Wayne County Commission Addresses Several Topics in October Meeting

The Wayne County Commission met in a lengthy session on Monday, October 19, 2026. The Wayne County News covered the first part of the meeting in last week’s edition, October 28. This week concludes The Wayne County News’ coverage of the commission meeting.

All County Commissioners were present at the meeting: District 1 - Logan Shull and Paxton Prince; District 2 – Jacob Littrell and Randy Burns; District 3 – Caleb Cummings and David Horner; District 4 – Josh Davis and Gunner Rich; District 5 – Daniel Potete and Victoria Lanier; District 6 – David Martin and Ricky Wright; District 7 – Alvin Creecy and Ronnie Hobbs.

County Executive John McDonald presided over the meeting. Also present were County Clerk Ronnie Skelton, Financial Advisor Lori Brasher, and Interim County Attorney Chassity Berlin.

As reported last week, several topics were addressed in the October 10 meeting, including concerns about the CoreCivic (CCA) prison in Clifton. Assistant District Attorney Patrick Butler addressed the commission with his concerns about the prison, some of which have intensified over the past 60 days. “It’s a brutal facility,” said Butler. “Tennessee needs to operate prisons and get CCA out.”

Also discussed at great length were Wayne Medical Center and the ambulance service. Dr. Martin Chaney, Maury Regional CEO, addressed the commission with a presentation of both current and projected profits and losses. Maury Regional is currently contracted to manage the hospital and the ambulance service, with the contract set to be renewed or to expire on June 30, 2027. The decision was made to form a hospital committee that will discuss these matters at greater length so they can make recommendations to the full commission on action needed.

County Executive McDonald told the commission that the Budget Committee had already voted that he be responsible for issuing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for management of both the hospital and ambulance service. The RFPs received will then go first to the Hospital Committee, who will in turn make recommendations to the full commission on the best way to proceed. The full commission voted to uphold the Budget Committee’s vote to issue RFPs for management of both the hospital and ambulance service, and to discuss recommendations of the Budget Committee’s assessment of the RFPs. The vote carried unanimously with the exception of Commissioner David Martin, who abstained from the vote due to a possible conflict of interest.

Next, County Executive Mangubat spoke about a new state law requirement to adopt local rules and procedures or to explicitly defer to Roberts’ Rules of Order. County Executive McDonald said the County Commission had always deferred to Roberts’ Rules of Order, but Financial Advisor Lori Brasher pointed out that the Roberts rules had not always been explicitly followed. Both Ms. Brasher and Interim County Attorney Chassity Berlin recommended the county come up with their own Local Rules of Order based heavily but not wholly on Roberts’ Rules of Order. A committee was appointed to draft Local Rules of Order before the November 30 deadline. Committee members will be Commissioners Caleb Cummings, Daniel Potete, Randy Burns, Victoria Lanier, and Gunner Rich.

County Executive McDonald next called for appointments to the Audit Committee. The appointments were Jimmy Turnbow, Paxton Prince, Ronnie Hobbs, Derrick Sherrill, and Jeff Thompson.

The need for an ad-hoc ambulance/hospital negotiations committee was discussed and will be formed to handle RFP evaluation and contract negotiations. Dr. Chaney suggested following the way the Maury County committee was formed, consisting of the County Executive, one County Commissioner, a local Fire Chief, the Director of 911, and the Director of Emergency Management.

In August 2025, a $1 per hour pay increase for two County Clerk personnel was approved and put in place. In July 2025, a three percent cost of living expense increase was given and put into place for Wayne County employees, excluding schools, elected officials, and those with salaries set by other governing bodies. Unfortunately, this raise was not put into effect for the two County Clerk personnel members. The commission was provided with information to rectify the situation, and the commission unanimously approved the funds to pay for the oversight.

Under new business on the agenda, County Executive McDonald spoke about the County Attorney position. Mr. James Ross was originally asked to be the Count Attorney but had to decline due to a conflict. Ms. Chassity Berlin accepted the position with the intention of serving a four-year term; however, due to a job opportunity in the public sector, Ms. Berlin will only be able to serve as Interim County Attorney until January 1, 2027.

Giles County Fire and Rescue is willing to accept a $3,000 donation in return for a 1985 GMC pumper/tanker truck. The funds for the donation will come from the Opioid Awareness fund, and the truck will be given to Wayne County EMA.

Wayne County E-911 Director Jimmy Turnbow asked for the commission’s approval to transfer a decommissioned state fire lookout tower and its land for emergency communications in the north part of the county. The transfer request was approved by the commission.

Mr. Turnbow also reported that the 20-year debt for the 911 facility was paid off early, and the building is now fully owned by Wayne County E-911.

Concerns regarding road name/address discrepancies were raised by Sheriff Shane Fisher. The sheriff said there had been problems with some locations to which his officers had been dispatched, and this could cause problems with emergency responses. The commission asked that the Highway Department and 911 staff reconcile signage, the county road list, and 911 addresses.

Ms. Joy Powell, UT Ag Extension Agent, addressed the commission regarding re-appointments and new appointments to the Ag Committee. David Martin and Dustin White were reappointed to their second two-year terms, and new appointments were Chris Gambrell, Laura Arnett, Gunner Rich, Jake Littrell, and John McDonald.

Department reports were next. Sheriff Fisher went over his report and encouraged the commissioners to come tour the facility.

Dr. Ricky Inman, Director of Schools, requested approval to appoint Mr. Tracy Love to a school board position recently vacated by the resignation of Mr. Mark Staggs. Commissioner Cummings asked if the position had been posted for the mandatory five days; Dr. Inman said they had reached out to their attorney, and he was agreeable with the appointment. The appointment would go into effect on November 1, 2026. The commission unanimously approved.

Road Superintendent Chuck Moser requested commission approval of his department’s recommendation to support the dedication of a bridge on State Route 203 (Bear Creek Road) in honor of Marshall Pigg, U.S. Army, WWII. The commission unanimously approved.

Lindsay Ross, Assistant Director of the Solid Waste Department, reported on program activities, education, and outreach. She informed the commission that Lawrence County Solid Waste had recently donated a sorting conveyor to Wayne County. If Wayne County ever decides to remove the conveyor, it is to go back to Lawrence County Solid Waste. Ms. Ross went on to report on the mobile convenience centers and a new 10-year solid waste plan required by TDEC. The hauling and disposal contract is to be put out for bids in October 2027. An upcoming reimbursable grant to support the 10-year plan is being reviewed. The county must demonstrate a 25% waste reduction target (state grant eligibility is tied to compliance with this). Local recycling and diversion is currently estimated to be around 40% when focusing on resident recycling vs. broader industrial diversion.

Ms. Holli Haddock, Library Director, invited and encouraged commissioners to visit the Wayne County Public Library in Waynesboro, the Collinwood Depot Library, and the Clifton Public Library.

With no further business to come before the commission, the meeting was adjourned.