TDEC Pledges To Fully Staff Bradley County Septic Permit Office; Moving Manager Who Ordered County Commissioner Out Of The Office

  • Monday, October 17, 2016

Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has agreed to fully staff the septic permit office and to transfer out of the county a manager who brought a flurry of complaints.

County Mayor Davis said he met personally with the TDEC commissioner on the issue that has long been a concern of commissioners.

He said the office is now staffed four days a week in Bradley County and one day a week in Polk County. He said he stressed that the Bradley County operation needs to be five days a week.

County Mayor Davis said he also brought up a concern that the local septic office and some other state offices have the "bottom of the pile syndrome." He said a number of builders have had long delays when their application went back to the bottom of the stack.

He said the state is saying that Hank Thompson will eventually be moved to another county when he gets back off medical leave.

County Mayor Davis said Mr. Thompson is one of the most knowledgeable officials in the state on septic matters, though he may not have "the best people skills."

Commissioner Mark Hall, who was kicked out of the septic office by Mr. Thompson, said having the knowledge is not so important "when you have a p----poor attitude."

Commissioner Dan Rawls said the office management has been "authoritarian." He said, "That is not the way to run a government office."

In other action, a proposal by Robert Rominger for the county to furnish seven radios to be used by the constables lost 12-2. The only other vote in favor was Commissioner Mike Hughes.

Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber was strongly against it, and Commissioner Rawls answered "absolutely not" when his name was called.

Chairman Louis Alford was opposed, though he noted that his brother, Richard Alford, is a constable.

The commission decided to move the insurance deductible from $500 to $650 rather than $750.

The county was facing an eight percent insurance increase and raised several deductibles. County Mayor Davis said to keep up with the constantly increasing health costs that both the employees and the taxpayers have to bear some of the cost.

Santek Waste Services presented the county with a check for $562,445 as its donation back to the community. The firm has been operating the Bradley County Landfill since 2006.

Commissioner Thomas Crye said the money will go toward the launch of the new Lake Forest Middle School.

Cheryl Dunson, landfill manager, said the remaining life at the landfill is 31.1 years.

She said a new cell was just added for 4.7 acres, which will take 2-3 years to fill.


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