Council OKs Moorehead, textbooks, TCRS

9:06 p.m. Aug. 18, 2025

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

The Metro Council tackled a wide-ranging agenda Monday, Aug. 18, approving traffic patterns for major downtown events, adopting new retirement benefits for county employees, and resolving a contentious debate over funding science textbooks for Moore County schools.

Moorehead Returns to Council

The Metro Council welcomed Sunny Rae Moorehead back to its ranks Monday, appointing her to represent District 1 after the resignation of Darrel Richards in June.

Moorehead, who previously held the seat, was nominated alongside Wendy Hart and Dr. Klaus Schug. After a roll-call vote, she emerged with a clear majority, 10-3 over Hart. John Taylor was absent on Monday night.

“We always need people who are willing to serve our community,” Council Chairwoman Amy Cashion said in announcing the result. “Ms. Sunny Rae, if you could come forward, be sworn in, and take your seat.”

Textbooks vs. School Bus

One of the night’s most spirited debates centered on whether to purchase both a new school bus and science textbooks with debt service funds totaling $229,055.

Director of Schools Chad Moorehead urged the Council to approve both, explaining: “The science standards for K-12 just changed, and to have textbooks to go with those new standards, we plan on buying grades 4-12.”

But concern over costs led to sharp exchanges. “We’re not going to buy books for kids?” District 4 member Bradley Dye asked pointedly after an initial 8-6 vote rejected the combined purchase.

Council member Moorehead suggested splitting the textbooks and bus request. Council members later reconsidered, voting 11-3 to fund textbooks only ($84,055). The council members who changed their vote were Shane Taylor, Arvis Bobo, and Jimmy Hammond.

The members who voted against the measure both times were Peggy Sue Blackburn, Robert Bracewell, and Greg Guinn.

Employee Retirement Plan Adopted

In a landmark decision, the Council voted to extend the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to county employees not already covered.

Supporters framed the move as essential for recruitment and retention. “This is giving something back to the people who have put so much into Moore County,” said Sunny Rae Moorehead, adding it was about “investing in the future … to get people that are going to take care of Moore County.”

Opponents were skeptical. “A 401(k) is better for them and their family,” Bracewell, of District 2, countered, warning that pensions can become a taxpayer burden.

The plan will require a $1 million upfront payment from capital projects and $500,000 for the first year’s costs. Starting in FY 2026, it could add as much as 10 cents to the property tax rate.

The decision does not affect the FY2025 budget approved by the council in July.

The motion passed following a roll-call vote in which two sheriff’s office employees – District 1’s Taylor and Douglas Carson of District 2 – abstained on law-enforcement-specific appropriations but voted to support the plan overall.

Blackburn, Bobo, and Bracewell voted against the measure.

Events Cleared for Fall

Council members approved requests for upcoming events on the Square, including the Tunnel to Towers 5K, Jack Daniel’s Barbecue, and Christmas in Lynchburg.

“We want to have as minimal impact on our vendors as we can, but we also have to maintain safety,” Sheriff Tyler Hatfield said while explaining traffic control plans.

Jack Daniel Distillery also received approval to close several Main Street parking spaces Saturday, Aug. 21, for a “Planter Day” promotion. “Once they advertise it, that’s going to be a fairly sizable event,” Hatfield noted, adding that deputies would monitor traffic for congestion.

Other Business

• Approval was granted for the same road closures for the 2026 Oak Barrel Half Marathon.

• The Council unanimously declared a 2001 Ford pickup from the fire department surplus and approved several rezoning measures from agricultural to residential. These included first readings for two parcels and second readings for three others.

• The Council also voted to require proof of a Moore County business license before contractors can obtain local building permits, a move aimed at ensuring out-of-county firms contribute to local revenues.

“If I build a house in Franklin County or wherever, I’m required to have a business license. Are we requiring that here?” District 5’s Greg Guinn asked.

“We’re trying to support Moore County with everything we do,” said Jimmy Hammond, also from District 5. This would just affect anybody who’s coming in from out of county.”

• Public hearings on rezoning measures and the financing of the new textbooks will be held at the Council’s next session on Monday, Sept. 15.

• District 3’s Dexter Golden, who is chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, also asked the council members to review mobile home park regulations to bring them closer in line with subdivision standards.