By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a short but busy session Monday evening, the Henry County Commission authorized use of federal stimulus funds to provide a local matching grant not to exceed $1.5M for broadband funding in Henry County.
County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said the $1.5M will be obligated to the winner of the statewide broadband contract. He said three companies are vying for the contract: Spectrum, West Kentucky Rural Telephone and TEC.
“We should know in about 50 days which company gets the contract,” Ridgeway said. A total of $400M at the state level will be awarded for infrastructure projects as part of the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund–American Rescue Plant Act–Phase 1, according to the resolution.
In other business:
–Ridgeway welcomed a large group of members of the latest Henry County Leadership program to the meeting.
–The commissioners authorized the sale of 10 deliquent tax properties at a reduced price. Henry County acquires ownership of parcels which were the subject of the annual delinquent tax collection suits when no other bidder bids on the parcel at the tax sale.
The properties approved for sale are on Church Street, Elmore Street, Rison Street, Whiskey Ridge, McCampbell Street, and Depot Street.
–The commission amended a previous resolution which authorized the county sheriff to award an officer his or her service weapon on retirement. Sheriff Josh Frey said the original language stated the service weapon would be awarded after 25 years, but the new resolution is being amended to 20 years.
–County Historian David Webb said restoration of the 1927 American LaFrance Paris Fire truck is almost complete. He said it will be unveiled at the Henry County Fairgrounds April 27, right before the fish tent opens for the World’s Biggest Fish Fry.
Photo: Members of the Henry County Leadership group sat in on the meeting. Shannon McFarlin photo.