Official Website of Commissioner Dave Ray
Commissioner Dave Ray Shares Key Updates Ahead of Tomorrow’s Meeting
Tomorrow, January 28, 2025, the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular session to discuss several important matters. As your Commissioner, I’d like to provide an overview of the agenda and share how these decisions aim to improve services and address the needs of our residents.
One of the most significant items is filling the District 4 vacancy following the passing of Commissioner Roy Hagan. Commissioner Hagan was a dedicated servant to his district and to our county, and his absence is deeply felt. Tomorrow, we will nominate and vote to appoint his successor, ensuring that District 4 continues to have representation and a voice in decisions that impact us all.
Another important issue is the proposed addition of a fifth ambulance to our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department. Lawrence County spans 618 square miles with over 46,000 residents, and with steady population growth, the demand for emergency services has increased. Our current fleet is often stretched thin, particularly during high call volumes or simultaneous emergencies. Adding a fifth ambulance will help ensure faster response times and provide critical care across our large, geographically diverse county. This investment is essential for maintaining the health and safety of all residents.
In addition, the commission will consider adopting a revised transportation fee schedule for EMS services. This adjustment is designed to align fees with service demands and help the department generate sufficient income to sustain its operations. My goal is for our EMS department to operate independently, covering its costs without relying on property tax revenue. This would allow property tax funds to be redirected to other areas of need within our county.
As part of the EMS discussion, we’ll also consider adding Shelton Barnett, Tyler McDow, and Jay Moore as voting members to the Emergency Services Committee. The passage of this resolution is a great step in ensuring that our emergency services committee can make more informed decisions and hear from professionals who regularly operate in their respective fields.
The agenda also includes a one-time $100,000 contribution to support sewer plant upgrades in Loretto. This project is crucial for ensuring our infrastructure can keep up with the area’s economic growth. Supporting these upgrades is an investment in our community’s continued progress and the opportunities that growth brings.
Additionally, we’ll vote on accepting a recycling grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. This grant will fund the purchase of new recycling equipment, improving our waste management and sustainability efforts without additional costs to taxpayers.
Other items on the agenda include updates to the county’s compensatory and overtime policies to ensure fairness and efficiency, as well as the disposal of surplus property from the Archives Department to streamline operations. We’ll also set the county’s official holidays for 2025, ensuring consistency for both residents and employees.
As your Commissioner, I’m dedicated to ensuring that our decisions reflect the needs and priorities of Lawrence County. If you have any questions or thoughts about these matters, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can continue working toward a stronger and more secure future for our community. It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as your Commissioner.