By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It was a busy and lengthy evening Tuesday for the Henry County Commission, which approved a wheel tax for upcoming building projects, heard a retirement announcement by General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder, approved an application for a federal USDA grant for building projects, authorized a resolution with TLM Associates of Jackson which increases construction costs, approved an extension of the county’s garbage pickup contract, plus much more.
Snyder had already announced her pending retirement at a meeting of county officials and officially made the announcement public at the county commission. Snyder’s retirement will be official January 31, 2026, which also happens to be her 68th birthday. She has served as judge for 19 years and worked for the county for 31 years: as a social worker, Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Pubic Defender.
“It’s been a great privilege to serve”, she said, and was given a standing ovation by the commission and audience. She was accompanied to the meeting by her husband Mark.
The approval of the wheel tax has followed much discussion over a number of meetings as the county has continued to wrestle with the problem of aging government structures.
As approved and amended, the wheel tax will start January 1, 2026 and end when the building projects are completed. The resolution states an additional motor vehicle privilege tax in the amount of $30 will be levied so that the total motor vehicle privilege tax will be $45.50 after December 31, 2025.
The resolution as initially presented would have been open-ended, with the acknowledgement that repeal of the tax would be up to future commissions, but Commissioner David Flowers moved that the resolution be more definite, stating that the tax would end when the projects are completed. Commissioner Ralph Wiles was the lone ‘no’ vote.
The building projects specified (all of which have been covered previously on news sites): the new government building on Hwy. 79S, the new juvenile court offices on E. Wood St., the renovation to the TRC building on 79S (to house County Archives and Election Commission), and the renovation of the courthouse belltower.
In other business:
–The commission approved modifications of the agreement with TLM Associates to design the new Henry County Services Building on Hwy. 79S. Due to modifications requested by county officials, the estimated square footage has increased from $6.8M to $7.8M and the design cost increased from $395,160 to $475,020.
Both Architect Ben Witt and Engineer Jerry Hartsfield were present for tonight’s meeting.
Commissioner Ralph Wiles asked why the plans weren’t in the commission packet and County Mayor Randy Geiger and Commissioner Marty Visser said the plans have been shown and discussed at length at buildings and grounds meetings (as well as covered by the media). “There’s been ample opportunity for everyone to look at the plans,” Visser said.
Voting ‘no’ were Wiles and Flowers.
–The commission approved a resolution applying for some $8M in USDA monies to assist in the construction of the new county government office building. Geiger repeated what he had said earlier—that the resolution was needed now to lock in the interest rate.
– The commission approved a resolution amending the Private Act to urge General Assembly to reduce the number of members on the Henry County Hospital Board from 7 to 3 and to reduce number of meetings from monthly to quarterly.
–The commission approved a resolution authorizing garbage pickup contract renewal between the county and Republic Services. The contract is for two years and includes a 3 percent increase each of both years.
Commissioner Paul Neal noted he would have to vote ‘no’, with Republic raising its rates every year for the past several years. Also voting no were Dell Carter and Patrick Burns
–The commission approved a list of non-profit organizations that the county provides appropriations for, after an amendment raising the amount for Volunteer Fire Departments was included. As moved by Commissioner Monte Starks, the commission raised the amount from $31,200 to $35,200. That amounts to a $250 increase for each of the fire departments.
Wiles asked what several of the agencies did, including Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Abused Children in Paris; the Arts Council, Heritage Center, TARP and WRAP. He said he was elected by his district to find out where money was going. The purpose of the various agencies was explained by other commissioners and people in the audience, with Geiger stating Wiles could attend committee meetings at which the non-profit organizations are discussed. Wiles voted no on the resolution.
–The commission approved a resolution to opt out of the Civil Service Act of 1978 since it has been inactive in the county for so long.
Photo: Judge Vicki Snyder announces her pending retirement, with her husband Mark seated behind her. Shannon McFarlin photo.