Max Lowe with Judge Clarence Shattuck
photo by Gail Perry
Judge Clarence Shattuck and Jim Adams
photo by Gail Perry
Gene Shipley with Judge Clarence Shattuck
photo by Gail Perry
The Soddy Daisy Commission meeting Thursday night began with a swearing in ceremony of three newly elected commissioners. Max Lowe began his first term as commissioner and long-time members of the board, Jim Adams and Gene Shipley will be returning for the next four-year term. Following the installation, the vote was unanimous for appointing Robert Cothran as mayor and Jim Adams as vice mayor.
The 2016 audit report was presented to the commissioners by Brian Wright, CPA with Johnson, Murphey & Wright, P.C. Soddy Daisy received an unmodified opinion with the audit finding nothing wrong. Your staff does a great job, he said, “It’s a good audit report.”
Two ordinances were amended at the meeting, both related to the sale of alcohol in Soddy Daisy. City Attorney Sam Elliott said that the sale of wine in grocery stores was approved by referendum so the city needed to have an ordinance to allow it. A vote gave unanimous approval for the amendment.
The legal definition of beer has been redefined by the state legislature which increases the alcohol content from five to eight percent. This will become effective January 1, 2017. A vote amended the city ordinance to conform to the new definition.
Certificates of compliance from Soddy Daisy, for the sale of wine in retail food stores, were given to both Food City and Walmart. Final approval will be needed from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) in Nashville.
City Manager Janice Cagle said that just one bid had been received for new police vehicles, and it was opened Tuesday. Two sedans to be used by the police department are budgeted items. The bid came from Marshal Mize Ford at $23,816 each.
Commissioner Shipley wants all citizens of Soddy Daisy to sign up for the city’s Emergency Alert Program, which he said could save their life. If not already in the system, he said residents could call city hall to find out how to sign up, or go to the city’s web site. City Recorder Burt Johnson said when Soddy Daisy bought into the system, the telephone white pages were uploaded. These listings receive notices such as no burning or flood alerts put out by the city but they do not get weather alerts. He said that a person must opt –in to the system which will allow them to choose the alerts that they want to receive. It will also allow a choice for time of day or night to not be alerted, he said.
Changes to personnel rules and regulations relating to benefits were also approved Thursday night. Funeral leave for employees was increased from two to three days. Health insurance deductibles were increased in order to save the city $60,000 in premiums and minimal increases in co-payments for the city employees, was authorized.
Mayor Cothran said that the city sponsored event, Christmas at Poe’s Tavern, will take place Saturday, Dec.3, from 3:30 until 7 p.m. and the annual Christmas Parade will be Sunday, Dec. 4 starting at 2 p.m.
The regular commission meeting scheduled for Dec. 15 has been cancelled. The next regular commission meeting will be held Jan. 5, 2017.