Commission to consider resolutions on paramedic program, redistricting, command center naming

AUTUMN HUGHES
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 12:00 AM
Athletics, Students, All, Press Releases, Community

This article was published by AUTUMN HUGHES at the Cleveland daily Banner on July 19, 2021.

A full agenda of resolutions awaits the Bradley County Commission at its voting session today.

Agenda items include:

• A resolution authorizing Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis to execute a memorandum of understanding with Cleveland State Community College for enrollment of current Bradley County AEMTs in the paramedic program for an initial term of two years with three additional one-year optional renewal terms. This item will be presented by Commissioner Bill Winters.

According to the proposed resolution, “It is to the mutual benefit of Bradley County and Cleveland State Community College to provide advanced workforce training and certification to students enrolled in certain programs of the institution.” In an effort to meet the critical workforce demand for paramedics, CSCC and Bradley County “desire to partner to offer AEMTs the opportunity to enroll in Cleveland State Community College Paramedic Program at no cost to the student.”

• A resolution to establish a redistricting committee. This item will be presented by Commissioner Milan Blake, who will serve as committee chairman.

Blake said this is required under law after new U.S. Census data is made available. State law requires that at least every 10 years county legislative bodies “shall change the boundaries of county legislative districts so that members represent substantially equal populations.”

According to the proposed resolution, the redistricting committee includes a representative of each district: Mike Hughes (1st District), Thomas Crye (2nd District), Milan Blake (3rd District, and committee chairman), Charlotte Peak (4th District), Cindy Slater (5th District), Erica Davis (6th District), and Bill Winters (7th District). In addition, Bradley County’s administrator of elections Fran Green, will also serve on the committee.

• A resolution to designate the Bradley County Command Center as the "Jeff Yarber Command Center." This item will be presented by Commissioner Erica Davis.

Yarber represented the 5th District from Sept. 3, 2002, until his death on Aug. 25, 2019.

“He was known for his commitment to those who serve as first responders and putting their lives on the line in their daily service,” Davis said, adding the naming of the command center in Yarber’s honor “is an appropriate recognition for a strong law enforcement advocate.”

• A resolution approving an amendment to an existing payment-in-lieu-of-taxes

(PILOT) agreement with Whirlpool Corporation to encourage additional investment in plant and equipment and the retention and expansion of employment opportunities in Bradley County. This item will be presented by Commissioner Cindy Slater.

According to the proposed resolution, Whirlpool Corporation is currently evaluating investment opportunities of up to $20 million between Jan. 1, 20201, and Dec. 31, 2023. This amendment allows an extension of the investment time period for the inclusion of new real and personal property assets in the existing agreement through Dec. 31, 2023.

In addition, today’s meeting agenda also includes a report from Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis and reports from commissioners, as well as announcements and opportunities for anyone in the audience to bring items before the county commission.

The invocation will be given by D. Steve Smartt, pastor of Westwood Baptist Church.

The Bradley County Commission meets at noon today in the County Commission Courtroom of the Courthouse.