By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Commission conducted two meetings in one Monday evening, with the 2022-2023 budget approved in a session recessed from the June meeting, followed by the regular July meeting at which the commission unanimously approved the purchase of real property from the city of Paris to accomodate future county space needs.
The county and city of Paris had co-owned the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at 1108 Tyson Ave. in Paris and with the lease expiring in September, the building’s uses were reevaluated by city and county officials. At last week’s Paris City Commission meeting, the city authorized the sale of its share of the building to the county.
Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway explained that the building had been jointly owned for 18 years and in recent years, the services provided at the building have changed and the city of Paris’ need for it has diminished.
“The state only thinks they need 3,000 square foot of the building at this time. The building has 15,540 total square feet and is in great shape,” Ridgeway said. “The building is only 18 years old and the county has buildings right now with aging infractructure. We will be having a significant need for more building space, especially over the next five years.”
The city of Paris agreed to sell its half interest in the building to the county for $450,000. Ridgeway said the County Assessor has appraised the value of the building at $950,000.
In answer to questions from commissioners, Ridgeway said the $450,000 purchase price will come from American Rescue Plan funds and will incur no debt for the county.
Commissioner Rev. James Travis noted that none of the county offices in the courthouse have adequate space for what they do at this point. “It’s a good deal for us to get it (the building) now,” he said.
Commissioner Dell Carter agreed. “You’re not going to get anything else for that money, nothing in that good shape and that much space.”
In other business:
–Ridgeway reported that District 1 Constable Jason McCord has moved outside of his district, leaving a vacancy for that position. Anyone who is interested in serving as District 1 Constable should provide Ridgeway’s office with a formal letter of interest and/or resume, he said.
The position will be filled during a special election conducted during the commission’s August meeting.
–A reception will be held at the August meeting to welcome new commissioners and bid farewell to commissioners who will be leaving the panel due to retirements or pending the outcome of the August 5 election, Ridgeway said.
Carter said, “We’re going to miss the commissioners we’re losing. This commission has done very good work for Henry County. We know we were elected to make decisions that serve all the citizens in Henry County and none of the commissioners have personal agendas.”
–During the recessed portion of the meeting, the commission fixed the county property tax rate for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2022 at $1.8933 on each $100 of taxable property, the same as last year.
The budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023 was approved, with total county general fund of $13,318,977.
Commissioner Rev. Kenneth Humphreys applauded Finance Director Pat Hollingsworth for “the fine job she does” and said he was especially grateful the county budget includes no tax increases.
Photo: Tennessee Rehabilitation Center building in brown brick. (Shannon McFarlin photo).