By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Thanks to a $2.25M award from the state, Henry County will be constructing a new Health Department within the next couple of years.
That was the announcement at Monday evening’s County Commission meeting from Project Manager Donald Dunning, Henry County Health Department Director Tracy Byrd and County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway.
The new Health Department will replace the building on Joy Street that was built in the 1980s. Ridgeway said Henry County will provide a match of up to $1.2M “which we do have from the American Rescue Plan dollars”.
Dunning said, “Because of the persistence of John Penn, the state is awarding Henry County a new health department. This is a once-in-a lifetime thing and we’re lucky to get a little of these monies.” Byrd said, “I’ve never seen this kind of opportunity come before. We do a lot of good work at the health department and it is needed.”
Some counties are receiving state funds to build new health departments and others are receiving monies to renovate, Dunning said. “Henry County is fortuniate that this month is available.”
Under the regulations, the project must be completed by June 2026, but Ridgeway said, “I’d like to see this started within the year.”
Ridgeway said after the meeting that a site has been identified for construction of the new health department and a plan will be presented to the commission by the June or July meeting. With adequate space being a critical need for Henry County government buildings now, the present health department building will be a boon.
In other business during the lengthy meeting:
–Following discussion, commissioners authorized issuance of tax anticipation notes in the amount of $4M for Henry County Medical Center from the county hospital fund. This is the first of two resolutions required for final approval.
Hospital CEO John Tucker answered questions from the commissioners regarding the financial status of the facility, much of which echoed his status report from previous meetings. Commissioner Dell Carter said, “None of us want to lose this hospital. He is good at what he does and we need to back this man. There’s only one way for us to go on this. We have to keep this hospital.”
Commissioner Marty Visser said he was ‘on the fence’ on how to vote when he came to the meeting, but after the discussion, he voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Ricky Wade said he also felt more confident after speaking with Hospital Board Member Bruce Reed on the issue.
Two commissioners–Missy Hamilton and Ralph Wiles–voted no.
–After another lengthy discussion, commissioners approved a resolution to amend the county’s deputy clerk system. It was an emotional issue, with County Clerk Donna Craig promoting fairness for her staff members and their pay scales. cetain emploees are subject to a Deputy Clerk System as established years ago by the commission.
In the resolution, amendments were propsed as follows: All employees being classified as either Deputy Clerk 3, 4, or 5 will be reclassified Deputy Clerk 2; All employees will now be classified as either Deputy Clerk 1 or 2 and the other levels of Deputy Clerk 3,4, and 5 will cease to exist.
Ridgeway said, “This is a step in the right direction” and Craig said while not perfect, the changes “will make it more fair across the board”.
At the outset of the meeting, Donna Wade of the probate office asked the commission to table the issue “until you find a fair salary formula for everybody.” She said the system does not reward staff members for longevity “and we should be recognized for the years we’ve been here”.
Wade said, “This needs to be made even for all people” and voted no on the resolution, with the remainder of the commissioners voting yes.
–Upon recommendation of County Road Supervisor Richie Chilcutt, the commissioners authorized the abandonment of the right-of-way section of Nobles Rd. on Hwy. 79N; authorized closing a section of Vickery Lane; and authorized abandonment of Old Timer Rd.
Photo: From left, Health Department Director Tracy Byrd and Project Manager Donald Dunning make announcement at Monday night’s county commission meeting, while County Clerk Donna Craig and County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway look on. Shannon McFarlin photo.