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Watson Appointed to McKenzie City Council

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McKENZIE (May 11) — After over seven months, the council position representing ward two has been filled. In the Thursday evening meeting, Mayor Jill Holland nominated and the Council approved the appointment of Steve Watson to the vacant seat. Watson fills the seat held by Jason R. Martin who moved from McKenzie City Limits and is currently running for Carroll County Commission for District 9.

The Council approved its Private Charter #46 which was approved by the state legislature and signed by Governor Bill Lee. The amended city charter abolishes the City’s ward system moving to an at-large style of representation with the city council. The council seats held by Bobby Young, Garrett Burns and Steve Watson are the first seats subject to the at-large system in the November general election. The remaining three seats held by Jesse Townes, Charles Pruneau and Josefina Batton will be on the November 2024 general election ballot.

The McKenzie Police Department was granted the ability to offer signing bonuses of $3,000 to certified officers. Currently, the department is down five officers and having difficulty recruiting certified officers. The recruitment tool would be paid out over a year to the new hire. By enticing certified officers, it would save the City money as new recruits (non-certified) receive a salary and benefits while attending the academy at approximately $17,000 not factoring in the cost of the academy fees. Municipalities like Memphis are offering bonuses of upwards of $15,000 as they are short about 700 officers.

An amendment was made to the agenda in regards to the replacement of the Police and Fire Departments’ communication console. The current console is at least 25 years old and is outdated not allowing for new equipment to configure properly. The average price of a new unit is $75,000. Mayor Holland asked the Council for a motion to make a request to Carroll County 911 Board to purchase a new console for the City since McKenzie is the secondary/backup dispatch. If the Carroll County 911 dispatch center went off-line or became inoperable McKenzie would become the active center for all county dispatch calls.

Ordinance 545 was approved in its first reading. The ordinance focuses on accessory buildings defining them as “private garages, carports, gazebos and sheds.” The structures can not be “utilized for habitable space. No mobile home, manufactured home, modular home, travel trailer unit, or tractor-trailer shall be utilized as an accessory building. All accessory buildings shall be located a minimum of five feet from any property line.”

Ordinance 546 was approved in its first reading. This pertains to areas zoned as R-1 (residential-low density), setting the lot area requirement minimizing size at 10,000 square feet.

Bethel University President Walter Butler addressed the Council about the agreement between the university and the City of McKenzie concerning a 25% discount on tuition for full-time employees. President Butler and Jackie Puckett, Professional Development recruiter, also announced starting June 2, any adult can take the first class for free through the university’s College of Professional Studies. Butler stated this is part of Bethel’s way of celebrating Carroll County’s 200th birthday and giving back to the community.

Mayor Holland presented proclamations to Nathan Nanney, Logan Green, Dakota Hall and Paul Prescott for representing TCAT-McKenzie in Chattanooga at the state level of the Skills USA Competition. The four gentlemen earned the chance to attend the national competition in Atlanta.

Discussion on McKenzie employee incentives was tabled for further discussion. A workshop will be scheduled at a later date.

During citizens’ input, Ruth Umstead of Oaklawn Drive urged the City to look into possible ways of slowing drivers in her neighborhood. She stated she was worried a pedestrian or child riding a bicycle would be run over. Umstead added the individuals speeding are not living in the neighborhood but folks using Oaklawn as a way of traveling between Hinkledale Road and Highway 124 (Greenfield Highway).

The next regular meeting of the City of McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council is June 9 at 6 p.m.