assistant Amy Moore stepped down after 15 years of service to Bradley County to pursue another career endeavor.
Commissioner Connie Wilson said, “We had 12 applicants and narrowed it down to three qualified applicants. The committee that met would like to make a motion that we make an offer to Lorri Moultrie to be our executive administrative assistant. She has strong skills in what we are looking for. She was the former Main Street Cleveland director. She’s been in marketing, worked with the public and elected officials that we deal with. We feel like she is a really good fit to work with us.”
Commissioner Adam Lowe passed his vote because he wanted more of a summary of qualifications on the applicant. The motion passed.
During the work session, commissioners discussed items to be placed on next week’s agenda.
Commissioner Mel Griffith placed a resolution to apply for a litter grant with the County Road Department.
Commissioner Lowe placed a proclamation to honor Governor Bill Haslam for his involvement during the April 2011 tornado recovery efforts. The proclamation will be presented to Governor Haslam on April 4 at the Lee University GOP event.
Commissioner Jeff Yarber placed the appointment of a new constable for the 5th District back on the agenda. The item was pulled during prior voting sessions.
In other business, Commissioner Ed Elkins said, “We are doing Bradley County Environmental Officer Joe Renner a disservice by not having more specific regulations for him to follow when he goes out to evaluate a property.” Officer Renner requested greater clarification of a 2006 resolution from the commission. He said, “There are a lot of gray areas. For example, part of the current resolution states in order to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Bradley County, certain regulations are deemed necessary to control overgrowth of trees, vines, grass and underbrush. We have nowhere in here what the definition of overgrowth is. Overgrowth to me may be something different than what it is to you. Certain little things like that need to be defined. I want the definition of this to be black and white so I know what I can and cannot enforce.”
Many environmental complaints and primary issues come from residents in the fringe area of the county and subdivisions where homes are closer together. Commissioner Griffith said, “We need to be cautious about turning the county into the city.”
Commissioner Elkins suggested an ad hoc committee be formed to look into the situation further and come back to the full commission with a recommendation.
The Bradley County Commission will hold its next voting session next Monday at noon.