Judicial Status Change Among Items on Carroll County Legislative Agenda

HUNTINGDON — A proposed change concerning the compensation and full-time status of Carroll County's General Sessions Court judge will be among the key matters considered when the Carroll County Legislative Body meets September 14.

Resolution 9-03-2026 asks the Tennessee General Assembly to enact a private act concerning the “compensation and full-time status” of the General Sessions Court judge of Carroll County.

Carroll County is currently classified as a Class 4 county for purposes of General Sessions Court compensation, a classification in which the judge is considered part-time. Under changes to Tennessee's county classification system, Class 3 counties will be those with populations of more than 30,000, while Class 4 counties will remain in the part-time classification. The changes are scheduled to take effect September 1, 2030.

Carroll County's population was 28,440 in the 2020 Census, while the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimate places the county's population at 29,200 as of July 1, 2025. That puts Carroll County within 800 residents of the 30,000 threshold that separates Class 3 and Class 4 under the new classification structure.

While the county remains below that threshold under the current population figures, the proposed change comes as Carroll County's population approaches the Class 3 level and as the General Sessions judge carries responsibilities beyond the traditional duties of General Sessions Court.

Carroll County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Michael King presides over both General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court. Carroll Academy, an adolescent intensive day treatment program operated by the Carroll County Juvenile Court, lists King as the Carroll County General Sessions/Juvenile Court judge.

In addition to those judicial responsibilities, King serves as administrator of Carroll Academy, giving the position responsibilities that extend beyond the courtroom.

The General Sessions Court resolution is one of six resolutions listed for consideration by the legislative body.

Also on the agenda are two resolutions concerning fire protection services.

Resolution 9-01-2026 would approve a memorandum of understanding concerning fire protection services in the community of Buena Vista, accept the transfer of the Buena Vista Fire Station property to Carroll County and authorize the station's integration into the Carroll County Fire Department.

Resolution 9-02-2026 concerns fire protection services in McLemoresville. The measure would establish an agreement between Carroll County and the Town of McLemoresville, incorporate those fire protection services into the Carroll County Fire Department, accept the transfer of fire department equipment and apparatus, and authorize the Carroll County Fire Department to operate the McLemoresville Fire Station.

The Carroll County Legislative Body also is scheduled to consider Resolution 9-04-2026, which would amend the General Fund budget for Circuit Court, along with proposed budget amendments involving the library and grant fund.

Other business includes the election of chairman and chairman pro tempore of the Carroll County Legislative Body, approval of legislative body committees, a presentation by Heather Pardue concerning Northwood Drive development, citizens forum, elections of notaries and monthly reports.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. September 14 at the Carroll County Office Complex.