By Shannon McFarlin, News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Meeting in busy session Thursday, the Henry County Buildings and Grounds Committee voted to recommend to the full County Commission that it approve a wheel tax which would fund construction of the new government office building. The committee further recommended that the wheel tax be $30.
Estimated at $8M, the new government offices building is planned for Hwy. 79S. Several county offices would be moved to that building as the county continues to grapple with deteriorating and aging buildings which currently house government offices.
County Mayor Randy Geiger said earlier in the meeting, “If we want the wheel tax to be implemented in January of 2026, we need to work on it now.”
Noting that commission members have indicated they would not approve a wheel tax until they know the figures involved, Commissioner Chuck Elizondo suggested that the wheel tax proposal be earmarked for the new building.
Geiger said, “That was originally the plan”.
Commissioners also reviewed more complete floor plans for renovations to the former HCMC Wellness Center on East Wood St. The juvenile court will be moved to the front part of that building, while the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) offices will move into the back portion. The committee members reviewed preliminary floor plans as presented by Architect Ben Witt at the
last meeting, held earlier in May.
As planned now, the current TRC building, also located on Hwy. 79S, will house the County Archives and Election Commission. Geiger noted there are numerous old records and papers that are still stored on the third floor of the county courthouse which should be moved to the future Archives offices. The Archives and Election Commission currently are housed in Weston Hall, which also is in deteriorating condition.
After lengthy discussion, members agreed to wait until the June commission meeting after estimated costs of planned renovations and new construction are more final.
County Maintenance Supervisor John McElroy said he is gathering estimates for the various projects and should have them within a week. Geiger had recommended earlier that McElroy oversee projects rather than have the county hire someone for that purpose. “It would cost us a lot less,” he said.
In the meantime, Elizondo cautioned that plans need to be underway for employees of the other county offices that are located in the courthouse annex. In addition to juvenile court, those offices would include county trustee, property assessor, and register of deeds. The annex also in an aging building in deteriorating condition.
In other business:
–Visser reported that five bid letters have gone out to companies interested in repairing and/or replacement of the courthouse bell tower, which also is in deteriorated shape. At the last meeting, Rob Goad, Executive Director of the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, was assigned that task. The bids are due back by May 25.
–Geiger reported that the Tennessee Valley Community Church (TVCC) had requested permission to put a nativity scene on the courthouse lawn during the holidays.
Geiger said he discussed the request with County Attorney Rob Whitfield who said because the county offers the courthouse lawn for secular activities it probably would not be legal for the county to deny it. But he recommended the county should study the issue and create a policy overseeing such requests. Geiger noted that with the county having a new lawn and it should likewise have new procedures governing its use.
Photo: Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder and County Maintenance Supervisor John McElroy look over floor plans, with Register of Deeds Pam Martin, County Mayor Randy Geiger and Commissioner Chuck Elizondo look on. Shannon McFarlin photo.