By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a very busy and lengthy session Monday evening, the Henry County Commission finally acted on the proposed wheel tax resolution, but not without a couple more bumps in the road on the way.
The Commission also accepted resignations from long-time public servants County Commissioner Dell Carter and Juvenile/General Sessions Judge Vicki Snyder and set special elections for the positions in October at the next commission meeting.
On second reading and after months and months of discussion and amendments, the Commission approved an additional wheel tax of $30. That will bring the total wheel tax to $45.50, after June 30, 2026.
The additional wheel tax will go toward construction projects in Henry County: construction of a new county administration building, renovation of the County building at 311 E. Wood St., renovation of the County building at 1108 Tyson Ave. and restoration of the courthouse bell tower and belfry.
Two commissioners—Monte Starks and Ralph Wiles—attempted to pass amendments to the wheel tax resolution last night, but both were voted down.
Starks offered an amendment which he said would be a more ‘fair and equal tax’ and more ‘fair to all constituents’ which would change the amount for motorcycles to $22 and other low-speed vehicles to $19.95, rather than the $30. “If the commission wants to be fair and equal to all of their constituents, the decrease that is reflected by the State of Tennessee registration feels would be a fair way to determine our wheel tax,” he said.
The amendment was rejected by a vote of 8 no to 6 yes votes.
Commissioner Ralph Wiles also attempted passage of an amendment to remove renovation of the County building at 311 E. Wood St. from the resolution. He said that project should be removed from the wheel tax “until we have more information on the floor”.
Commissioner Marty Visser, chair of the county building and grounds committee, and County Maintenance Supervisor John McElroy said the building has been examined by structural engineers and have found it sound. Visser said, “The engineers say it’s in good shape for the age it is.”
The building is planned for the new home of the juvenile court and the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC).
Further, Visser said, the building “is quick to get into” and since the TRC will be paying rent it would help the county finance the project.
Since the vote on the amendment was a 7-7 tie with no majority voting for it, the amendment failed.
In other business:
–A resolution to authorize TLM Associates of Jackson to design renovations of the building at 311 E. Wood St. was rejected by a vote of 8 no and five yes. Cost of the design phase would be some $89,000.
–Special elections to replace both Judge Snyder and Commissioner Carter will be held at the October meeting. Resumes of interested parties are to be presented to County Mayor Randy Geiger’s office and candidates will be making presentations to the commission before the panel votes.
Carter is resigning immediately, while Snyder’s resignation is effective January 31, 2026.
Carter said he would miss everyone but that his doctor, his wife and his family insisted it was time he resign.
Commissioners and audience members gave standing ovations for both.
–The commission heard reports from District Attorney Neil Thompson and Public Defender Tas Gardner after which it approved new fees of $12.50 to be paid by criminals who are charged with misdemeanors or felonies. Proceeds go to the DA and public defender’s office.
Both noted that they will be making the same presentation to the other counties in their jurisdiction, but started with Henry County first.
–Geiger reported that the resurfacing work at the runway of the Henry County Airport at Cottage Grove will be delayed to start from Sept. 22 to October 9. Rental fees for private hangars at the airport will be dropped during that period.
—At the request of Wiles, the commission conducted a moment of silence for the family of Charlie Kirk. Geiger said a memorial service for Kirk will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, September 16) on the north side of the courthouse.
Photo: Dell Carter, left, announces his resignation, while Commissioner Marty Visser listens. Shannon McFarlin photo.